# Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Canonical: https://plantguide.ae/plants/calendula · Updated: 2026-10-29
Source: Plant Guide (https://plantguide.ae/plants/calendula)

Calendula · آذريون  
flower · exotic · family Asteraceae · grows 0.3–0.5 m tall, 0.3–0.5 m wide · fast growth  
sun to part shade · moderate water need  
Ratings for Dubai (1–5, 5 is best): heat 2 · salt 2 · drought 2 · shade 3 · ease of care 4  
Sow or plant: Oct–Jan  
Uses: bedding, container, edible  
Garden styles: manicured

## Also known as

- **English:** Pot marigold, Common marigold, Scotch marigold, Garden marigold, Mary's gold, Ruddles
- **Arabic (العربية):** آذريون
- **Hindi (हिन्दी):** गुले अशर्फ़ी (Gul-e-Ashrafi)
- **Urdu (اردو):** گل اشرفی (Gul-e-Ashrafi)
- **Persian (فارسی):** همیشه‌بهار (hamishe-bahar)

A cheerful orange-and-yellow cool-season annual: plant October to January, enjoy it from November to April, and clear it when the heat arrives. The petals are edible and the ASPCA lists it as non-toxic.

## About

Meet calendula, the winter flower with a second job in the kitchen. Its daisy-like heads in orange and yellow open from November, and the petals have been used for centuries as a dye, a skin salve and a garnish. UF/IFAS calls it one of the most reliable cool-season annuals, which is exactly what a Dubai winter asks of a flower.

It is the friendliest kind of bedding plant: dense and rounded, about 30–45 cm tall, happy in a pot, a mass planting or the front of a vegetable bed. UF/IFAS even suggests planting it in the winter vegetable garden, a spot of colour next to the cabbages.

In Dubai the name needs a footnote. Here 'marigold' almost always means Tagetes, the bedding flower Dubai Municipality plants every autumn. Calendula, the pot marigold, is a different plant, a quieter one that you grow for yourself rather than see on the roundabouts.

Calendula officinalis is an aromatic annual in the daisy family, and its flowers are single or double in yellow or orange. UF/IFAS describes a dense, rounded plant 1 to 1.5 feet (30–45 cm) tall and wide that works as an annual groundcover, in containers or beneath a small tree. The flowers attract butterflies and last well when cut, and the petals are edible, though UF/IFAS suggests tasting one first because some people find it bitter.

Its Dubai calendar follows the cool season. Acacia's Dubai garden calendar lists calendula among the flowers to plant in October and again in January, when it is 'hitting its stride', and a Gulf News guide to annuals puts calendula and pansy together under moist and cool conditions. It is not named in the Dubai Municipality seasonal flower lists we found, so it is mainly a home-garden plant. NC State says it does not do well in hot summer weather, and in Dubai it fades as April's mean maximum of 33.7 °C gives way to May's 38.2 °C.

Care is simple. Calendula likes full sun or partial shade, well-drained soil and about 30–45 cm between plants. Sandy soil gives it the drainage it wants, but the nutrients wash out of sand quickly (The National), so mix compost into the bed. Deadhead spent flowers, as UF/IFAS and RHS both advise, to keep new blooms coming; left alone it sets seed and self-sows. UF/IFAS notes that nursery transplants can be hard to find, so seed is the usual way to start.

## Through the year

Calendula's Dubai season runs from October to April. Acacia's calendar lists it for planting in October and again in January; with October's highs still near 36 °C, sow or plant in the evening and give young plants light shade. It is in flower by about November, and in January, with highs near 24 °C, it is at its best. Deadheading keeps the flowers coming through February and March, and as April's heat arrives the plants shorten, stop flowering and are cleared for summer bedding such as [Vinca](https://plantguide.ae/plants/vinca.md) or [Portulaca](https://plantguide.ae/plants/portulaca.md).

| When | What | Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Oct–Jan | Plant: Cool-season planting window | Acacia's Dubai calendar names October and January; UF/IFAS describes it as a cool-season annual and says seed is easier to find than transplants. Shade young plants if October is still hot. |
| Nov–Apr | Flowers: Flowers through the cool months | At its best in January (Acacia). Deadhead spent flowers (UF/IFAS, RHS). |
| Dec–Mar | Prune: Deadhead to keep it flowering | Removing spent flowers keeps new ones coming; left alone it sets seed and self-sows (UF/IFAS). |
| Dec–Feb | Pest watch: Aphids, slugs and mildew | NC State lists powdery mildew, aphids, whiteflies, and slugs and snails on young plants; Acacia warns of fungal trouble in cool, damp weather. |
| Apr–Jun | Heat stress: Fades as the heat arrives | NC State: it does not do well in hot summer weather. April's mean maximum in Dubai is 33.7 °C. |

## Care in Dubai

- **Watering in summer:** Not grown outdoors through summer; clear it in April or May.
- **Watering in winter:** Water when the top few centimetres have dried. Acacia warns that cool nights keep soil moist and that root rot kills more January plants than anything else.
- **While establishing:** Keep evenly moist for the first two weeks, with light shade in a hot October.
- **Soil:** Average, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade (NC State, UF/IFAS). Dubai's sand drains freely but holds few nutrients, so mix in compost.
- **Feeding:** Mix compost into the bed at planting, because sand holds few nutrients (The National). A light balanced liquid feed every three to four weeks while it is in flower is a reasonable top-up.
- **Pruning:** Deadhead spent flowers regularly; this keeps the plant flowering and stops it setting seed. NC State says it can be cut back to rejuvenate.
- **Planting:** Space plants 30–45 cm apart (UF/IFAS) in full sun or partial shade. Start from seed, or from seedlings if you find them, from October to January.
- **Pests and problems:** Aphids; Whitefly; Slugs and snails on young plants; Powdery mildew
- **Toxicity:** The ASPCA lists pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) as non-toxic to dogs and cats, and NC State's Plant Toolbox tags it non-toxic for both. The flowers are edible (UF/IFAS, RHS). Eating any plant can cause mild stomach upset, and only flowers that have not been sprayed should be eaten.

## Good and bad

**Pros**
- One of the most reliable cool-season annuals (UF/IFAS)
- Edible petals, and good as a cut flower
- Easy from seed, and it self-sows if left to set seed
- Suits beds, containers and the winter vegetable garden
- Listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to dogs and cats

**Cons**
- Fades in the heat: April is its limit in Dubai
- Seedlings are hard to find, so it usually means sowing seed
- Overwatering in cool weather causes root rot
- Powdery mildew, aphids and slugs can all find it

## Common mistakes

- Watering on a hot-weather schedule in January. Cool nights keep the soil moist, and Acacia says root rot kills more January plants than anything else.
- Skipping deadheading. UF/IFAS says removing spent flowers keeps new ones coming; otherwise the plant puts its energy into seed.
- Trying to keep it through summer. NC State says calendula does not do well in hot summer weather, and in Dubai it should be cleared in April or May.
- Buying 'marigold' seed and expecting calendula. In Dubai the word usually means Tagetes; check the label for Calendula officinalis.
- Eating a whole bloom unsampled. UF/IFAS suggests tasting a petal first, as some people find it bitter, and only eat flowers that have not been sprayed.

## Good to know

- Calendula officinalis is the pot marigold. The bedding 'marigold' of Dubai's roundabouts is Tagetes, covered on the [Marigold](https://plantguide.ae/plants/marigold.md) page, and the two are different genera.
- UF/IFAS says the flowers are edible and have been used as a yellow dye for fabrics and in cooking; early American colonists used them to colour butter and cheese.
- The ASPCA lists pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) as non-toxic to dogs and cats; its page does not address horses.
- UF/IFAS notes that calendula transplants can be hard to find, so a packet of seed in October is the dependable route.

## Using it in a garden

Roles: Edging, Mass bedding, Container, Edible and cut flower, Winter vegetable-bed colour

Plant calendula in full sun or light afternoon shade at the front of a cool-season bed, in drifts of one colour, or in a pot by the kitchen door where the petals are handy. UF/IFAS recommends it for the winter vegetable garden, beside cabbages and collards. Keep it where you can see it, because deadheading is the job that keeps it flowering, and give it free-draining soil enriched with compost.

- [Pansy](https://plantguide.ae/plants/pansy.md): Acacia's calendar lists both for October and January planting, and a Gulf News guide puts them together under moist and cool conditions.
- [Sweet alyssum](https://plantguide.ae/plants/sweet-alyssum.md): A low, honey-scented carpet beneath calendula's orange heads, planted in the same October to January window.
- [Snapdragon](https://plantguide.ae/plants/snapdragon.md): Snapdragon's upright spikes stand behind calendula's rounded mounds, and Acacia lists both for October planting.

