Borage
Borago officinalis · Boraginaceae
📷 W. Bulach · CC BY-SA 4.0
The gardener's calendar
It's peak harvest for borage: pick regularly and at the right stage to boost production and extend the season.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- June to September
- Adult size
- 40 to 60 cm tall
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Down to -15°C
- Origin
- Mediterranean basin
- Soil type
- Well-drained, light to medium
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Sow directly in place after late frosts (May), in soil that is neither too rich nor too poor. Borage will self-seed the following year if you let it go to seed. Water just during the first month.
The common mistake
Sowing in autumn or April in cold zones: it'll freeze before growing. Sowing too densely also causes etiolation and a harvest of thin, bland leaves.
The pro's trick
Let one or two plants flower without picking the leaves: they'll self-seed and return each year on their own. It's the easiest way to have it without any effort.
Seasonal watch
Very hot, dry summer: leggy borage hardens up and turns bitter. Water regularly in July-August to keep leaves tender longer. A light afternoon shade slows bolting.
Care
Sunlight
Plant your borage in full sun for generous and continuous flowering. It tolerates partial shade but flowers less abundantly. Avoid overly shaded areas where it will become leggy.
Watering
Water regularly during growth, without letting the soil dry out completely. Once established, borage is fairly tolerant of drought thanks to its deep taproot. Reduce watering in autumn.
Soil and drainage
Borage prefers well-drained, light soil, even poor or chalky. Compacted or waterlogged soil promotes rot. Improve heavy soil with sand or gravel.
Pruning and maintenance
No formal pruning is necessary. Simply remove spent flowers to extend flowering and limit self-seeding if desired. You can cut back lightly in late summer to rejuvenate the plant.
Fertilization
Borage is undemanding and grows well in poor soil. A light application of compost in spring is sufficient; excessive nitrogen-rich fertilizer promotes foliage at the expense of flowers.
Pests and diseases
It's a hardy plant and rarely affected by diseases. In humid conditions, watch for root rot. Aphids can colonize young shoots and can be treated by spraying with soapy water.
Did you know?
Borage was cultivated in medieval monastery gardens for its supposed properties to lift the mood: the name evokes the Italian 'borraccia' (courage). Its intense blue flowers are highly appreciated by bees and other pollinators, making it a valuable ally for the organic gardener.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.