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 Seeds
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: 55 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?
66 reviews
- Gregory M.MD, United StatesVerified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars6/5/2690% germination rate
I’m never disappointed with anything I get from here
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateWho do you grow for? YourselfHow do you prefer to grow? Raised Bed - Kaulini B.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars5/2/26Borage seeds
Great germination quality!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests5/3/26Hey Kaulini,
We're so happy to hear our Borage Seeds gave you great germination quality! Borage is such a wonderful addition to any garden! Plus, those cucumber-flavored leaves and edible flowers are going to be such a treat. Your garden must look amazing! Thank you for choosing our seeds and for sharing your positive experience! Keep on growing 🌻️
- Lethea B.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars4/25/26Borage for the win!
I’ve planted flowers/herbs that beneficial insects love and Borage is on the list, a major plus is that it’s so pretty!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests5/4/26Hey Lethea,
Borage is a winner - useful and beautiful! You've made such a smart choice planting flowers and herbs that beneficial insects love - borage is absolutely fantastic for attracting pollinators and beneficial bugs to the garden. Those gorgeous star-shaped blue flowers are just stunning, and they keep blooming throughout the season. It's amazing when you can support your garden's ecosystem while adding such beautiful blooms at the same time! Keep on growing 🌻️
- 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 🌻️