Borage Growing Guide
Growing Borage is easier than you think. This guide walks you through everything you need — from planting your first seed to harvesting.
At a Glance
Difficulty
Easy
Category
Herb
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Frost Tolerance
Frost Tender
Growing Zones
Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Plant Family
Boraginaceae
Growing Season
Warm Season
Plant Lifecycle
Annual
Also grows well as
When To Start
First Chance to Plant
14 Days Before Last Frost
Last Chance to Plant
30 Days Before First Frost
When should you plant Borage?
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Your Borage Planting Window
Start planting
May 15, 2026
Last chance
Sep 10, 2026
The Journey Ahead
Borage's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 1
Prepare Your Space
1 cm
Seeding Depth
30 cm
Plant Spacing
45 cm
Row Spacing
1
Plants / Sq Ft
Vertical Growing
Yes – Trellis.
Method: Trellis.
Succession Planting
Yes.
Good Companions
Bad Companions
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Expect sprouts in 5–10 days
Growing Tips
- 1Borage thrives in full sunlight, so choose a sunny spot in your garden.
- 2It prefers well-drained soil, so ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.
- 3Water regularly but avoid overwatering; the soil should be kept moist but not soggy.
- 4Space plants about 12 inches apart to allow for proper air circulation, which helps prevent disease.
- 5To manage pests, encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and use organic pest control methods if needed.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
~60
Days to Maturity
60 cm
Mature Height
45 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
Harvest Window
30 days
When to Pick
Harvest young leaves or flowers
How to Harvest
- 1Harvest borage when the flowers are fully open and vibrant, typically in the morning after the dew has dried.
- 2Use scissors or pruning shears to cut the stems just above a leaf node to encourage regrowth, and avoid pulling to prevent damaging the plant.
- 3Regularly harvesting the flowers and leaves can help prolong the plant's blooming period.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
How to Save Seeds
Saving seeds from your Borage plant is easy and rewarding, even for new growers! Once the beautiful blue flowers fade, you'll notice small, dark seeds forming at the base where the petals were. Wait until these seeds are dry and easily fall off when touched, then gently collect them by hand. Let the seeds dry for a few more days in a cool, airy spot, then store them in a labeled envelope or a small glass jar in a dry, dark place—this helps keep them fresh for next season. With just a little care, you’ll have plenty of seeds to grow even more Borage next year!
Seed Production
Feeling inspired?
Grow Borage from seed.
Bright blue star flowers and cucumber-flavoured leaves. Buy a pack and get started.
$2.25
CAD
In Stock
