Pot marigold
Calendula officinalis L.
Calendula officinalis (pot marigold) is an annual aster-family herb 20–60 cm tall; its hairy lance-shaped leaves and bright yellow-orange flower heads that bloom almost year-round make it a popular ornamental, medicinal and cosmetic plant.
No ratings yet — be the first!
Gallery
Pot marigold — seedlingsPot marigold — flowers
Pot marigold — flower
Pot marigold — flower
Pot marigold — flowers and seeds
Pot marigold — seedlingPot marigold — seedlingsPot marigold — flowersOverview
Calendula officinalis (pot marigold) is an **annual** (sometimes biennial) herb of the aster family (Asteraceae), genus Calendula, 20–60 cm tall with a stout, branching, softly hairy stem. Its **leaves are alternate**, lance-shaped to oval, with entire or slightly wavy margins, **hairy** and somewhat sticky. The large **flower heads**, 4–7 cm across, are **yellow to orange**, with several rows of **ray florets** around a darker **disc of tubular florets**, and **bloom almost year-round** in warm regions. The **fruit** is a curved, sickle-shaped achene that splits off as a 'seed'. The species is native to the **Mediterranean region** and is now grown worldwide as an ornamental and medicinal plant.
Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/13/2026
In Vietnam, pot marigold is grown in home gardens and parks as an **ornamental**; it likes **full sun** and loose, well-drained soil and is fairly cold-tolerant. The flowers are used as **medicine**: a decoction supports digestion, heals wounds, reduces inflammation and regulates menstruation; the petals are also used in **cosmetics** and as a food colourant. It has not been assessed by the IUCN and is therefore listed as Not Evaluated (NE).
Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/13/2026
Life cycle
From seed to productSeed & germination
The sickle-shaped **seeds** sown in moist soil germinate in 1–2 weeks, with small seedlings emerging.
Seedling & growth
**Seedlings** grow in clumps with hairy young leaves; the plant grows fast in the sun and branches into a bushy habit.
Flowering
The large **orange flower heads** open their many-layered ray florets in the sun and close at night or in rain.
Seed set
Spent flowers leave curved **achenes** arranged in a ring; when dry they split into seeds that self-sow for the next season.
Distribution & origin
Share of recorded occurrences by region- Mediterranean & S. Europe (origin)30%
- Central & N. Europe (cultivated)25%
- North America (introduced)20%
- Asia (cultivated)15%
- Elsewhere (cultivated)10%
Chemical composition
Relative content in agarwood resin- Flavonoids (quercetin)Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory20%
- Carotenoids (lutein, beta-carotene)Gives the orange colour, antioxidant20%
- Triterpene saponins (calenduloside)Main active compounds of the flower20%
- Essential oilCharacteristic aroma, mild antibacterial15%
- Resins & tanninsAstringent, helps wound healing15%
- MucilageSoothes skin and mucous membranes10%
Uses
- Medicine: calendula flowers are used to **heal wounds and reduce inflammation** and to support digestion and menstruation in traditional medicine.
- Skincare: oil and creams extracted from the flowers soothe dry, irritated skin and help regenerate the epidermis.
- Cosmetics & colouring: petals give a **natural yellow-orange dye** used in lipstick, soap and food colouring.
- Landscaping: grown in borders and pots and as a **pollinator plant** thanks to its long-lasting blooms.
- Culinary: the petals are edible and add colour and a mild flavour to salads, teas and desserts.
Properties
- Morphology
- Hairy stem; **lance-shaped leaves**; **many-layered orange heads**
- Flowering
- Almost year-round in warm areas, peak in spring–summer
- Ecology
- Sun-loving, cold-tolerant; self-seeds readily
- Medicinal
- Flowers used to heal wounds, reduce inflammation, regulate menses
Habitat & conservation
Pot marigold prefers **full sun**, a cool climate and loose, well-drained soil; it is fairly cold-tolerant but dislikes hot, humid weather. Native to the Mediterranean region, it is now grown widely across temperate and subtropical regions and occasionally naturalises by roadsides and on waste ground.
Conservation
Pot marigold is not threatened but a familiar ornamental and medicinal plant grown worldwide. It has not been assessed by the IUCN and is therefore listed as Not Evaluated (NE).
References
- 1POWO — Calendula officinalis L. — Plants of the World Online (Kew), 2026
- 2GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Calendula officinalis L. (key 5391480) — GBIF, 2026
- 3Wikipedia EN — Calendula officinalis — Wikipedia EN, 2026
- 4Wikipedia VI — Cúc tâm tư — Wikipedia VI, 2026
- 5Wikipedia ZH — 金盞花 — Wikipedia ZH, 2026
- 6Ảnh: Calendula officinalis (flowers) — Wikimedia Commons — Wikimedia Commons, 2026
- 7Ảnh: Calendula officinalis (flowers and seeds; seedlings) — Wikimedia Commons — Wikimedia Commons, 2026