How to Dry Calendula for Crafts, Bath Projects & More

Calendula is one of those flowers that seems to keep giving. Once it starts blooming, you’ll often have more flowers than you know what to do with, which makes it perfect for drying and saving.

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Drying calendula is a simple way to preserve your harvest so you can enjoy the flowers long after the growing season is over.

The dried petals can be used for homemade crafts, potpourri, infused oils, bath projects, and other simple homemade creations.

And the best part? You don’t need any special equipment to get started.

When to Harvest Calendula for Drying

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The best time to harvest calendula is on a dry day after the morning dew has evaporated.

Choose flowers that are fully open and look fresh and healthy. Avoid flowers that are already beginning to brown, wilt, or show signs of insect damage.

If you’re planning to use the dried calendula for anything that will come in contact with your skin or be used in food, make sure the plants haven’t been treated with pesticides or other chemicals.

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How to Prepare Calendula for Drying

Give each flower a quick inspection before drying.

Remove any insects or bits of leaves and stems. You can dry the entire flower head or remove the petals first, depending on how you plan to use them.

If the flowers are clean, there’s usually no need to wash them. Adding water means you’ll simply have more moisture to remove during the drying process.

If you do need to rinse them, gently shake off the excess water and pat them dry with a clean towel before beginning.

How to Air Dry Calendula

Air drying is one of the easiest ways to preserve calendula, especially if you only have a small harvest.

1. Harvest the flowers

Pick healthy calendula flowers once they are completely dry from the morning dew.

You can cut the flower heads with a little bit of stem attached, or simply remove the flower heads from the plant.

2. Spread them out

Place the flowers in a single layer on a clean drying rack, screen, tray, or plate lined with parchment paper.

Try not to let the flowers overlap. Good air circulation helps the flowers dry evenly and prevents moisture from becoming trapped underneath them.

3. Choose a good drying location

Place the flowers somewhere warm, dry, and well ventilated.

Keep them out of direct sunlight while they dry. Too much sunlight can cause the flowers to lose some of their beautiful color.

4. Turn them occasionally

Check the calendula every day and gently turn the flowers so air can reach all sides.

Depending on the humidity in your home and how large the flowers are, air drying may take several days.

How to Dry Calendula in a Dehydrator

A food dehydrator is a great option if you have a large amount of calendula to preserve.

Arrange the flowers in a single layer on the dehydrator trays, leaving a little space between them.

Use a low temperature, around 95–105°F, and check the flowers regularly.

Calendula can dry fairly quickly, so there’s no need to leave it running longer than necessary.

The flowers are ready when they feel completely dry and papery.

How to Dry Calendula in the Oven

You can also use your oven if you don’t have a dehydrator.

Place the calendula flowers in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Set the oven to its lowest possible temperature.

Keep a close eye on them and check frequently. You want to gently remove the moisture without cooking or browning the flowers.

Once they feel completely dry and crisp, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely before storing.

How to Tell When Calendula Is Completely Dry

This is an important step, especially if you’re planning to store your calendula for several months.

The flowers should feel completely dry and papery. They shouldn’t feel soft, cool, damp, or flexible.

If you’re unsure, give them another day of air drying.

It’s much better to make sure the flowers are completely dry before putting them into storage. Any moisture left behind can cause mold.

How to Store Dried Calendula

Once the calendula is completely dry, let it cool to room temperature.

Place the dried flowers or petals in an airtight glass jar or another airtight container.

Label the container with the type of flower and the date it was dried. This is especially helpful if you dry several different flowers and herbs throughout the growing season.

Store your calendula somewhere cool, dark, and dry.

Keeping it away from direct sunlight will help preserve its color, while a dry storage area will help prevent moisture from getting into the container.

What Can You Do With Dried Calendula?

There are lots of ways to use dried calendula around the house.

Depending on how you’ve grown and prepared your calendula, you can use it for:

Homemade potpourri
Sachets
Bath blends
Homemade crafts
Decorative projects
Infused oils
Homemade beauty projects

If you’re growing calendula as part of a cottage garden, drying some of the flowers is an easy way to make use of blooms that might otherwise go to waste.

Drying Other Flowers and Herbs From the Garden

Once you start drying things from your garden, you’ll probably find plenty of other things you’d like to preserve.

Lavender is another garden favorite that’s especially easy to dry. See How to Bundle Lavender for Drying for an easy method.

And don’t stop with flowers. Drying fresh herbs is one of the easiest ways to keep your garden harvest going all year.

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Drying calendula doesn’t take much time or equipment, and it’s a wonderful way to make the most of a flower that grows so generously in the garden.

Whether you air dry a small handful of flowers or preserve a whole basketful, you’ll have beautiful dried calendula ready for your homemade projects long after the garden has gone to sleep.

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