An expert has described the pot marigold as his ‘secret powerhouse’ (Image: Getty)
Gardeners have been advised that there is a flower they can plant that is “better than bug spray” when it comes to keeping pests at bay. One expert even went as far as calling the flower the “secret powerhouse” of his garden.
Expert Benedict Vanheems says it is edible, easy to grow, and protects other plants. Better yet the plant “looks amazing” in Benedict’s garden. For these reasons he says that if he could only plant one flower, it would be the calendula. Also known as the pot marigold, the plant offers a “fantastic range of benefits” for any plot, explains Benedict.
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The pot marigold is easy to grow, an expert says (Image: Getty)
In a video on his GrowVeg YouTube channel, Benedict said: “Calendulas are real bug magnets, attracting pollinating insects like bees that will go on to boost pollination rates of fruiting and podding crops, everything from beans to tomatoes.
“Calendula can also help to protect our plants by attracting in pest predators, the sort that munch on common soft-bodied pests like aphids.”
Benedict highlighted a study that found cabbages grown alongside calendulas had fewer issues with pests such as aphids as well as caterpillars. The 2009 study found calendulas protected cabbages from flea beetles as well as white butterflies.
The study said: “More winged aphids and more colonizers were recovered from the plots with cabbage alone than from cabbage intercropped. The total number of aphids occurring on plots intercropped with tagetes was 2-7 times less and with calendula was 8-24 times less than in the monoculture.”
According to Benedict, anyone looking to grow cabbage family crops, such as collards, cauliflower, and broccoli, should consider planting calendulas in their garden. These flowers are also believed to benefit those who want to grow their own tomatoes.
The pot marigold keeps bests away (Image: Getty)
Benedict added: “Think of calendula as a sort of insurance policy, guarding against calamitous pest invasions, not only by luring pests away, but by also attracting pest predators, so the likes of ladybugs or ladybirds, lace wings, hoverflies, that will then make a meal of those pests. How convenient!”
How to sow calendula?
Benedict says the fossil-shaped seeds can be sown directly into the soil from early to mid-spring. He explains that calendulas can grow in any type of soil, as long as it has good drainage, reports DevonLive.
He also advises gardeners to monitor the plants and keep the soil well-watered to support healthy growth. For those looking to get a head start, Benedict suggests sowing the seeds in pots or plug trays.
The flower also self-seeds, meaning once the seeds have fallen onto the ground they bed down and sprout again to regrow the following year.
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When putting the seeds into the flowerbed, Benedict recommends spacing them out between 10 and 15cm to let them grow.
Possible uses of calendula
In addition to serving as a natural pest deterrent, calendula is commonly used in skincare products to soothe raw, itchy, or sunburned skin. It is frequently recommended for individuals with sensitive skin.
Benedict explains how to create calming calendula oil: gather the flowers, then dry them until they’re “nice and crispy” using sunlight, racks, or a dehydrator. Place the dried blooms in a jar, cover with olive oil, and seal the container.
After one month, strain it to remove petals, leaving just the infused oil. Additionally, the peppery-tasting petals can be utilised in cooking.
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