If you’re looking for a versatile, easy-to-grow plant that’s as beautiful as it is beneficial, borage (Borago officinalis) is your answer. Known as starflower for its vibrant, blue, star-shaped blooms, borage is a magnet for pollinators, a fantastic companion plant for tomatoes, and an edible herb with a refreshing cucumber-like flavor. In this blog post, I’ll guide you through why borage deserves a spot in your garden, how to grow it, and tips to make the most of its many benefits. You can find our Kids Seed Co. borage seeds here ⬇️
https://kidseedco.com/products/borage?_pos=1&_sid=6aef773ba&_ss=r
Why Grow Borage?
Borage is a gardener’s dream for several reasons:
1. Pollinator Powerhouse: Borage’s nectar-rich flowers attract bees, bumblebees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, making it a must-have for vegetable gardens. It’s especially valuable for boosting pollination in crops like tomatoes, strawberries, and squash. Posts on X highlight its appeal, with gardeners noting that “bees go doolally for borage” and it refills with nectar every two minutes[Image]
2. Companion Planting Champion: Borage is a stellar companion for tomatoes, reputed to deter tomato hornworms and even enhance tomato flavor. It also benefits strawberries, squash, and cabbage by repelling pests like cabbage worms and attracting predatory insects that eat garden pests.
3. Edible and Ornamental: The leaves and flowers taste like cucumbers, perfect for salads, drinks, soups, or as garnishes. Freeze flowers in ice cubes for a stunning cocktail addition or candy them for desserts. Its bright blue blooms also add a cottage-garden charm to any landscape.
4. Nutrient-Rich and Medicinal: Borage is packed with minerals like potassium and calcium, and its seed oil is a source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), used for skin health, inflammation relief, and hormonal balance. Leaves can be steeped for tea or used in skincare.
5. Soil Booster: Borage’s deep taproot mines nutrients, making it great for compost or as a chop-and-drop mulch. It also self-seeds, so once established, it often returns year after year.
Caution: Borage contains low levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be toxic to the liver in large amounts, so consume in moderation, especially if you have liver issues. Pregnant women or those with certain medical conditions should avoid it.
How to Grow Borage
Borage is a hardy annual that thrives in USDA Zones 2–11, making it suitable for most climates. It’s low-maintenance, tolerates poor soil, and grows quickly to 1–3 feet tall and wide. Here’s your step-by-step guide to growing borage successfully:
1. Choose the Right Location
• Sunlight: Borage prefers full sun (6–8 hours daily) for maximum blooms and sturdy stems, but it tolerates partial shade (3–4 hours). In hot climates, partial shade prevents wilting.
• Soil: Borage isn’t picky and thrives in average to poor, well-drained soil with a pH of 4.5–8.5 (optimal at 6.0–7.0). Avoid waterlogged or overly rich soil, as too much nitrogen can reduce flowering.
• Space: Give plants 18–24 inches of space, as they can spread out. Borage’s sprawling habit can crowd smaller plants, so plan accordingly.
2. Planting Borage
• Timing: Direct sow seeds in spring after the last frost when soil temperatures reach 60–70°F (15–21°C). In Zones 9–10, fall planting works for winter/spring growth. Succession sow every 3–4 weeks for continuous blooms.
• Sowing: Sow seeds ¼–½ inch deep in clusters of 3–4, covering lightly with soil. Space clusters 15–18 inches apart. Germination takes 5–14 days. Thin seedlings to one plant per cluster when they’re 6–8 inches tall.
• Starting Indoors: Borage has a delicate taproot, so direct sowing is best. If starting indoors, use biodegradable pots 4–6 weeks before the last frost to avoid root disturbance. Harden off seedlings before transplanting.
• Containers: Borage grows well in pots at least 12 inches deep and wide to accommodate its taproot. Use well-draining potting mix with some grit for drainage.
3. Care and Maintenance
• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist during germination and early growth, watering every few days. Once established, borage is drought-tolerant; water deeply when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
• Fertilizing: Borage doesn’t need much feeding. In poor soil, apply a balanced fertilizer labeled for edible plants or one high in phosphorus to boost flowering. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which promote leafy growth over blooms.
• Pruning: Pinch back plants at 6 inches tall to encourage bushiness. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong blooming and prevent excessive self-seeding, unless you want borage to naturalize. Prune by half in midsummer for new tender leaves.
• Pests and Diseases: Borage is generally pest-resistant but may attract aphids or Japanese beetles. Use neem oil or insecticidal soap for control. Powdery mildew can occur in humid conditions; ensure good airflow and avoid overhead watering.
4. Harvesting Borage
• Leaves: Harvest young leaves (before they get too hairy) for the best flavor. Use fresh in salads, soups, or teas, or wilt them like spinach. Wear gloves to avoid prickly hairs.
• Flowers: Pick fully open flowers for garnishes, freezing in ice cubes, or candying. Harvest in the morning when flavors are strongest.
• Seeds: Collect seeds from dried flower heads for replanting or oil extraction. Store in a paper envelope in a cool, dry place.
5. Companion Planting with Tomatoes
Borage shines as a companion for tomatoes. Plant it near tomato beds to:
• Attract pollinators like bumblebees, which enhance tomato pollination through buzz pollination, leading to better fruit set.
• Deter tomato hornworms, reducing pest damage.
• Potentially improve tomato flavor, as some gardeners report. Space borage 18–24 inches from tomato plants to avoid competition, and place it at bed edges to maximize pollinator access.
Pro Tips for Growing Borage
• Control Self-Seeding: Borage reseeds prolifically, which can be a blessing or a curse. Pull unwanted seedlings (they’re easy to remove) or deadhead flowers to limit spread.
• Make Liquid Fertilizer: Chop borage leaves, soak them in water for two weeks in a sealed jar, and strain to create a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer for your garden.
• Compost Boost: Add spent plants to your compost pile; their mineral-rich leaves break down quickly and enrich the soil.
• Support Sprawling Plants: In windy areas, stake or cage borage to prevent toppling, especially in fertile soil where it grows larger.
A Word of Caution
While borage is a garden superstar, its prickly hairs can irritate sensitive skin, so wear gloves when handling. Also, be mindful of its size—borage can overshadow smaller plants in tight spaces, as one gardener on Reddit learned when it crowded their eggplants.
Final Thoughts
Borage is a low-maintenance, multi-talented herb that brings beauty, pollinators, and flavor to your garden while giving your tomatoes a helping hand. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned gardener, its ease of growth and myriad benefits make it a joy to cultivate. Sow some seeds this spring, and watch your garden come alive with buzzing bees and brilliant blue stars!
