History
Borage (Borago officinalis) is one of the most cheerful and generous herbs in the garden, with a history stretching back more than 2,000 years across the Mediterranean, where it was cultivated by ancient Greeks and Romans for its culinary, medicinal, and ornamental value. Pliny the Elder wrote that borage brought courage and gladness to those who consumed it — a sentiment echoed by herbalists throughout the Middle Ages, who added it to wine and cordials to lift the spirits. By the Renaissance, borage was a fixture of every European kitchen garden and physic garden, prized for its edible star-shaped blue flowers, its cucumber-flavored leaves, and its extraordinary value to bees. The Welsh called it “llawenlys” — the herb of gladness. Today borage is experiencing a well-deserved revival among gardeners who appreciate its beauty, its culinary versatility, and its unmatched ability to attract bees and beneficial insects. Open-pollinated and non-GMO.
Plant Profile
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Days to Bloom: 50–60 days from direct sow to first bloom — one of the fastest-blooming herbs
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Plant Size: Bushy, branching plants 18–24 inches tall and 12–18 inches wide
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Flowers: Stunning star-shaped, vivid blue flowers (occasionally pink or white) with prominent black anthers; 3/4 inch across; produced in abundance all season
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Leaves: Large, oval, gray-green leaves covered in soft bristly hairs; mild cucumber flavor
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Plant Type: Open-pollinated, non-GMO heirloom annual; self-sows prolifically
Flavor Profile
Borage has a mild, fresh cucumber flavor — clean, light, and refreshing — in both the leaves and the flowers. Young leaves are the most tender and mildest; older leaves become more bristly and are better cooked than eaten raw. The edible star-shaped blue flowers are the culinary highlight — beautiful as a garnish, stunning frozen in ice cubes for summer drinks, and delightful in salads and desserts. The flavor is subtle and cucumber-fresh, making borage one of the most versatile edible flower herbs in the kitchen garden.
Growth Type & Harvest Yields
Borage is one of the fastest and most effortless herbs to grow — direct sow and stand back. Plants establish quickly, bloom prolifically within 50–60 days, and produce an abundance of flowers continuously until frost. Borage self-sows so reliably that once you plant it, you'll likely have it in your garden forever — seedlings appear each spring without any effort. It is a generous companion plant, attracting bees and beneficial insects in extraordinary numbers and reportedly improving the flavor and growth of nearby tomatoes and strawberries. A single planting provides harvests of flowers and young leaves all season long.
Disease Resistance
- Excellent overall vigor — one of the most carefree herbs in the garden
- Good drought tolerance once established
- Powdery mildew can occur in humid conditions late in the season — ensure good airflow
- Tip: Direct sow where you want it to grow — borage dislikes transplanting due to its taproot
Growing Tips & Planting Dimensions
- Spacing: 12–18 inches between plants
- Sow depth: 1/4–1/2 inch — cover firmly; borage seeds need darkness to germinate
- Germination: 7–14 days at soil temps of 65–75°F
- Full sun to partial shade — performs well with 4–6+ hours of direct sunlight
- Prefers well-drained soil; tolerates lean, dry conditions once established
- Direct sow after last frost — borage dislikes transplanting; sow where it will grow
- Succession sow every 3–4 weeks for continuous fresh leaf and flower production
- Allow some plants to go to seed for reliable self-sowing in subsequent years
When to Plant
Direct sow outdoors after your last frost date. Borage grows so quickly that direct sowing is always preferred over transplanting — it develops a taproot early and resents disturbance. For an earlier start in short-season climates, sow in individual biodegradable pots 2–3 weeks before last frost and transplant carefully without disturbing roots. Find your frost dates at the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Companion Plants & Mutual Benefits
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Tomatoes — borage is the classic tomato companion; reportedly improves flavor and deters tomato hornworm
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Strawberries — traditional pairing; borage attracts pollinators and may improve strawberry yield and flavor
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Squash & Cucumbers — borage attracts bees for pollination and beneficial insects that prey on squash pests
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Brassicas — borage may deter cabbage worms and attract beneficial predatory insects
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Virtually everything — borage is one of the most universally beneficial companion plants in the garden
How to Enjoy
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Edible Flowers: The star-shaped blue flowers are stunning as a garnish for salads, desserts, cheese boards, and cocktails — one of the most beautiful edible flowers available
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Ice Cubes: Freeze individual flowers in ice cubes for an elegant touch in summer drinks and lemonade
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Salads: Add fresh flowers and young leaves to green salads for a mild cucumber note and visual drama
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Herb-Infused Water & Cocktails: Add fresh sprigs to water, gin and tonics, or Pimm's cups for a classic cucumber-fresh flavor
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Cooked Greens: Young leaves can be cooked like spinach — the bristly texture softens with heat
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Potpourri & Dried Crafts: Dried flowers retain their striking blue color and add visual interest to potpourri blends and pressed flower projects
Why Gardeners Love Borage
- Stunning vivid blue star-shaped flowers — among the most beautiful edible flowers in the garden
- Unmatched bee magnet — bees visit borage flowers more frequently than almost any other garden plant
- Fast-growing and effortless — direct sow and enjoy flowers in 50–60 days
- Self-sows reliably — plant once and enjoy it in your garden for years
- Exceptional companion plant — benefits tomatoes, strawberries, and virtually everything nearby
- Open-pollinated and non-GMO — save your own seeds year after year
Harvest Tips
- Harvest flowers in the morning when they are fully open and at their most vivid blue
- Pick flowers individually as they open — they are most flavorful and beautiful when freshly opened
- Harvest young leaves (under 4 inches) for the most tender, mildest flavor
- For drying, press flowers between paper towels in a heavy book — they retain their blue color beautifully
- For seed saving, allow flower heads to dry on the plant; seeds drop readily when ripe — collect by placing a bag over the seed head
Order Today
Add Borage Seeds to your herb garden and grow the herb of gladness — beautiful, generous, and beloved by bees. Choose your pack size and begin to grow.
