Borage
Borago officinalis
Also listed as Borago advena, Borago aspera
Also known as Common Borage, Beebread, Starflower
Climate Match for your location
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Borage is a fast-growing annual herb with hairy stems and bright blue star-shaped flowers that attract pollinators. The flowers and leaves are edible with a cucumber-like flavor and are commonly used in culinary and medicinal applications.
Why grow it
Borage produces edible flowers and leaves reliably in a single season without requiring vernalization or long-term management, making it more convenient than perennial herb alternatives for annual rotations. It establishes quickly from seed and tolerates poor or sandy soils better than many culinary herbs, reducing amendment needs. The nectar-rich flowers attract native bees and beneficial insects effectively, comparable to phacelia or buckwheat in pollinator value but with the added benefit of harvestable foliage.
Watch out for
Borage self-seeds readily and can spread prolifically in favorable conditions, so deadhead spent flowers if you want to limit volunteer seedlings. The hairy foliage may irritate sensitive skin during handling, so wear gloves when harvesting or pruning. Young seedlings prefer consistent moisture but mature plants are drought tolerant; overwatering in cool weather increases disease risk.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Boraginaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Borage is a fast-growing annual herb with hairy stems and bright blue star-shaped flowers that attract pollinators. The flowers and leaves are edible with a cucumber-like flavor and are commonly used in culinary and medicinal applications.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Borage grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Borage produces edible flowers and leaves reliably in a single season without requiring vernalization or long-term management, making it more convenient than perennial herb alternatives for annual rotations. It establishes quickly from seed and tolerates poor or sandy soils better than many culinary herbs, reducing amendment needs. The nectar-rich flowers attract native bees and beneficial insects effectively, comparable to phacelia or buckwheat in pollinator value but with the added benefit of harvestable foliage.
Watch out for
Borage self-seeds readily and can spread prolifically in favorable conditions, so deadhead spent flowers if you want to limit volunteer seedlings. The hairy foliage may irritate sensitive skin during handling, so wear gloves when harvesting or pruning. Young seedlings prefer consistent moisture but mature plants are drought tolerant; overwatering in cool weather increases disease risk.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Boraginaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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