Borage is a type of herb in which all its parts are useful from the leaves to the roots. They are all beneficial.
You can accompany it with many plants and get maximum results. Some plants don’t promote their growth that’s why companion planting, an ancient and reliable practice, is important to learn.
Borage is packed with minerals that are helpful to the soil, plants, and individuals. When decomposed it can serve as compost and a source of enrichment to the soil. It is a natural pest repellent for plants. Fruits like strawberries benefit greatly from their pest repelling attributes.
Culinary purposes can be served by this herb and it offers ornamental benefits. The flowers of the borage herb are the most beautiful components on it. Its flowers can be used as ornaments in the home.
It comes back every year and self-reproduces. It is found almost everywhere and can be used to prepare salads or lemonades. It can be recognized by its hairy stems, leaves, and colored flowers.
It thrives in moist soil and prefers to be grown during winter. It will grow well when exposed to full sun.
15 Best Borage Companion Plants
Companion Planting with borage helps you get the best out of other plants. Here are the other plants to grow with Borage for the best results.
1. Strawberries
As delicious as strawberry fruits are, it is susceptible to several pests. This is not a problem as companion planting will replace the use of pesticides. Grow borage with your strawberries to deter these pests. Borage possesses beautiful flowers that attract pollinators. This will help your strawberry fruit well.
2. Basil
Borage herb adds some color and beauty to your garden. Its flowers offer ornamental and culinary benefits. They also harbor pollinators that help your basil plant flowers well. Basil doesn’t grow well with so many herbs.
However, if you plant borage with basil, you will have a good harvest of basil leaves. Borage deters pests from destroying your basil. It makes nutrients readily available for basil by uptaking nutrients from the soil. One important thing to note about borage flowers is their ability to improve the taste of basil.
3. Pumpkins
Borage, although an herb is recognized for its flowers and hairy parts. Its flowers attract pollinators that assist in pollinating pumpkin flowers. The leaves of the pumpkin are susceptible to various pests that can be repelled by planting borage a few inches away from your pumpkin.
4. Zucchini
Borage is one of the best herbs to plant with your cucurbits. They are natural pest repellents and deter major pests of zucchini from eating up its vegetables. It also invites pollinators that will aid the growth of your vegetable plant.
5. Cabbage
Cabbage moths, cabbage Loopers, and major cabbage pests can be kept at bay by planting borages. Borages harbor predators that eat cabbage pests. The flowers of cabbage also receive pollinators attracted by this herb. Borages emit a pungent smell that keeps pests away from your vegetables. Consider planting borages with cabbage in your garden.
6. Corn
Corn is susceptible to aphids which is its major enemy. You can have an empty corn cob if care is not taken. Planting pest repelling flowers and herbs in your garden will aid the growth of your corn plant. Borage invites predators that eat up the pests attacking your plant.
Asides from the culinary purposes you will get after harvesting your corn, borages will serve therapeutic purposes when grown in your garden.
7. Radish
Borage is a herb that should not be given a second thought before planting it in your garden. This herb destroys pests that destroy your radish by attracting pests to it. It also invites pollinators to your radish flowers. This action is important in the growth of your radish.
8. Squash
Borage flowers invite pollinators to your squash plant. Growing borage with squash can also enhance its flavor. Pests will stay steer clear of your squash plant when you plant borages with it. Borage also carries a spicy flavor thus can be used to prepare salads and other dishes.
9. Beans
As beneficial as beans are to other plants, they get affected by pests. The major pests that pose an attack on beans are aphids.
Borage gets rid of these pests and invites pollinators to pollinate your beans plants which result in more fruits. Beans in return add nitrogen to the soil and replenish the soil with nutrients for borage to feed on. Predators from borage eat up aphids and other pests destroying your beans.
10. Peas
Cover crops replenish the soil with nutrients. Peas is a cover crop that benefits other plants by fixing nitrogen in the soil. It is vulnerable to certain pests. One of the best ways to get rid of these pests is by companion planting them with borage herb.
11. Grapes
Vine plants benefit from companion plants that replenish the soil with nutrients. Vine plants take up many nutrients from the soil. Borage is filled with nutrients like calcium which grapes need for better growth. Borage fixes potassium in the soil and aids the growth of grapes.
12. Tomatoes
Tomato is considered a bad companion for borage by some gardeners but it receives so many benefits from borage. Thus, it can be planted with tomatoes. Tomato hornworms and other major tomato pests are repelled by borage herb. Borage also beautifies the garden after your tomato vegetables have been harvested.
