Dried Calendula Flowers in a wooden bowl

Calendula Flowers: The Golden Bloom of Traditional Botanical Crafts

October 16, 2026

Dried Calendula Flowers in a wooden bowl

Calendula is the cheerful orange and yellow flower that keeps blooming through summer and into autumn. Gardeners have loved it for centuries, and crafters still use it for the sunshine colour it keeps even after drying.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Calendula is a modern Latin diminutive of calendae, meaning "little calendar", "little clock" or possibly "little weather-glass". The common name marigold is a contraction of "Mary's gold", given by the English to honour Mary, mother of Jesus. The species name officinalis refers to the plant's herbal and medicinal reputation.

Calendula means little calendar.

Calendula or marigold?

This is one of the most common plant mix-ups.

Calendula officinalis, the pot marigold, is probably native to southern Europe, although its long cultivation makes the exact origin unclear. The genus is native to Europe, North Africa, western Asia and the western Himalayas, with its greatest variety around the Mediterranean. It was the first plant to be called "marigold".
Tagetes species are the bedding marigolds sold at garden centres. They are native to Mexico and other parts of Latin America, and their foliage has a musky, pungent scent.

They are different genera, so a product labelled just "marigold" is ambiguous. Always check the botanical name.

A garden flower with practical uses

Calendula florets are edible and are often used in salads for colour, as a garnish, or in tea; they are added to dishes "in lieu of saffron", which means they provide colour rather than saffron's flavour. Historically the flowers were also used as a dye for fabrics, foods and cosmetics, and they are still used in skin products. The leaves are edible but generally not considered palatable.

Growing and enjoying it

Calendula grows easily in a sunny spot in most soils, does best in rich, well-drained soil, and often blooms within two months of sowing. Regularly removing spent flowers keeps new blooms coming. Although it is a perennial, it is often grown as an annual because it survives poorly in cold winters and hot summers. Many people dry the petals for craft projects, potpourri and decorative blends, and keep them in a sealed jar away from light.

A note for allergy sufferers

Calendula belongs to the daisy family, and people with daisy-family (Compositae) contact allergies should take care with plants of this family, since sensitised people may react to chemically similar compounds in several of them.

How to use

Amount: 1 teaspoon
Water: 250 ml boiling water
Steep: 10 minutes

Pour freshly boiled water over the petals, cover, steep and strain. Calendula can also be infused in oil for homemade balms and creams, and used in aromatic herbal pillows.

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