Blue Star Borage Flower/Herb Seeds. 100 Seeds.
Blue Star Borage, also known as Borago officinalis, produces beautiful blue star-shaped flowers that are edible and have a cucumber-like flavor. These seeds can be sown in early spring or late summer, and the plants are known for attracting pollinators like honeybees.
Various parts of this plant are handy in the kitchen. You can toss young leaves into salads, and those pretty blue flowers? They can be candied, used as a garnish, or thrown into drinks—especially teas! Looking to bring in butterflies and bees to your herb garden? Borage is just the thing for that!
Originating from the Mediterranean, borage boasts a summer-long display of blue star-shaped flowers, making it one of the most appealing herbs for bees and other helpful insects. Thanks to its refreshing cucumber-like taste, borage has been used for ages to infuse drinks; the flowers were often preserved or candied. Their beautiful shape and color have made this herb a popular choice in tapestries and embroidery from the Middle Ages. The early historian Gerard noted that borage is good "for the comfort of the heart, for driving away sorrow and boosting the joy of the mind." Nowadays, commercial growers cultivate borage primarily for the oil extracted from its seeds. This oil is rich in gamma-linolenic acid, an essential omega-6 fatty acid vital for skin cell growth.
Latin Name: Borago officials
Type: Open Pollinated, Heirloom, Cool Season|Warm Season
Life Cycle: Annual
USDA Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Seeds per Ounce: 1,250
Planting Method: Direct Sow
Sunlight: Full Sun
Plant Height: 12-24
Plant Spacing: 12-18"
Color: Green, Blue
Bloom Season: Blooms Late Summer, Blooms Early Fall
Uses: Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Honeybees, Aromatic
Sowing: Borage does well in either partial shade or full sun, and it prefers rich, well-drained soil; however, it can also thrive in poor soil or dry conditions. Since it doesn't handle transplanting well, it's best to sow seeds directly. After the last frost of spring, when the soil has warmed up, plant the seeds about 1/4" deep and 12-15" apart in rows that are 18" apart. You should see germination within 7-14 days. As a companion plant for strawberries or tomatoes, borage helps with pollination, keeps pests away, and attracts bees.
Growing: Make sure to keep the soil reasonably moist and manage weeds effectively. Too much contact with the soil can cause the drooping leaves to rot, so adding a layer of mulch can be beneficial. If the plant starts to grow tall and lean, you might need to stake it or use a trellis. Don't forget to remove wilted flowers to promote new blooms.
Harvesting: You can start harvesting the leaves about 6-8 weeks after planting, once the plant is well established. For culinary purposes, small, tender leaves are best since the older ones have prickly hairs. Pick the leaves or flowers in the morning after the dew has dried, selecting flowers that are just starting to open. While the leaves and flowers can last a few days in the fridge, they tend to lose flavor if frozen.
Seed Saving: Borage is great at reseeding itself if left alone, but you can also collect the seeds easily. Once the seed heads are fully matured and starting to dry, remove them and spread them out in a protected area away from direct sunlight to finish drying. After that, thresh the seeds and get rid of any debris. Store the seeds in a cool, dry spot.
