White Borage blooms in teal teacup with borage tea on a white background.
A close-up of White Borage flowers on light blue background.
Close-up of the white borage blooms.
White Borage blooms in teal teacup with borage tea on a white background.
A close-up of White Borage flowers on light blue background.
Close-up of the white borage blooms.

Borage Seeds,
White

3.711 Reviews#HB299 · 30 seeds
Price
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Description

This rare white-flowered sister to classic blue borage brings a softer, dreamier glow to the herb garden, with alabaster blooms that seem to float above the foliage like little white stars. Blooming in about 50 to 60 days and growing 2 to 3 feet tall, it’s an easy annual for zones 3–9 and a fine companion plant to tuck throughout the garden wherever pollinators and beneficial insects are wanted. The flowers are edible and carry that gentle cucumber-like sweetness borage is loved for, making them beautiful in teas, as garnishes, or scattered fresh over summer dishes. Young leaves are also useful, especially cooked like spinach. A graceful, useful, and quietly magical herb with plenty of old-fashioned garden charm. Warning: This plant is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Borago officinalis 'Bianca'
Life Cycle
Annual
Sun Requirement
6–12 hr.
Days to Germinate
7–14
Days to Maturity
50–60
Planting Depth
¼–½ in.
Plant Spacing
12 in.
Ideal Temperature
60–80°F
Frost Hardy
Yes

Growing Guide

When to Grow

White borage goes straight into the ground where you want it to stand: direct sow as soon as the soil can be worked, ¼ to ½ inch deep and 12 inches apart, in a bed with 6 to 12 hours of sun. At 60–80°F seedlings appear in 7 to 14 days, and plants are ready to cut in 50 to 60 days, eventually making a 2- to 3-foot bush of alabaster bloom. Rather than massing it in one corner, tuck a few plants through the vegetable garden — the white flowers pull pollinators in to work your other crops. This frost-hardy annual reseeds itself year after year.

How to Sow and Plant

  • Seeds germinate in 7-14 days.
  • Plant 1/4- 1/2 inch deep, 12 " apart.
  • Plants need 6-12 hours of sun per day.
  • Ideal germination temperature is 60-80 F.

How to Grow

  • Direct sow as soon as soil can be worked.
  • Succession plant for longer blooming season.
  • Frequently reseeds itself year after year.
  • Annual to 2 ft.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • Damping off and powdery mildew are some of the most common problems and are caused by a fungus. Avoid this by not over watering and giving the plants good circulation.
  • For aphids, introduce or attract predators like lady beetles and wasps into the garden.
  • Sometimes a strong spray or an insecticidal soap will work.

How to Save Seeds

  • Readily self seeds.
  • Harvest the large seeds when they are fully ripe. The flower will fade, and hang upside down. They will ripen from green to brown.
  • When the tips of the buds and where they attach to the stalk start turning brown and yellow, allow the seeds to continue to ripen.
  • Place on a plate and leave seeds in the bud to dry; they will start to fall out by themselves.
  • You can shake into a cup to encourage them to fall out.

FAQ

How is white borage different from the familiar blue kind?

It is blue borage's rare white-flowered sister. The edible alabaster blooms impart a subtly sweet cucumber flavor, and plants reach 2 to 3 feet tall.

How do I use the leaves and flowers in the kitchen?

The young leaves and blooms are both edible. Leaves are perfect cooked like spinach, and the blossoms make an incredible tea or edible flower for garnish.

Where should I plant it to help the rest of the garden?

Interplant it throughout your garden. The blooms are irresistible to pollinators and encourage beneficial insects, enticing pollinators to work your other flowers as well. Note that this plant is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

Customer reviews

3.7 / 5 11 Reviews

What gardeners are saying

  • Bee magnet: Blooms buzz with bees and pollinators all season.

  • Gets huge: Plants reach 2 to 4 feet across; give them room.

  • Easy from seed: Direct sow; the large seeds come up fast with no special care.

  • Heads up: A few report big, leafy plants that never flowered.

More to grow!

See all Borage Seeds