Calendula comes from the Latin word for “first day of the month,” which is likely because this pot marigold always blooms at the start of the month. It is easy to grow from seed, and quickly grows to maturity in 6-8 weeks after sowing.
Calendula, also known as Calendula officinalis, is a hardy annual plant in the Asteraceae or Compositae family. It has a disc-shaped center surrounded by spoon-shaped petals. Notable species include daisy, arnica, Artemisia, chamomile, chrysanthemum, dandelion and Echinacea.
It’s also called Pot Marigold, English Marigold, Poet’s Marigold, or Summer’s Bride. The original species only had one yellow or orange flower, but many new hybrids have been bred to produce flowers in apricot, orange, and yellow, with a double ring of petals, as well as plants with shorter stems for borders and longer stems for the cutting garden.
People often think it is the more common French and African pom-pom flower called a marigold (Tagetes), but it is not related. Both have bright yellow and orange flowers that make any flower, herb, or vegetable garden look happy.
Calendula is a cheery, easy-to-grow annual that brings vibrant color to flower beds and borders. Many gardeners start calendula from seed, as it’s an affordable way to fill gardens with these sunny blooms. But if you’re new to growing calendula, you may wonder – what do calendula seedlings look like when they first sprout?
In this article, we’ll explore how to identify calendula seedlings, so you can confidently thin and care for them as they mature.
What is Calendula?
Let’s start with a quick overview of calendula itself. Calendula (Calendula officinalis) also called pot marigold, is an herbaceous plant in the aster family. Native to the Mediterranean region, it thrives in temperate climates worldwide.
The flowers come in shades of yellow, gold, and orange with lightly scented petals. Calendula is both an ornamental garden plant and an herb used for medicinal purposes.
This cheerful annual self-seeds readily flourishing year after year. It’s easy to grow calendula from seed. In fact once established, you’ll likely have plenty of volunteers popping up each spring!
When to Start Calendula Seeds
Calendula can be started indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected spring frost Or it can be direct sown in the garden after danger of frost has passed,
If sowing indoors, use a seed starting mix and provide warmth and bright light. Germination occurs within 5-14 days. Harden off before transplanting seedlings outside.
Direct sow seeds 1⁄4 inch deep and 6 inches apart. Thin later to 8-12 inches between plants. Calendula grows fast, reaching maturity in about 2 months.
What Do Calendula Seedlings Look Like?
Calendula seedlings first form a rosette of spade-shaped leaves close to the ground. The leaves are slightly fuzzy.
As they grow, the leaves become more oblong with indented, toothed edges. They are medium green on top with a pale green/white underside.
After 4-6 weeks, seedlings form their first set of true leaves. These look like mini versions of the mature foliage.
Key Characteristics
Here are a few key features to look for when identifying calendula seedlings:
- Spade-shaped cotyledon leaves
- Indented, toothed foliage
- Soft fuzz on leaves and stems
- Medium green on top, pale green/white underneath
- Distinctive leaf shape and veining
As calendula matures, it becomes bushy and the stems elongate. The plants reach 1-2 feet tall and 1 foot wide on average.
Comparing Calendula and Weeds
Calendula sprouts vigorously, making it easy to spot among slower growing weeds. But some common weeds have leaves that resemble young calendula. Here’s how to tell them apart:
Chickweed has smooth, oval leaves in pairs along the stem. The tiny white flowers have 5 petals.
Henbit has round, scalloped leaves along a sprawling stem. Tubular purple flowers bloom in spring.
Spotted spurge is a low-growing weed with red stems and oval leaves with a pink center spot.
Purslane leaves are fleshy, smooth and rounded. The prostrate plant forms red stems with yellow flowers.
Caring for Calendula Seedlings
Once seedlings form their second set of true leaves, thin them to 6-12 inches apart. This allows air circulation and prevents overcrowding.
To thin, use scissors to clip extra plants at soil level. Gently transplant others to areas that need filling in.
Keep seedlings consistently watered. Add a thin layer of compost or organic fertilizer when transplanting to nourish plants.
Pinch back tips to encourage bushy growth. Deadhead spent blooms to promote more flowers.
Saving Calendula Seeds
One of the best things about growing calendula is that you can easily save seeds!
As flowers fade, seed heads form. When completely dry, they split open. Seeds fall out easily onto awaiting paper or directly into collected pods.
To save pure seeds, grow only one calendula variety or isolate different types by at least 500 feet. Store seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
With proper storage, seeds remain viable for 2 years.
Enjoying Calendula Season After Season
Calendula self-seeds enthusiastically, providing a continuous supply of blossoms year after year. By recognizing the seedlings each spring, you can cultivate successive generations of these charming flowers.