13. Eggplants
Nightshade plants thrive well with borage in the garden. Borage repels pests from destroying them. Another nightshade plant that grows well with Borage is eggplant. It is protected from pests by borages and swarmed with beneficial insects that pollinate its flowers.
14. Marigold
Marigold is a beautiful flower that should be found in your garden. It repels pests and also gives your patch a beautiful look like borage. Planting Borage with marigold increases its yield.
15. Peppers
Borage is the perfect companion for any plant often disturbed by pests. Peppers are often destroyed by aphids. Plant these peppers with Borage to deter these pests.
What Not To Grow Near Borages
It could surprise you that borage has some enemy plants that should never be grown with it in the garden. Below are the plant(s) you should avoid growing with Borage.
1. Potatoes
Potatoes are carriers of blight disease. Of all nightshade plants, potato is the only plant that poses an attack on the Borage herb. Avoid planting the two plants together.
Borage Companion Planting Guide
- Borage thrives on a well-drained soil
- Start cultivation indoors in growing pots before transferring them outdoors
- The best soil pH for borage is between 4.0-8.5
- Borage grows well with a soil temperature of 50 ° F
- Bury about 3-4 seeds a half-inch deep into the soil when cultivating
- Fertilize the soil with compost or manure frequently for a healthy borage Plant
- Borage herbs won’t grow well if they are not given a space of 15 inches apart from each other
- Plant your herb in an area that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight every day
- Water your plants after the previous waterings have dried up
- Thin your plants frequently to allow airflow and reduce competition
- Grow a living mulch with your herb to conserve moisture.
Can you plant basil and borage together?
Basil and Borage will thrive well when planted closely. Borage takes up nutrients for basil to feed on. It also repels pests from destroying the leaves of basil flowers. If you want to improve the taste of your basil herbs, grow them together with borage flowers. After basil has been harvested, allow the Borage flowers to decompose. It fixes potassium, calcium, and other essential minerals in the soil.
Can you plant marigolds and borage together?
The relationship between marigold and Borage is symbiotic. Both plants are good companions for one another. They both attract pollinators to each other and keep pests at bay.
Does borage come back every year?
Borage is an annual herb that also self-reproduces. It requires low maintenance and its seeds spread everywhere so it can always sprout easily.
Can borage grow in partial shade?
Borage prefers full sun to grow properly. However, a little bit of shade won’t harm it. Ensure your Borage receives sufficient sunlight. Also, provide shade for it frequently. Corn can serve as shade for your Borage herbs.
Where should I plant borage?
Borage grows well on fertile and well-drained soil of pH 4-8 and a soil temperature of 50 °F.
When can I plant borage outside?
Borage can be planted indoors during the seedling stage and transplanted outdoors because it requires enough space to grow properly. It also needs full sun to bloom well.
Does borage fix nitrogen in the soil?
Cover crops fix nitrogen in the soil. Of planted with Beans, peas, and other legumes, borage will take up sufficient nitrogen from the soil. Borage foxes potassium and calcium in the soil for other plants to feed on.
Does borage need support?
Borage plants can download well on their own. It doesn’t need to companion with other plants. It offers more benefits to plants than it receives from them except the relationship is symbiotic. An example is its relationship with marigold. Both plants offer benefits to each other.
What is the borage plant good for?
The Borage plant is good for dishes. It has a peppery taste and can be used in your salads or drinks such as lemonades. It can also be used for medicinal and ornamental purposes.
Will borage take over other plants?
Borages are not invasive and won’t take over your garden. However, its seeds easily spread and can be found almost everywhere.
How Much Light Does Borage Need?
Plant your borages in an area exposed to full sunlight. Even if its cultivation will be started indoors, make sure it is planted in an area with sufficient sunlight.
How Often Should You Water Borage Plants?
Borage requires enough moisture to grow well. How frequently should you water it then?. As soon as the water on the soil dries, water it. It loves soggy soil and thrives well in a wet environment. Remember it needs well-drained soil so always allow the soil to dry before watering it again.
Conclusion
You have learned that borage herb offers pest repelling attributes to any plant you companion with it.
It is one of the plants that thrive well with so many plants as such you will hardly find a bad companion for it. Plant borage herb with your plants to get the best yield and keep them pest-free.
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