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Boraginaceae
Borage
Borago officinalis
Courage, gladness, bluntness.
- Family
- Boraginaceae
- Genus
- Borago
- Native to
- Mediterranean (Syria region)
- Bloom season
- Spring, Summer, Fall
- Type
- Annual herb
- Height
- 45–90 cm (18–36 in)
- Sunlight
- Full sun to part shade
- Soil
- Average, well-drained
- Water
- Low to moderate
- Hardiness
- 2–11 (annual)
- Lifespan
- Annual
Did you know
- Roman soldiers ate borage flowers in wine before battle to give themselves courage—the saying went, 'Ego borago gaudia semper ago' ('I, borage, bring always courage').
- The flowers taste startlingly of fresh oysters or cucumber and are a classic garnish for Pimm's Cup—the only flower most British bartenders know by name.
- Each star-shaped blossom changes color with age, opening pink and turning vivid blue as the soil's acidity around the bloom shifts.
- Borage is a famous companion plant—growing it among strawberries, tomatoes, and squash dramatically boosts pollinator visits and reportedly improves flavor.
- The seeds yield gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a rare omega-6 fatty acid prized in skincare and supplements—borage seed oil is one of the richest plant sources known.
Color meanings
0
courage
1
joy
2
bluntness