Borago officinalis
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.
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Season of Interest
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Mediterranean
Edible Parts
Establishment & Care
tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
Borage attracts pollinators and predatory insects that control tomato pests like hornworms. It also accumulates potassium which benefits neighboring tomato nutrient uptake.
common comfrey
Symphytum officinale
Borage and comfrey are frequently interplanted in permaculture guild understories; borage reportedly repels hornworms and its star-shaped flowers attract pollinators that benefit the guild.
spearmint
Mentha spicata
Mint is reported to deter aphids and ant colonies that tend aphids; borage nearby is a beneficiary as its succulent stems are attractive to aphids when mint protection is absent.
wild carrot
Daucus carota
Borage attracts the carrot rust fly's predators and parasitoids. Its abundant nectar supports beneficial insect populations that prey on carrot pests.
