Borage is one of the most useful plants for a flower-and-herb garden. Its blue, star-shaped flowers bring colour to borders and containers, attract bees, and can be used as edible decorations when the plant has been grown specifically for culinary use. The leaves have a cucumber-like scent when young, while the flowers add a delicate visual lift to salads, cold drinks, desserts, and summer platters.
Borage is also generous in the garden. It grows quickly from seed, tolerates a range of soils once established, and can fill an awkward sunny corner with soft green foliage and bright flowers. This guide explains how to grow borage in South Africa, when to sow it, how to manage its size, how to harvest the flowers safely, and how to support pollinators without allowing the plant to take over.
Our Mixed Herb Seeds include borage, making them a practical way to add this useful plant to a container herb garden.
What Is Borage?
Borage, botanically known as Borago officinalis, is an annual herb with soft, slightly rough leaves and bright blue, star-shaped flowers. Pink flowers can sometimes appear as blooms mature. The plant is traditionally grown as a culinary herb and ornamental companion plant, but it is best known today for its flowers, bee appeal, and easy-growing character.
Borage can become quite large compared with delicate herbs, so give it room. A mature plant may spread outward and shade smaller seedlings. In a mixed pot, identify it early and move it into a larger container if it begins crowding its neighbours.
For more container advice, read How to Grow Mixed Herbs in Pots.
Why Grow Borage in a South African Garden?
Borage is valuable in a garden because it combines beauty and function. Its open flowers are easy for bees to access, and its soft blue colour works well beside warm-toned flowers such as nasturtiums, marigolds, and sunflowers. It can also add height and texture to a kitchen garden without requiring complicated pruning.
The plant is especially useful for gardeners who want a productive display rather than a purely decorative bed. You can grow it near herbs and vegetables, harvest young flowers for the kitchen, and allow some blooms to remain for visiting pollinators. Its quick growth makes it rewarding for beginners and children.
For ideas on building a more diverse planting, see our guide to creating a wildlife-friendly garden corner.
When to Plant Borage in South Africa
Borage prefers mild to warm growing conditions and strong light. It can be sown at different times depending on your region, but very cold weather, severe frost, and extreme heat can all slow young plants.
Highveld and frost-prone inland regions
Sow in spring after the most severe frost has passed, or start under cover towards the end of winter and transplant young plants carefully. A second sowing in late summer can work if the plants have enough time to establish before winter. Protect young seedlings from hard frost.
Western Cape and winter-rainfall regions
Autumn and spring can both be useful sowing periods, provided the soil drains well. Avoid a low position where winter rain leaves the roots waterlogged. Raised beds and containers make it easier to control moisture.
KwaZulu-Natal and warmer coastal regions
Sow during a milder part of the year and give the plant morning sun with protection from the harshest afternoon heat. Good airflow is important in humid conditions, especially when foliage is dense.
Karoo, Northern Cape, and hot dry regions
Plant during a cooler season and provide consistent moisture while the seedlings establish. Afternoon shade, mulch, and container growing can help in very hot gardens. Avoid allowing young plants to dry out completely.
Use our South African planting calendar as a general guide, then adjust for your local frost and rainfall.
Choosing a Position
Borage grows best in full sun to light partial shade. Aim for at least four to six hours of direct light. Strong morning sun is particularly useful in hot areas, while some afternoon shade can reduce stress during heatwaves.
Give the plant space to spread. A position at the back of a herb bed, beside a fence, or at the edge of a pollinator border is often better than the centre of a small container. Keep it close enough to the kitchen for convenient harvesting, but not so close that its mature leaves block a doorway or path.
Because the stems can become top-heavy when flowering, choose a position sheltered from strong wind. A light stake may be useful if the plant is exposed.
Preparing the Soil
Borage is not excessively fussy, but it performs best in loose, reasonably fertile soil that drains well. Remove weeds and loosen compacted ground before sowing. Add mature compost if the soil is poor, but avoid fresh manure around young roots.
