Calendula Blooms: Step-by-Step Guide to Growing, Harvesting & Making Healing Oils and Salves at Home

Every Calendula flower is a sunbeam of healing. Calendula (Calendula officinalis), often called “pot marigold,” is a beloved garden flower with powerful healing properties. Easy to grow and generous with its blooms, calendula is a staple in natural skin care for its soothing, anti-inflammatory benefits. Whether you’re new to herbal remedies or a seasoned DIYer, cultivating calendula brings beauty and healing to your home. In this guide, learn how to grow, harvest, and turn calendula blooms into restorative oils and salves.

How to Grow Calendula: Step-by-Step

• Seed Starting: Sow seeds directly in early spring, 1/4 inch deep, in well-drained soil.
• Soil & Light: Prefers full sun but tolerates part shade; not picky about soil, just ensure good drainage.
• Planting: Thin seedlings to 8–12 inches apart for good air circulation.
• Care: Water regularly, but don’t overwater. Deadhead spent blooms for continuous flowering. Calendula often self-sows, returning year after year!
• Garden Tip: Calendula attracts pollinators and repels some pests—perfect for organic gardens.

When & How to Harvest Calendula

• Best Harvest Time: Harvest in late morning after dew dries, when flowers are fully open and vibrant.
• How to Harvest: Pinch or snip flower heads just below the base.
• Spread blooms or petals in a single layer on drying racks out of direct sunlight.
• Storing: Store fully dried flowers in airtight jars away from heat and light for long-lasting potency.

DIY Recipes: Healing Calendula Oil & Salve

• Calendula-Infused Oil:
  • Fill a clean jar with dried calendula flowers.
  • Cover with olive or jojoba oil; stir to remove air bubbles.
  • Cap and infuse in a sunny window for 2–4 weeks, shaking daily.
  • Strain out flowers; store oil in a dark bottle.
• Calendula Salve:
  • Gently melt 1/2 cup calendula oil with 2 tbsp beeswax in a double boiler.
  • Add a few drops of lavender essential oil (optional).
  • Pour into tins or jars; cool and cover.
  • Use on cuts, scrapes, dry skin, or as a daily balm.

Did You Know?

Calendula petals are edible! Sprinkle them on salads or soups for a colorful, skin-loving boost.

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