Pot marigold, English marigold, Garden Marigold
Calendula officinalis
Family: Asteraceae
What it is like
An bushy annual herb. It grows 30-70 cm high and 30-45 cm wide. The leaves are spoon shaped or sword shaped. The flower heads are daisy like. They can be 10 cm across. Flowers are yellow or orange. There are cultivated varieties.
There are between 20 and 30 Calendula species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It needs fertile soil. It suits moist conditions. It can grow in full sun or partial sunlight. They can withstand frost. It suits hardiness zones 6-10. It can grow in arid places. Tasmania Herbarium.
Countries/locations it is found in
Afghanistan, Africa, Andorra, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azores, Balkans, Bhutan, Britain, Central Asia, Chile, China, Cuba, East Africa, Egypt, Europe, Fiji, France, Hawaii, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Lithuania, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Norway, Pacific, Portugal, Romania, Rotuma, Russia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Serbia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, Uzbekistan, West Indies, Zambia
How it is used for food
Leaves eaten with oil and salt. The leaves are dried to concentrate the flavour then used to flavour soups. The flowers and the colouring from them is used as a substitute for saffron. It can be used to colour rice or orange cake. It has also been used to colour cheeses. The petals are sometimes used in soup and salads. The flowers are petals are used for tea.
It is cultivated.
Edible parts
Flowers, leaves, herb, spice
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. The seed are planted 6 mm deep.
They are fast growing.
Its other names
Local names
Calendula, Golden cup flower, Jinzhanhua, Marigold, Ringblom, Ringelblume, Vrtni ognjič