Harvest young borage leaves before they turn coarse, and pick the flowers as they open. Use them fresh, because drying strips the cucumber flavor.
Harvest young leaves, and pick flowers as they open
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Cut young, tender leaves before they turn coarse and bristly | Waiting until the leaves are large and harsh if you still want them raw |
| Flowers | Pick the star-shaped blooms as they open | Leaving open flowers until they shatter if you wanted a garnish |
| Store | Use leaves and flowers fresh; they are seldom dried | Drying a bunch for flavor; the cucumber taste fades |
Pick borage blossoms as they open, and use the leaves fresh. [1] Young leaves have the cleanest cucumber flavor. Older leaves get coarse and bristly, so skip those for a salad. [2] The plant keeps opening new flowers through summer if you keep picking, so you do not have to take the whole plant at once. Wear gloves when the hairs scratch, then rinse the cuttings before you use them. Sun and watering stay on How to Grow Borage.
When do I harvest borage leaves?
Cut young, tender leaves before they turn coarse. Older leaves are harsh to eat raw.
How to harvest borage
Cut young leaves. Pick flowers as they open. Wear gloves if the hairs irritate your skin, then rinse and use the cuttings the same day. If you cannot use them at once, wrap the leaves and keep them cool for a few days. Do not leave them in a warm pile.
- Wear gloves if the bristly hairs irritate your skin. Cut young leaves with a knife or shears, and leave the older, coarse leaves on the plant. [3]
- Pick flowers as they open, or as you need them. [4]
- Rinse the cuttings and pat them dry. Use them fresh the same day if you can. Drying fades the cucumber flavor, so skip the drying rack if flavor is the point.
- Take only what you will use soon. Leave enough leaf on the plant so it keeps growing, and keep picking open flowers so new buds follow. If you want seedlings next spring, leave a few heads to drop.
When do I harvest borage flowers?
Pick them as they open. Use them fresh. Drying fades the flavor.
If the leaves are already coarse and bristly, pick the open flowers and leave the old foliage, or sow a fresh patch for young leaf.
FAQ
How do I dry the leaves?
You can hang a small bunch in a warm, airy place out of sun, but dried leaf loses most of the cucumber flavor. Use fresh leaf when you can.
Should I eat a lot of borage?
No. Use leaves and flowers only in small amounts. Eating a lot of the plant can cause liver trouble.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] University of Maryland Extension -
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/borage - [2] Illinois Extension -
https://extension.illinois.edu/herbs/borage - [3] Illinois Extension -
https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/merry-gardener/2017-07-06-edible-ornamental-uncommon-herb-borage - [4] UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County -
https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardeners-santa-clara-county/borage
This note is part of Borago Guides.
More harvest timing notes by plant live in Harvesting Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors