Grow Borage

Borage (Borago officinalis) has the most delightfully colored bright blue flowers in a star shape and is a very pretty herb to grow. It is a hardy annual with a number of culinary uses (mostly decorative).

Steps

  1. Purchase or obtain borage seeds. Choose Herb Blossoms for Eating is best sown direct in the garden via seed, as the seedlings don't transplant well once established.
    • Tip cuttings from a mature borage plant can be placed in sandy soil in spring. Keep the soil damp and place cuttings in the garden when they have taken hold but before they're too established.
  2. Select a sunny spot in the garden. Borage will tolerate partial shade though. Borage likes most soil types provided they're well aerated, moist, and mulched. Its favorite soil type is sandy.
  3. Sow the seed in spring for summer flowering or sow in the autumn for spring flowering.
  4. Thin out the seedlings. Leave 60cm (2 feet) between the plants.
  5. Keep watered regularly. Don't over-water.
  6. Harvest. Expect maturity of the borage plant within six weeks. The flowers appear at an early stage and can be picked during summer growth for use in culinary ways. When picking flowers, choose those that are open (although Violet Stevenson advises that they are best picked before they open if you want to preserve their color[1]). The leaves can also be used. Some ideas for use include:
    • Adding to gin-based summer cocktails
    • Placing the young leaves into salads cooked like spinach or dipped in batter as fritters
    • Use the leaves uncooked in salads and soups, as they have a cucumber flavor
    • Add sprigs to wine, cider, and fruit drinks
    • Freeze the flowers into ice cubes
    • Use the flowers as garnishes in salads
    • Candy the flowers for cake decorations.



Tips

  • Borage is a good companion plant, especially with strawberries.
  • Since this plant self-seeds readily, you won't need to plant it again.
  • Bees love borage flowers.
  • Borage can manage all climates except extremely cold ones.
  • Borage will grow well indoors in a container of quality, moist potting mixture.
  • Borage is thought to stimulate the mind, help with heart circulation, and to lift your spirits.[2] A liquid tincture of borage made from both leaves and flowers can enhance your mood. It is recommended that you take 15-20 drops twice a day or a capsule (500mg) of borage oil a day.[3]

Warnings

  • Borage leaves cannot be stored and must always be used fresh when harvested.
  • Borage stems can be quite brittle; if they appear to be leaning oddly, stake them up.
  • Borage self-sows readily and can spread rapidly. Cut back often or grow in containers where this presents a problem.

Things You'll Need

  • Borage seeds
  • Digging equipment

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  • Murdoch Books, Growing Herbs, p. 208, (2006), ISBN 978-1-74045-870-2 – research source
  • Caroline Foley, Jill Nice, and Marcus A Webb, New Herb Bible, p. 63, (2001), ISBN 1-875169-92-X – research source
  • Violet Stevenson, A Modern Herbal, p. 96, (1974), ISBN 0-7064-0383-5 – research source
  1. ↑ Violet Stevenson, A Modern Herbal, p. 96, (1974), ISBN 0-7064-0383-5
  2. ↑ Whitcoulls Publishers, The Little Herb Book, pp. 8-9, (1985), ISBN 0-7233-0761-X
  3. ↑ Caroline Foley, Jill Nice, and Marcus A Webb, New Herb Bible, p. 63, (2001), ISBN 1-875169-92-X

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