Borage

Borago officinalis

Layer 4 · Herbaceous
Attracts pollinators

Status by region

No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.

Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).

Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.

About

Native to the Mediterranean region, borage is a vigorously growing annual herbaceous plant, easily recognisable by its rough leaves and small star-shaped blue flowers. In a food forest, it is highly recommended due to the continuous attraction it exerts on bees and other pollinators, as well as functioning as an excellent dynamic accumulator that extracts beneficial minerals from the subsoil.

It can be planted now — September is one of the best months.

See which trees borage grows well with

Pick the central tree on your land and see the full guild.

No account needed.

Needs

Water: Medium
Light: Full sun
Size: Herbaceous up to 80 cm
Mature diameter: 0.5 m
Soils: Clay, Loam, Sandy, Limestone
Climates: Atlantic coast, Inland / Continental, Hot, dry Mediterranean

Calendar

January
February — Planting
March — Planting
April — Harvest — Planting
May — Harvest
June — Harvest
July — Harvest
August
September — Planting
October — Planting
November
December

Harvest
Planting

Medicinal use: Used for its anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties, and to soothe coughs.

Where to buy

Grows well with

Central trees this plant has already been paired with.

Lemon tree

Central trees worth considering

May work well together — same soil and climate, complementary layers. We have not seen this combination in a generated guild yet.

May grow well with

Suggestions worked out from growing conditions — same soil and climate, complementary layers and functions. These are not observed guilds; treat them as a starting point to try on your own land.