Growing Borage, also Burrage, Bugloss

Borago officinalis : Boraginaceae / the borage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                S S S S
                  T T T
                  P P P

(Best months for growing Borage in Australia - temperate regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 25°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 cm apart
  • Harvest in 8-10 weeks. Use leaves before flowers appear, otherwise they will be 'hairy'. .
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Strawberry, tomatoes, zucchini/squash. Deters pests from many plants.

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
24 Mar 20, Chris (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hola Nagore, You could try the USA zones 9 or 10. 9a is Portland Oregon (Csb: Warm-summer Mediterranean), 10 is Los Angeles (Csa: Hot-summer Mediterranean). They should be fairly close to the Pamplona coastal mediterranean climate.
Reply or Post a new comment
03 Feb 20, anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
In 1974-5 I holidayed near Santander and Mundaka for a month at each place, loved it. I grew borage last winter spring. Plants grew 1m high and 2m across. Attracted heaps of bees.
Reply or Post a new comment
04 Dec 19, Janet (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
What can I plant around borage so I won’t get in contact with the prickly plant? Chillies? Pepper? Lemon grass? Area is sunny but windy.
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Dec 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have grown borage the last two years, the plants have been huge, 1.2m high and 1.8-2.0m diameter. I suggest you grow them where you are not going to walk around much.
Reply or Post a new comment
03 Jul 18, Ali babakhanian (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi where can I buy borage seed.?
Reply or Post a new comment
04 Jul 18, Mike L (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Boondie - New Life Seeds - The Seed Collection Company
Reply or Post a new comment
03 Jul 18, Chris (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Green Harvest sells borage seed
Reply or Post a new comment
12 Mar 18, Helen Rowe (Australia - tropical climate)
Can I grow Borage in far North Queensland have tried once didn't have too much success
Reply or Post a new comment
13 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - tropical climate)
It says here plant from May June - try then.
Reply or Post a new comment
18 Jan 18, Helen Brown (Australia - temperate climate)
I have painted Borage flowers with egg white and then sprinkled them with fine sugar, very pretty cake decoration, they will last a long time in air tight container if perfectly dried before storage. Freshly picked Borage flowers and Marigold petals, when sprinkled over salad, will win you a 10 out of 10 for presentation
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 11 - 20 of 32 comments
See comments for all plants

I have heard you can make a borage tea which has positive medicinal properties. A quick google will provide information as the site would not let me paste a link. I feed my chooks borage from time to time among other herbs and vegetable greens.

- Eve

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.