Pot marigold Calendula officinalis
Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) is an annual flowering plant in the Asteraceae family. It grows 30–60 cm (12–24 in) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -6 °C (21 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
Plan Pot marigold in your garden →
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Pot marigold at a glance
| Type | Annual flowering plant |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Mature height | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -6 °C (21 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | about 7–10 weeks after planting, for 13–21 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 70 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: petals |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇫🇷 France, 🇵🇱 Poland |
Is Pot marigold toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Calendula is listed as non-toxic to people, cats and dogs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Pot marigold
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Pot marigold
- How far apart should I plant Pot marigold?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Pot marigold need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Pot marigold need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Pot marigold?
- It tolerates about -6 °C (21 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Pot marigold flower?
- About 7–10 weeks after planting, for 13–21 weeks.
- Is Pot marigold poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Calendula is listed as non-toxic to people, cats and dogs.
- What grows well with Pot marigold?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Pot marigold. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lettuce Lactuca sativa
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- French tarragon Artemisia dracunculus