Agricultural Information:

Plant Family: Asteraceae
Scientific name: Calendula officinalis

Marigold plants are typically grown as annuals for their yellow, orange, red or multicolored flowers and are native to the Americas. Plants can be compact and bushy or tall depending on their variety.

Marigolds are often planted as companion plants to help deter common garden pests like aphids and whiteflies or to attract pollinators to gardens.

Flower petals of some marigold varieties are edible and used fresh in salad or dried as a saffron substitute. Flowers are harvested when fully open and frequent deadheading promotes new growth. Some marigolds can also be used as a natural dye for fabrics.

The Hebrew name for marigold, צִפּוֹרנֵי חָתוּל (cat’s claw), refers to the seeds of the related calendula plant, which resemble a cat’s outstretched claw.