Plant Love: Borage

Plant Love: Borage

Borago officinalis

Borage is a strikingly beautiful multi purpose plant from the Mediterranean region that I allow to grow in all my garden spaces. This pollinator favorite is also edible, practically maintenance free and happily re-seeds itself each season. Borage is an annual herb in my zone 5a garden. 

How to Grow

Borage can be purchased as seeds and started indoors or directly sown outdoors after the last frost. Plants can become messy and floppy looking, like a wild hairdo! If tidiness is an issue, plants may be staked. Borage can grow up to 3 feet tall with a 2-foot spread. Plants will be fuzzy with star shaped flowers in shades of blue and purple. Truly stunning in appearance. 

Any well drained neutral soil is suitable for borage, this is not a picky plant. Borage is very easy to grow in many conditions. The plant is also drought tolerant and will usually not need any supplemental watering once established. I would recommend full sun for bigger bushier plants, but borage will tolerate some shade. Deadhead spent flowers regularly for continued blooms throughout the growing season. You may fertilize with an all-purpose feed halfway through season if desired, but it is not necessary. Compost your plants at the end of the season, borage is loaded with nutrients and minerals that will benefit your compost pile.

Wonderful Reasons Why I Grow Borage

Borage is not as popular an herb as the more well-known culinary herbs like parsley and basil, but is an incredible plant in many ways.  

• Attracts many pollinators, especially bumblebees
• Excellent companion plant in your vegetable garden
• Edible with a cucumber flavor- Can be used in beverages, salads, and desserts
• Super easy to grow for a kids garden
• Makes healthy tasty chicken treats
• Flowers bloom all season long
• Re-seeds itself each spring with new borage plants
• Borage roots help aerate the soil 
• Plants are filled with nutrients and minerals that aid compost piles
• Improves the garden ecosystem by bringing in beneficial insects
• Flowers are breathtaking
• Medicinal properties such as anti-inflammatory