The beauty of calendula is that once established, this hardy annual basically takes care of itself! Just be sure to identify the seedlings properly so you can care for them as needed in those early weeks.
With the above tips, you’ll be able to confidently identify and tend to calendula seedlings. Then you can sit back and enjoy their bright blooms season after season!
How to Grow Calendula Throughout the Season
Growth Habit: Calendula is a medium sized plant, with a moderately sprawling, yet non-invasive growth habit. It thrives when planted in a clump with 6 or more plants. Based on the type, calendula can grow up to 15 inches tall and a foot wide in ideal conditions. The plant doesn’t have much foliage compared to its many free-flowering flowers, which only last a short time and need to be deadheaded regularly to keep blooming. Colors range from orange, yellow, apricot to tawny red, bi-color and can be either single or double blossoms.
Staking: Not usually needed, yet may benefit from staking to keep plants contained and upright.
Watering: Calendula does best when it is watered regularly, but it can grow well without extra water. In fact, extra dry conditions may make the plant more stressed.
If you spread garden compost over the soil before planting seeds, it will help the plants grow well. But if you fertilize too much, you’ll get more leaves than flowers. Supplement mid-season with liquid seaweed or organic fertilizer spread at the base of the plant.
Put a layer of natural bark or hay around the base of plants in the spring as mulch. This may keep the soil moist and cut down on weeds.
Cutting Pruning is not necessary, unless the plants become too vigorous. Sow several times during the season to extend the season and stagger bloom times.
When & Where to Plant Calendula
Your American Meadows order for Calendula will arrive as a packet of seeds, as plants are not available. Seeds can be sown directly in the garden, in the spring after danger of frost. In a row, spread seeds out every 6 inches. Cover with ¼ to 1/2 inch of soil, pat it down gently, and water it. Seeds should germinate within a week, and plants will blossom 6-8 weeks later.
Seeds can be started indoors in seed trays 3-4 weeks before frost-free date and transplanted into the garden. For a continuous show, plant seeds more than once in the garden or in seed trays that you can move outside in the spring. You can store the seeds in a dry place, out of the sun and direct heat, for up to a year if you can’t plant them right away.
Light: Full sun or part shade. Calendula doesn’t do well in the hot summer weather. It does better in the spring and early fall, when it’s cooler. Water regularly until well established, and when the soil is dry. Stress to the plants will cause the flower heads to droop and go to seed.
Soil: Calendula is tolerant of ordinary soil, yet prefers optimal conditions that offer rich, nutritious organic soil. But, as with most flowers and herbs, don’t use too much fertilizer. Too much nitrogen will make a lot of leaves but not many flowers. Calendula does well naturalized in meadows and herb gardens, as well as in the flower border.
Plant seeds in a row, leaving 5 inches of space between each one. The best place to do this is along the edge of a vegetable, flower, or herb garden. You can also move mature seedlings to a window box or a planter on your deck and grow them there. Deep blue and red flowers will look great with the brighter colors.
To plant, put the seeds ½” below the surface of soft soil in the garden or in a seed tray, cover them with soil, press them down gently, and water them. Keep in full sun, lightly watered until germination and plants appear.
GROWING CALENDULA FROM SEED: Planting Calendula in Both Spring & Fall // Calendula as a Hardy Annual
FAQ
How long does it take for calendula to grow from seed?
Does calendula come back every year?
How to identify calendula plant?
Can you grow Calendula from seed?
Calendula have bright yellow and orange flowers that can bring a cheerful burst of color to any garden. They are fairly easy to grow from seed and can be planted in both containers and flower beds. Why Should You Grow Calendula from Seed? Growing calendula from seed can be very rewarding and is a great way to add a splash of color to your garden.
What do Calendula seeds look like?
Calendula seeds look like little curved letter C’s or tiny snakes or worms in a C shape. They may be green or tan, depending on their maturity, but aim to collect them when they are brown if you have the choice. The seeds develop on the dried, dead calendula flower heads.
How do you know if a calendula plant is growing?
They may be green or tan, depending on their maturity, but aim to collect them when they are brown if you have the choice. The seeds develop on the dried, dead calendula flower heads. When visiting the garden, take notice of how each plant is progressing toward its ultimate goals.
When do Calendula seeds ripen?
Calendula seeds are tan in color when they are ready to harvest. You’ll want to let them ripen on the plant if you wish to save some for next year. We decided to harvest pot marigold seeds in mid-September when we first found them dried on the dead flower heads. Pot marigold seeds are easy to handle and just as easy to collect.