How Tall Does Borage Grow

If you’re planning to add borage to your garden, one of the first questions you’ll have is how tall does borage grow. Understanding its maximum height and spread is key to placing it correctly in your beds or containers.

This hardy annual is loved for its vibrant blue, star-shaped flowers and cucumber-flavored leaves. But it can get surprisingly large if given the right conditions. Let’s look at what you can expect from this generous self-seeder.

In typical garden conditions, borage (Borago officinalis) will reach a mature height of 2 to 3 feet. Its spread is usually about 12 to 18 inches wide. However, this is just the average.

The maximum height for borage is often closer to 3 feet, but exceptional plants can sometimes stretch to 36 inches or even a bit taller. This usually happens in near-perfect conditions: very rich soil, consistent moisture, and plenty of sun.

It grows quickly, often flowering just 8 weeks after sowing. The stems are hollow and can become somewhat top-heavy when in full bloom, so some support might be needed in windy spots.

Factors That Influence Borage Size

Not all borage plants will hit that maximum height. Several factors in your garden directly influence how big they get.

1. Sunlight Exposure

Borage thrives in full sun, meaning at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light daily. Plants in full sun grow more stout and bushy, reaching their full height potential. In partial shade, they may become leggy as they stretch for light but often end up weaker and slightly shorter.

2. Soil Quality and Fertility

This plant isn’t overly fussy, but it does best in well-drained, moderately rich soil. If you want maximum growth:

Add some compost to the planting area before sowing.
Avoid soil that is constantly soggy, as this can stunt growth.
Very poor, sandy soil without nutrients will result in smaller, less vigorous plants.

3. Watering Practices

While established borage is somewhat drought-tolerant, consistent moisture supports lush, tall growth. Letting the plant undergo repeated severe drought stress will limit its final size. A deep watering once a week during dry spells is usually sufficient.

4. Spacing Between Plants

This is a crucial factor for both height and spread. Crowded plants compete for resources and stay smaller. For optimal growth, thin seedlings or space plants 12 to 18 inches apart. This gives each plant enough room to develop a full, robust form.

The Typical Spread of a Borage Plant

Borage tends to grow more upright than sprawling. A single plant typically forms a clump about 12 to 18 inches in diameter. However, it doesn’t stay as a single, tidy clump for long.

Borage is a prolific self-seeder. This means one plant this year can lead to dozens of seedlings popping up around it next year, creating the appearance of a much wider spread. The plant itself isn’t spreading via roots; it’s just sowing its own seeds generously.

The leaves at the base are large and broad, forming a loose rosette. As the central stem grows upward, side branches develop, giving it a bushy, somewhat open habit.

How to Manage Borage Height and Spread

If you’re worried about borage taking over or getting too tall for a certain spot, a few simple techniques can help you manage it.

Pinch Seedlings: When young plants are about 6 inches tall, pinch off the very top set of leaves. This encourages branching, resulting in a bushier, potentially shorter plant with even more flowers.
Succession Sowing: Instead of planting all seeds at once, sow small batches every 4 weeks. This gives you a continuous supply of younger, smaller plants throughout the season.
Strategic Harvesting: Regularly harvest the leaves and flowers for kitchen use. This pruning naturally keeps the plant in check and promotes new, tender growth.
Control Self-Seeding: To prevent a massive spread next year, remove spent flowers before they turn into seeds. You can also simply pull up unwanted seedlings in spring—they are easy to identify and remove.

Best Garden Placements for Borage Size

Knowing its potential size, you can place borage where it will look and perform best.

Middle of the Border: Its 2-3 foot height makes it perfect for the middle of a sunny flower bed, behind low-growing herbs and in front of taller perennials.
Companion Planting: Plant it near tomatoes, squash, or strawberries. It’s believed to improve their growth and flavor, and its size won’t overshadow these crops.
Container Growing: Borage can grow in a large pot (at least 12 inches deep and wide). Container plants often stay slightly smaller, which is ideal for patios. Ensure the pot has excellent drainage.
Pollinator Gardens: Its large, nectar-rich flowers are a magnet for bees. Place it in groups where its size can make a visual impact and support pollinators effectively.

Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Large, Healthy Borage

Follow these steps if you want to grow borage to its maximum, healthiest potential.

Choose the Right Time: Sow seeds directly in the garden after the last frost date. Borage has a taproot and dislikes transplanting.
Prepare the Soil: Loosen the soil to a depth of about 12 inches. Mix in a 1-inch layer of compost if your soil is poor.
Sow the Seeds: Plant seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. Cover lightly with soil. Space seeds about 4 inches apart initially.
Water Gently: Keep the soil consistently moist until seedlings emerge, which takes 7-14 days.
Thin Seedlings: Once they’re a few inches tall, thin them to the final spacing of 12-18 inches apart. Don’t feel bad about thinning; the seedlings you remove are edible!
Provide Care: Water during extended dry periods. You rarely need to fertilize if you added compost at the start.
Harvest Regularly: Pick leaves when young and tender. Harvest flowers just after they fully open for the best color and flavor.

FAQ: Borage Growth Habits

Does borage come back every year?

Borage is an annual, meaning each individual plant completes its life cycle in one season. However, it is a vigorous self-seeder. If you let it go to seed, new plants will reliably appear in the same spot the following spring, giving the impression it’s a perennial.

Is borage too big for a small garden?

Not necessarily. You can manage its size by planting it in a pot or by diligently cutting off flower heads before they seed. Its vertical growth habit means it doesn’t take up excessive ground space, making it suitable for small gardens if controlled.

How fast does borage grow?

Borage has a remarkably fast growth rate. From sowing, you can expect to see flowers in as little as 8 weeks. It will reach it’s full height within this period under good conditions.

Can you cut borage back hard?

Yes, you can. If a plant becomes too leggy or floppy, you can cut it back by up to half. It may take a week or two to recover, but it will often produce fresh, new growth. It’s best to make such a hard cut in the morning on a cloudy day to reduce stress.

What is the best support for tall borage?

In windy areas, use simple, discreet grow-through supports (like peony rings) placed over the plant early in the season. Alternatively, plant borage among other sturdy perennials that can provide natural support, like lavender or yarrow, which will help hold them up.

Understanding how tall borage grows and its potential spread allows you to harness its benefits without letting it get out of hand. With its impressive height, beautiful flowers, and value to pollinators, it’s a rewarding addition when given the right space. A little planning ensures this friendly herb becomes a highlight, not a hassle, in your garden.