How to prune calendula

Throughout the flowering season; cut back in midsummer heat if needed. Pinch or snip spent flower heads back to the nearest healthy leaf or bud. For a midsummer refresh, cut the whole plant back by about half to encourage a flush of autumn blooms.

Deadhead every few days; cut back once in midsummer if plants flag. Calendula is a prolific bloomer that relies on deadheading to stay productive. Remove spent flowers regularly to prevent seeding and extend the bloom season by weeks. In hot summer weather plants may go dormant; cut back by half and they often rebound in cooler autumn temperatures.

Pinch or snip spent flower heads back to the nearest healthy leaf or bud. For a midsummer refresh, cut the whole plant back by about half to encourage a flush of autumn blooms.