Borage Starflower

Borago officinalis

Borage belongs to the Borago genus. Borage is also known as Starflower

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The Borage Plant Wiki

All details in our wiki have been kindly provided by our members.

Borage is an ingredient in the traditional recipe for a Pimm’s Cup. Improves the flavor of tomato vines when grown within a few feet of them. Young leaves and flowers have a cucumber flavor. Young leaves can be eaten raw or steamed and flowers can be eaten raw or used as decoration. The stems can also be eaten, just peel and chop similar to celery. Borage aids the growth of almost anything that is planted near it.

see a discussion here: http://myfolia.com/groups/63-herbs/topics/2135/posts#post_9373

Borage belongs to the Borago genus.

How to grow and keep Borage happy

Borage will grow in most soils, even poor soils, but prefers well drained. It is drought tolerant, needs part sun-full sun, and doesn’t like too much fertilizer (too much nitrogen will cause less flowers to form). Borage re-seeds easily and is easy to grow.
from Om: It can be contained. Trim, pinch, hack it back. Also it won’t grow into non-sunny space, so other plants could out compete it. You can also put it in a container and move it around to which crop needs it now. At the end of the season, the roots are harvested for medicinal uses and also for use in stir fries and other mixed veggie dishes. They are nutritious, but don’t have a lot of flavor on their own. The do produce a long tap root, but do fine in containers. Um, due to concentrations of potassium nitrate [aka saltpeter], which makes them good for the compost or just burying or mulching with also (in small doses of course).

How to sow and germinate Borage

Can be sown outside when danger of heavy frost has passed. In mild climates it can be sown outside anytime. Not recommended to start inside as will not transplant well. The seeds need darkness to germinate.

How to transplant Borage

Transplanting is not recommended.

How to harvest Borage

Companion plants for Borage

These plants will grow well with Borage:

Repellent plants for Borage

These plants will not grow well with Borage so avoid planting these within close proximity:

Common Borage pests

These pests are known to attack Borage plants:

Common Borage diseases & problems

These problems and diseases are known to effect Borage plants:

How long does Borage take to grow?

These estimates for how long Borage takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world. Start logging and journaling your observations to participate!

When should I sow or plant Borage?

These estimates are relative to your last frost date. Enter your frost dates and we'll calculate your sowing and planting dates for you!

Borage Etymology

Might be the Latin Borago or Corago from cor (the heart), and ago (I bring). Also could be from the Latin Burra meaning flock of wool. Or the Celtic term Barrach -a man of courage. The botanical epithet is from the Latin officinalis meaning “used medicinally”

Borage Folklore

Borage is supposed to give strength of heart, courage, and joyfulness to anyone who eats the leaves or drinks wine in which the flowers or leaves are floating. It was given to warriors before going into battle and also sneaked into the drinks of men so they would propose. It was used as an anti-depressant.

from Om: Dried borage leaf and flowers are also a fun party trick as they pop and sizzle when burned.