Borage—The Pollinator Magnet Your Garden Needs
If you’re looking for a companion flower that feeds the bees, protects your veggies, and practically grows itself, let us introduce you to borage (Borago officinalis). Sometimes called “starflower” for its vivid blue, five‑pointed blooms, borage is a powerhouse companion plant that deserves a permanent place in every backyard patch. Here’s the full low‑down—from seed to soil—plus all the reasons this easy herb belongs on your planting list.
Why Borage Is a Garden Must
Benefit
Pollinator magnet: Bees and other beneficial insects love the abundant nectar, boosting pollination for nearby crops.
Pest distraction: Borage can lure tomato hornworms away from nightshades and reportedly deters cabbage worms.
Soil booster: Its deep taproot mines trace minerals, pulling them up into the leaves; compost spent plants to return nutrients to your soil.
Why It Matters
Edible + medicinal: Leaves taste cucumber‑fresh in salads; the flowers make stunning, honey‑sweet garnishes.
Low‑maintenance: Drought tolerant once established and largely pest‑free—perfect for busy or beginner gardeners.
Growing Borage: Seed‑to‑Garden Guide
1. Gather Your Supplies
Borage seeds (viable 2–3 years)
Seed‑starting mix or well‑draining potting soil
3 to 4‑inch pots or seed trays (or sow direct outdoors)
Sunny garden bed or large container (12 in. wide minimum)
2. Timing
Indoors: Start seeds 3–4 weeks before last frost.
Direct sow: After danger of frost, when soil temps reach ~60 °F. Borage dislikes transplant shock but adapts fine if handled gently.
3. Sowing Seeds
Sow ¼–½ inch deep; cover lightly with soil.
Keep moist at 70 °F; seeds germinate in 5–10 days.
Provide bright light (grow light or sunny windowsill) if starting indoors.
4. Up‑Pot or Thin
When seedlings have two true leaves, thin or pot up so each plant stands alone—borage grows bushy (and gets BIG), up to 2–3 feet tall and wide.
5. Harden Off
About one week before transplanting, acclimate seedlings to outdoor conditions: start with 2 hours of shade, adding sun and time daily.
6. Transplant / Direct Sow Care
Choose full sun (partial shade tolerated).
Space 18–24 inches apart; roots dig deep, so loosen soil.
Water well at planting, mulch to conserve moisture.
7. Ongoing Care
Water: Moderate, consistent moisture; drought tolerant once mature.
Fertilizer: Not necessary in rich soil—too much nitrogen = floppy growth.
Support: Stems can sprawl; stake lightly in windy areas.
Self‑seeding: Leave a few spent flowers to set seed—next year’s crop will volunteer!
Companion Planting Tips
Pair With
Tomatoes & Peppers: Attracts pollinators and may repel tomato hornworms.
Strawberries: Improves fruit set and flavor, some gardeners report bigger berries.
Brassicas (Cabbage, Kale): Flowers distract cabbage moths, reducing worm damage.
Squash & Cucumbers: Extra pollinator traffic = better fruit development.
Avoid crowding delicate herbs (like basil) that dislike competition; borage can get BIG.
Harvest & Use
Leaves: Pick young (older leaves get prickly). Add to salads, lemonade, or cold soups for a cucumber kick.
Flowers: Snip fresh blooms to decorate cakes, freeze in ice cubes, or dry for tea.
In the Compost: Chop spent plants and compost; rich in trace minerals that boost next season’s soil.
Final Thoughts
Borage is the backyard multitasker we never knew we needed—until we planted it! Attractive, edible, and endlessly helpful to neighboring vegetables, this starflower is both a practical workhorse and a whimsical pop of blue in the garden. Give it a corner of your plot (or a roomy container), and it will pay you back in pollinators, protection, and a splash of color that lasts all summer.
