Borage, also called Starflower, is a fast-growing flowering herb with bright blue star-shaped flowers and fuzzy stems and leaves, all edible and they taste like cucumber. Grows 1'-3' tall and reseeds liberally, so it can become invasive. Use the young leaves like spinach and the sweet little flowers as a charming garnish on salads and cakes, or frozen into ice cubes. Easy to dry and use as a refreshing herbal tea. 

• Cucumber flavor
• Garden companion superstar
• Culinary and medicinal
• Spreads easily

Ideal for home gardeners and organic growers seeking to cultivate medicinal and edible herbs, Borage starflower seeds are perfect for culinary uses such as garnishing salads, flavoring beverages, and baking. They are also popular among herbal remedies enthusiasts for their calming and anti-inflammatory properties. The seeds are suitable for gardeners with limited space, container growers, or those interested in pollinator-attracting plants to enhance garden biodiversity.

A valuable companion in the vegetable garden, it repels cabbage moths, cabbage white butterfly, cabbage worms, and tomato hornworms; attracts pollinators and beneficial insects; acts as a trap crop for grasshoppers; and feeds the soil as a green manure or mulch.

As a medicinal herb, Borage is used internally to treat anxiety, colds, congestion, cough, depression, fever, hot flashes, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), upset stomach, and urinary problems, and externally to treat insect bites and stings, skin irritations, and swelling.

⚠️ Toxic to pets and livestock. Do not ingest while pregnant or nursing, or if you have liver problems.

⚠️ Medicinal properties are presented as information only, and are not a recommendation or prescription for use. Consult a medical professional before using any herb medicinally.

Good Companion Plants: Basil, Broccoli, Bean, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collards, Cucumber, Eggplant, Fava Bean, Kale, Marigold, Melon, Mustard, Pea, Pepper, Pumpkin, Radish, Soybean, Squash, Strawberry, Tomato, Zucchini

Borage is a fairly common herbal remedy that has been used since ancient times. It's best when grown in containers because it is extremely invasive.  The flavor of these flowers is crisp and refreshing.

What is Borage?

This gorgeous, but highly invasive medicinal herb will boast lovely blue and purple flowers and will get at least 5 feet tall wherever you plant it. Very easy to grow, it will re-seed year after year and will be a lovely piece for your garden.  The flavor of the Borage flowers resemble cucumbers... cool and crisp.

Health Benefits of Borage

Borage is wonderful and has a great reputation for it's beneficial affect on the mind. It's been used to dispel melancholy and induce euphoria.   It's a soothing saline, diuretic herb that helps treat damaged or irritated tissues.   The leaves can be used as well as an emollient and expectorant.

Ways to Consume Borage

Consume these edible flowers in your favorite fresh salads or as a lovely garnish to any dish!  Dry the leaves and flowers to make an herbal tea.  Freeze these lovely flowers into ice cube trays.  Try adding them to wine, cider, and other fruit drinks. Borage pairs well with all salads, most cheeses, summer-like beverages and even fish.  You can even "candy" these flowers and use them as edible decorations on cakes, tarts and ice cream.

See Borage Recipes & Growing Tips on our Pinterest Board

These Borage (Starflower) seeds produce vibrant, edible star-shaped blue flowers and fuzzy stems and leaves, which are all suitable for culinary, medicinal, and ornamental purposes. The seeds are ideal for home gardeners, urban farmers, and herbal enthusiasts seeking a reliable source of Borage starflower seeds for planting in various USDA hardiness zones.

• Germination time: 5-14 days at soil temperatures of 65°F-70°F
• Plant height: 1 to 3 feet when mature
• Plant spacing: 12-18 inches apart; rows spaced 18-24 inches

Care Instructions

Plant seeds directly into well-drained soil at a depth of 1/4 inch during spring or early summer. Space seeds 12-18 inches apart with row spacing of 18-24 inches. For best results, sow when soil temperatures are between 65°F-70°F. Borage plants are drought-tolerant and frost hardy, but benefits from regular watering during dry periods. Harvest flowers when fully open, and dry leaves and flowers for herbal tea. Re-seeding may occur naturally; control invasive growth by growing in containers if desired. Seeds do not require cold stratification. Proper maintenance includes weed control and minimal fertilization, suitable for USDA zones 2-11. 

MORE SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Borago officinalis
• Life cycle: Herbaceous annual
• Hardiness zones: 2-11
• Planting season: Spring, summer
• Days to maturity: 55-60 days; can begin harvesting when 6" tall
• Depth to plant seeds: 1/4" deep
• Days to germinate (sprout): 5-14 days
• Germination soil temps: 65F-70F
• Spacing between plants: 12"-18" apart
• Spacing between rows: 18"-24" apart
• # of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per sq. ft.
• Soil types: Clay, sandy, loamy, silty, rocky, chalky, poor, dry, moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: 4.8-8.3
• Sun needs: Full sun, part shade
• Water needs: Average
• Cold stratify: No
• Frost tolerant: Yes
• Heat tolerant: Yes
• Drought tolerant: Yes
• Deer resistant: Yes
• Culinary use: Yes
• Medicinal use: Yes