How to Grow Borage Herb Plants

About Growing Borage Plants in Your Herb Garden

Borage plants have attractive fuzzy leaves and droopy, 5-petaled, star-shaped flowers in a bluish-purple color. The plant grows up to 3 feet tall, producing a continuous bloom, all the way to frost. Native to southern Europe and Asia Minor, Borage is a herb that is an excellent companion plant. And, it has many medicinal and culinary applications. So, if you’re not yet growing Borage plants, what are you waiting for!?

Most varieties are annuals. But, there are some perennials. The flower is edible, with a cucumber-like flavor. Try it in salads, soups, dips, and sandwiches. The flowers are also used in potpourri.

Borage is a great companion plant.

Medicinal and Culinary Uses

Medicinal Benefits:

Borage herb has a wide variety of medicinal uses, including:

When used in teas:

Used to reduce fever
Fights depression
Relieves diarrhea
Relieves bronchitis

When made into a paste:

Eases sprains and swelling
Relieves skin irritations
Reduces inflammation

Main Cooking Uses:

Borage is popular in beverages, teas, desserts, and a variety of recipes.

Nutritional Value

100 grams of Borage contains approximately:

21 Calories
3.1 g carbs
0 cholesterol
0.7 g fat
0 g fiber
1.8 g protein
80 mg sodium

Note: Different varieties may have somewhat different nutritional value.

Borage Plant Growing Specifications

Days to Harvest: 60 days.

Plant Height: Two to three feet tall.

Light Needs: Full sunlight.

Ideal Soil pH : 6.0– 7.5.

Plant Hardiness Zones: 2 – 11

Ideal Growing Temperatures: Daytime: 60 to 75° F.

Plant Type: Annuals and Perennials.

Deer Resistant? Yes. Deer, rabbits, and other pests do not like the strong scent, taste, and texture.

Native To: The Mediterranean.

Botanical Name: Borago Officinalis

Other Names: Star Flower, Bugloss, Bee Bread

Borage Plant Propagation

The plants are grown from seed. Plant this crop in early spring. Some people practice succession planting with this herb, as older plants can get a little unsightly. Learn about Succession Planting.

Directly Borage sow seeds into your garden. Sow seeds early in the season. It is important not to cover the seeds, as they need sunlight to sprout.

Seed Tip: Pre-chill seeds in the refrigerator for at least two weeks before planting.

Borage plants are good self-seeders.

It can also be propagated by rooting the cuttings of young shoots.

Final Plant Spacing: Space seedlings, or thin plants 15″ inches apart.

Days to Germination: 7 – 14 days.

How to Grow Borage Plants

Planting and Soil Needs

Borage plants are easy to grow. They are cool-weather plants.

The plants prefer full sun. However, in hotter regions, they grow better with a little partial sunlight during the hottest part of the day in midsummer. Thus, choose a planting location accordingly.

The plants grow best in rich, loose soil. They do not tolerate heavy clay soil or wet soils. They tolerate dry soil conditions.

For optimal growth, mix compost into the soil at planting time. Additionally, if the soil is average or poor, then mix in a general-purpose fertilizer prior to planting.

Light Requirement

Select a location in your garden where your Borage plants will receive at least seven to eight hours of bright, direct sun. More sunlight is better.

In hotter regions, select a growing location that has partial sunlight or light shade during the midafternoon to protect it from damage by the hot rays of the sun.

With reduced sunlight, the plants grow slower and smaller, with less flowers.

Fertilizer Needs

For optimum growth, fertilize once a month during the growing season.

Water Needs

The plants tolerate dry soil conditions. Yet, they grow best with a constant supply of water. Allow the soil to dry between watering.

Other Steps

Weeds rob valuable water and soil nutrients. Therefore, keep young Borage plants well-weeded. Then, after they have grown several inches, apply a layer of mulch. This helps to retain soil moisture and gives the plant a neat and tidy appearance.

The plants respond positively to a heavy pruning. If they begin to get unsightly, just give ’em a good trim.