Borage : Borage

Edible, bright blue star-shaped flowers are perfect garnishes for desserts

Borage makes a great companion plant for squash, strawberries, and tomatoes. Many parts of the plant are also used medicinally.

Boraginaceae Borago officinalis

This is an example of the timeline you would see based on your growing conditions.

Borage: Borage

Borage

Borage 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. Flourishes in less than great soil and reseeds readily. Borage makes a great companion plant for squash, strawberries, and tomatoes. Many parts of the plant are also used medicinally. Borage is an annual that will readily self-seed throughout your garden. The leaves can also be eaten when young in salads.

[X] Close

Basics

Ease of Growing: Moderate
Grown as: Annual
Days to Maturity: 50-70 (Spring/Summer)
Growing Habit: -
Hardiness: Half Hardy

Borage is half hardy, and can resist light frost.
Crops: Spring
Growing Season: Short, Long
Cultivar Type: -
Growing Conditions: Cool, Warm

Borage thrives in cool climates and likes full sun, although it can tolerate partial shade. In hot climates, partial shade is best. The plant is very adaptable to a variety of environmental conditions and will grow very easily.
Outdoor Growing Temp: 55°F - 80°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 60°F

Borage can be sowed outdoors once the soil temperature reaches roughly 60˚ F, but germinates best around 70˚ F.
Start Indoors: No
Start Outdoors: Yes
Light: Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Cool, Warm)

Plant borage in a sunny part of the garden.
Water: Moderate

Borage seedlings will require regular watering, but once established, the plant is fairly drought tolerant.
Feeder: Light

Borage will grow fine in poor soil but will grow taller in soil that is rich in nutrients and organic matter. Soil too rich in nitrogen may cause the plant to bloom less.
Suitability: Tolerates light frost, Partial shade
Small Gardens?: Yes
Containers?: Yes

Borage will grow well in containers at least 12" deep.
Attracts beneficial insects?: Yes
Color: Blue
Fruit Size: - "
Plant Height: 12.0 - 24.0"
Plant Diameter: 12.0 - 18.0"
Hardiness Zone: 5-11
Disease Resistance
Taste Profile: Mild, cucumber-like taste.
Rotation Group: Flowers

Legend

What's Smart Gardener ?

Plant Guide

Borage : Borage

Edible, bright blue star-shaped flowers are perfect garnishes for desserts

Borage

Basics