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
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Rating
Which best describes you as a gardener?
76 reviews
- TeAnneRated 5 out of 5 stars11/5/26Beautiful
My borage seeds have been a staple in the garden for my zone 9B since I purchased from Botanical Interests. They drop seed and come up! Right now I have an unplanned, raised bed cover crop that the bees and hummingbirds are still enjoying (November) They add a lovely country garden charm to the garden and mine got quite large. So pretty & edible!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests11/5/26Hey TeAnne,
What a wonderful experience you've had with our Borage Seeds! We love hearing about how they've become a staple in your garden every year. We're thrilled to hear they are self seeding and comeing back on their own? That's like having a garden gift that keeps giving!
We're so glad you're enjoying them.
We'd love to see photos of the unplanned, raised bed cover crop! I'm sure it looks amazing!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us and our gardening community. It's feedback like this that really makes us happy!
Keep on growing 🌻
- RaeRated 5 out of 5 stars10/5/265 Stars
exactly as described, quickly shipped, well packed
- Kristina R.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars8/27/26Pollinator Magnet
Easy to grow. My bees loved these flowers. Please consider offering another color variety in the future.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests9/1/26Hey Kristina,
We're so stoked to hear that your Borage Seeds have been such an easy success and that your bees absolutely loved the flowers! It's awesome when you find a plant that's both simple to grow and a total pollinator magnet. Thanks so much for the suggestion about additional color varieties - we really appreciate that feedback and will definitely keep it in mind for the future. Thanks for being part of the growing community! Keep on growing 🌻
- Shannon L.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars8/26/26Buy once, have borage forever
Self seeds beautifully. You will only purchase these once!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests8/29/26Hey Shannon,
We're so stoked to hear that your Borage Seeds have been such a fantastic success! It's awesome that they self seed so beautifully - that's such a great way to have borage coming back year after year. Thanks so much for being part of the growing community! Keep on growing 🌻
- Eleanor C. B.CA, United StatesVerified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars7/25/26Lovely addition to the garden
Easy to grow
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateWho do you grow for? YourselfHow do you prefer to grow? Raised Bed