How to Grow and Care for Borage Plants

Borago officinalis

Borago officinalis, commonly known as borage or starflower, is one of a host of herbs with origins in the Mediterranean region.

It’s a member of the Boraginaceae family of plants, which includes forget-me-not and heliotrope.

Naturalized in the United States, it grows in a wild and weedy fashion, sporting its signature blue star blossoms as well as fuzzy leaves, stems, and drooping buds.

In addition to the botanical species, there are cultivated varieties available in both blue and white.

A vertical close up picture of a bright blue borage flower with characteristic reddish-brown sepals pictured on a green soft focus background. To the top and bottom of the frame is green and white text.

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In this article, I’ll cover how to cultivate borage, a versatile herb that may be grown as an ornamental, an ingredient for herbal and culinary use, or as a cover crop.

Note that its fuzzy texture may cause a skin reaction in sensitive people. If you are prone to allergies, wear gloves when you handle it.

Cultivation and History

According to experts at the Flower Essence Society, B. officinalis likely originated in Syria. Today it is naturalized throughout Europe and the United States.

A close up of a bee landing on a bright blue, star-shaped borage flower, with unopened buds below, pictured on a soft focus background.

There are two literary references from the 1500s to an herb believed to be borage: there is a forgetfulness-inducing herb in Homer’s Odyssey, and a mood elevator in Dioscorides’ De Materia Medica.

The leaves and flowers have long been used in the eastern Mediterranean region as potherbs and drink garnishes.

They also have a history of use in herbal remedies to address conditions ranging from respiratory issues to adrenal problems.

The leaves have an aroma reminiscent of cucumber, and a rather salty flavor. The flowers are sweet, like honey.

A close up of bright blue borage flowers growing in the garden. In the foreground are small unopened buds in soft focus.

The seeds contain an oil prized for its high gamma linoleic acid (GLA) content.

This fatty acid is believed to be antigenotoxic and anti-inflammatory. Today it is sold as a health supplement.

However, please note: in addition to being a potential skin irritant, consumption of this herb may cause adverse reactions.

Borage contains low concentrations of unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are hepatotoxic, or potentially damaging to the liver.

If you have a medical condition, please consult a physician or other healthcare professional before consumption, to avoid drug interactions.

A close up of a blue, star-shaped Borago officinalis flower with two buds in soft focus in the background.

Although each stunning flower blooms for only a day, starry B.officinalis opens continually during the summer months, making it a rich nectar and pollen source for honeybees.

To encourage optimal flower production, deadhead spent blooms frequently, or harvest them fresh for use as a garnish in salads or drinks.

An annual by definition, B. officinalis behaves like a perennial. It is a self-sower that ensures its future by dropping seeds at season’s end that germinate the following spring.

Ideal conditions for cultivation include a full sun to part shade location and average, well-draining soil.

Mature dimensions may reach three feet tall and up to 18 inches wide.

Borage Plant Propagation

The best way to start growing B. oficinalis is from seed. Seeds have a high germination rate, and sowing them couldn’t be easier.

Self-sowing at season’s end ensures that a one-time seed investment repays the grower for years to come.

A vertical picture of a small Borago officinalis plant with star-shaped blue flowers growing in the sunshine in the summer garden.

It’s easy to start new plants from seed by direct sowing outdoors in spring after the last average frost date has passed.

Alternatively, you can start seeds indoors a month before the last frost date and transplant seedlings to the garden.

How to Grow Borage Plants

This is an herb that delivers dynamic growth when you offer ideal conditions.

Provide a location with full sun. Plants tolerate part shade, but may not produce as many flowers without an abundance of sunshine.

A patch of borage with bright blue flowers and reddish-brown stems growing in the summer garden.

The soil may be average, provided it drains well.

To improve the drainage of compact, clay-like soil, amend it with organically-rich material like leaf mulch or compost, as well as ordinary builder’s sand. Note that the addition of organic matter may slightly increase soil acidity.

The ideal soil pH is between 4.8 and 8.3. This is a wide range, and it’s very likely that your soil is within bounds.

To know for sure, you may contact your local agricultural extension office to conduct a soil test.

Work the soil to a depth of 10 to 12 inches, until it is crumbly.

Sow seeds quarter to half an inch deep.

Maintain even moisture during germination and while plants are becoming established.

A vertical close up picture of a small blue Borago officinalis flower with furry, unopened buds in soft focus on a green background.

Once it is established in the garden, you may let the soil dry out between waterings. This species has above average drought tolerance.

You can apply a layer of mulch to aid in water retention and inhibit the growth of weeds.

Herbs also make great container plants. Select a pot that is at least 12 inches wide and deep to accommodate root spread and mature dimensions.

Be sure it has adequate drainage holes, and fill it with a well-draining potting medium.

A critical aspect of container gardening is to remember is that pots dry out quicker than ground soil, so be vigilant.

Growing Tips

  • Plant in full sun for an abundance of blooms.
  • Average soil is fine, provided it drains well.
  • Amend the soil as needed with compost, leaf mulch, or even builder’s sand to loosen it and improve drainage.

Borage Cultivars to Select

When shopping for seeds, you are likely to come across blue botanical species B. officinalis as well as cultivated varieties in both blue and white.

A close up square image of a hand from the left of the frame revealing seeds from a borage pod with a flower to the right of the frame.

B. officinalis

Blue species B. officinalis seeds are available from Earthbeat Seeds in packages of 30.

A close up of a white Borago officinalis flower growing in the garden.

