The Magic of Calendula: Bright Blooms for Body, Skin, and Spirit
Calendula is one of those herbs that quietly transforms everything it touches. Whether you're steeping a golden tea, harvesting sticky blossoms in the field, or blending a soothing balm, calendula brings warmth and clarity into every interaction. This sun-kissed flower isn’t just beautiful—it’s medicine, food, skin support, and a pollinator friend, all in one bright bloom.
On our farm, calendula shines from spring through frost (and sometimes volunteers in the greenhouse after a hard frost), faithfully blooming even during dry spells or poor soils. Its radiant yellow and orange faces seem to track the sun, echoing its energy, while its resinous petals speak to the deep work it does beneath the surface—cooling inflammation, supporting lymph, and repairing tissue.
What Makes Calendula Special?
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a member of the daisy family, and while it’s sometimes called “pot marigold,” it’s a different species altogether from ornamental marigolds (Tagetes spp.). The flowers are edible, the resin-packed petals are used for herbal remedies, and the plant’s easy-growing nature makes it a garden staple.
There’s a kind of golden alchemy in calendula. Its gentle astringency tones the skin, its bitter elements support digestion, and its moistening-yet-dispersive energetics make it suitable for dry, stagnant, or inflamed conditions. And as an herbal ally, calendula doesn't force—it invites.
Garden Ally and Companion Plant
Calendula is one of the easiest herbs to grow. It thrives in poor soils, loves the sun, and self-seeds readily. We sow it in early spring and again in late summer for a fall flush. Its cheerful blooms attract pollinators and beneficial insects, and calendula can help deter certain pests when interplanted with vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, or beans.
It also makes a fantastic companion plant for other medicinal herbs. At La Ferme À Ciel Sur Mer, we nestle calendula between rows of tulsi or alongside chamomile, letting its sunshine-colored flowers create visual harmony and ecological balance in our herb beds.
Calendula’s Flower Colors and What They Mean
Calendula flowers come in a range of hues, from soft yellow to deep orange. While all varieties are useful, we prefer the deeper orange types for medicine-making—these often yield more resin, the sticky substance on the flower's green base that contains many of calendula's healing constituents.
When harvesting, we look for blossoms that feel tacky to the touch. This resin is where calendula’s magic lives—it’s what makes it so potent for skin repair, wound healing, and lymphatic movement.
How to Use Calendula Flowers
One of the best things about calendula is how versatile it is. You can drink it, eat it, apply it topically, or even soak in it. Here are a few favorite ways to work with this golden herb:
Calendula Tea
Steep dried calendula petals on their own or blend them with soothing herbs like lemon balm, tulsi, or chamomile. The flavor is earthy and slightly bitter—excellent for digestion and gentle liver support.
Calendula Oil & Skincare
Infuse dried flowers in a carrier oil like olive or sunflower oil for 4–6 weeks. Strain and use in salves, body oils, or facial serums to soothe dry, inflamed, or sensitive skin.
Edible Garnish
Calendula petals are completely edible and make a vibrant addition to salads, soups, or summer desserts. While they don’t carry much flavor, they do offer trace nutrients and joyful color.
Foot Soaks and Baths
Add a handful of dried calendula to a bath or foot soak for a calming, skin-loving ritual—especially after time spent in the garden or on your feet.
Lymphatic Tonic
Calendula helps move stagnant lymph and is sometimes included in internal blends for swollen glands or sluggish immune response. It pairs well with herbs like cleavers or violet leaf for this purpose.
A Flower for the Spirit
Calendula reminds us that healing can be quiet and steady—not always dramatic, but deeply lasting. It encourages movement—of lymph, of skin renewal, of emotions. We’ve come to see it not just as a skin herb or tea herb, but as a spirit-lifting plant that helps bring brightness to the dull or dormant places in ourselves.
On the farm, calendula also teaches us about rhythm. To keep it blooming, you have to harvest it almost daily. This gentle discipline becomes a kind of devotion: checking the beds in the morning light, noticing what’s open, what’s spent, what’s sticky with resin. Over time, this builds a relationship that’s rooted in reciprocity.
Folklore and Tradition
Historically, calendula has been used in European folk medicine to treat wounds, infections, and digestive complaints. Its name comes from the Latin calendae, meaning the first day of the month—because in some climates, it blooms year-round. In many cultures, calendula petals were scattered on altars or infused into ceremonial oils for protection, healing, and joy.
Today, its golden blossoms still bring light to kitchens and apothecaries around the world.
From Our Fields to Your Hands
We harvest our Organic calendula flowers in small batches throughout the season, drying them carefully to preserve their vibrant color and resin content. Whether you’re looking for a garden companion, a skin-soothing ingredient, or a calming cup of tea, calendula offers something honest and generous in return.
Explore our dried calendula flowers in the shop and let us know how you’re using them—we love hearing about the ways this golden bloom weaves into your daily rituals.
Want to learn how to make your own calendula oil or tea blend? Stay tuned for our upcoming DIY post!
FAQ: Calendula at a Glance
Is calendula edible?
Yes! The petals are edible and can be used fresh or dried in salads, soups, or teas.
What are calendula's medicinal benefits?
Calendula supports the skin, lymphatic system, and digestion. It’s anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and excellent for wound healing.
How do I grow calendula?
Sow directly in sun or partial shade after the last frost. Harvest flowers regularly to encourage new blooms. Calendula grows well alongside vegetables and herbs as a companion plant.
Why are some calendula flowers more orange than others?
Flower color varies by cultivar. Deeper orange flowers typically yield more resin, which is where many of calendula’s medicinal compounds reside.
Where can I buy organic calendula flowers in bulk?
Visit our online shop to explore our certified Organic calendula flowers, grown and hand-harvested here at La Ferme À Ciel Sur Mer.