Vibrant Edible Blooms & Potent Medicinal Herb for Every Garden

Bring a burst of color and wellness to your garden with Calendula ‘Alpha’, a standout variety of Calendula officinalis, also known as pot marigold. Maturing in just 50–60 days, ‘Alpha’ produces large, clear, bright orange blooms reminiscent of Gerberas, measuring 2–3.5 inches across. These hardy annuals thrive from spring through heavy frost, providing continuous waves of cheerful flowers that are as useful as they are beautiful. With a rich history in both ornamental gardens and herbal medicine, Calendula ‘Alpha’ is a must-have for gardeners seeking edible flowers, natural remedies, and pollinator support.

Calendula ‘Alpha’ shines as a multi-purpose plant. Its edible petals add a tangy, mildly bitter flavor and vibrant color to salads, soups, baked goods, and desserts—just be sure to use only the petals, as the base of the flower can be bitter. The high resin content of ‘Alpha’ makes it especially valuable for medicinal uses, from soothing skin ointments and healing salves to teas and tinctures for digestive and immune support. The blooms also attract beneficial pollinators, making them ideal for beds, borders, containers, and cottage gardens. Dried or fresh, they brighten up bouquets and herbal crafts all season long.

This fast-growing annual reaches 24–30 inches tall and is easy to grow from seed. Direct sow after the last frost, planting seeds 1/4″ deep and 6–12″ apart in rich, well-drained soil. Calendula prefers full sun but tolerates part shade, especially in hot climates. For continuous blooms, make successive sowings every 2–3 weeks from spring through summer. Harvest flowers when they are half to fully open for the best quality—remove petals for culinary use and dry whole flowers for medicinal preparations. Regular harvesting encourages more blooms and extends the flowering season.

Growing Success Tips:

• Direct sow seeds after the last frost or start indoors 4–6 weeks early for a jump start.
• Choose a location with full sun to part shade and rich, well-drained soil.
• Space plants 6–12″ apart and keep soil evenly moist until established.
• Deadhead and harvest blooms regularly to promote continuous flowering.

Calendula ‘Alpha’ offers exceptional value as a vibrant edible flower, potent medicinal herb, and pollinator-friendly ornamental. Its ease of growth and wide range of uses make it a rewarding addition to any garden, from culinary beds to herbal apothecaries.

For the highest resin content and best medicinal quality, harvest blooms on dry mornings after dew has evaporated.

Product Features

• Bright orange, double blooms (2–3.5″) reminiscent of Gerberas
• High resin content for superior medicinal use
• Edible petals with tangy, mildly bitter flavor
• Hardy annual, 24–30″ tall
• Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects

Growing Information

• Days to germination: 7–14 days at 70°F (21°C)
• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Rich, well-drained
• Spacing: 6–12″ apart
• Water: Average; keep evenly moist, avoid waterlogging

Key Benefits

• Edible petals for salads, desserts, and garnishes
• High resin content for healing salves, teas, and tinctures
• Continuous, vibrant blooms attract pollinators
• Easy to grow and harvest, ideal for borders, containers, and medicinal gardens