B. officinalis ‘Alba’

White cultivated B. officinalis ‘Alba’ seeds are available from Eden Brothers.

Managing Pests and Disease

B. officinalis is not prone to problems with insects or disease. It is valued in the garden because it attracts beneficial insects that feed on many pests, making it a great companion plant.

A close up of a bright blue, star-shaped borage flower growing in the garden, pictured in bright sunshine on a soft focus background.

However, if its growing environment is less than ideal, trouble may arise.

The fungal infections most likely to infect plants when conditions are too wet include: leaf spot, powdery mildew, root rot, and stem rot.

To avoid leaf spot and powdery mildew, be sure to space plants the recommended nine to 18 inches apart, depending upon their expected mature widths.

This helps maintain sufficient air circulation and inhibits the buildup of excess moisture and humidity.

Root and stem rot begin in oversaturated soil. Avoidance measures include sowing in soil that drains well, and not overwatering.

In the event of a fungal outbreak, remove affected foliage or entire plants and discard them in the trash.

You may also apply a food-safe fungicide according to package instructions.

It’s unlikely that your plants will be bothered by deer or rabbits, as the aromatic leaves and fuzzy texture don’t seem to appeal to them.

Harvesting Borage Plants

Keep in mind that the fuzzy texture of borage may cause skin irritation, and consumption may cause adverse reactions.

To pick flowers, grasp the brownish center and pull gently to release them from the green calyxes below.

A close up of a wooden surface with Borago officinalis seeds, flowers, leaves, and a small glass jar with essential oil.

You can harvest the leaves when they are smooth young sprouts, as “microgreens,” or at a later stage when they are larger and fuzzier.

To harvest the leaves, use your thumb nail to pinch them off at the base.

B. officinalis is an “indeterminate” grower that may be harvested many times.

You may also collect seeds after the flowers have finished blooming.

When a flower is brown and withered, hold a bag beneath it, and rub the dry petals with your thumb and forefinger to release the seeds into the bag.

Store the seeds in a labeled envelope in a cool, dry place for up to one year to sow next season.

A close up vertical picture of two glasses with cucumber and borage flowers as a garnish.

Use the leaves and flowers when they are fresh, as soon as possible after harvesting.

Add a few greens to salads, or to the soup pot.

Or you can try freezing the flowers in ice cubes for an extra special drink attraction.

You can candy the star-like blossoms for decorative cake embellishments. Find the recipe now on our sister site, Foodal.

Best Garden Uses

While I’m partial to native species, I feel this plant has much to offer.

Do you have a strawberry patch, squash mound, or row of tomato cages?

Plant some borage between these plants to ward off common pests. Just remember you’re sowing a vigorous grower, and don’t let it take over!

A close up of a Borago officinalis plant growing in front of a wooden fence in the summer garden, with blue star-shaped flower and unopened buds.

And if you have fallow land waiting for a cool-weather crop, you can sow B. officinalis as a cover crop to help prevent erosion, retain moisture, and inhibit weed growth.

Plow this cover crop under for fresh green manure prior to planting your veggies.

With its ability to attract a host of beneficial pollinators, there’s no reason to confine borage to the veggie or herb garden.

In addition to its culinary and medicinal uses, it makes a charming ornamental.

How about sowing it in a sunny meadow with room to self-sow and spread?

There’s nothing lovelier than a field of blue humming with happy bees, butterflies, and other insects on the job.

Quick Reference Growing Guide

Plant Type:Self-seeding annual herbFlower / Foliage Color:Blue, white/gray-green
Native to:Syria, eastern MediterraneanTolerance:Deer, drought, rabbits
Hardiness (USDA Zone):2-11Soil Type:Average
Bloom Time / Season:SummerSoil pH:4.8-8.3
Exposure:Full sun to part shadeSoil Drainage:Well-draining
Spacing:9-18 inchesAttracts:Beneficial insects and pollinators
Planting Depth:1/4-1/2 inchesCompanion Planting:Strawberries, squash, tomatoes
Height:1-3 feetOrder:Boraginales
Spread:9-18 inchesFamily:Boraginaceae
Water Needs:Low to moderateGenus:Borago
Maintenance:LowSpecies:officinalis
Common Pests:Snails and slugs on tender seedlingsCommon Disease:Leaf spot, powdery mildew, root rot, stem rot

A Versatile Companion

Borage is ready and willing to take up residence in your yard. Will you make room for it this year?

Is this an herb that you sow for medicinal or culinary use? Let us know in the comments section below.

If you enjoy growing herbs in your garden, check out these guides next:

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About

Nan Schiller is a writer with deep roots in the soil of southeastern Pennsylvania. Her background includes landscape and floral design, a BS in business from Villanova University, and a Certificate of Merit in floral design from Longwood Gardens. An advocate of organic gardening with native plants, she’s always got dirt under her nails and freckles on her nose. With wit and hopefully some wisdom, she shares what she’s learned and is always ready to dig into a new project!

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Jeanine @ BoerelandGreens.nl
Jeanine @ BoerelandGreens.nl (@guest_11519)
3 years ago

Just ordered my seeds. Great tutorial here!

Clare Groom
Clare Groom(@clareg)
Editor
Reply to  Jeanine @ BoerelandGreens.nl
3 years ago

Thanks Jeanine, happy gardening!

Colette
Colette (@guest_28468)
10 months ago

I grew Borage in a container on my porch one year, and it had tons of black aphids and then the ants came trouping to get the honeydew. It was a most unpleasant experience.