Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Calendula Plants and Plugs: Edible Orange Petals Near Lavender
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Calendula (Calendula officinalis), sometimes called pot marigold, is a cheerful cool-season annual with yellow to orange daisy-like flowers two to three inches across, in single or double forms. It has a long history as a pot herb and dye plant, and its petals are edible.
It is an easy, generous companion for lavender. Orange and purple are a classic contrast, both plants enjoy sun, and calendula keeps flowering almost nonstop from late spring until a heavy frost if you keep picking it.
Calendula at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Calendula officinalis |
| Flowers | Yellow to orange daisies, 2 to 3 inches, single to double |
| Foliage | Lance-shaped to oblong green leaves, aromatic |
| Size | 12 to 24 inches tall and wide |
| Bloom | Starts late May, peaks late June, continues until heavy frost |
| Life cycle | Cool-season annual; does not overwinter in zones 5 to 6 but often reseeds lightly |
| Water needs | Moderate |
| Deer | Resistant |
Where it fits with lavender
Calendula wants a bit more water than established lavender, so give it the edge of the lavender bed, a kitchen garden next door or the cutting row rather than squeezing it between lavender crowns. It fills gaps in a young planting quickly and gives you bright color from late May, weeks before most lavender blooms.
Because it slows down in the hottest part of summer and comes back strong as nights cool, calendula is especially valuable in late summer and fall, after the lavender harvest. Pair the orange daisies with dried lavender stems for a warm fall bouquet. Plan it in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Sun: full sun gives the most flowers.
- Soil: average, well-drained garden soil.
- Water: moderate and regular, more than established lavender needs.
- Deadheading: pick spent flowers often. Calendula blooms almost continuously when it is not allowed to set seed.
- Mildew: powdery mildew is common in humid, crowded plantings. Space plants and water at the base.
- Next year: leave a few flowers to set seed and look for volunteer seedlings in spring.
Using the flowers
Calendula is a great cut flower and dries well. Pick when the flowers are fully open. The petals are edible: pull them from the flower head and scatter them over salads, rice or soups for color, or press them onto cookies alongside a few lavender buds. Use only plants grown as a food crop. Calendula is also a traditional dye plant, giving soft yellow tones.
Choosing a size
Calendula is offered as a 3-inch plug, a 4-inch pot and a 1-gallon pot. Plugs are economical for filling a cutting row; gallon plants give flowers soonest. See the product page for current sizes and availability.
Frequently asked questions
Is calendula the same as a marigold?
It is often called pot marigold, but it is a different plant from the common garden marigolds.
Why did it stop blooming in July?
Calendula is a cool-season plant and may pause in long hot spells. Keep watering and deadheading, and it usually recovers when cooler weather returns.
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