Borage Companion Planting: The Best Pairings
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If you’ve ever wondered how to make your garden more productive while keeping pests at bay, borage might be the herb you’re missing.
This annual herb, known scientifically as Borago officinalis, isn’t just a pretty face with its star-shaped blue flowers—it’s also a powerhouse in companion planting.
I’ll be honest, the first time I grew borage, I didn’t realize just how much it could do.
Now, it’s a staple in my garden every year.
From attracting bees and butterflies to improving soil and keeping pests in check, borage has earned its place as one of my go-to plants for a thriving garden.
Let me walk you through how to grow it and use it effectively alongside other plants in your garden.
For more herb companion planting ideas, check out my guides:
Lavender Companion Plants: Enhancing Your Herb Garden
Best Companion Plants for Borage
Borage pairs well with so many plants, it’s like the ultimate garden friend.
Whether you’re growing vegetables, herbs, or flowers, borage has something to offer.
Here’s why it’s such a star team player:
Tomatoes:
If you’re growing tomatoes, borage is a no-brainer.
The best thing it offers is that it attracts lots of pollinators.
Meaning it can help to boost your tomato yields.
Strawberries:
Want more strawberries? Try planting borage nearby.
With all the pollinators attracted to borage, many of them start pollinating my strawberries as well.
My strawberry patch has never been better since adding borage in the planter box next to it.
Borage growing next to my strawberry patch (to the right).
Brassicas:
Broccoli, cauliflower, kale—you name it.
Borage acts like a bodyguard, helping to deter cabbage worms and other pests that love to snack on brassicas.
It helps by attracting beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings, which feed on cabbage worms and their larvae, helping to naturally reduce pest populations in your garden.
It’s a natural pest barrier that doesn’t require sprays or chemicals.
Herbs and Flowers:
Borage plays nicely with herbs like dill, parsley, and thyme.
Borage flowers are also a showstopper when planted alongside colorful blooms like marigolds or nasturtiums.
The bright blue star-shaped flowers create a beautiful contrast, while their nectar ensures bees stick around to pollinate everything else nearby.
To learn more about companion planting, check out my guides:
The Best Companion Plants for Dill
What Not to Plant with Borage
While borage is a friendly neighbor to most plants, it’s not a perfect match for everything.
Here is where borage might not be the best choice:
Root Vegetables:
Root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and turnips often struggle when planted near borage.
Borage’s vigorous root system competes for nutrients and water, which can hinder the growth of these underground crops.
If you want to grow borage alongside root vegetables, consider planting them in separate areas to avoid competition.
Spinach and Arugula
In tight spaces, borage can act like the life of the party—taking over and overshadowing its more delicate neighbors.
Greens like spinach and arugula struggle when borage sprawled too close, blocking their light and stealing their space.
It’s not that borage is a bad companion; it just thrives with a bit of room to spread out.
If your garden is compact, try planting borage in a container or at the edge of the bed where it won’t overshadow smaller, sensitive plants.
Think of borage as the extrovert in your garden—it thrives when it has space to stretch out and do its thing without stepping on anyone else’s toes.
For more companion planting pairings, check out my guides:
Sage Companion Plants: Boost Your Garden's Health
The Best Chive Companion Pants
Why Grow Borage?
Borage isn’t just easy to grow; it’s a garden multitasker.
Every season, I’m reminded of just how useful this plant can be.
Here’s why I always make room for it:
Edible:
This herb isn’t just about utility; it’s delicious too.
The flowers make stunning garnishes, and the young leaves can add a refreshing twist to salads or herbal teas.
It’s always nice to grow something that looks good and tastes good.
For me, borage is like the Swiss Army knife of the garden.
Learn more with my guide: The 10 Best Edible Flowers to Grow.
Attracts Beneficial Insects:
Its vibrant blue blooms act like a beacon for pollinators, ensuring your fruits and vegetables get the attention they need.
Ladybugs and other helpful insects seem to adore borage too, which means they’ll be around to handle the pests for you.
Repels Pests:
Planting borage near brassicas, like broccoli and kale, can make a big difference.
Those pesky cabbage worms?
They’re far less of a problem since borage can attract insects that feed on cabbage worms, acting as a natural deterrent.
