Herb
Borage
Borago officinalis
Varieties We Carry
StandardBorago officinalis
Sizes & Pricing
4 inFrom$3.50
Seed PackFrom$2.99
Fresh this week. Last restocked Jun 25.
LightFull Sun, Part Sun
WaterModerate
Mature size1-3 feet × 1-2 feet
About Borage
Borage (Borago officinalis) is a fast-growing cool-season annual herb from the Mediterranean, bearing bristly gray-green foliage and vivid star-shaped blue flowers highly attractive to bees and other pollinators. In NE Florida, sow seeds in fall (October) for blooms through winter and spring — summer heat will end the plant's season, but it self-seeds readily for annual return. Starting at $3.50.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Fall, Winter, Spring
- Flower Color
- Blue
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Well-drained
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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This monthGood windowOther months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. New foliage emerges. Good planting window.
Bloom season.
Foliage may begin to change or drop. Ideal planting window.
Dormant — drops foliage.
Care essentials
Light
Borage grows best in full sun; light afternoon shade is tolerated in NE Florida's hottest months. In zone 9b, treat borage as a cool-season annual — sow seeds in October for fall through spring growth; summer heat causes plants to bolt, decline, and die.
Water
Water moderately and consistently during establishment; once growing, keep soil lightly moist but not waterlogged — borage is prone to root rot in overly wet soil. It is moderately drought-tolerant once established. Reduce watering as plants mature and self-seed for next season.
Soil & Fertilizer
Direct sow seeds in well-drained, average to lean soil in October for NE Florida timing. Borage tolerates poor soils and actually prefers low to moderate fertility — rich soils produce lush foliage with fewer flowers. No regular fertilization needed; borage self-seeds freely and will naturalize in the garden without intervention.
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Common questions
Is Borage a good plant for St. Augustine?
Borage is a herb for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 1-3 feet × 1-2 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.