Unless you frequent botanical gardens, it’s very possible to have never seen, or heard, of borage. While borage is considered an herb and is edible, it isn’t commonly grown for harvest and consumption. Thanks in part to its bright blue and pink flowers, boreage is really useful in the home garden because it brings pollinators to the plants nearby.
As an avid gardener, I’m always looking for ways to maximize my garden’s productivity Strategic companion planting is a great technique, and the borage plant can be an excellent companion for many crops. However, there are some important exceptions to be aware of when pairing borage with other plants In this comprehensive guide, we’ll look at what not to plant with borage and how to avoid poor companion combinations.
An Overview of Borage Companion Planting
Also called starflower, borage is an annual herb grown for its edible flowers and foliage. It has some great companion planting benefits including
- Attracting pollinators like bees with its bright blue flowers
- Repelling pests like cabbage worms
- Potentially boosting growth and flavor of companion plants
Some of the best partners for borage include tomatoes, squash, strawberries, and herbs like basil. Its vibrant blooms bring beneficial insects to the garden that can pollinate plants and prey on unwanted pests.
However, borage may compete for nutrients, light, and space with some crop plants. And its rampant, spreading growth habit can overwhelm more delicate plants. Considering these factors carefully when planning your companion planting is important.
What to Avoid Planting With Borage
When used correctly, borage makes an excellent companion. But there are a few types of plants that don’t pair well with borage:
1. Delicate Herbs
Delicate herbs with subtle flavors like parsley, chervil, and cilantro can be overwhelmed by the spreading, prickly borage plant. Borage’s thick leaves and stems can block light and crowd out lower-growing herbs. The small seeds of dill and fennel may also struggle to germinate and grow around borage.
2. Short Root Vegetables
Root crops like carrots, radishes, and beets grow best when directly sown. But they can have difficulty growing through the dense foliage and prickly stems of borage. The root development of these plants suffers when crowded and shaded by larger companions.
3. Onions and Garlic
Alliums like onions, garlic, leeks, and chives thrive when provided with full sun. Borage will compete for sunlight, reducing bulb development. Borage may also harbor pests like onion maggots. Garlic and other alliums are best located far from borage plants.
4. Corn and Grains
Tall-growing grains and corn can become top heavy and prone to blowing over if grown near sprawling, spreading borage plants. The extensive root systems of corn and grains also compete with borage for nutrients and moisture.
5. Vining Crops
Low-growing vines like melons, pumpkins, and cucumbers can be inhibited by prickly borage foliage covering their vines. The vining habits of these plants are also very different from the tall, upright growth of borage. Light and space competition will limit productivity.
6. Leafy Greens
Leafy greens prefer consistently moist soil and heavy feeding. Water and nutrient demands for crops like lettuce, spinach, and kale will compete with water-loving borage. Fast-growing borage can also outpace and shade out lower-growing greens.
7. Legumes
Nitrogen-fixing legumes don’t pair well with borage. Beans, peas, lentils, and soybeans form symbiotic relationships with soil bacteria to draw nitrogen from the air into the soil. Borage competes with legumes for existing soil nitrogen instead of augmenting it.
thoughtprocess How to Plan Your Borage Companion Planting
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Group borage near plants it benefits, like tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and brassicas. Keep at least 12” between plants.
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Avoid interplanting borage with herbs, root crops, onions, greens, legumes, corn, grains, or vines.
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Plant borage on the north side of garden beds so it doesn’t shade lower plants.
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Use borage as a border or background plant to attract pollinators without competing.
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For small spaces, pot and trellis borage to control its spread.
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Remove borage plants after they flower to prevent overcrowding productive crops.
With some thoughtful planning, you can leverage borage’s pest-repelling powers while avoiding competition with more delicate plants. Pay close attention to the expected mature size, growth habits, and resource needs of both borage and companion plants. This will create a symbiotic planting scheme that enables everything to thrive!
Troubleshooting Borage Companion Planting Problems
Even with the best laid plans, you may run into issues when companion gardening with borage:
Leggy, Weak Plants
If nearby plants become spindly and struggle to grow, borage is likely shading them. Prune back borage, trellis it, or transplant it to a new spot.
Wilting Leaves
Signs of wilting in adjacent plants can indicate that borage is hogging water resources. Water more diligently in dry periods to reduce competition.
Lack of Germination
Borage’s thick foliage and root system can block seeds from sprouting. Gently move borage back and re-sow seeds of strangled plants.
Flopping Vines
Low-growing vines that flop instead of climbing may be blocked by borage. Add trellises and prune borage so vines get needed support.
Few Blooms
Sparse flowering can mean borage is inhibiting pollinator access, stealing nutrients, or crowding nearby flowering plants. Relocate or prune borage.
With a bit of observation and quick intervention, you can keep your borage companion planting in balance! Adjust placements and pruning as needed to allow all plants to thrive.
The Benefits of Proper Borage Companion Pairing
While borage has some fantastic benefits as a companion plant, it also has the potential to become a bully in the garden if not properly managed. Being aware of its potential drawbacks allows you to avoid unsuitable pairings.
With smart companion planting techniques, you can:
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Boost productivity by playing to each plant’s strengths.
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Deter pests by interplanting pest-repelling plants like borage.
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Improve flavor and growth by facilitating beneficial interactions.
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Conserve space, water, and nutrients through symbiotic pairing.
A thoughtfully designed garden considers both the synergistic and antagonistic relationships between plants. Avoiding poor companion pairs for borage sets your garden up for the healthiest, most abundant harvest!
I hope these tips help you plan your borage companion planting with great success this growing season. Please share any other insights you have on the best (or worst) borage companion combinations in the comments below!
Plant Borage with these Great Vegetables, Herbs, and Flowers
Plant squash with borage ————————-
Plant strawberries with borage ————————-
Plant tomatoes with borage ————————-
Plant zucchini with borage ————————-
Borage Antagonists (do NOT plant Borage with these)
So you want to plant borage in your garden? Our research on borage says you can plant anything nearby!
This Plant Does EVERYTHING | Borage Growing Guide
What should not be planted with borage?
Here’s what should not be planted with borage: Fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare) is a perennial herb that doesn’t have many friends. In fact, the only plant that can probably survive next to fennel is dill. This is because fennel is known to stunt the growth of any plants you add to the same garden bed.
Is borage a good companion plant?
Using borage ( Borago officinalis) as a companion plant is a good choice. Plants that grow well with borage include: The borage companion plant is said to repel tomato worms and cabbage worms because borage attracts beneficial insects, such as bees and tiny wasps. As we know these are great plant pollinators, they also repel garden pests.
What plants grow well with borage?
Borage benefits from the nitrogen beans and peas put into the soil. The fifteen best companion plants for borage are basil, beans, cabbage, cucumbers, eggplant, grapes, marigolds, melons, peas, peppers, pumpkins, radishes, strawberries, squash, and tomatoes. Do not plant borage near potatoes, fennel, or black walnut trees.
Can borage grow together?
You can grow many things together, especially in the springtime. Borage is an easy plant to grow together with any other plant. Borage has a lot of uses; it’s a great addition to a home. As a houseplant, it grows well indoors. Borage companion planting can be used to repel pests, attract beneficial insects, or add flavor.