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.
Before sowing
No pre-treatment needed — sow directly.
No pre-treatment required. Seeds have high germination rates (80-90%) without special treatment.
Sowing
What to expect
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.
Sources: Territorial Seed Company, University of Georgia, ScienceDirect, Gardener's Path, Borage Seed Research, multiple seed suppliers
