Borage.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Annual herb

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

2 to 3 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 2 to 11

Bloom time

Late spring to early autumn

Care

Plant your borage in a sunny spot with well draining soil. Keep an eye out for powdery mildew on the leaves if the air circulation is poor. It is a prolific self seeder so you might find new plants popping up nearby next year.

Watering

Water consistently to keep the soil moist but not soggy.

Feeding

A light application of balanced fertilizer once a month is plenty.

Pruning

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms throughout the season.

Repotting

As an annual, borage is typically grown from seed each year and does not require repotting.

Soil

Well draining loamy soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.0

Temperature

-10 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Annual, typically 1 season

Deer and rabbits

High

Safety

People

The plant is generally considered safe for culinary use in small amounts, but raw consumption should be limited.

Pets

Borage is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.

Children

The coarse, prickly hairs on the foliage may cause minor skin irritation if handled by young children.

Contact allergens

The stiff, bristly hairs on the stems and leaves can cause skin irritation or contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

There are no significant reports of respiratory allergies associated with this plant.

Edibility

Consume borage in moderation as it contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that may affect liver health if eaten in large quantities.

How to identify it

• Star shaped blue flowers
• Hairy stems and leaves
• Cucumber scented foliage
• Oval shaped wrinkled leaves

Height

0.3 to 0.9m

Spread

0.3 to 0.6m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

blue, white, 2 to 3cm

Fruit

black, late summer

Problems to watch for

• AphidsCommon
• BoltingCommon
• Powdery MildewCommon
• Slugs and SnailsUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

seed

When to plant

spring

Overwintering

In colder climates, the plant will die back completely after the first frost. You can collect seeds in autumn to sow again the following spring.

In containers

Borage grows well in containers, provided the pot is at least 30 centimeters deep to accommodate its taproot.

Plant borage near your vegetable patch to draw in bees that will help pollinate your crops.

Grows well with

• Strawberry · Borage is believed to improve the flavor and growth of strawberries.
• Tomato · It helps deter tomato hornworms and attracts pollinators to the garden.

Similar species

• Comfrey · Both are members of the Boraginaceae family and share similar hairy foliage.

Science

Family

Boraginaceae

Genus

Borago

Order

Boraginales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Mediterranean region

Conservation

This plant is widespread and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in disturbed soils and open fields where it can quickly establish through prolific seed production.

Value to wildlife

high nectar production, attracts beneficial insects

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

culinary herb, pollinator garden, companion planting, edible flowers

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is borage a perennial?

It is typically grown as an annual, though it may self sow reliably.

Does borage need full sun?

Yes, it thrives best in full sun but tolerates light shade.

Where the name comes from

The name Borago is thought to derive from the Latin burra, meaning rough hair, referring to the plant's texture. The specific epithet officinalis indicates its historical use in traditional medicine.

Good to know

• Borage flowers are star shaped and often used to decorate cocktails.
• It is said to provide courage to those who consume it.
• The plant readily self seeds in the garden.

Also in

• Deer-resistant plants