Calendula is an annual medicinal herb, long valued for its traditional uses. It's hardy across USDA zones 2 through 11 and stands up to deer. Its summer flowers are a moderate draw for honeybees, native bees, and butterflies.
Zones
2-11
pH Range
4.5-8.3
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
55
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What Calendula is
Calendula grows as an annual and reaches around two feet at maturity. It blooms orange in summer. It's also deer-resistant.
How to grow Calendula
Calendula grows in USDA zones 2 through 11 and is ready to harvest about 55 days after planting. Calendula does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 4.5 to 8.3, on well-drained ground. It needs around 900 growing degree days to mature and a growing season of at least 120 frost-free days, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
2-11
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
4.5 - 8.3
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
well (dry spells)
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost Tolerance
46.4°F
plant_species_v5.csv
Days to Maturity
55 days
Calendula / pot marigold; annual edible flower; cool-season. Companion plant.
UMD-Herb; Johnny's
GDD Required
900+
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
2 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
120+
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant calendula in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Calendula prefers pH 4.5 to 8.3 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Harvest at its peak
Harvest the part you grow calendula for — flower, leaf, or root — at its seasonal peak.
Good to know
Good news for pet owners — calendula isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)
Calendula offers moderate value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Calendula thrives
On hardiness alone, calendula grows across most of the country — its range (USDA zones 2 through 11) is unusually wide. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zones 2–11·Where Calendula growsOpen map →
Continental US shown — Alaska and US Pacific territories sit outside the federal map's polygon dataset.
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Calendula can grow in these states:
See if Calendula will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether calendula actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Calendula in my zone?
Calendula grows in USDA hardiness zones 2 through 11 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
How long does Calendula take to grow?
Calendula is ready to harvest about 55 days after planting (UMD-Herb; Johnny's). Your local frost dates and soil temperature move that window earlier or later.
When should you plant Calendula?
Most growers plant calendula after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed, leaving enough of the season for its 120-day frost-free need. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Calendula need?
Calendula needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Calendula need?
Calendula prefers soil pH 4.5 to 8.3, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Calendula attract pollinators?
Yes — calendula's flowers are a solid nectar source for honeybees, native bees, and butterflies (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Calendula safe for pets?
Calendula is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data (ASPCA). Always supervise pets around new plantings.