Neon
What's special about Neon
Vibrant double blooms with red-tipped orange petals and dark centers. 24 in cut flower.
Growing this variety
Neon follows the same growing basics as Calendula. Variety-specific maturity above; everything else below applies to the whole Calendula family.
Germination
Spacing & depth
How to plant
Cover seed to exclude light. Direct sow in cool soil. Deadhead frequently or plant self-seeds everywhere next year.
Grower's tip
Petals are edible and medicinal — dry for salve or tea.
Soil preferences
Well-drained garden soil. Native/wildflower species prefer lean soil; cutting flowers prefer richer beds.
6.0–7.0
Work 1 in of compost into beds before sowing. Skip nitrogen fertilizer on wildflowers — it favors foliage over blooms.
Watering
1 in per week during establishment, drought-tolerant once rooted for most species.
Deep, infrequent soakings at the base. Overhead water on ornamentals promotes botrytis and rust.
Overwatered: rotted crowns, mildew, floppy stems. Underwatered: small blooms, curled leaves, quick fade.
Prefers top-watering — Top-water at the base in the morning. Overhead water batters open flowers and spreads botrytis on tightly-packed blooms.
Temperature tolerance
60–80°F (16–27°C) ideal for most annuals
50–65°F (10–18°C)
Cool-season annuals (larkspur, poppy, snapdragon) tolerate light frost; warm-season annuals (zinnia, cosmos, marigold) are frost-tender.
Container growing
Possible with the right cultivar
8–14 in (20–35 cm) wide
Compact and dwarf types do best in pots; tall cutting flowers need staking.
Succession planting
Sow cutting flowers (zinnia, cosmos, sunflower) every 3 weeks through midsummer for continuous cut stems.
Detailed harvesting
Cut in early morning when stems are turgid. For cutting varieties, harvest when the bud is just showing color and 1–2 outer petals have opened.
Post-harvest storage & preservation
Immediately re-cut stems underwater and place in clean cool water for 4 hrs before arranging. Petals can be dried on screens for potpourri or crafts.
Culinary, medicinal & other uses
Cut flowers, dried arrangements, pollinator habitat, edible garnishes (borage, nasturtium, calendula, viola).
Medicinal or traditional uses are shared for interest only — this is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before using any plant medicinally.
Seed saving
Mostly insect-pollinated (outcrossing).
For pure strains, isolate 150–800 ft or bag heads. Wildflower mixes are meant to cross freely.
Stop deadheading favorite blooms; let heads dry brown and rattling on the stem, then collect into a paper bag.
Your zone's planting calendar
Pick your USDA hardiness zone and we'll estimate the key dates for calendula in your area. These are regional averages — always check your own last-frost forecast before sowing.
My Neon Calendula notes
Neon Calendula seeds on hand
Track packets and loose seeds you already have. Private to your account.
Par level — leave at 0 for no alert. Anything below par shows on Seed Starting and your shopping list.
From your kitchen — grow calendula from what you already have
Deadhead less. Let the best blooms fade and set seed on the plant — that's your next year's packet.
- 1Mark 2–3 of your favorite flowers with a bit of yarn and stop deadheading them.
- 2Wait until the seed head or pod dries fully on the plant — brown, papery, and rattling.
- 3Cut whole heads into a paper bag on a dry day; shake or rub to free seed.
- 4Sieve out chaff and store cool and dry in a labeled envelope.
Storage: 2–5 years for most flower seed.
Order more seeds
Running low? Reorder from one of these seed stores.
Loading…
Other Calendula varieties
Fiesta Gitana
50 daysCompact 12 in mound of double blooms in yellow, orange, cream, and apricot. Best for containers and edging.
Indian Prince
60 daysTall 2 ft cutting variety with deep orange petals and dark maroon reverse. Long stems for the vase.
Pacific Beauty
55 daysClassic tall 24 in mix of double 3 in blooms in cream, yellow, orange, and apricot.
Resina
55 daysHigh-resin medicinal strain grown by herbalists for salve and infused oil. Bright yellow single blooms.
Orange King Pot Marigold
55 daysDeep orange double blooms on compact plants. Classic pot marigold color.
Pacific Beauty Mix Pot Marigold
55 daysTall 24 in blend of cream, yellow, and orange double flowers. Long stems for cutting.