Description

Borage (Borago officinalis) is an annual herb known for its striking blue, star-shaped flowers and fuzzy, cucumber-flavored leaves. It grows quickly, reaching heights of 60–90 cm (2–3 feet) with a sprawling habit. Borage is highly attractive to pollinators and beneficial insects.

The plant thrives in a variety of soil conditions but prefers well-drained, sandy, or loamy soils. It is drought-tolerant once established and self-seeds prolifically, making it an easy-to-grow addition to gardens, food forests, and medicinal herb beds.

🌞💧 Sun and Water Requirements:
- Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade.
- Grows well in well-drained, moderately fertile soil.
- Requires moderate watering but is drought-tolerant once established.

✂️🫘 Methods to Propagate:
- Seeds: Direct sow in early spring or late summer; germinates quickly in warm soil.
- Self-seeding: Readily self-seeds, often returning year after year in favorable conditions.
- Transplanting: Can be transplanted when young, but prefers direct sowing.

🧑‍🌾👩‍🌾 When to Harvest:
- Leaves can be harvested at any time for culinary or medicinal use.
- Flowers should be harvested fresh when fully open for the best flavor.
- Seeds mature in late summer and can be collected for future planting.

Purpose

Borage serves multiple functions in a permaculture system:

- Edible: Leaves and flowers are used in salads, teas, and herbal infusions.
- Medicinal: Traditionally used to support adrenal function, digestion, and skin health.
- Pollinator: Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators.
- Wildlife Attractor: Provides nectar for pollinators and supports beneficial predatory insects.
- Mulcher: Large leaves decompose quickly, adding organic matter to the soil.
- Dynamic Accumulator: Draws up trace minerals such as potassium and calcium, enriching the surrounding soil.
- Erosion Control: Deep roots help improve soil structure and prevent erosion.
- Border Plant: Works well in garden borders and food forests, adding biodiversity.
- Pest Management: Attracts beneficial predatory insects such as hoverflies that help control aphids.