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Blue

Scientific name Borago officinalis

Seed packet & garden essentials

What to know before you plant

View complete growing & care facts
60 minimum seeds per packet
  • Maturity40-49 Days · First usable harvest varies by crop and season; see packet and field notes
  • Growth habitUpright/Erect · Annual · 25–30 in tall
  • Best useedible flowers, pollinator gardens, and self-sowing annual beds
  • Flavor & charactermild cucumber-like flavor · Blue
  • Germination7–14 days · 65–80 °F
  • Seed preparationDirect sow; large seed needs no treatment
  • SunFull sun
  • Support & spacingNo-Support · space 8 in · rows 24 in
  • Container fitGood with drainage and adequate soil volume
  • Water needsModerate
  • SoilLoamy · pH 6.0–6.5
  • Planting seasonSpring · Semi-Hardy
$200 USD
Secure checkout Details
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Triple-tested seed qualityRegular quality and germination checks support every packet.

We regularly test seed quality and germination as lots move through storage and packing. We stand behind the seed we send and want customers to contact us when a packet does not perform as reasonably expected.

1-year seed warrantyCoverage begins on the date of purchase.

When properly stored, planted, and cared for, we guarantee reasonable germination and true-to-type growth for one year from the date of purchase. Conditions outside our control—including extreme weather, pests, unsuitable storage, and gardener error—are excluded. Contact us when something is not right so we can review the situation and work toward a replacement, refund, or another fair resolution.

Non-GMO / BE seed policyWe do not buy or sell genetically engineered or bioengineered seed.

Every seed variety we sell is non-GMO.

USDA’s National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard defines bioengineered foods as containing detectable genetic material modified through in vitro recombinant DNA methods in ways not achievable through conventional breeding or found in nature.

  • Hybrid means parent lines were conventionally crossed; hybrid does not mean GMO.
  • Heirloom and open-pollinated describe how a variety is maintained and reproduced.
  • Organic certification is separate and is shown only when verified for the individual product.
Packed in Colerain, North CarolinaPrepared in our seed room for gardens across the country.

Seeds are packed and shipped from Colerain, North Carolina. Our packets use forestry-certified paper, and we use recyclable paper mailers where appropriate. AONSK is also a 1% for the Planet partner while continuing to reduce waste in packing and fulfillment.

Seed success profile

Rules-based · no AI
Gardener experience Beginner to Intermediate
Germination difficulty Easy
Preparation before sowing
Direct sow; large seed needs no treatment
Germination speed
Typical — usually 7–21 days
Growing complexity
Easy
Patience and timing
Varies by crop, cultivar, and season
Is this seed a good match for your experience?
Expected germination
7–14
Germination temperature
65–80 °F
Stratification
None
Scarification
None
Pre-soaking
None
Light during germination
Cover at listed depth
Germination pattern
Reliable and often self-sows
Transplant sensitivity
Direct sow preferred
Starting method
Cataloged as suitable for direct sowing; follow the product-specific timing and depth.
Best chance of success
Direct sow; large seed needs no treatment
What to expect

Expect 5-15 days near 60-75°F. Cover at listed depth. Reliable and often self-sows.

Slow germination is not automatically failed germination.

Maintain the listed temperature, moisture, light, and treatment conditions for the full expected window. Some seed lots emerge gradually rather than all at once.

1 Beginner-friendly 2 One extra step 3 Some experience helpful 4 Patient growers 5 Advanced propagation

This deterministic profile uses recorded product facts; it is not Artificial Intelligence and is not a guarantee. Seed age, storage, sowing depth, moisture, temperature, light, local conditions, and aftercare can all affect results. Last reviewed July 2026.

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Check this seed against your real growing conditions

Compare timing, germination preparation, sunlight, soil, water, space, support, intended use, and your preferred level of seed-starting complexity.

Open the detailed garden-fit planner Deterministic rules · no Artificial Intelligence · no live weather service

Complete product description

Blue

Blue seeds belong in a garden plan built around timing, soil, and the way the harvest will actually be used. Blue is best suited to edible flowers, pollinator gardens, and self-sowing annual beds. Its defining kitchen character is mild cucumber-like flavor.

In our seed room, we do not treat a packet as a decoration or a promise detached from conditions. We look at the lot, the germination window, the crop family, the plant habit, and the point at which the harvest is at its best. For Blue, that means sowing 1/2 inch deep, maintaining moderate water; established plants tolerate some dryness, and giving plants enough room to express the form named on the packet.

Borage is a fast annual with a long record in European and Mediterranean gardens. Traditional use is described as history, not as medical instruction.

Start with fresh seed, write down the sowing date, and judge the crop across the whole planting rather than one exceptional plant. A reliable variety is not one that survives neglect by accident. It is one that answers good care with a useful harvest, then gives the seedkeeper enough honest information to decide whether it deserves another season.

