Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis)

Photo: André Karwath aka Aka, CC BY-SA 2.5 · source

Pruning guide · Herbaceous plant

Pot marigold: when and how to prune

Calendula officinalis

Pot marigold is best pruned in June–October.

Key facts
Pruning monthsJune–October
FloweringJune–October
Native to BelgiumNo, planted

Pot marigold: when to prune it?

From June to October, remove faded flowers; in summer, cut back by a third if needed.

What else to prune in those months? June · July · August · September · October

Pot marigold: how to prune it?

  1. Cut each faded flower back to the next leaf or bud.
  2. If the plant becomes tall and floppy in July–August, cut it back by a third: it will regrow and flower again in autumn.
  3. Pull up the plants after the first frost and put them on the compost heap; let a few seed heads ripen for next year.

How much to cut, and how often?

  • One pruning period a year: June–October.

What does it mean for wildlife?

  • Don’t cut more than you need to: what stays standing gives insects and birds food and shelter.

Nearby: related pruning guides

Plant profile: Pot marigold · Pruning calendar and basic rules

This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.

Laden…