Asteraceae; native to southen Europe.

Germination: Sow outdoors in spring in any climate. Or, in cool climates, sow indoors in spring for summer use; in warm climates, sow indoors in summer for fall and winter use. Cover the seed with 4 times its thickness in soil and maintaining a temperature of 68-70° F. Germination takes 10-14 days.

Growth: Space seedlings 12-15 inches apart in rich, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Plants thrive in sunny, cool climates and should be kept evenly moist and fertilized moderately. To encourage a spring-blooming plant to re-bloom in fall, cut back to a third of its size and fertilize during summer. If growing Calendula in a greenhouse, sow in January for spring blooms or in mid-August for mid-winter blooms. For best performance, grow 40-45° F nights.

Appearance and Use: Long-lasting daisy-like blooms for cutting are borne on an easy-to-grow plant used for edging, borders, containers, and greenhouses. Some blooms may have medicinal value. Upright, busy plants reach 8-24 inches tall and 8-12 inches wide. Daisy-like 3-5 inch blooms of orange, yellow, or apricot arise from early summer till frost, in single or double-flowered forms. Oblong dark green foliage, 4-6 inches long, has a sticky texture.

Other: The petals may be used to produce a gentile antiseptic for cuts and abrasions or for soothing chapped skin.