Annual
Calendula
Calendula officinalis
Varieties We Carry
StandardCalendula officinalisOrganicCalendula officinalis
Sizes & Pricing
4 inFrom$3.50
Seed PackFrom$2.99
Fresh this week. Last restocked Jun 25.
LightFull Sun
WaterModerate
Mature size1-2 feet × 1-1.5 feet
About Calendula
Calendula (Calendula officinalis), or Pot Marigold, is a cool-season annual from the Mediterranean grown in NE Florida from fall through spring, bearing bright orange to yellow daisy-like blooms that attract bees and butterflies. Seed in October for winter and early-spring color; plants decline as summer heat arrives. Flowers are edible and long used in culinary and herbal preparations. Starting at $3.50.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Fall, Winter, Spring
- Flower Color
- Yellow, Orange
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Annual
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Well-drained
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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Seasonal care
Bloom season. New foliage emerges.
Active growing season.
Foliage may begin to change or drop. Ideal planting window.
Bloom season. Dormant — drops foliage.
Care essentials
Light
Requires full sun — at least 6 hours daily. In NE Florida, site with some afternoon shade to extend the cool-season bloom period; too much direct midday sun in late spring accelerates bolting. Calendula does not survive NE Florida summers and should be treated as a fall-through-spring annual.
Water
Keep soil evenly moist during the cool-season growing period (October–April in NE Florida). Sandy Florida soils drain quickly, so water regularly and mulch to retain moisture. Avoid overhead watering, which promotes powdery mildew in humid conditions.
Soil & Fertilizer
Grows best in average to moderately fertile, well-drained soil — avoid overly rich beds, which produce lush foliage at the expense of blooms. Incorporate compost before planting; supplement with a balanced slow-release fertilizer at planting only. No additional feeding is typically needed for its short cool-season run in NE Florida.
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Common questions
Is Calendula a good plant for St. Augustine?
Calendula is a annual for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 1-2 feet × 1-1.5 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.