Dried Calendula Flowers (Calendula officinalis)

Five Bees Farm grows Calendula (Calendula officinalis), also known as pot marigold. We supply dried whole flower heads and petals to UK trade buyers. Our Calendula is hand-picked through the summer and dried on the farm to hold its deep orange and gold colour.

Calendula at a glance

• Common name: calendula, pot marigold (not the same plant as French marigold, Tagetes)

• Latin name: Calendula officinalis (family Asteraceae)

• Part supplied: whole flower heads; petals

• Grown at: Five Bees Farm, near Woolsery, North Devon

• Harvest: June to October

• Planned formats: whole dried flowers, petals

• Organic status: working towards Soil Association certification (target 2028)

How we grow calendula

Calendula prefers sun and well-drained soil, so we grow it in raised beds on the sunniest parts of the farm. As a hardy annual, it also brings colour and pollinators into our perennial system. We use zero synthetic fertilisers or pesticides.

Harvest and handling

Calendula flowers from early summer until the first hard frosts, and picking every few days keeps the plants flowering. We hand-pick fully open flower heads once the morning dew has dried, and leave out any heads that have started to set seed.

Drying and processing

Calendula heads are thick and resinous, so they need steady, even drying. We dry them out of direct light at low temperatures until the centres are fully dry, which protects their colour and prevents spoilage in storage. Petals can be separated from the heads for buyers who need petals only.

Formats for trade buyers

• Whole dried calendula flower heads

• Calendula petals

Who buys our calendula

British-grown calendula suits natural skincare and cosmetic makers (for example, for oil infusions), herbal tea blenders looking for colour, pet grooming product makers, herbalists and tincture makers, and herb wholesalers.

Provenance and traceability

All Five Bees calendula is grown, hand-picked and dried on our farm in North Devon. Each batch is coded with the bed, picking dates and drying record.

Calendula FAQs

Do you supply whole heads or petals?

Both are planned. Whole flower heads are our main format, with petals available on request, subject to harvest.

Is your calendula the same as French marigold?

No. We grow Calendula officinalis (pot marigold), a different plant from French and African marigolds (Tagetes species).

When will calendula be available?

First harvests for trade buyers are planned for 2028. Register your interest now and we’ll keep you updated.

Request a calendula sample

Email hello@fivebeesfarm.co.uk to register interest in UK-grown dried calendula flowers or to discuss future volumes.