Plant Spotlight: Calendula

We keep a tube of calendula gel in the house for almost all skin ailments. Every time calendula pops up in the garden, I tell myself I’m finally going to make my own. Liiiiike, it can’t be that hard?

But it never happens.
Then I shame myself about it.
A vicious and unnecessary cycle.

But y’all, I think it never happens because I enjoy her presence too much.

Calendula is a happy camper while she’s in bloom. She’s the Leslie Knope of flowers—all rainbow and no rain. And who am I to kill Leslie Knope? Even if she could make my skin noticeably perkier.

Last spring, calendula seedlings popped up near some catmint, volunteers from seeds their parents dropped the year before. But the catmint kept growing and started shading them out. Then rabbits decided to nest underneath, digging a nice hole and destroying the bunch.

Calendula lost that round.

Well, the joke’s on you, rabbits and catmint. I got a whole new packet of calendula seeds, and this time they’re going in pots. Me and the pollinators can finally enjoy this cottage garden queen.

Calendula is also easy to grow from seed. You can direct sow (see my Seed Sowing 101 post) or start seeds indoors—both methods work well. Just follow the seed packet for planting depth, spacing, and timing.

And aside from her well-known healing properties, calendula is edible, too. So if you don’t mind maiming Leslie Knope, toss a few petals into a salad for a little piquance. Enjoy!