Herb · Boraginaceae family
borage
Borago officinalis
In short a 10-second read
Borage (herb) grows to 0.48–0.96 m tall and 0.3–0.4 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to part shade, in dry to average soil. It flowers in June–September; the flowers are blue. Sow in April–May.
× spread 0.3–0.4 m
Where to plant
Sun and soil.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in dry to average soil.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
dry to average · watering: little
Soil: clay, loamy, sandy
Soil pH 5.5–8.5
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
June–September · blue
Pruning
cut back by a third (July)
Sowing
direct sowing: April–May
Winter protection
does not overwinter
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does borage flower?
In June–September; the flowers are blue.
When do I sow borage?
In April–May (direct sowing).
Does borage tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does borage need?
At maturity 0.3–0.4 m wide and 0.48–0.96 m tall; recommended spacing 30 cm.
Where the data comes from
We compared the data in 8 expert sources. Last checked 20 October 2026.
Show sources (8)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Borago officinalis
- Wikidata (CC0) — Borago officinalis
- EPPO Global Database — Borago officinalis
- RHS - How to grow borage
- Missouri Botanical Garden - Borago officinalis
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU, Slovakia, EASIN
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