Calendula officinalis

Botanical Name: Calendula officinalis
Family: Asteraceae (Daisy family)

What We're Growing:
We grow golden-orange calendula for its vibrant blooms and gentle healing properties. It flowers prolifically throughout the growing season and is harvested regularly for use in teas, oils, and salves.

How We Use It:
Calendula petals are edible and used to add color and calm to herbal teas, infused vinegars, and finishing salts. In our apothecary, it’s a favorite for skin-soothing salves, facial steams, and tinctures. It’s also dried for tea blends that support the lymphatic and immune systems.

Why It’s Good for You:
Calendula is a powerhouse of plant medicine — known for its anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antimicrobialproperties. It’s especially revered for supporting skin repair, making it ideal for treating rashes, wounds, minor burns, and dry skin.

Internally, calendula can help soothe the digestive tract, support liver detoxification, and gently stimulate the lymphatic system — helping the body move and clear waste more effectively. It’s also rich in flavonoids and carotenoids, antioxidants that support tissue regeneration and immune health.

In the Garden:
Calendula thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, blooming from spring through fall. Regular harvesting of flowers promotes continuous bloom. It’s an excellent companion plant, attracting pollinators and repelling certain garden pests — while conditioning the soil with its shallow, fibrous roots.

Fun Fact:
Calendula has been used since ancient times to treat skin conditions, but during the American Civil War and World War I, it was applied directly to battlefield wounds to prevent infection and promote healing — earning its place as a true wartime herb.