Starflower is an annual plant in the forget-me-not or Boraginaceae family native to the Mediterranean region boasting bright, blue star shaped flowers. The wrinkled, dull gray-green leaves that are covered with bristly hairs are edible. This plant grows at its best in full sun but will not be adversely affected by light shade. It will do well in all types of soil, including nutritionally poor soil. Cut the plant back by a half in mid-summer for new growth for the fall. For propagating, you can grow this plant from seed: the plant is also self-seeding and will remain in your garden year after year. The stems and tender leaves are edible and taste and smell like cucumber although the leaves lose their flavor when they are dried. It can be planted in all types of gardens including a vegetable garden, herb garden, wildflower garden, containers and a cottage garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No specific insect or disease problems although powdery mildew can sometimes occur.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 7 in. - 3 ft. 2 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 4 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Obovate; Ovate
Leaf value
Edible
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Edible, wrinkled, ovate, dull gray-green leaves grow up to 6" long. They taste like cucumber. The leaves are covered with bristly hairs.
Flower color
Blue
Flower value
Edible; Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Drooping, star-shaped, bright blue flowers in summer. Flowers can serve as an attractive garnish in dishes.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
The branched stems are covered with bristly hairs and smell and taste like cucumbers.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Mediterranean
Wildlife value
Attracts bees and other wildlife.
Attracts
Bees; Pollinators
Play value
Attracts Pollinators; Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves; Flowers; Seeds
Edibility
In general, the flowers (used as edible flowers) and leaves (used in salads, teas, and sandwiches) are edible. They should only be usred sparingly as liver damage can occur. Only use borage seed oil that is certified as PA-free.
Uses (ethnobotany)
The flowers are used for creating a blue dye. Once added to an acid, it will turn pink.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Container; Patio; Slope/Bank; Small Space; Walkways
Landscape theme
Edible Garden; Pollinator Garden
Design feature
Border; Mass Planting; Small groups
Garden tags
#blue flowers #full sun tolerant #pollinator plant #problem for cats #problem for dogs #problem for horses #deer resistant #drought tolerant #bee friendly #annual #poor soil tolerant #contact dermatitis #microgreens #wildlife friendly #th-sowing #th-taste #th-touch #th-smell
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
Resistant to
Deer; Diseases; Insect Pests; Poor Soil; Rabbits
Particularly resistant to
poor soil
Propagation
Seed
Poison severity
Low
Poison parts
Leaves
Poison symptoms
The plant contains toxins (PAs) that can damage the liver and lungs, and are potentially carcinogenic. Should only be used sparingly.