Let’s be real: not every summer flower is cut out for the “balcony life.” Some are just too picky for the wind or the intense heat. But if you’re looking for a hardy, low-maintenance friend, look no further than the pot marigold (lat. *Calendula officinalis*). As long as you’ve got a sunny spot, these beauties are incredibly easy to grow in containers. Here is everything you need to know about keeping your Calendula happy and thriving on your balcony.
Finding the Perfect Spot and Soil
Calendulas absolutely love the sun, though they can handle a bit of light shade. A south-facing balcony is basically paradise for them! Ideally, your flowers should get at least four hours of direct sunlight every day. Keep in mind that soil in balcony boxes or pots dries out much faster than the ground in a garden bed, so during those scorching summer months, you’ll likely need to give them a drink every single day.
When it comes to planting, size matters. Choose a deep container because Calendulas grow long taproots that need room to stretch out. For the soil, they prefer something with a bit of loam. If you’re using standard potting mix, just mix in a little bit of sand to give it that perfect texture.
How to Boost Your Bloom Count
Want a balcony overflowing with vibrant color? You can actually encourage your Calendula to produce even more flowers with a few simple tricks:
- For a non-stop flower show, make sure to “deadhead” (trim off) any wilted blooms regularly. Use a sharp pair of garden snips and be careful not to damage the main stem. By removing the old flowers, the plant puts its energy into making new buds instead of wasting it on seed production.
- On the other hand, if you want to harvest seeds for next year, let the flower heads stay on the plant toward the end of summer. By autumn, you’ll have perfectly ripe seeds ready to be collected for spring planting.
One of the best things about balcony gardening is that your plants are usually free from heavy pesticides, making the petals perfect for drying and using in home remedies. Just a quick tip: if your balcony gets windy, use small stakes to support the stems so they don’t snap during a storm. Or, you can simply look for “dwarf” varieties that stay low to the ground and handle the wind like a champ.
Growing Calendula Year After Year
Because they are sensitive to frost, Calendulas are typically grown as annuals. However, they are experts at sticking around! Here’s how to keep them coming back:
- Self-seeding: If your plant is happy, it will often drop its own seeds right into the pot, meaning new little sprouts might just pop up on their own next season.
- Manual Sowing: You can also take matters into your own hands. Simply save those dried seeds you collected in the fall and sow them back into your containers once the weather warms up in the spring.
