Consulta Plantas

Care of the plant Borago officinalis or Starflower

The genus Borago, family Boraginaceae, comprises 5 species of herbaceous plants native to the Middle East. The species are: Borago officinalis, Borago longifolia, Borago pygmaea, Borago trabutii, Borago morisiana.

Common names: Starflower, Borage. This species is native to Lebanon, Syria and Egypt.

They are herbaceous plants 60 cm (1.96 feet) tall; they are covered with hard white hairs that are almost spines. The leaves are dark green, rough in texture, oval in shape and alternate arrangement. They produce pretty blue flowers about 2.5 cm (0.98") in diameter in hanging bouquets. They bloom in summer.

They are used to form beds or in low-maintenance areas of the garden. It is not usually grown in a pot. In some regions of Spain (Ebro Valley) they are consumed as a vegetable. It has diuretic medicinal properties, against stress and beneficial for the skin.

Borago officinalis prefers a semi-shade exposure but can be grown in full sun. They resist frosts down to -25 ºC (-13 ºF).

The soil has to keep moisture, be light and contain organic matter.

Water frequently so that the soil is always moist (never water).

Fertilize with compost or manure before sowing.

It's a plant quite resistant to pests and diseases.

They propagate by seeds sown in late summer in their final location. If they are planted in a seedbed, it must be taken into account that only small seedlings resist transplantation.

Images of the plant Borago officinalis or Starflower