Field guide
How to grow calendula: planting, care, and harvest guide
Calendula typically reaches first harvest in 45–60 days. This guide covers when to plant by USDA zone, common pests, harvest cues, and companion plants where relevant.
Open plannerWhen to plant calendula by USDA zone group
- USDA Zones 1–4 — May to June
- USDA Zones 5–6 — April to May
- USDA Zones 7–8 — March to April
- USDA Zones 9–10 — February to March
- USDA Zones 11–13 — October to February
Companion plants
Good companions: Tomato (Slicing), Cucumbers, Cabbage
Harvest
When to pick
- Flowers are newly opened and free of pesticide exposure
- Harvest before heat causes wilting
How: Snip flowers or seed heads with clean scissors while leaving enough bloom for pollinators.
Storage: Use edible flowers promptly. Dry medicinal or seed heads only with species-specific guidance.
Common pests and problems
Aphids and powdery mildew
Signs: Sticky clusters or pale powder on leaves
Control: Thin crowded growth, water soil rather than foliage, and leave some pest insects for beneficial predators.
About this field guide
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