How to Grow Borage in Australia
A year-round flower crop for the home garden
Growing Borage at home is well within reach for most Australian gardeners, and this guide walks you through every step. It is rated beginner to grow. Minimal cost, self-seeds freely and attracts pollinators to improve yields across the garden.
This guide covers when to plant Borage in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to sow and space it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Borage is a year-round crop, half-hardy (it takes light frost but not a hard freeze). In subtropical South-East Queensland it is sown in March, April, May, June, July, August and September. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Position and Soil
Give Borage full sun (at least 6 hours a day). It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6 to 7.5. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It grows happily in a pot of 25cm+, which makes it a fine choice for balconies and courtyards.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed about 1 cm deep. Thin or space plants to about 40 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 10 days, fastest when the soil is between 18 and 25 degrees.
Bee magnet. Lets you have more tomatoes because everything gets pollinated.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 3 L per plant every 3 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
The main diseases to watch are Powdery mildew. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Borage is typically ready to harvest in around 60 days (about 2 months). Use flowers immediately after picking. Leaves within 2 days.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, borage is good flowers frozen into ice cubes for drinks, flowers scattered over salads and fruit plates, young leaves used in herbal teas and flowers candied for cake decoration. Nutritionally: edible flowers contain vitamin C and has anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids.
Companion Planting
Borage grows well alongside Strawberry, Tomato, Cucumber and Zucchini. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Borage Growing
Add borage to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Borage in Australia?
Borage is a year-round crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is sown in March, April, May, June, July, August and September. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Borage take to grow?
Borage is generally ready to harvest in around 60 days (about 2 months).
Can I grow Borage in a pot?
Yes. Borage grows well in a container of 25cm+ with free-draining mix and regular watering.
How much sun does Borage need?
Give it full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Borage in the Plant Library
