Pot Marigold 'Art Shades' (Calendula officinalis) - a living paintbox in flower form. In Singapore’s heat, ‘Art Shades’ is pure magic: every flower is a different brushstroke of peach, apricot, coral, rose-gold, and soft cream; sometimes two or three shades swirl together on the same velvety 6–8 cm bloom. The petals glow like silk under morning light, turning ordinary HDB balconies, corridor shelves, and tiny condo gardens into living works of art.
Compact, polite, and perfectly behaved: just 30–40 cm tall and wide, never sprawling. Super easy to grow for beginners and children. Almost zero pests, bounces back from neglect, self-sows if you let it. ‘Art Shades’ is the one flower that turns a tiny Singapore space into a daily dose of beauty, flavour, and gentle medicine. Zero effort, maximum joy; Blooms in 50-60 days and continues blooming for 6-8 months.
100 % edible & useful: sprinkle the peppery-sweet petals on nasi lemak rice, iced teas, kueh, or birthday cakes for instant colour and subtle flavour. Dry them for soothing calendula oil and balm; your skin will thank you in air-con season.
Growing: Soak seeds 4–6 hours (faster germination). Sow on surface or barely cover (needs light). Medium: 70 % coco peat + 30 % perlite/vermiculite. Germination: 5–10 days at 20–26 °C (use morning shade or air-con room at night if >28 °C). Transplant when 4–6 true leaves appear (3–4 weeks old).
Location & Light (the make-or-break factor): Morning sun (until 11 am–12 noon) + bright shade the rest of the day. 50–70 % green shade net is perfect. East-facing balcony or under tall plants (tomatoes, lemongrass) works wonderfully.
Pots & Soil (ideal for small tropical spaces): Pot size: 20–30 cm diameter × 20 cm deep (1 plant) or 35–40 cm for 3 plants. Mix: 40 % good compost, 40 % coco peat, 20 % perlite/rice hull→ Must drain instantly – root rot is the only real killer in tropics.
Watering Routine: Keep soil moist but never soggy. Water early morning only. In rainy season, move pots under cover or use pots with excellent drainage.
Feeding: Week 3 onward: liquid seaweed or balanced flowering fertilizer (e.g., Mr Ganick, Hyponex) every 10–14 days. When flowering starts: switch to high-potassium (tomato formula) for richer colours.
Maintenance: Deadhead daily (pinch spent flowers) → doubles bloom time. Pinch tips once at 15 cm → bushier plants, more flowers.
Pests & Diseases (rare if you follow shade + airflow): Aphids → neem oil spray. Powdery mildew (rainy season) → milk spray (1 part milk : 9 parts water) weekly.
Harvest & Use: Pick flowers early morning for strongest colour and medicinal oils. Petals edible fresh or dried → salads, rice, cakes, tea, skin salve.
The TSM Guarantee: It's our promise to ensure that all our products are strictly Non-GMO, and free from any possible harmful chemical compounds. All come from trusted and carefully selected small non commercial farmers worldwide providing fresh, safe supply. Specially sourced for Singapore.
