Ornamental
Neon Calendula is a vibrant flowering cultivar of Calendula officinalis that brings continuous color from spring through fall across zones 2 through 11. Growing 24 to 30 inches tall with a compact 12-inch spread, this frost-tolerant flower reaches full bloom in 84 to 98 days from seed, rewarding quick-growing gardeners with weeks of pollinator-attracting blooms. It thrives in full sun with moderate water and handles drought pressure well, while its resistance to deer browsing makes it reliable in gardens where wildlife pressure is high.
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
30in H x 12in W
Annual
High
Hover over chart points for details
Neon Calendula flowers from March through November in most climates, delivering an unusually long bloom window that keeps color flowing even as temperatures drop in fall. The compact growth habit and tight 1-inch spacing tolerance allow dense planting for maximum visual impact, while its frost tolerance means you can push the season further than tender annuals permit. Direct sowing in early spring and again in midsummer extends blooms across the entire growing season, and this cultivar's drought resilience means it performs even when water runs short.
Neon Calendula shines as a cut flower, with petals best harvested in the morning when they're just opening for maximum freshness and longevity in the vase. The flowers serve well in fresh arrangements and bring a long vase life when cut with a clean knife and placed in water treated with a few drops of bleach.
Start seeds indoors in containers 4 to 6 weeks before your last spring frost. Germinate at 65 to 70°F, then move seedlings to cooler conditions around 55 to 60°F for sturdy growth. Seeds sprout in 5 to 14 days. Sow at a depth of 1/4 inch, covering lightly.
Transplant hardened-off seedlings into the garden just before the last average frost date in spring. Space plants 1 inch apart in rows 4 inches apart.
Direct sowing is recommended. Sow seeds in early to mid-spring, just before the last average frost, and again in midsummer for continuous fall bloom. In mild winter areas (zones 8 to 10), early autumn sowing is also viable. Plant at 1/4 inch depth.
Harvest flowers in the morning when they are freshest and petals are just beginning to open. Use a clean knife dipped in a 10% household bleach solution to make the cut, reducing disease transmission. A few drops of bleach in the vase water will prolong the beauty and life of cut flowers.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.