Climate matters. This page is a practical baseline. Confirm cultivar, local frost/heat conditions, mature size and regional restrictions before planting.
Borage — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Borago officinalis |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 7–14 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 18.3–23.9 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 50–70 |
| Measured from | Seed |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 30.5–45.7 |
| Mature height (cm) | 45.7–91.4 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 30.5–45.7 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 3–11 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Low |
| Sowing method | Direct sow |
Growing directions
Sow seeds 1/2 in deep directly in their permanent position; borage has a taproot that is easily damaged and transplants poorly. Grow in full sun in any well-drained soil—even poor, dry soil suits it. Once established it self-seeds readily, so remove unwanted seedlings while they are small. The star-shaped blue flowers are edible with a cool cucumber flavor; harvest them when newly opened for garnishing salads and drinks.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0