Step-by-Step Growing Guide
Borage (Borago officinalis) is a forgiving annual that prefers moderately fertile, well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. It tolerates poor, dry soil better than most herbs and actually produces more flowers under slightly stressful conditions — over-enriched soil produces lush foliage at the expense of the brilliant blue star flowers. Direct sow seeds 1 cm deep in their final position after the last frost; borage strongly dislikes transplanting due to its deep taproot. Space plants 30–45 cm apart. Thin to one plant per station. Water moderately during establishment; once growing strongly, borage handles dry spells well. No regular feeding is needed in average garden soil. Successive sowings every 4 weeks from spring through early summer ensure continuous flowers. In mild climates, self-seeded plants over-winter and flower early the following spring.
