Borage

Borago officinalis

☀️ full sun💧💧 moderate waterZone 2a – Zone 11b

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.

Overview

Form: Upright
Growth Rate: fast
Size: 1.5–3′ tall × 1–1.5′ wide

Tolerances & Soil

Zone 2aZone 11b

1471013

ColderWarmer

Seasonality

Bloom Season

Harvest Season

Season of Interest

Summer

Succession Role

pioneer

Native Range

Mediterranean

Function & Care

ediblemedicinalpollinator nectarywildlife benefit

Edible Parts

leafflower

Establishment & Care

Establishment: easy
Maintenance: low
Years to Bearing: 0 years
Propagation: seed

Companion Planting

Plants well with

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.