When to plant Calendula in Temperate Australia

Temperate zone — applies to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Newcastle and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Cool · Subtropical · Tropical · Arid.

Sow calendula direct from January to May, scattering seed 10–15 mm deep straight into a sunny bed. Germination takes 14–21 days, and the cheerful orange and yellow daisies open in just 50–70 days, making this one of the quickest flowers to reward you. Thin plants to 30 cm apart in rows 30 cm apart. A hardy herb-flower, calendula shrugs off temperate frosts and flowers right through the cool season around Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. The petals are edible and the plant draws hoverflies and bees, so it earns a place in both ornamental beds and the vegetable patch.

Sowing calendar — temperate zone

Green months are your sowing window: January to May.

Growing notes

Calendula is about as easy as flowering plants get in a temperate garden, and the autumn-to-late-autumn sowing window from January to May sets it up to bloom through winter and into spring. Sow direct where it is to grow, as it dislikes root disturbance, and keep the surface moist during the 14–21 day germination. In milder coastal Sydney and Newcastle it will flower almost year-round from these sowings.

The main problem to watch is powdery mildew, which coats the leaves grey-white in humid or crowded conditions. The fix is spacing and airflow: hold plants to 30 cm apart, water at the base rather than over the foliage, and give them full sun. Remove badly affected lower leaves and the plant usually keeps flowering regardless.

Deadheading is the secret to a long show. Left to set seed, calendula slows down and looks tired; pick the flowers regularly, for the vase or the kitchen, and it responds with a steady succession of blooms over months. It self-seeds freely, so a single autumn sowing often gives you volunteer plants for years. Grow it among vegetables to pull in hoverflies and bees, which help with pollination and aphid control across the whole bed.

Calendula at a glance

Common questions

When should I plant calendula in temperate Australia?

Sow direct from January to May for flowers through the cool season and into spring. Calendula is hardy and copes with temperate frosts, so autumn sowings around Melbourne and Adelaide give the longest display. Keep the bed moist during the 14–21 day germination.

Are calendula flowers edible?

Yes, the petals are edible and are often used to add colour to salads, rice and butter. Pick flowers that have just opened and pull the petals from the base. Regular picking also keeps the plant flowering longer.

How do I keep calendula flowering for longer?

Deadhead or pick the flowers regularly, since letting them set seed slows the plant down. Consistent picking prompts a steady succession of new blooms over several months. Full sun and a light feed help sustain the display.

Why do my calendula leaves have a white powdery coating?

That is powdery mildew, common in humid or crowded conditions. Space plants 30 cm apart, water at the base to keep foliage dry, and grow them in full sun with good airflow. Remove badly affected lower leaves and the plant usually keeps flowering.

Keep exploring