Improves Soil:
Borage has a knack for digging deep—literally.
Its roots pull up nutrients from deep in the soil, making them available to neighboring plants.
And when the season’s over, those leaves? They’re compost gold.
For more herb planting tips, check out my guides:
Edible Beauty: The 10 Best Flowering Herbs
How to Grow Borage
Growing borage is straightforward, even if you’re new to gardening.
But the best part?
It’s super forgiving and doesn’t need much pampering.
Here’s how to plant borage:
Planting Borage Seeds:
Start by sowing borage seeds directly into the soil after the last frost date.
I’ve found it’s one of those plants that thrives when left to do its thing.
If you’re itching to get a head start, you can always start the seeds indoors a few weeks earlier.
Just make sure they’re in a sunny spot.
Sunlight and Soil:
Borage loves full sun but can handle a bit of shade if that’s what your garden offers.
It’s not a fussy plant when it comes to soil—as long as it’s well-draining, you’re good to go.
Adding a little compost gives it a nutrient boost, but I’ve grown it in less-than-perfect soil, and it still thrived.
Spacing and Growth Habit:
This plant can sprawl, so give it about 12 inches of breathing room.
Trust me, it’ll appreciate the space and reward you with a bushy, flower-filled display.
Watering:
Keep the soil moist when your borage plants are young.
Once they’ve settled in, they’re surprisingly drought-tolerant.
I like to check the soil with my finger—if it feels dry an inch down, it’s time for a drink.
Growing Borage in Pots:
If you’re short on garden space, don’t worry.
Borage does just fine in containers.
Choose a pot that’s at least 12 inches deep to give the roots room to grow.
It’s perfect for patios or balconies.
Top Tip:
Borage has a habit of self-seeding.
Once you grow it, you might find little seedlings popping up next year.
I’ve come to think of it as a bonus—free plants that require zero effort on my part.
For more herb planting tips, check out my guides:
How to Start a Raised Bed Herb Garden
Harvesting and Using Borage
Once borage is established, harvesting the bright blue flowers is one of the most rewarding parts of growing this plant.
Here’s how to make the most of your borage harvest:
Leaves:
The best time to harvest the leaves is when they’re young and tender.
They’re less hairy and have a mild, cucumber-like flavor that works well in salads.
You can also steep the leaves in hot water for a light herbal tea.
Flowers:
The star-shaped blue flowers are edible and add can add color to desserts, drinks, and salads.
You can even freeze the flowers in ice cubes for a special touch for drinks.
Learn more: Edible Beauty: The 10 Best Flowering Herbs.
Compost:
When the growing season winds down and your borage plants start to look a little tired, don’t toss them out.
Chop up the spent plants and add them to your compost pile.
They break down quickly and enrich the compost with nutrients that will benefit your soil next season.
Learn more: How to Start Composting in a Tumbler.
For more growing tips, check out my guides:
Flowers That Attract Ladybugs For Natural Pest Control
FAQs
What are the benefits of borage for bees?
Borage is a favorite among bees because it produces nectar continuously, even on cloudy days.
Adding borage to your garden can significantly boost pollinator activity.
Can borage grow in all climates?
Borage is an adaptable annual herb that thrives in USDA zones 2-11.
It’s frost-sensitive, so plant it after the last frost.
Is borage a perennial?
No, borage is an annual, but it self-seeds readily.
Once you plant it, you’re likely to see it return year after year.
What pests does borage repel?
Borage is known to repel cabbage worms, tomato hornworms, and other common garden pests, making it a great companion for a variety of vegetables.
Can I eat borage?
Yes! Both the flowers and leaves are edible.
Borage flowers are often used as a garnish, while the leaves can be added to salads or brewed as tea.
For more tips and tricks, check out my easy guides:
Wrap-Up
Borage is more than just a beautiful herb; it’s a true team player in the garden.
Whether you’re growing it to attract beneficial insects, improve soil, or repel pests, planting borage is always a win.
From the moment borage seedlings emerge to the time its starry blue flowers bloom, this herb brings life to your garden.
Borage attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, and its benefits don’t stop there—its leaves, flowers, and even compost contributions make it an all-around champion.
I hope this guide inspires you to give borage a try and discover just how rewarding it can be in your gardening adventures!
