When to plant Borage in the UK

Borago officinalis

Borage
Borage · Borago officinalis

A fast-growing annual herb with edible flowers and cucumber-flavoured leaves. It grows well in most UK gardens, self-seeds freely, and is best sown direct where it is to flower.

60 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden
Sow outdoors April to May, harvest June to September.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoNoNo

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds

    mid-April to mid-May UK average · set your town for your exact dates Optional · repeat every 3 weeks

    Sow seeds thinly where the plants are to grow, from mid-April to mid-May. Cover them with a light layer of soil, about deep, and keep the soil just moist until germination.

  2. 02

    Thin Seedlings

    early May to mid-June UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    When seedlings are large enough to handle, from early May to mid-June, thin them to one plant every . Keep the strongest plants and remove extras cleanly at soil level.

  3. 03

    Water New Plants

    early May to early July UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Water plants in well after thinning, then keep the soil lightly moist through early May to early July while they establish. Once rooted, borage copes with moderate dryness, but flowers are better if the soil does not dry out completely.

  4. 04

    Pinch Out Flower Buds

    early May to late July UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    If you are growing borage mainly for leaves, pinch out the first flower buds as they appear. This keeps plants producing fresh leaves for longer. If you want flowers, leave the buds to open.

  5. 05

    Harvest Leaves And Flowers

    mid-June to late September UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Pick young leaves and open flowers from mid-June to late September. Harvest often, taking small amounts from several plants so they keep producing fresh growth.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Borage to consider

Blaue Blume

A reliable blue-flowered borage with plenty of edible blooms and quick growth.

Bianca

A white-flowered form that gives the same edible leaves and flowers as the blue type.

Variegata

A decorative form with cream-edged leaves, grown as much for appearance as for use.