Marigold
Calendula officinalis
Linked agroforestry plant dataPlant photos
2 photos · Select to enlarge
An open pot marigold flower head.
Ermell / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo details
Resized and converted to WebP. No content edits.
Source: File:Ringelblume (Calendula officinalis) Blüte focus stack-20220619-RM-165610.jpg
Reviewed . Source identification and visible plant parts reviewed against this plant record.
A dried pot marigold seed head.
Dominicus Johannes Bergsma / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo details
Resized and converted to WebP. No content edits.
Source: File:Zaaddoos van een goudsbloem (Calendula officinalis) 11-09-2020 (d.j.b.).jpg
Reviewed . Source identification and visible plant parts reviewed against this plant record.
Common names
47 names · 28 languagesOther languages (27)
- Catalan
-
- Boixac de jardí[3]
- Chinese (Simplified)
-
- 金盏花[3]
- Chinese (Traditional)
-
- 金盞花[3]
- Croatian
-
- Ljekoviti neven[3]
- Czech
-
- měsíček lékařský[3]
- Estonian
-
- harilik saialill[3]
- Finnish
-
- tarhakehäkukka[3]
- Hungarian
-
- orvosi körömvirág[3]
- Lithuanian
-
- Vaistinė medetka[3]
- Norwegian
-
- ringblom[3]
- Polish
-
- Nagietek lekarski[3]
- Slovak
-
- nechtík lekársky[3]
- Slovenian
-
- vrtni ognjič[3]
- Swedish
-
- ringblomma[3]
- Turkish
-
- aynısafa[3]
- Welsh
-
- Melyn Mair[3]
Sources & name notes (6)
Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.
Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.
NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.
Source records
- Marigold — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(7); heading: Common Name(s):; Calendula officinalis.
- Pot Marigold — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(9); heading: Common Name(s):; Calendula officinalis.
- Calendula — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Calendula officinalis.
- Calendula (Pot Marigold) — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Calendula officinalis.
- Common Marigold — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Calendula officinalis.
- Garden Marigold — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Calendula officinalis.
- Gold bloom — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(5); heading: Common Name(s):; Calendula officinalis.
- Holligold — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(6); heading: Common Name(s):; Calendula officinalis.
- Mary Bud — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(8); heading: Common Name(s):; Calendula officinalis.
- Ruddles — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(10); heading: Common Name(s):; Calendula officinalis.
Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.
Source records
- marigold — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- pot marigold — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- Goudsbloem — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- souci officinal — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- Garten-Ringelblume — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- Ringelblume — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- calendula — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- pot-marigold — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- Caléndula — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- Caléndula del Mediterráneo — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- Calendula — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- Tuingoudsbloem — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- calêndula — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.
Source records
- marigold — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- pot marigold — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- Goudsbloem — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- souci officinal — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- Garten-Ringelblume — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- Ringelblume — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- calendula — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- pot-marigold — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- Caléndula — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- Caléndula del Mediterráneo — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- Calendula — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- Tuingoudsbloem — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- calêndula — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- měsíček lékařský — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- Have-morgenfrue — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- harilik saialill — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- Календула лекарственная — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- ringblom — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- tarhakehäkukka — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- Nagietek lekarski — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- Boixac de jardí — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- Vaistinė medetka — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- トウキンセンカ — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- キンセンカ — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- Ljekoviti neven — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- ringblomma — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- 金盏花 — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- 金盞花 — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- Morgenfrue — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- بكورية طبية — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- أذريون الطبي — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- vrtni ognjič — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- orvosi körömvirág — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- Нагідки лікарські — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- Календула лікарська — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- ноготки лекарственные — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- aynısafa — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- nechtík lekársky — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
- Melyn Mair — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 75931; Calendula officinalis.
Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.
Source records
- Pot Marigold (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 143124; taxon PJDZ.
- Garten-Ringelblume (DE); Maravilla de muerto (ES) — VernacularName.tsv, line 143123; taxon PJDZ.
