How to Grow Flowering Herbs for Pollinators

Flowering Herbs for Pollinators

Borago officinalis, Allium schoenoprasum, Coriandrum sativum

herb

A trio of attractive culinary herbs that produce abundant flowers beloved by bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Borage offers sky-blue star-shaped blooms, chives provide delicate purple pompoms, and coriander displays delicate white or pale pink clusters. These herbs combine practical kitchen use with significant pollinator support.

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Example Flowering Herbs for Pollinators timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Flowering Herbs for Pollinators
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Flowering Herbs for Pollinators
Around Jun 26

≈ 70 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Flowering Herbs for Pollinators dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; chives tolerate partial shade

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Water: Moderate, consistent moisture. Borage is drought-tolerant once established; coriander prefers evenly moist soil; chives like consistent moisture but not waterlogged conditions

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Spacing: Borage 18-24 inches, chives 12-18 inches, coriander 6-12 inches inches

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Days to maturity: Borage 70-80 days, chives 90 days (perennial, continuous harvest), coriander 45-70 days

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Planting depth: Borage 0.5 inch, chives 0.5 inch (or transplant divisions), coriander 0.5 inch

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to sandy soil with moderate fertility

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost for organic matter Perlite or sand for drainage Balanced organic fertilizer (avoid excessive nitrogen for borage)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Borage and coriander thrive in zones 4-10; chives hardy in zones 3-9

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

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Growth Stages

Germination & Seedling

2-3 weeks

Seeds sprout in 7-14 days. Borage develops fuzzy true leaves; chives emerge as thin green shoots; coriander shows delicate feathery cotyledons.

Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light. Thin seedlings to proper spacing. Borage seeds may be soaked for 24 hours to improve germination.

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plants establish root systems and foliage. Borage forms sturdy branching stems with hairy leaves; chives grow in tight clumps; coriander develops feathery compound leaves.

Water regularly, allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Fertilize lightly every 3-4 weeks. Remove any early flower buds if you want to maximize leaf production first.

Flower Bud Formation

2-3 weeks

Flower clusters begin forming at stem tips. Borage shows fuzzy green buds that become luminous blue; chives display tight spherical buds; coriander produces umbel clusters.

Continue consistent watering. Do not over-fertilize; nitrogen excess delays flowering. Stake borage if it becomes leggy. Expect dramatic pollinator visits once blooms open.

Flowering & Pollination

4-8 weeks (borage longest, coriander shortest)

Full flower display attracts bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. Borage's blue flowers bloom sequentially; chives offer purple pompoms; coriander shows tiny white or pink florets.

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming, or leave some to set seed. Provide water during dry spells. This stage is critical for pollinator support—do not use pesticides.

Seed Production & Maturity

3-4 weeks

Flowers fade and seed pods develop. Borage seeds form in spiky clusters; chives develop papery seed capsules; coriander produces distinctive ribbed round seeds.

Allow flowers to dry on plant if collecting seeds. Harvest seed before it falls. Leave some seed heads for wildlife and next-year volunteers.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Thyme Sage Marjoram Nasturtium Calendula Zinnias Sunflowers Chamomile Dill

Avoid planting near:

Fennel (allelopathic, inhibits many plants) Tomatoes (borage may compete for space and nutrients)

Common Pests

Spray with strong water stream; introduce ladybugs; use insecticidal soap if severe. Avoid broad-spectrum pesticides that harm pollinators.
and
Hand-pick, especially at dawn. Use copper tape barriers or beer traps. Encourage natural predators like ground beetles.
Increase humidity; spray with water; use neem oil if necessary. Rarely problematic on established plants.
Ensure good air circulation. Remove affected leaves. Apply sulfur dust or baking soda spray. Reduce overhead watering.

Uses

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Edible Flowers & Garnish

Culinary

Borage flowers are distinctly flavored with a subtle cucumber note and make striking edible garnishes for cocktails, salads, and desserts. Chive flowers add mild onion flavor and visual appeal to dishes. [source]

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Flavorful Leaves & Spice

Culinary

Chives provide mild onion flavor year-round; cilantro (coriander leaves) offers bright, fresh taste; coriander seeds deliver warm, citrusy spice notes for cooking. [source]

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Pollinator Support

Wildlife

These three herbs collectively produce abundant nectar and pollen that sustains honeybees, native bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects throughout the growing season. They are especially valuable during mid-summer when many spring bloomers have finished. [source]

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Traditional Herbal Remedies

Medicinal

Borage has been used for respiratory support and emotional well-being; chives contain allicin compounds linked to immune support; coriander seeds aid digestion. These uses reflect traditional herbal medicine practices. [source]

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Fresh Herb Preservation

Household

All three herbs dry successfully for year-round culinary use. Borage flowers can be candied or frozen in ice cubes; chives freeze well; coriander seeds store for months in cool, dry conditions. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Borage: Pinch flowers as they bloom for fresh use; harvest leaves anytime. Chives: Cut leaves ¼ inch above soil, flowers bloom mid-spring to early summer—snip and use immediately for best flavor. Coriander: Harvest leaves (cilantro) when young and tender for culinary use; allow plants to bolt for fresh coriander seeds, or dry seed heads for coriander spice. For pollinator support, leave 30-50% of flowers to mature.

Fun Facts

🌱 Borage flowers are one of the most prolific nectar producers in the herb garden, with each flower containing approximately 30 microliters of nectar. A single borage plant can attract dozens of bees per day during peak bloom.
🌱 Chives are perennial and return year after year with minimal care; dividing established clumps every 3-4 years rejuvenates plants and multiplies your garden's pollinator support.
🌱 Coriander is known as 'cilantro' when referring to the fresh leaves, but the same plant becomes 'coriander' when referring to the dried seeds—a dual-purpose herb in a single plant.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Bolt Deadhead Full Sun Germination Partial Shade pH True Leaves

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