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Borage - Live Plant

SKU: PLANT-006

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Borage

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Description
About Borage
How to Use Borage
FAQ

Description

Are you searching for an enchanting addition to your garden that not only adds a touch of elegance but also offers a burst of delightful flavor to your culinary creations? Look no further! Our Live Borage Plant is a stunning herb that embodies the perfect harmony of aesthetics and taste, making it a must-have for every gardening enthusiast and culinary connoisseur.

With its striking appearance, the Borage plant is sure to be an eye-catching centerpiece in your garden or on your patio. This botanical wonder is available in a 3.5” pot, ready to thrive in full sun to partial shade and produce edible star-shaped, electric-blue flowers that dance atop delicate stems. With a moderate amount of water and minimal attention, your Borage plant will reward you with its continued beauty and a steady supply of delectable leaves and flowers.

About Borage

The Borage plant (Borago officinalis) is a delightful herbaceous annual plant that showcases lush green leaves and striking star-shaped electric-blue flowers. It serves as a nutritious supplement because it is rich in vitamin A, C, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), and calcium.

The Borage plant has been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of health issues. It's advantageous for calming respiratory problems, lowering inflammation, and treating skin irritations because of its anti-inflammatory characteristics. The plant's diuretic qualities may also boost the body's natural detoxification processes and promote kidney function. Additionally, because of the GLA content, borage is well known for its possible mood-enhancing properties which may help control hormone imbalances and encourage a feeling of calm and relaxation. The plant's calming qualities also extend to its use in herbal teas, which provide a cozy and calming beverage for relaxation and stress relief.

How to Use Borage

Tincture: Fresh or dried borage leaves are chopped and macerated in grain alcohol for 4 to 6 weeks to formulate a tincture.
Tea: In hot water, dried borage leaves are soaked for 10 minutes to make tea.
Salve: Borage oil can be combined with beeswax to form an antimicrobial salve.
Vinegar Infusion: Dried borage leaves can be soaked in apple cider vinegar for 3 to 6 weeks, shaking and adding vinegar during the period, to form a borage vinegar infusion.

Borage - Live Plant Frequently Asked Questions

Is Borage an annual or perennial plant?

Borage (Borago officinalis) is typically considered an annual plant, meaning it completes its life cycle within one growing season. However, in milder climates or regions with mild winters, borage may sometimes act as a short-lived perennial, meaning it can survive for more than one growing season. In such cases, the plant may self-seed and come back year after year.

How much space should be needed to grow Borage?

It is advised to space the plants about 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 centimeters) apart when planting borage in a garden bed or vegetable patch. This spacing gives the plants enough freedom to stretch out and grow without crowding them, enabling them to properly develop and receive enough sunshine and airflow.

If you prefer to grow borage in pots or containers, choose containers that are at least 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 centimeters) in diameter. For each container, you can plant one borage plant. Ensure the container has good drainage to prevent waterlogged soil, as borage plants do not thrive in overly wet conditions.

What zone does Borage grow in?

Borage typically grows in USDA growing zones 2 to 11. From zone 2 to 6, it can grow as an annual plant while in zone 7 till 11, it behaves as either an annual or short-lived perennial. In milder climates, it may self-seed and come back year after year, while in colder areas, it may die off with the first frost and act as an annual.

When should I harvest Borage?

Borage leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season. However, it's best to wait until the plant has grown to a reasonable size, typically around 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 centimeters) tall. Its flowers, on the other hand, can be plucked when they are fully open and in their prime.

Does Borage flower or fruit?

While borage is popular for its edible leaves and flowers, it does not produce fruits in the traditional sense. The plant goes through its life cycle, starting from seed germination in the spring, growing into a mature plant with lush green leaves, and eventually flowering during the summer months.