Calendula in Zone 9a & 9b
Calendula officinalis
When to plant calendula in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Calendula tolerates either.
| Start indoors | Dec 28–Jan 4 '27 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Feb 1–Feb 8 |
| Estimated bloom | Mar 23–Mar 30 (~50 days after planting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-2 ft.
Calendula is one of the earliest things you can get in the ground. It tolerates a light frost and is often started before most of the garden is even planted, and it earns its keep once established, commonly reported to draw in the predatory insects that prey on tomato hornworms. What you get for the trouble is a low, 12- to 18-inch mound covered in simple daisy-like blooms in orange or yellow.
How calendula fits zone 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. Calendula needs about 50 days from sowing to first harvest.
Good companions
- Tomato: Penn State Extension confirms calendula attracts beneficial insects that prey on aphids — the more specific claim that it targets hornworm predators isn't what that research actually shows, so treat calendula as a general aphid-predator draw near tomatoes rather than a hornworm-specific one.
Where to buy calendula seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing calendula" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 9b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Calendula in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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