Borage is a versatile and beautiful herb known for its star-shaped blue flowers and tender, cucumber-flavored leaves. This annual plant grows quickly, reaching up to 24-36 inches tall, and thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. Borage is a favorite among pollinators, attracting bees and beneficial insects to your garden. The edible flowers add a decorative touch to salads, desserts, and beverages, while the leaves can be used fresh in salads or as a flavorful addition to soups and sauces. Borage is also valued for its soil-enriching qualities, as its deep roots help aerate the soil and draw up nutrients. Easy to grow and low-maintenance, borage reseeds readily, providing continuous beauty and utility in the garden. Its combination of culinary uses, ornamental appeal, and benefits to the ecosystem make it a must-have for any herb or vegetable garden. Whether you’re growing it for its edible qualities or to attract pollinators, borage is a rewarding and versatile addition to your garden.

Borage - Starflower - Borago officinalis

Hardy Annual The borage plant is a fascinating herb native to Syria with wrinkled, hairy leaves and a cucumber-like taste. Edible, bright blue star-shaped flowers with prominent black anthers have a sweet flavor and are perfect garnishes for desserts. When the borage flower is in bloom, it attracts bees, which results in a honey with a unique flavor. Growing borage is easy, it flourishes in less than great soil and reseeds readily.

Did You Know? Borage makes a great companion plant for squash, strawberries, and tomatoes in your garden bed. Many parts of the plant are also used medicinally.

Soil & Water: Plant in full sun, in well-draining soil. Borage does not require fertile soil, however it performs best when organic matter is added. Provide even water throughout development. In hot climates it may perform better with afternoon shade.

Planting & Growing: Sow seeds directly when soil reaches 55°F, or start indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost.

Harvesting & Storage: Harvest the star-shaped flowers for use as a garnish on cakes, as a splash of color in a salad or frozen in ice cubes.

Soil Temperature: 55-70°F
Planting Depth: 1/2"
Germination: 7-18 Days
Height At Maturity: 12"-24"
Days To Maturity: 50-70 Days
Sun/Shade: Full to Partial Sun
Spacing After Thinning: 12"
Approx Seeds per Pack: 100 Seeds

More information on borage seeds and plants can be found in our companion article in the Resource Center.