Do not create a constantly rich, wet bed. Excess moisture can damage roots, while excessive nitrogen may produce large leaves at the expense of flowers. Good structure, drainage, sunlight, and steady water are more important than heavy feeding.
For containers, choose a pot at least 30 cm deep and wide, with several drainage holes. Borage can outgrow a small pot quickly, so start with enough space or plan to transplant it while still young.
How to Sow Borage Seeds
- Prepare the soil or pot. Remove debris and create a fine, even surface.
- Moisten before sowing. Water gently so the seeds do not wash into a corner.
- Sow about 1–2 cm deep. Cover with fine soil and firm lightly.
- Space seeds generously. Leave room for the mature plant, or thin seedlings later.
- Keep evenly moist. Avoid waterlogging while the seeds germinate.
Borage seeds can often germinate within one to three weeks, depending on temperature, moisture, and seed freshness. Mark the sowing date and keep the surface protected from birds and heavy rain. Direct sowing is usually effective because borage develops a root that dislikes unnecessary disturbance.
Direct Sowing or Transplanting?
Direct sowing is the simplest option when the final position is ready. It allows the root to develop in place and avoids transplant shock. If you need to start seeds under cover, use individual cells or biodegradable pots and move seedlings while they are still young.
Harden off plants started indoors by placing them outside in a sheltered position for increasingly longer periods over about a week. Transplant on a cool day or in the late afternoon, water thoroughly, and protect the plant from strong wind while it settles.
Watering Borage
Keep the soil evenly moist during germination and early growth. Once established, borage can tolerate short dry periods better than a newly planted seedling, but regular moisture supports better leaves and flowering.
Water deeply at the base rather than sprinkling the foliage every day. Let the upper layer dry slightly between waterings, especially in a container. If leaves wilt repeatedly, check whether the pot is too small, the soil is drying too quickly, or the plant is exposed to reflected heat.
Mulch can reduce evaporation in a garden bed. Keep mulch away from the stem to improve airflow and reduce the risk of rot.
Does Borage Need Fertiliser?
Usually, no heavy feeding is needed if the soil contains compost. If a container plant remains pale or growth slows after repeated harvesting, use a mild balanced feed according to the label. Water the soil first if it is dry.
Avoid applying large amounts of nitrogen. Borage naturally produces vigorous foliage, and too much nitrogen can encourage soft growth, increase the plant’s size, and reduce the balance between leaves and flowers.
Managing the Size of Borage
Borage can become a generous plant. Thin seedlings early, remove damaged leaves, and cut back a few stems if the plant is blocking smaller herbs. Harvesting flowers regularly also helps keep the plant useful and tidy.
If you want borage to self-seed, leave a few flowers to mature at the end of the season. If you do not want volunteer seedlings, remove fading flowers before they form mature seed. Pull spent plants after the growing season and add only healthy material to the compost heap.
How to Harvest Borage Flowers
Harvest flowers in the cool morning after dew has dried. Choose fresh, open flowers without insect damage or disease marks. Snip them with clean scissors or pinch them gently from the plant.
Use only flowers from plants grown specifically for culinary use and without pesticides or other treatments unsuitable for food. Never use borage flowers from a florist arrangement or an ornamental plant with an unknown chemical history.
Borage flowers are delicate. Use them soon after picking, or place them in a covered container in the refrigerator for a short period. Handle them gently and inspect for insects before serving.
How to Use Borage Flowers in the Kitchen
Borage flowers have a mild flavour and make attractive edible decorations. Float them in cold drinks, place them on salads, scatter them over desserts, or use them to decorate a cheese board. They can also be frozen into ice cubes for a simple summer presentation.
Use edible flowers as a garnish rather than a large portion of a meal. Wash gently if necessary and introduce unfamiliar foods in a small amount. If you have food allergies or concerns about edible flowers, seek appropriate professional advice before eating them.
Young borage leaves are sometimes used in small quantities, but their texture becomes rougher as the plant matures. Always identify the plant correctly and harvest only from a clean, untreated crop. For more general guidance, read Edible Flowers 101.