Names retained from the referenced botanical profile or table.
Source records
- common marigold — Page 2, column 1, row top 532 pt; common-name cell after Calendula officinalis.; Calendula officinalis.
Names retained from the referenced botanical profile or table.
Source records
- common marigold — Page 3, column 1, row top 292 pt; common-name cell after Calendula officinalis.; Calendula officinalis.
Source-backed information
Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.
- Taxonomy
-
Calendula officinalis is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.
Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.
Sources [1] - Botanical family
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Asteraceae
Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.
Sources [1] - Mature height
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0.3–0.61 m
NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.
Sources [2] - Mature spread
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0.3–0.61 m
NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.
Sources [2] - Plant habit
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Mounding
NC State Extension profile.
Sources [2] - Life cycle
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Annual
NC State Extension profile.
Sources [2] - Light
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Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
NC State Extension profile.
Sources [2] - Moisture and drainage
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Good Drainage; Moist
NC State Extension profile.
Sources [2] - Soil texture
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Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
NC State Extension profile.
Sources [2] - Soil pH
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Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.
Sources [2] - Flowering season
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Spring; Summer
NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.
Sources [2] - Reported wildlife attraction
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Listed as attracting: butterflies, pollinators.
NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.
Sources [2] - Pollinator guidance
- RHS includes Calendula officinalis in its Plants for Pollinators guidance.
- Native range
-
W. Medit.
Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.
Sources [5]
Who this plant supports
Complete plant information
Structure
- Vegetation layer
- Herbaceous
- Size
- Small
- Dimensions
- 0.60 m high × 0.50 m wide
- Lifecycle
- Annual
Site conditions
- USDA hardiness
- 2-11
- Moisture
- Moist
- Soil
- Sandy, Loamy, Clay
- pH
- Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
- Light
- Partial shade, Sun
Uses
- Edible parts
- kleur, Tea, Leaves, Flowers
- Functions
- Cosmetic, Dye, Essential oil, Repellent, Pollinator plant, Fragrant
- Edibility
- 3 out of 5
- Medicinal value
- 5 out of 5
Leaves: raw. The leaves have a sweet taste followed by a strong, salty flavor. They are high in vitamins and minerals, similar to dandelion leaves. Fresh petals can be chopped and added to salads. Dried petals have a more concentrated taste and are used as a seasoning in soups, pastries, and so on. The flowers are rich in vitamins A and C and can be used to obtain an edible yellow dye or as a saffron substitute. They can also be used to add golden tones to brown hair when rinsing/washing the hair. Petals and leaves can be used to brew tea, with the petals providing a less bitter taste.
Sources and references
References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.
-
Catalogue of Life
Calendula officinalis — Catalogue of Life COL26.8
COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.
Relevant sections
- Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 5077515; ID PJDZ; rank species; status accepted
- Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 5077515; ID PJDZ; rank species; status accepted
Source checked on .
Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.
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NC State Extension
Calendula officinalis — Plant Toolbox
NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.
Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonReported wildlife attractionRelevant sections
- Mature height: Dimensions / Height
- Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
- Plant habit: Habit/Form
- Life cycle: Life Cycle
- Light: Light
- Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
- Soil texture: Soil Texture
- Soil pH: Soil pH
- Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
- Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts
Source checked on .
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Royal Horticultural Society
RHS Plants for Pollinators — Garden Plants
RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.
Supports: Pollinator guidanceRelevant sections
- Pollinator guidance: Page 3, column 1, entry Calendula officinalis (top 292 pt)
Source checked on .
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Royal Horticultural Society
RHS Plants for Pollinators — Plants Of The World
RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.
Supports: Pollinator guidanceRelevant sections
- Pollinator guidance: Page 2, column 1, entry Calendula officinalis (top 532 pt)
Source checked on .
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Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Calendula officinalis — Kew WCVP native distribution
Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.
Supports: Native rangeRelevant sections
- Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 835621; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 1483424
Source checked on .
Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.