Field Marigold Plant Care

Field Marigold (Calendula arvensis) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Calendula genus. Field Marigold is native to central and southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East and. Field Marigold is also known as Wild Marigold, Calendula aegyptiaca.

Field Marigold displays a compact, bushy growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Field Marigold produces bright, daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow and orange.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Field Marigold every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Field Marigold thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Calendula arvensis tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Field Marigold prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining, loamy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Field Marigold to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Field Marigold every 4 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, loamy soil with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Field Marigold is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Field Marigold can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Field Marigold while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Field Marigold is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Field Marigold can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to pot marigold plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Field Marigold is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Field Marigold grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Field Marigold is native to central and southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East and.