Herb Borage is a captivating multipurpose herb prized for its refreshing cucumber-like flavor, stunning star-shaped blue flowers, and remarkable value as a pollinator powerhouse. This vigorous heirloom variety grows into tall, bristly-stemmed plants bearing an abundance of brilliant cobalt-blue, five-petaled star flowers that bloom continuously through the season. The defining characteristic of Borage is its authentic cucumber aroma and flavor in both leaves and flowers, establishing a unique foundation for beverage infusions, culinary garnishes, and specialty applications. The brilliant edible flowers deliver the same cucumber-forward profile as the foliage — making them prized garnishes for cocktails, gin-based drinks, salads, and desserts where stunning floral presentation enhances visual appeal. Known historically as the “courage herb,” Borage has been cultivated in herb gardens for over 2,000 years. Matures and begins blooming in approximately 55–70 days.

Why Choose Herb Borage?

• Unique Cucumber Flavor: Both leaves and flowers carry a fresh, authentic cucumber taste and aroma — a rare and distinctive flavor profile with no close substitute in the herb garden.
• Stunning Edible Blue Flowers: Brilliant cobalt-blue star-shaped flowers are among the most visually striking edible flowers available — prized by chefs, mixologists, and home cooks alike.
• Exceptional Pollinator Magnet: One of the highest-rated pollinator herbs — the open flower structure allows bees and beneficial insects to access nectar easily. A single Borage plant can attract dozens of bees on a warm day.
• Companion Planting Superstar: Traditionally planted near tomatoes, squash, and strawberries to repel tomato hornworm, cabbage worms, and other garden pests while attracting beneficial predatory insects.
• Self-Sowing: Borage drops seeds prolifically and self-sows readily — plant once and enjoy a self-sustaining patch that returns year after year.
• Drought-Tolerant: Remarkably resilient once established — thrives with minimal water in hot, sunny conditions.
• Heirloom & Open-Pollinated: Save seeds year after year for a self-sustaining garden.
• Non-GMO: DNA structure never altered from natural traditional breeding methods.

Planting Tips for Success

• Sunlight: Full sun preferred — at least 6 hours per day. Tolerates partial shade but produces fewer flowers and less vigorous growth in low light.
• Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Borage tolerates poor, sandy, and rocky soils remarkably well — one of the most adaptable herb varieties available.
• Planting: Direct sow outdoors after last frost — Borage has a taproot and does not transplant well. Sow ¼–½ inch deep. Can also be sown in fall in Zones 8+ for early spring bloom. Borage self-sows so prolifically that after the first year you may never need to resow.
• Spacing: Space plants 12–18 inches apart — plants grow large and bushy. Thin to 18 inches for maximum flower production.
• Watering: Water moderately during establishment. Once established, Borage is drought-tolerant — allow soil to dry between waterings. Overwatering reduces essential oil content and increases disease risk.
• Fertilizing: Minimal fertilization needed — Borage thrives in lean soils. A single balanced application at planting is sufficient. Excess nitrogen produces lush foliage at the expense of flower production.
• Support: Tall plants (2–3 feet) may need staking in windy locations. Alternatively, plant near a fence or wall for natural support.
• Harvesting: Harvest young leaves before the plant flowers for the most tender texture and mildest flavor. Pick individual flowers in the morning after dew has dried. Freeze flowers in ice cubes immediately after picking to preserve their vivid blue color.

Why Choose David's Garden Seeds®?

• Veteran-Owned: Supplying premium seeds since 2009.
• GO TEXAN Certified: Supporting local agriculture and communities.
• Integrity Pledge: We pledge to sell only non-GMO, open-pollinated seeds. Read our Safe Seed Integrity Pledge.
• Vegetable Seed License: All seeds sold under our standard Vegetable Seed License.

Cooking Methods & Uses

• Cocktail & Gin Garnish: The signature use — freeze individual flowers in ice cubes for stunning gin and tonics, lemonade, and summer cocktails. The flowers hold their brilliant blue color and cucumber flavor when frozen.
• Edible Flower Salads: Scatter fresh flowers over salads, cheese boards, and appetizer platters for striking visual impact and delicate cucumber flavor.
• Dessert Garnish: Crystallize flowers in egg white and superfine sugar for elegant cake and dessert decorations that keep for weeks.
• Herb Infusions: Steep fresh leaves in water, lemonade, or white wine for a refreshing cucumber-forward beverage infusion.
• Stuffed Flowers: Fill fresh Borage flowers with soft goat cheese or herb cream cheese for a striking one-bite canapé.
• Young Leaves in Salads: Use young, tender leaves (before flowering) in salads and as a cucumber substitute in cold soups — older leaves become bristly and are less palatable raw.

Order Borage Herb Seeds Today

Order yours today and grow your own fresh Borage in your herb and pollinator garden.

Nutritional Information

(Applies to harvested Borage leaves and flowers, not seeds. Per 100g fresh Borage leaves.)

• Calories: 21
• Total Fat: 0.7g
• Sodium: 80mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 3.1g
• Dietary Fiber: 1.0g
• Protein: 1.8g
• Vitamin C: 35mg (39% DV)
• Calcium: 9% DV
• Iron: 7% DV
• GLA (Gamma-Linolenic Acid): Present in seed oil — an omega-6 fatty acid with anti-inflammatory properties.

Important Disclosures

• Variety Disclaimer: Borage self-sows aggressively — deadhead spent flowers if you wish to control its spread in the garden. Once established, it may naturalize in your growing area. Older leaves develop stiff bristles that can irritate sensitive skin — wear gloves when handling large quantities. Results may vary by growing conditions and climate.
• Seed Storage: Store seeds in a cool, dry location. Properly stored Borage seeds maintain viability for 3–5 years.
• Planting Zones: Grown as a warm-season annual in all USDA zones. Hardy self-sower in Zones 3–11; in Zones 8–11, can be fall-sown for early spring bloom. Particularly well-suited to hot, dry climates where other herbs struggle.

Grow something beautiful. Grow something delicious. Grow with David's Garden Seeds®.