- Calendula is a good at attracting bees, making it an excellent addition to the veg patch.
- Also, try planting amongst tomatoes and other veggies to keep aphids at bay – it will attract ladybirds and other natural aphid predators.
How to grow... Calendula
Rocket Growing Guides
Calendula is grown as an annual, although it may last a couple of seasons if it is mild over winter. If you would like to grow calendula the following year, we would recommend leaving some flowers to go to seed, they will easily self-sow or you can collect the seed.
- Calendula Growing Guide
How to Plant Calendula
- These plants are well suited to beds and borders in full sun or partial shade. You can grow in pots too, but choose a wider, deeper pot (or a window box) as the flowers can grow quite tall.
- You can happily dot these in and around veg or other flowers, they add a good splash of colour and will attract pollinators.
- Plant 20cm apart
- If you would like to grow calendula the following year, we would recommend leaving some flowers to go to seed, they will easily self-sow or you can collect the seed.
How to Grow Calendula
- Keep them watered during dry spells, other than that they are fairly self-sufficient
- For longer flowering time, deadhead regularly.
- They will self-seed easily, so either leave flowers to go to seed if you are happy for them to spread in the borders, or keep dead-heading right through to the end of autumn. The seed heads are quite sticky/sappy, so wear gloves when you are deadheading them.
How to Harvest Calendula
- Harvest flowers in the morning (when they are just opening, rather than in the evening when they are closing again)
- Use petals only to sprinkle into salads, rice dishes, pasta etc.