Description
Borago officinalis ‘Alba’ is a white-flowering form of the traditional borage plant, an annual herb valued for its edible flowers, attractive foliage, and usefulness in pollinator gardens. The plant typically grows 50 to 90 cm tall with thick, branching stems covered in fine hairs. The leaves are large, rough-textured, and bright green, forming a loose, bushy plant.
Unlike the typical blue-flowered form, this cultivar produces elegant star-shaped white flowers that hang in clusters and are highly attractive to bees and other beneficial insects. The flowers and young leaves have a mild cucumber-like flavor and are commonly used in salads, beverages, desserts, and garnishes. Borage is also valued as a companion plant in vegetable gardens because it attracts pollinators and beneficial insects.
This species grows best in full sun and well-drained soil and is easy to cultivate. It readily self-seeds under favorable conditions and can naturalize in garden beds.
Sow seeds directly outdoors in early to mid-spring after the danger of frost has passed. In mild climates, seeds can also be sown in autumn for earlier spring flowering. Seeds germinate best when soil temperatures are between 18°C to 24°C.
Germination Guide
🌍 Mediterranean region
Easy
Borago officinalis, commonly known as borage or starflower, is a Mediterranean native annual herb with distinctive bright blue star-shaped flowers and edible cucumber-flavored leaves. Seeds germinate quickly and reliably within 5-15 days at warm temperatures, making it an excellent choice for beginning gardeners and a valuable addition to herb and pollinator gardens.
Germination
Germination time
Expect germination in
5 – 15 days
Temperature
Min 16°C
Ideal 23°C
Max 25°C
Substrate moisture
💧 Medium
Substrate & Container
Recommended substrate
High-quality, well-draining seed germination substrate, light, porous, free from pathogens. Seeds require light to germinate, so cover minimally.
Recommended container
Transparent plastic container with cover or seed tray under grow lights or sunny window
Growing Tips
Seeds need light to germinate, so sow at shallow depth (1/8 to 1/4 inch). Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during germination. Provide bright indirect light from a sunny window or fluorescent/LED grow lights operating 12-14 hours daily. Optimal germination occurs at 65-75°F (18-24°C). Do not cover seedlings completely; a transparent cover maintains humidity while allowing light penetration. Once true leaves appear, gradually reduce watering frequency and allow soil surface to dry slightly between waterings. Seedlings have a high germination rate and often require thinning. Harden off seedlings before transplanting outdoors after the last frost date. Borage has a sensitive taproot system, so minimize disturbance during transplanting.
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