## FAQ

**When should I plant calendula in Dubai?**  
From October to January. Acacia's Dubai calendar lists it for October and again for January. Seed is easier to find than seedlings, according to UF/IFAS.

**Is calendula the same as marigold?**  
No. Calendula is the pot marigold, Calendula officinalis. In Dubai 'marigold' normally means Tagetes, the orange bedding flower on the city's roundabouts, which has its own page.

**Why did my calendula stop flowering in April?**  
It is a cool-season annual. NC State says it does not do well in hot summer weather, and Dubai's mean maximum rises to 33.7 °C in April and 38.2 °C in May. Clear it and replant in autumn.

**Can I eat calendula petals?**  
Yes, according to UF/IFAS and RHS. Taste one first, since some people find it bitter, and use only flowers that have not been sprayed.

**Is calendula safe for pets?**  
The ASPCA lists pot marigold as non-toxic to dogs and cats, though eating any plant can cause mild stomach upset.

## Related plants

[Marigold](https://plantguide.ae/plants/marigold.md) · [Pansy](https://plantguide.ae/plants/pansy.md) · [Sweet alyssum](https://plantguide.ae/plants/sweet-alyssum.md) · [Snapdragon](https://plantguide.ae/plants/snapdragon.md)

## Photos

![Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) in bloom, with orange flowers scattered over a dense mound of green leaves](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/Calendula_officinalis%2C_pot_marigold.JPG)  
Photo: Betty Cai / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons ([source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calendula_officinalis,_pot_marigold.JPG))

![Orange and yellow pot marigolds (Calendula officinalis) flowering together in a garden bed](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Calendula_officinalis_pot_marigold_Harmony_Gardens_Broadwater_Farm_Estate_Haringey_London_England_01_small.jpg)  
Photo: Acabashi / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons ([source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calendula_officinalis_pot_marigold_Harmony_Gardens_Broadwater_Farm_Estate_Haringey_London_England_01_small.jpg))

![A fully double yellow pot marigold, Calendula officinalis 'Bon Bon Yellow', with its leaves](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Calendula_officinalis_bon_bon_yellow.jpg)  
Photo: Ruff tuff cream puff / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons ([source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calendula_officinalis_bon_bon_yellow.jpg))

## Sources

- [UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Calendula](https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/calendula/)
- [RHS: Calendula officinalis](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/62350/calendula-officinalis/details)
- [NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Calendula officinalis](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/calendula-officinalis/)
- [ASPCA: Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis)](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/pot-marigold)
- [Acacia Garden Center: Dubai Garden Calendar](https://acaciagardencenter.com/blogs/blog/dubai-planting-calendar)
- [Gulf News: Where to plant what (annuals for hot, dry and moist, cool conditions, 2006)](https://gulfnews.com/amp/story/lifestyle%2Fhome%2Fwhere-to-plant-what-1.266904)
- [Emirates 24|7: Flowers Dubai plants in a year (Dubai Municipality's seasonal flower list, 2016)](https://www.emirates247.com/lifestyle/flowers-dubai-plants-in-a-year-2016-05-13-1.629918)
- [The National: A guide to growing your own vegetables in the UAE (sand-based soil, nutrients wash away)](https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/home/a-guide-to-growing-your-own-vegetables-in-the-uae-1.825861)
- [Wikipedia: Climate of Dubai (1991–2020 normals, Dubai International Airport)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Dubai)
- [Kew WCVP, the checklist behind POWO (read via GBIF): Calendula officinalis](https://www.gbif.org/species/206737960)
- [Wikipedia: Calendula officinalis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calendula_officinalis)
- [Arabic Wikipedia: بكورية طبية (gives الآذريون)](https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A8%D9%83%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9_%D8%B7%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9)
- [Hindi Wikipedia: गुले अशर्फ़ी](https://hi.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%87_%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AB%E0%A4%BC%E0%A5%80)
- [Urdu Wikipedia: گل اشرفی](https://ur.wikipedia.org/wiki/%DA%AF%D9%84_%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%81%DB%8C)
- [Persian Wikipedia: همیشه‌بهار (گونه)](https://fa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%87%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%B4%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%B1_(%DA%AF%D9%88%D9%86%D9%87))