Customer Service Hours
Mon-Fri 8-4 MST
Features
Family
Boraginaceae
Native
Africa, west Asia, and Europe
Life Cycle
Annual
Plant Height
Tall (Greater than 24")
Flower Color
Blue
Bloom Season
Spring to summer
Further Information
Plant Characteristics
- Attracts Beneficial Insects
- Attracts Pollinators
- Edible Flower
Growing Conditions
Drought Tolerant
Plant Resistance
Deer Resistant
About Borage
Borago officinalis
This 2'–3' tall, versatile herb is exquisite in the garden. In addition to attracting bees and other beneficial insects, it can be used as a cover crop. Edible, blue and sometimes pink flowers with a cucumber-like flavor can be used fresh to garnish dips, salads, and summer drinks, or candied with sugar for later use. The leaves and stems are also edible, delicious steamed like spinach or chard. Fairly drought tolerant once established.
Planting Borage
Plant Spacing
A group of 3 seeds every 12"
Light Required
Full sun to part shade
Plant Height
Tall (Greater than 24")
Planting Depth
¼"–½"
Planting Details
| Row Spacing | 24" |
|---|---|
| Seed Depth | ¼"–½" |
| Seed Spacing | A group of 3 seeds every 12" |
| Thinning | When 2" tall, thin to 1 every 12" |
| Germination | 5–20 days |
| Start Indoors | 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date. Not recommended; sensitive to taproot disturbance. Start in biodegradable pots that can be planted directly into ground. |
| Direct Sow | RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks before your average last frost date, when soil temperature is at least 40°F, ideally 70°–90°F, or any time in mild climates. |
| Growing & Harvesting | Leaves are best harvested when young; old leaves are tough and hairy. Flowers can be harvested any time. |
Find Your Frost Date & Grow Zone
Average First Frost Date
October 19
Average Last Frost Date
May 19
Your Hardiness Zone is
5b
Send Your Recommendation
Total 5 star reviews: 52 Total 4 star reviews: 7 Total 3 star reviews: 2 Total 2 star reviews: 1 Total 1 star reviews: 1
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Rating
Which best describes you as a gardener?
63 reviews
- K S.Verified ReviewerRated 5 out of 5 stars3/21/26Wow, look at that borage!
Borage is doing great. This area of borage (pictured) all grew from 4 little seeds, planted in autumn. Trellis in background is for Marketmore Cucumbers which supposedly like growing near borage. Hopefully borage will make it through summer heat and protect those cucumbers. Love Botanical Interests seeds.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests3/23/26Hey K,
Wow, that's amazing growth from just 4 little seeds! Your borage looks absolutely fantastic, and we love hearing about your companion planting setup with the Marketmore Cucumbers. Borage really is such a great companion plant, and it's so cool that you're using it to help protect your cucumbers through the summer heat. Thanks for being such a loyal Botanical Interests customer - we're thrilled you're having such great success! Keep on growing 🌻️
- Andrea N.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars12/29/25Wonderful plant
Every seed I planted grew into big plants covered in bees and the flowers lasted until mid October. I will plant this every year from on.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests12/30/25Hey Andrea,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with our Borage Seeds! We're absolutely thrilled to hear that every single seed grew into big, beautiful plants that lasted all the way until mid October! And how amazing that they were covered in bees - that's exactly what we love to hear since borage is such a fantastic pollinator magnet! It sounds like you had an incredible growing season with them. We're so excited that you're planning to make this an annual tradition in your garden. Thank you for choosing us and for sharing your growing success with us. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Lida S.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars9/10/25Perfect
Everything I ordered from Botanical Interests came on time and well packaged! I haven’t ever had a problem with germination. You are on my VERY short list of seed companies I order from! Thank you
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests9/16/25Hey Lida,
What an absolutely wonderful review! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us!
We're so thrilled to hear that everything arrived on time and well packaged, and it means the world to us that you've never had germination issues with our seeds. That's exactly the kind of reliability and quality we strive for with every single order!
Being on your "VERY short list" of trusted seed companies is honestly one of the highest compliments we could receive. We know there are so many options out there, so having earned that level of trust and loyalty from you really makes our day!
Thank you for being such a wonderful customer and for choosing us for your gardening adventures. We're so grateful for gardeners like you!
Keep on growing 🌻️
- Liya C.Verified BuyerRated 4 out of 5 stars2/25/254 Stars
Good germination, huge plant! Got an unusual borage in the pack, which was planted at the same time as the blue one. While the blue one is at the end of its run, the white one is just started to flower, is shorter and has more leaves (also darker) compared to the blue one. Will see if the bees love it as much once more flowers start blooming.
- TERRYRated 5 out of 5 stars1/17/255 Stars
Packaged as described and received quickly. Can’t wait to plant this spring.