Borage as a Pollinator Plant
Borage flowers are popular with bees and other visiting insects. Grow the plant where you can observe it without disturbing the flowers, and avoid spraying open blooms. A pesticide-free garden with different flower shapes and bloom times gives pollinators more useful options.
Pair borage with other plants that provide colour and nectar across the season. Nasturtiums, cosmos, sunflowers, and flowering herbs can create a layered planting with different heights. Do not rely on one plant alone; diversity makes a stronger wildlife garden.
Common Borage Problems
Seeds do not germinate
Check sowing depth, moisture, temperature, and seed age. Seeds buried too deeply may struggle to emerge, while saturated soil can cause rot. Keep the surface moist and well drained, and protect the bed from disturbance.
Seedlings become leggy
Leggy seedlings usually need more light or more space. Move containers to a brighter position gradually and thin crowded plants before their stems become weak.
Leaves turn yellow
Yellowing can indicate overwatering, poor drainage, root restriction, nutrient imbalance, or natural ageing of lower leaves. Check the soil before adding fertiliser.
Aphids
Aphids may gather on soft new growth. Rinse small infestations with water, remove badly affected tips, and encourage ladybirds and other beneficial insects. Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides when flowers are open and you intend to harvest them.
Powdery mildew or marked leaves
Improve airflow, avoid wetting foliage late in the day, and remove badly affected leaves. Do not overcrowd borage with smaller herbs, and water at the base of the plant.
The plant is taking over
Thin, prune, or transplant while the plant is still manageable. Remove fading flowers if you do not want it to self-seed, and give it a dedicated position in the next growing season.
Saving Borage Seeds
Allow a few flowers to remain on a healthy plant if you want to save seed. The seed heads develop as flowers fade. Collect mature seeds before they drop, then dry them in a cool, airy place.
Store fully dry seed in a labelled paper envelope in a cool, dark, dry container. Include the sowing or harvest date. Do not save seed from plants that were weak, diseased, or poorly suited to your conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best month to plant borage in South Africa?
Sow during a mild growing period, commonly spring or autumn depending on your region. Frost-prone areas should protect young seedlings, while hot regions should choose a cooler season and provide afternoon shade.
Does borage grow in pots?
Yes. Use a wide, deep pot with drainage and give the plant room to spread. Move it to a larger container if it begins crowding smaller herbs.
How long does borage take to grow from seed?
Germination often takes one to three weeks, followed by several more weeks of leafy growth before flowering. Temperature, light, moisture, and variety all affect timing.
Do borage flowers attract bees?
Yes. The open blue flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinators. Avoid spraying open flowers and provide a range of other flowering plants nearby.
Can you eat borage flowers?
Borage flowers are commonly used as edible garnishes when grown specifically for culinary use without unsuitable chemicals. Identify the plant correctly, harvest clean flowers, and use them in small amounts.
Can I eat borage leaves?
Young leaves are sometimes used in small quantities, but mature leaves become rough. Use only correctly identified, clean, untreated plants and choose flowers for the simplest culinary use.
Should I deadhead borage?
Deadhead to keep the plant tidy and reduce self-seeding. Leave a few flowers if you want to collect seed or provide a longer display for pollinators.
Does borage come back every year?
Borage is commonly grown as an annual, but it can self-seed in favourable conditions. Remove mature seed heads if you do not want volunteer plants.
Where can I buy borage seeds in South Africa?
Our Mixed Herb Seeds include borage, giving you a practical way to add it to a container herb garden alongside other useful plants.
Start Growing Borage
Borage is a beautiful, useful, and pollinator-friendly addition to a South African garden. Give it sunlight, free-draining soil, steady moisture while young, and enough space to grow. Harvest flowers from clean, untreated plants, use them as delicate garnishes, and remove fading blooms if you want to control self-seeding.
Start with Mixed Herb Seeds, which include borage, and create a productive container or garden-bed planting that brings colour, wildlife, and edible flowers together.