Overview
Borage flowers and leaves are edible, with a taste that many compare to a cucumber. It can be eaten raw in salads, mixed into soups and stews or even used as a garnish. It has been used for centuries as a natural medicine to support aid, digestion, and reduce inflamation.
Conditions
Select a sunny location (6+ hours of direct sunlight), with well-drained soil.
Planting
Plant seeds in early spring or late summer (Use our grow calendar tool to find specific planting dates for your region!), outdoors in groups of 2–3, spacing them 12–18 inches apart. Thin to the one strongest seedling per group when plants are a few inches tall.
Care
Maintain consistent soil moisture, avoiding over watering. Borage is a hardy and self-sufficient plant, requiring minimal care. Prune spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Borage is a self-seeding annual, so once established, it will often return each year.
Pets and Disease
Borage is not affected by serious pest or disease issues. Look for aphids, slugs, snails, and leaf-mining flies that may damage the foliage. The herb may get powdery mildew once they have flowered.
Harvest
Once borage matures, harvest the leaves and flowers as needed. The plant leaves do not dry well, so use them fresh. Pick the flowers before they have fully bloomed, and when harvesting, remove the leaves and flowers from the plant with your fingers or with scissors.