Minimum Seed Count: 60 seeds

Additional variety notes

Variety overview

Blue seeds belong in a garden plan built around timing, soil, and the way the harvest will actually be used. Blue is best suited to edible flowers, pollinator gardens, and self-sowing annual beds. Its defining kitchen character is mild cucumber-like flavor. In our seed room, we do not treat a packet as a decoration or a promise detached from conditions. We look at the lot, the germination window, the crop family, the plant habit, and the point at which the harvest is at its best. For Blue, that means sowing 1/2 inch deep, maintaining moderate water; established plants tolerate some dryness, and giving plants enough room to express the form named on the packet. Borage is a fast annual with a long record in European and Mediterranean gardens. Traditional use is described as history, not as medical instruction. Start with fresh seed, write down the sowing date, and judge the crop across the whole planting rather than one exceptional plant. A reliable variety is not one that survives neglect by accident. It is one that answers good care with a useful harvest, then gives the seedkeeper enough honest information to decide whether it deserves another season.

Every recorded growing detail

Complete growing & care facts

Continue to the garden-fit planner

Plant identity

Minimum seed count 60 seeds
Seed product profile Traditional herb
Scientific name Borago officinalis
Also known as Borage, Borage Seeds - Blue
Color Blue
Life cycle Annual
Botanical family Boraginaceae
Reproductive type Open-Pollinated (OP)
Heritage qualifiers Non-GMO
Native to the United States Domesticated Plant
Domestication note Mediterranean Basin

Seed success and gardener experience

Gardener experience Beginner to IntermediateLevel 1 of 5
Germination difficulty EasyLevel 1 of 5
Preparation before sowing Direct sow; large seed needs no treatment
Stratification None
Scarification None
Pre-soaking None
Light during germination Cover at listed depth
Germination pattern Reliable and often self-sows
Growing complexity Easy
Transplant sensitivity Direct sow preferred
First harvest or bloom Varies by crop, cultivar, and season
Best chance of success Direct sow; large seed needs no treatment

Timing and climate

Days to maturity 40-49 Days
Germination 7–14 Days
Germination temperature 65–80 °F
Planting season Spring
Frost tolerance Semi-Hardy
Sunlight Full sun
Water needs Moderate

Site, soil, and space

Soil type Loamy
Preferred soil pH 6.0–6.5
Seed depth 1/8 in
Plant spacing 8 in
Row spacing 24 in
Mature height 25–30 in
Growth habit Upright/Erect
Support needed No-Support
Suitable growing locations In-ground bed, Raised bed, Greenhouse, High Tunnel, Wildflower meadow, Community garden

Crop-specific details

Flavor profile mild cucumber-like flavor

Garden-fit planning for this variety

Will Blue fit your garden?

Check propagation needs, patience, life cycle, habitat, and intended non-medical garden use.

Rules-based · no AI
Questions for this traditional-use herb seed
Seed-starting fit and patience
Recorded product profileBeginner to IntermediateEasyRead why
Soil test, pH, drainage, and amendment calculator Have a laboratory soil report? Enter pH, nutrients, texture, bed size, and site observations here. Open soil tools
Recorded soil typeLoamy
Recorded pH range6.0–6.5
Water needsModerate
LightFull sun

Use a current laboratory soil test

Soil-test interpreter

Compare your report with this product's listed pH target: 6.0–6.5.

This tool interprets values you enter; it does not replace laboratory or Cooperative Extension amendment rates. Soil test methods and nutrient recommendations vary by region.

The full variety record

Sowing, care, harvest, troubleshooting, and history

How to start Blue from seedPreparation, timing, depth, germination, transplanting, spacing, and early care

Variety-specific germination notes

Expect 5-15 days near 60-75°F. Cover at listed depth. Reliable and often self-sows.

Complete sowing and planting guidance

Sow 1/2 inch deep during spring after hard frost danger. Space plants 12-18 inches apart with 18-24 inches between rows. Germination commonly begins in 5-15 days near 60-75°F. Provide full sun to partial shade and moderate water; established plants tolerate some dryness.
How to grow this specific varietyLight, water, fertility, support, spacing, airflow, crop behavior, and season-long care

Variety-specific growing notes

Use a fine, well-drained seed-starting mix or a carefully prepared garden bed. Direct sow; large seed needs no treatment. Sow 1/2 inch deep and follow this light rule: Cover at listed depth. Keep the seed zone moist but never airless. After emergence, provide bright light and circulation so stems remain sturdy. Thin or transplant to 12-18 inches, leaving 18-24 inches between rows. The plant habit is coarse branching annual with blue flowers, generally reaching 24-36 inches. Water according to the root zone rather than the surface appearance. Harvest regularly where leaf production is the goal, but reserve clearly labeled plants when you intend to save seed.

