Calendula – the one plant I always keep around
- Apr 15
- 2 min read
If I’m honest, calendula (Calendula officinalis) is one of those plants I just always keep around. Not because it looks nice (even though it does), but because it’s actually useful.
Out of everything you can grow, this is probably the one that gives the most back for the least effort. And if you’re into natural skincare at all, it just makes sense to have it.
Why I like calendula so much (especially for skin)
I’m not into overcomplicating things when it comes to skincare, and calendula fits perfectly into that.
It’s gentle, it’s simple, and it just works. If skin is dry, irritated, or just acting up, calendula is usually where I start. It doesn’t try to do anything aggressive, it just supports the skin and helps it calm down.
That’s why I use it so much in oils, balms, and soaps. It’s one of those ingredients you can rely on without overthinking it.
Growing it (this is the easy part)
Calendula is honestly one of the easiest plants you can grow.
Give it sun, throw the seeds in the soil in spring, and that’s pretty much it. It grows fast, flowers like crazy, and the more you pick it, the more it produces.
Also, once you have it once, you’ll probably keep having it. It reseeds itself and just comes back like it decided it lives there now.
No drama, no special treatment.
When I harvest it (this actually matters)
This is one thing I pay attention to.
I always pick calendula when the sun is strong, usually around midday. That’s when the flowers are fully open and at their best.
I go for fully opened flowers, healthy ones, and always dry. If they’re damp from rain or dew, I just leave them.
It makes a difference later, especially if you’re using it for oil.
Drying it properly (don’t rush this)
This part is boring, but important.
I just lay the flowers out in a single layer somewhere dry and airy, out of direct sunlight. And then I leave them alone.
No shortcuts. No ovens. No trying to speed it up.
They need to be completely dry, especially the green base of the flower. If there’s any moisture left, it can ruin your oil later, and that’s just frustrating after putting in the effort.
Once they’re properly dried, I keep them in glass jars, away from light.
How I actually use calendula
Most of the time, I use it as an infused oil.
Dried calendula flowers + a good carrier oil, and that becomes the base for everything else I make.
From that one oil, you can do a lot:
balms
lip balms
soaps
And if you’re already working with beeswax, calendula just fits naturally into that. It’s a really nice combination.
If I had to say it simply
If you have space to grow one useful plant, make it calendula.
And if you’re making your own skincare, it’s honestly one of the best places to start. Simple, reliable, and it does what you need it to do.
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