How to grow calendula in a raised bed

Calendula (pot marigold) is the hardworking, cheerful edible flower every veggie patch should have — it blooms for months, its petals brighten salads, and it pulls in hoverflies and other beneficial insects.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun to part shade
• Spacing: 30 cm apart
• Tub depth: our 23 cm depth
• Time to harvest: 8–10 weeks to flower

When should I plant calendula?

Calendula is very easy — sow directly in autumn and spring. It flowers through the cooler months and self-seeds readily. Our free garden calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

• Subtropical (Brisbane & SEQ): March to August
• Temperate (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth): February to May and September to October
• Cool & mountain (Tasmania, Canberra, highlands): March to April and September to November
• Tropical (Cairns, Darwin): April to June
• Arid inland: March to July

How do I grow calendula in a raised bed?

Sow seed straight into the mix. Deadhead spent flowers regularly and it'll bloom for months on end. It's tough, undemanding and thrives on a bit of neglect.

How do I use it?

The golden petals are edible, adding colour to salads, rice and butter, and calendula has a long history in skin balms. In the garden, it's a magnet for beneficial insects.

What pests attack calendula?

Keep an eye out for aphids, though flowers are seldom much bothered. See our safe pest guide.

What are the common problems with calendula?

The main one to watch is powdery mildew, usually in damp, crowded conditions. Good airflow prevents most.

Where should I plant it?

Dot it through the veggie beds to draw in beneficials; a good all-round companion. See our companion planting guide.

More growing guides: nasturtiums, cosmos and cornflowers.

Plan your patch: our free garden calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: Ermell, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.