A little seed. A new beginning.
Seeds In A Cup®A LITTLE SEED. A NEW BEGINNING.

GROW SOMETHING WONDERFUL

Borage

Borago officinalis

Your guide to planting, growing, and getting to know this plant.

THE PLANT NOTEBOOK

Borage care, from seed onward.

Botanical name
Borago officinalis
Common names
Starflower, Bee Bread
Family
Boraginaceae
Genus
Borago
Species
B. officinalis
01

Start growing

Easy from seed; self-sows prolifically. Prefers full sun to partial shade.

02

Growing with your kit

The Seeds In A Cup® kit shows how the fuzzy seedlings of borage protect themselves from early-season cold.

03

Propagation

By seed.

04

Seasonal growth & harvest

Blooms continuously from summer to frost once established.

05

Growing conditions

Open sunny fields and edges of woodlands.

06

Weather & tolerances

Moderate drought tolerance; will wilt in intense noon heat but recover in evening.

07

Pests & plant health

Aphids and powdery mildew.

08

Plant safety

Safe for consumption; excessive use of leaves should be avoided due to trace alkaloids.

09

Botanical features

An annual with bristly stems and bright blue star-shaped flowers.

10

Varieties

‘Alba’ (White flowers).

11

Garden & everyday uses

Flowers are edible (cucumber flavor). leaves used in salads. Major nectar source for bees

12

Native range & distribution

Mediterranean region origins; now naturalized in many temperate zones.

13

Conservation

Secure; major agricultural crop for borage seed oil.

14

Name origins

Likely from the Arabic ‘abu rish’ meaning father of sweat, referring to its medicinal use as a sudorific.

15

History

Once called 'Father of Courage'; Roman soldiers would put borage in their wine before battle.

Grow borage in a cup.