How to Harvest Calendula Seeds: A Simple Guide for Saving Seeds

Calendula is a cheerful, long-blooming annual that adds vibrant color to gardens. Its bright, daisy-like flowers bloom from late spring through fall frost. With its easy care requirements and ability to self-seed, calendula is an excellent flower for beginner gardeners

One of the best things about growing calendula is that collecting and saving the seeds each year is simple. By harvesting and storing calendula seeds, you can continue growing this pretty annual in your garden for free.

In this simple, step-by-step guide, we will cover everything you need to know about harvesting and saving calendula seeds.

When to Harvest Calendula Seeds

Calendula seeds can be collected anytime from mid to late summer. This will vary slightly depending on your climate and first fall frost date.

The key is to collect seeds once the flowers have naturally completed their life cycle on the plant. Watch for flowers to fade in color, dry up, and form seed heads.

Seed heads will change from green to light brown or tan as seeds mature. The small, curved seeds will detach easily from dried seed heads when ready to collect.

Aim to harvest seeds during dry weather. Wet conditions can cause mold growth on collected seeds.

How to Harvest Calendula Seeds

Collecting calendula seeds is quick and easy:

Step 1: Identify Mature Seed Heads

Scan plants for dried, brown seed heads. These indicate mature seeds. Avoid picking seed heads that are still green.

Step 2: Snip Seed Heads

Use clean, sharp scissors or garden snips to cut seed heads from spent flowers. Collect into a container.

Step 3: Separate Seeds

Gently crush the crisp seed heads between your fingers over a bowl.Seeds will easily separate from the papery flower remants.

Step 4: Dry and Store

Spread seeds in a single layer on paper towels or plates. Allow to dry for 1-2 days. Transfer dried seeds to envelopes or jars labelled with the plant name and year. Store in a cool, dry place.

And that’s it! With just a few simple steps, you can harvest and save calendula seeds for future plantings.

Tips for Successful Calendula Seed Saving

Follow these tips to help ensure you harvest viable, high-quality seeds:

• Allow some flowers to naturally fade and go to seed. Avoid deadheading all spent blooms.

• Collect seeds on a dry, sunny day to prevent mold growth.

• Harvest from your healthiest, most vigorous plants. This selects for strong genetics.

• When drying, make sure seeds are spread in a single layer and have good air circulation.

• Store seeds in air-tight containers in a cool, dry location. Dark glass jars or envelopes work well.

• Label everything carefully with plant name and year collected.

• For best germination rates, use harvested seeds within 1-3 years. Viability decreases over time.

What Do Calendula Seeds Look Like?

Calendula seeds are small, tear-drop shaped, and light brown or tan in color. They have a slightly curved, elongated shape.

The seeds develop inside green, ring-shaped pods on the spent flower head. As pods mature and dry, they turn brown and split open to release seeds.

Seeds measure approximately 1-2mm long. They have a bit of a stubby, grub-like appearance. Each pod contains around 6-10 seeds.

When saving seeds, look for these distinctive tan, curved units. Avoid any undeveloped green seeds.

Will Calendulas Self-Seed?

Yes, calendulas readily self-seed in the garden. Each plant produces hundreds of seeds that drop to the ground.

Many gardeners enjoy the volunteer calendula seedlings that pop up each spring. However, self-seeding can lead to calendulas spreading in unwanted areas.

To control self-seeding:

• Deadhead spent flowers before they form seed heads.

• Cut off seed heads and dispose of them rather than allowing seeds to drop.

• Pull up unwanted volunteer seedlings when they first appear.

• Dig up calendula plants each fall to prevent overwintering.

Even with these measures, some self-seeding is likely. If allowed to drop, calendula seeds will easily sprout the following spring.

Saving and Storing Extra Calendula Seeds

Each calendula plant produces abundant seeds. It’s likely you’ll have far more than you need for next year’s planting. Luckily, calendula seeds store well when properly dried and packed.

Here’s how to make the most of your leftover seeds:

• Save seeds for up to 3 years for future planting. Store in envelopes or jars in a cool, dark place.

• Share seeds with gardening friends and neighbors. Package in envelopes or homemade seed packets.

• Donate extra seeds to seed libraries and exchanges.

• Use in seed bombs – mix seeds with clay and compost to make fun, seed-filled projectiles to toss in your garden!

• Make seed paper – blend seeds with paper pulp to create seeded note cards or decorative paper.

Saving your own calendula seeds is easy, free, and rewarding. With just a bit of planning, you’ll have an abundant supply to sow again next year – and plenty to share!