Growing Borage: Tips For Adding This Herb To Your Garden

Growing Borage: Tips For Adding This Herb To Your Garden

What Makes Borage Special?

Borage is one of those plants that feels like it belongs in every garden. It’s easy to grow, resilient, and offers more than good looks.

The star-shaped flowers, a striking blue (sometimes pink), are edible and taste faintly of cucumber. They’re a treat for salads or a garnish for cocktails.

But it’s not just for us. Bees and other pollinators are obsessed with it, making it a powerhouse for supporting biodiversity in your garden.

Borage has been called the "bee plant" for good reason. It’s a magnet, buzzing with life all summer.

How to Get Started With Borage

Choosing the Right Spot

Borage thrives in full sun but can handle partial shade if needed. That said, give it plenty of room.

This herb grows fast and gets big—two to three feet tall and wide. Stick it in a corner where it won’t crowd your smaller plants.

Soil Preferences

Here’s the thing: borage isn’t picky. It grows in most soils, even poor ones.

If you’ve got well-draining soil, you’re already ahead of the game. Still, a little compost never hurts if you want lush, healthy growth.

Planting Borage

You can start borage from seed directly in the garden after the last frost. Or, sow it indoors 3-4 weeks before spring warms up.

Press the seeds lightly into the soil, covering them with about 1/4 inch of dirt. They don’t need much coaxing—germination usually happens in 5-10 days.

Companion Planting with Borage

Let me tell you, borage is a team player. Plant it near tomatoes, squash, or strawberries. It repels pests like tomato hornworms while attracting beneficial insects.

I’ve used it as a companion for my zucchinis, and the difference is night and day. Fewer pests, happier plants, and a garden that feels alive.

Caring for Your Borage Plants

Watering

Borage doesn’t like being soggy, but it also doesn’t love being bone dry. Water it regularly, especially in the heat of summer.

A layer of mulch around the base can help retain moisture and keep the roots cool.

Pruning and Maintenance

If you give borage free rein, it will reseed itself with wild abandon. That’s a blessing or a curse, depending on your gardening style.

Deadhead the flowers if you want to control its spread. Or let it go to seed and welcome a new generation next spring.

Pests and Diseases

Borage is remarkably trouble-free. It laughs off most pests and diseases.

Keep an eye out for powdery mildew in humid climates, but even then, it’s rare and manageable.

Harvesting Borage

Leaves

Borage leaves are edible, but let’s be honest—they’re not everyone’s favorite. They’re slightly hairy, which some find off-putting.

If you do want to use them, pick young, tender leaves to avoid the prickly texture. They’re great in soups or as a subtle flavor boost.

Flowers

The flowers are the real prize. Harvest them as soon as they open. They hold their color and shape beautifully.

Sprinkle them over salads, freeze them in ice cubes, or candy them for dessert. They’re as versatile as they are stunning.

Why You Should Try Growing Borage

Adding borage to your garden isn’t just about aesthetics or functionality. It’s about creating an ecosystem where plants, pollinators, and people thrive together.

This herb is forgiving, productive, and endlessly useful. Plus, once you’ve seen those brilliant blue flowers swaying in the breeze, you’ll wonder why it wasn’t always part of the plan.

Growing Borage is a great way to add color, interest, and deliciousness to your garden! The flowers are a stunning blueish-purple hue, adding a pop of color and a unique touch to gardens. The leaves and flowers can be added fresh to salads and teas for a delicate cucumber and honey flavor, packed with good-for-you essential oils and vitamins like Vitamin C. Borage is also a great resource for pollinators, attracting bees and other beneficial insects. With its easy care and potential for culinary and medicinal uses, Borage is an excellent choice for any gardener!