Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is an attractive perennial flower that offers several benefits besides adding beauty to the landscape. This flower is edible and contains healing properties that are good for the skin. So how can you grow Calendula?
Use these tips for growing calendula in your home garden so you will always have some on hand to look at, eat, and treat minor skin irritations.
Planting Location
Calendula is a sun-loving plant that needs to be planted in a location that will receive full sun all day. The flower will grow equally well when planted in-ground or in a container.
Amend soil with a shovelful of well-aged manure or compost before planting seeds or plants.
Appearance
The plant is low-growing and will reach a mature height of 18 inches (45 cm). It will produce large, edible orange blooms that have a peppery taste and makes a colorful addition to a green summer salad. Blooms will be 2-4 inches (5 – 10 cm) across and resemble those of a marigold. Calendula is often called ‘pot marigold’ because of the resemblance and similar growing habits.
After Care
The plant will produce blooms all summer if spent blooms are removed regularly.
Keep soil moist with regular watering and feed plant monthly throughout the blooming season.
Apply a 2-inch ( 5 cm) layer of organic mulch around the plants to retain soil moisture and prevent weed growth.
Skin Care With Calendula Oil
What is the use of Calendula? Calendula oil has antifungal, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties that make it useful in healing wounds, soothing eczema, promoting healing for minor skin irritations, treating acne, and relieving diaper rash.
The oil is made by infusing the flowers in a carrier oil. Carrier oil is the base oil and can be olive oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, aloe vera, etc. Apply the calendula oil to skin that is inflamed or wounded with a soft cloth or cotton ball. The oil is often mixed with fresh aloe vera gel to promote healing for skin irritations.
Even healthy skin can benefit from calendula oil. Regular application of the oil promotes skin hydration and firmness for a more youthful appearance.
Test Skin First
Do a skin test before applying calendula oil on a large area to ensure you’re not allergic to the plant. Apply a little oil to a small patch of skin and wait for 24 hours to see if redness or itching develops. If not, then it should be safe for you to use.
Plant facts
| Common name | Pot Marigold |
| Light | Part sun, full sun |
| Soil type | Average to loamy |
| Soil drainage | Well-drained soil |
| Height x Width | 2 x 2 feet (60 x 60 cm) |
| Flowering seasons | Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring |
| Life span | perennial |
| Plant hardiness zones | 2 – 11 |
*This article is not intended to be medical advice, so please do not rely solely on the information provided in this article for your health.
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