How to Grow Borage: Planting, Spacing, Care & Harvest

Quick answer

Direct sow in spring at last frost. Optional start indoors 3–4 weeks before last frost (UCANR) — prefer direct sow (taproot). NC State Low severity — pyrrolizidine alkaloids; use sparingly.

Borage at a glance

PlantDirect sow: last frost; Start indoors: 4–3 wk before last frost
SunFull sun to light shade; well-drained; tolerates poor soil (NC).
SpacingNC: height about 1.7–3.2 ft; width about 1–1.3 ft.
Days to harvestAnnual; harvest young leaves/flowers; use sparingly (NC PA note)
-5-4-3-2-1LF+1+2+3
■ Start indoors   ■ Plant out   ■ Harvest
Weeks relative to last frost (LF). Colored weeks show when our ZIP planner schedules each step.
Jump to

Updated

Planting dates for your ZIP: the ZIP planting planner counts each window from your local frost dates.

Organic pests and diseases: see also organic pest control. Use any product as the label directs.

Safety: NC State poison severity Low for Borago officinalis. The plant contains toxins (pyrrolizidine alkaloids) that can damage the liver and lungs and are potentially carcinogenic. Should only be used sparingly. Poison part: leaves. Not medical advice. (NC State Borago officinalis)

Borage (Borago officinalis) — annual edible/companion; pollinator magnet.

Borage flower
Borage flower (Borago officinalis). Photo: Hans Hillewaert, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (resized).

Planting timing

UC ANR: “Plant in spring… It is best to direct sow borage where it will live… long taproot that can be damaged during transplanting. It can be sown indoors approximately 3–4 weeks before the last frost.” (UCANR borage fact sheet) NC State: grows from seed; self-seeds year after year. (NC State Borago) Planner: Direct sow last frost 0; optional Start indoors last frost −4 to −3 — prefer direct sow.

Depth and spacing

NC: height about 1.7–3.2 ft; width about 1–1.3 ft. UCANR: up to about 3 ft tall, 2 ft wide.

Sun, soil and water

Full sun to light shade; well-drained; tolerates poor soil (NC). Pollinator magnet.

Care

Prefer direct sow (taproot — UCANR). Cut back by half mid-summer for a fall flush (NC). Deadhead if self-seeding is unwanted.

Harvest

Young leaves before flowering; flowers as garnish (UCANR). Flavor best fresh; leaves lose flavor dried (NC). Use sparingly because of PA toxins (NC).

Pests and diseases

NC: no specific insect/disease problems; powdery mildew sometimes. Cultural spacing/air flow.

Related: ZIP planner · organic pest control

Frequently asked questions

When do I sow borage?

Spring direct sow at last frost; or start −4 to −3 then transplant carefully (UCANR — prefer direct).

Is borage safe to eat?

NC: Low severity PA toxins — use sparingly.

Will it reseed?

Yes — self-seeds year after year (NC).

More grow guides: All grow guides

Sources