Complete growing guide

Use a fine, well-drained seed-starting mix or a carefully prepared garden bed. Direct sow; large seed needs no treatment. Sow 1/2 inch deep and follow this light rule: Cover at listed depth. Keep the seed zone moist but never airless. After emergence, provide bright light and circulation so stems remain sturdy. Thin or transplant to 12-18 inches, leaving 18-24 inches between rows. The plant habit is coarse branching annual with blue flowers, generally reaching 24-36 inches. Water according to the root zone rather than the surface appearance. Harvest regularly where leaf production is the goal, but reserve clearly labeled plants when you intend to save seed.
Practical field and garden tipsExtra techniques, timing adjustments, and observations that improve success
Keep a written record of sowing date, soil temperature, first emergence, thinning, first harvest, flowering, and seed maturity. Herbs are often judged only by aroma, but plant architecture, bolt timing, winter survival, disease tolerance, and labor at harvest decide whether a variety belongs in a working garden. Do not fertilize aromatic herbs into soft, watery growth. Feed the soil according to a test and let the plant keep its character.
Harvest, storage, uses, and benefitsWhen and how to harvest, ways to use the crop, storage, culinary value, habitat value, and garden roles

Harvest and use notes

Harvest for edible flowers, pollinator gardens, and self-sowing annual beds. Use the crop at its intended stage, and reserve only healthy true-to-type plants for seed. Borage is insect-pollinated. Save mature dark seed as it drops from drying flowers and select plants with the growth and flower traits you intend to maintain.

Uses and benefits

Best for edible flowers, pollinator gardens, and self-sowing annual beds. Flavor and aroma: mild cucumber-like flavor. Flowers may support pollinators when the crop is allowed to bloom; harvest use depends on the species and cultivar.
Seed saving and carrying the variety forwardPollination, isolation, selection, harvest, cleaning, drying, and storage
Borage is insect-pollinated. Save mature dark seed as it drops from drying flowers and select plants with the growth and flower traits you intend to maintain.
Common pests, diseases, and growing problemsIdentification, prevention, crop-safe response, and when intervention is justified

Variety troubleshooting summary

Q: When should I sow Blue?
A: Spring after hard frost danger. Match the crop to soil temperature and night temperature rather than relying only on a calendar date.

Q: How long does germination take?
A: Usually 5-15 days near 60-75°F, though seed age, moisture, depth, and species matter.

Q: Can it grow in a container?
A: Yes when the container has drainage and enough soil volume. Compact basil, parsley, chives, chamomile, thyme, and many onions are especially useful in containers; tall dill, fennel, and leeks need more depth and space.

Q: Can I save seed?
A: Yes. Borage is insect-pollinated. Save mature dark seed as it drops from drying flowers and select plants with the growth and flower traits you intend to maintain.

Q: Is this page medical advice?
A: No. Traditional or herbal uses are presented as cultural and garden context. Use qualified medical guidance for health decisions.

Complete pest and problem guide

The most common failures are cultural: buried tiny seed, stale seed, waterlogged mix, weak light, crowded seedlings, root disturbance in taprooted herbs, or a climate mismatch. Aphids, spider mites, caterpillars, leaf spots, damping-off, and root rots may occur. Identify the organism or condition before treating. Improve airflow, irrigate the soil instead of the foliage, sanitize containers, and avoid keeping woody Mediterranean herbs continuously wet.
Questions gardeners ask about this seedProduct-specific answers for sowing, care, harvest, use, and seed saving
Q: When should I sow Blue?
A: Spring after hard frost danger. Match the crop to soil temperature and night temperature rather than relying only on a calendar date.

Q: How long does germination take?
A: Usually 5-15 days near 60-75°F, though seed age, moisture, depth, and species matter.

Q: Can it grow in a container?
A: Yes when the container has drainage and enough soil volume. Compact basil, parsley, chives, chamomile, thyme, and many onions are especially useful in containers; tall dill, fennel, and leeks need more depth and space.

Q: Can I save seed?
A: Yes. Borage is insect-pollinated. Save mature dark seed as it drops from drying flowers and select plants with the growth and flower traits you intend to maintain.

Q: Is this page medical advice?
A: No. Traditional or herbal uses are presented as cultural and garden context. Use qualified medical guidance for health decisions.
History, provenance, and cultural contextWhat is documented, what is reported, what remains uncertain, and how the variety reached gardeners

Scientific name: Borago officinalis

Provenance summary

Borage is a fast annual with a long record in European and Mediterranean gardens. Traditional use is described as history, not as medical instruction.

Plant and variety history

Borage is a fast annual with a long record in European and Mediterranean gardens. Traditional use is described as history, not as medical instruction.

Source and record notes

https://extension.psu.edu/growing-herbs-in-the-garden
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/extension-gardener-handbook/16-vegetable-gardening

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Customer experience

Reviews for Blue

Customer Reviews

Based on 4 reviews
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Wanda Lee (United States)

Great borage seeds! I planted seeds outdoors a bit late, in June, bc they arrived late. But they already sprouted nice and strong (end of July), and are beginning to show flower buds. Can’t wait to eat them in salads!

A
Annett Gamble-Olson (United States)

shipped quickly. thanks.

Hi Annett, thank you for your kind words! We're glad you received your seeds quickly. Enjoy planting your borage seeds!