# Calendula

Calendulas, also known as pot marigolds, are cheerful flowers with bright orange and yellow petals! They bloom in spring and summer.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Gardens and sunny areas
- **Also known as:** Pot Marigold

![Calendula](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424275/objects/4916.jpg)

## Appearance

The Calendula has vibrant orange or yellow daisy-like flowers with many petals radiating from a central disk. Its simple, oblong leaves are slightly hairy and grow on sturdy, branching stems, often forming a bushy mound.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Magnoliophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Asterales
- **Family:** Asteraceae
- **Genus:** Calendula

## Interesting facts

- Ancient Egyptians thought calendula had magical rejuvenating powers!
- It's called 'pot marigold' because it was often grown in cooking pots!
- Some people say calendula flowers can predict rain if they stay closed in the morning!
- You can eat its petals, adding a pop of color and mild flavor to salads!

## Special abilities

- **Sun-Tracking Power:** Calendula can turn its flowers to follow the sun, maximizing sunlight absorption for growth.
- **Self-Seeding Spreader:** Calendula has unique curved seeds that easily disperse, helping new plants grow without human help.
- **Nature's Healer:** Calendula contains special compounds that help soothe skin irritation and support natural healing.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-60 cm
- **Spread:** 30-45 cm
- **Flower Size:** 5-10 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Spring to fall
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Annual
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — visits flowers for nectar and pollen
- **Pollinates:** Painted Lady Butterfly (*Vanessa cardui*) — attracted to bright blooms for nectar
- **Eaten by:** Black Bean Aphid (*Aphis fabae*) — can infest leaves and stems
- **Eaten by:** [Garden Snail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-snail) (*Helix aspersa*) — may graze on young leaves

## Traits

- [Annual](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/annual): Annual plants complete their entire life cycle, from germination to seed production, within a single growing season.
- [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
- [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

## Collections

- [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Calendula?

Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Calendula?

30-60 cm

### How wide does Calendula spread?

30-45 cm

### How big are the flowers on Calendula?

5-10 cm

### When does Calendula bloom?

Spring to fall

### Is Calendula edible?

Yes

### Is Calendula toxic?

None

### What is Calendula's lifecycle?

Annual

## Where to spot

- [Duft- und Tastgarten Papendorf](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/de-0395-duft-und-tastgarten-papendorf) — Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, DE · Park
- [Jefferson Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jefferson-park) — Washington, US · Park

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Calendula: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/calendula)