When to Plant Borage in Cairns — Tropical Guide
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
A hardy annual herb with stunning blue star-shaped flowers and cucumber-flavoured leaves. Excellent companion plant and pollinator attractor. Self-sows prolifically once established. Both flowers and young leaves are edible. One of the easiest herbs to grow in Australia.
Planting Calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | — | S/T/D | S/T/D | S/T/D | T/D | — | — | — | — |
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
Current Growing Conditions
Soil temperature: 19.6°C (optimal range: 10–25°C) ✓ Ready to plant
How to Grow Borage in Tropical Australia
When to Plant
Sow in dry season (Apr-Aug). Struggles in wet season humidity.
- Soil
- Any well-drained soil, even poor soils. Tolerant of a wide range of conditions.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.0
- Sunlight
- Full sun to part shade. Flowers best in full sun.
- Spacing
- 30cm apart, 45cm between rows
- Watering
- Moderate watering. Drought tolerant once established. Overwatering causes lanky, floppy growth.
Companion plants: Tomato, Strawberry, Squash, Brassicas
Tropical Growing Tips for Borage
Recommended Varieties
- Standard Borago officinalis
Key Challenges
- Humidity causes mildew
- Heat above 35C shortens lifespan
Pro Tips
- Treat as cool-season annual
- Sow in May for best results
- Afternoon shade helps
Harvesting Borage
When ready: Harvest young leaves before flowering for best flavour. Pick flowers when fully open - they should pop off easily.
How to harvest: Pick young tender leaves from top of plant. Pluck individual flowers by pinching stem behind flower. Older leaves become hairy and unpalatable.
Common Borage Pests in Tropical Zones
Organic prevention: Borage is more often a pest SOLUTION than a pest problem - it attracts hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control aphids on nearby crops.
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