Herb
Can you grow Borage on a balcony?
Borago officinalis
Yes — grows well in pots
Borage (Borago officinalis) grows well on a balcony in a pot of at least 15 litres. It needs full sun — around 6+ hours of direct sun a day. Blooms from early summer to the first fall frost; prune back by half in midsummer to encourage tender new leaves for late-summer harvest. All figures below are sourced from RHS and the Old Farmer's Almanac.
Sun
☀️ Full sun (6+ h)
Min. pot
15 L
Water
Medium
Difficulty
Easy
Hardiness
USDA 3–10
Container fit
Good
Sow
Sow seed direct or plant young plants in spring (April/May), spacing about 50cm apart
Harvest
Blooms from early summer to the first fall frost; prune back by half in midsummer to encourage tender new leaves for late-summer harvest
Good companions: Cucumbers, tomatoes, strawberries and squash (helps deter cabbage worms and draws pollinators)
Balcony tip: Borage is a large plant (50–70cm tall), so use a pot at least 30cm wide to support its size and weight; it tolerates light shade but flowers best in full sun
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Häufige Fragen
What size pot does Borage need?
Borage needs a container of at least 15 litres. Bigger pots dry out more slowly and give better yields on a balcony.
How much sun does Borage need on a balcony?
Borage wants full sun — about 6+ hours of direct sun daily. Match it to your balcony's aspect before buying seed.
When do you sow Borage?
Sow seed direct or plant young plants in spring (April/May), spacing about 50cm apart. Timing shifts with your climate/USDA zone — the linked sources give the detail.
Sources & date
- RHS: Borage
- Old Farmer's Almanac: Borage
- Data as of: 2026-07-10
- Container sizes and timings are guidance — adjust to your climate/USDA zone and balcony aspect.