How to Grow Calendula in New Zealand
A pollinator magnet that flowers for months in cooler weather. Petals are edible and brighten up a salad.
When to plant calendula in New Zealand
Timing is everything in New Zealand, where the warm north and the cooler south are weeks apart. Sow or plant in these months for your region:
| Region | When to sow or plant |
|---|---|
| Northland | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Auckland | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Waikato & BoP | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Wellington | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Nelson & Marlborough | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Canterbury | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Otago & Southland | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Central Otago | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
Best calendula varieties for NZ
- Pacific Beauty — Tall semi-double to double blooms in orange, yellow, peach and cream. Long-flowering and good for cutting. (Yates NZ, Kings Plant Barn)
- Bronze Beauty — Unusual cream to deep-peach flowers with a contrasting dark eye. Tidy border and bedding annual. (Egmont Seeds)
- Nova — Bright orange single daisies that flower hard and self-seed. A favourite pollinator and companion plant. (Kings Seeds)
How to grow calendula
- Space plants about 25cm apart.
- Sow seed around 0.5cm deep.
- Position: full sun.
- Ready to harvest in roughly 60 days.
- Seeds germinate in about 10 days.
Companion planting
Grow calendula near: Tomato, Brassicas, Beans.
For a calendar tuned to your exact region, see the New Zealand planting guides or the Calendula plant page.
FAQ
When is the best time to plant calendula in New Zealand?
In the warm north (Auckland, Northland) sow in January, February, March, April, August, September, October. Cooler regions plant a little later. Check the table above for your region.
Where can I buy calendula seeds or plants in NZ?
Try Yates NZ, Kings Plant Barn, Egmont Seeds.