Horti Tops® Calendula Off. Double Orange King

Calendula Off. Double Orange King (Calendula officinalis)

The Gardener’s First Aid Kit

Calendula is one of the most useful plants you can grow. Its cheerful orange and yellow flowers bloom for months, it self-sows reliably, and it has remarkable healing properties for skin. Every garden should have a patch of calendula.

Culinary Uses

Poor man’s saffron: The petals add golden color to rice, soups, and baked goods. They cannot replicate saffron’s flavor, but provide beautiful color.

In salads: The fresh petals add color and a slightly peppery bite. Pull petals from the flower head and scatter over salads.

Calendula tea: Steep fresh or dried petals in hot water for a mild, slightly sweet tea. Traditionally used for digestive support.

Calendula butter: Infuse butter with calendula petals for a beautiful golden spread.

Healing Properties

Calendula is one of the most effective herbs for skin healing. It is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and promotes tissue regeneration. Use it for cuts, burns, rashes, insect bites, and dry or irritated skin.

Calendula salve: Infuse dried calendula petals in olive oil for several weeks. Strain and mix with beeswax to create a healing salve. This is a must-have for any natural first aid kit.

For babies: Calendula is gentle enough for babies. Use calendula cream for diaper rash and minor skin irritations.

Growing Calendula

Calendula is one of the easiest flowers to grow. Direct sow seeds where they will grow. Deadhead regularly to prolong blooming. The plants tolerate light frost and often bloom until hard freeze. Let some flowers go to seed – calendula self-sows readily and will return year after year.

Growing Calendula Off. Double Orange King