SOWING GUIDE
Pot Marigold
Pacific Beauty Mix
Best Time
Spring (direct sowing)
Care
Low once established
Shelf Life
Up to 2 years
Difficulty
Easy
Profile
Pot Marigold
Calendula officinalis · Asteraceae
Pollinator-Friendly
Edible Petals
Annual (self-seeding)
Cut Flower
BLOOM
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
All summer
Sun / Part shade
30-60 cm
The Pacific Beauty Mix calendula produces large semi-double flowers in warm shades of apricot, cream, gold and yellow, carried on long stems that are excellent for cutting. A hardy, undemanding annual once established, it blooms all summer and self-seeds naturally from season to season. Pollinator-friendly, it attracts bees and other beneficial pollinators to the garden. Its petals are edible and can be sprinkled over summer dishes for a touch of colour. A great candidate for xeriscaping.
When to sow?
Spring
Direct sowing · Ideal · Indoor sowing possible
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Direct sow in early spring, even if a light frost is still possible
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Continue sowing every 2 to 3 weeks until early summer for uninterrupted blooms through autumn
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Indoor sowing in late winter, at 21°C, in darkness until germination
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Transplant once daytime temperatures are consistently above 10°C (50°F)
Autumn
Possible
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Autumn sowing possible in mild-winter climates
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Not recommended in Quebec due to harsh winters
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Prefer spring sowing for our climate
Choosing the site
Exposure: full sun to part shade
Calendula prefers full sun for abundant blooming, but tolerates partial shade well. A spot that receives at least a few hours of direct sunlight per day is ideal.
Ordinary soil, any type
It grows easily in any standard garden soil — ideal pH 5.5 to 7.0. Undemanding by nature, it's a great candidate for xeriscaping. No special amendments needed.
Avoid overhead watering
Calendula is susceptible to mildew. Always water at the base of the plant to keep foliage dry. Avoid excess moisture on leaves, particularly during humid periods.
How to sow seeds?
Step 1
Sowing depth
Sow seeds to approximately 5 mm (¼") depth.
Step 2
Spacing between plants
Thin or space plants 15–45 cm (6–18") apart.
Step 3
Darkness required
Keep seeds in darkness at 21°C until germination (6–14 days), then immediately provide bright light.
Step 4
Staggered sowing
Sow every 2 to 3 weeks from spring through early summer for continuous blooms until the first frost.
With calendulas, the more you pick, the more they bloom — don't hesitate to cut generously for your bouquets!
Care
Pinching young plants
For bushy, generous growth, pinch young plants when they reach about ten centimetres — simply remove the tip of the main stem. The plant will branch out and produce more flowers.
Removing spent flowers (deadheading)
Regularly remove faded blooms to extend flowering and prevent unwanted self-seeding. Leave a few heads to dry if you wish to collect seeds for next season.
Light fertilizing
An occasional application of fertilizer is beneficial but not essential. Calendula is undemanding once established and grows even in difficult conditions.
Companion planting
An excellent companion in the vegetable garden: calendula repels certain harmful soil nematodes. Plant it near tomatoes and asparagus. Note however — it can attract slugs. Monitor and protect young plants as needed.
Harvest seed heads at the end of the season and re-sow in spring so your calendulas return naturally every year.
Information
Glossary
Broadcast sowing: scattering seeds evenly across the entire prepared surface.
Cluster sowing: placing several seeds in the same small hole.
Indoor sowing: starting seeds in trays indoors before transplanting outside once the risk of frost has passed.
Re-sowing: spreading new seeds over an already established area to renew or thicken the blend
Storage
Keep in a cool, dry place away from light. Shelf life up to 2 years.
Blooming depends on many environmental factors (planting period, temperatures, sunlight). Mayline Confection is not responsible for blooming results.