Growing Edible Flowers
Imagine a salad decorated with freshly picked flowers from your garden. Edible flowers offer a unique flavor experience that appeals to both eyes and palate. Plus, they're often easier to grow than most vegetables!
Info
Edible flowers have been used in kitchens for centuries. From Roman times, they've been part of salads, desserts, and beverages.
Safety Warnings
Danger
IMPORTANT: Not every beautiful flower is edible! Some flowers are poisonous. Only consume flowers you can identify with certainty.
Never Eat These
| Plant | Danger |
|---|---|
| Lily | Toxic |
| Iris | Toxic |
| Foxglove | Fatal |
| Oleander | Fatal |
| Dahlia | Toxic |
| Hydrangea | Toxic |
| Azalea | Toxic |
| Daffodil | Toxic |
Safe Consumption Rules
- 1
Positive Identification
Only eat flowers you're 100% certain about. - 2
Organic Source
Grow without pesticides or unsafe fertilizers, or source organic. - 3
Don't Buy from Florists
Ornamental flowers are treated with chemicals. - 4
Washing
Gently wash for insects, dust, and pollen. - 5
Allergy Test
Start with small amounts when trying for first time.
Most Popular Edible Flowers
1. Nasturtium (Tropaeolum)
The king of edible flowers! Leaves are also edible.
Nasturtium Seed Mix - Edible
$6
Growing:
- Direct sow in soil (April-May)
- Flowers more in poor soil
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water once or twice weekly
Flavor: Peppery like fresh arugula
Uses:
- Salads
- Sandwich garnish
- Caper alternative (seeds)
2. Violet (Viola)
Classic use in desserts.
Growing:
- Prefers cool weather
- Partial shade preferred
- Moist soil
- Flowers spring and fall
Flavor: Mildly sweet, floral
Uses:
- Cake decoration
- Candied with sugar
- Freeze in ice cubes
- Sweet salads
Garden Tip
To candy violets: Whip egg white, brush on flower, dip in powdered sugar, let dry.
3. Marigold (Tagetes)
Growing:
- From seed or seedlings
- Full sun
- Grows in any soil
- Drought-tolerant
Flavor: Mild citrus, spicy
Uses:
- Saffron alternative (for color)
- Rice and risotto
- Salads
Tip
Marigold leaves are scented but not edible. Only use petals and remove the green base (bitter).
4. Chamomile
Growing:
- Self-seeds
- Light, well-drained soil
- Full sun
- Low maintenance
Flavor: Apple-honey blend, calming
Uses:
- Tea (most common)
- Dessert garnish
- Salads
- Flavored vinegar/oil
5. Lavender (Lavandula)
Culinary Lavender Seedlings
$12
Warning: Only Lavandula angustifolia (English lavender) is safe for culinary use.
Growing:
- Alkaline, poor soil
- Full sun
- Very little water
- Good drainage essential
Flavor: Intense floral, light mint
Uses:
- Desserts (use sparingly!)
- Lemonade
- Cookies
- Provence-style meats
6. Rose (Rosa)
Growing:
- Organically grown
- Sunny location
- Rich soil
- Regular watering
Flavor: Varies by variety, generally sweet-floral
Uses:
- Rose water
- Turkish delight, baklava
- Jam
- Tea
- Cake decoration
Garden Tip
Darker colored roses have more intense aroma. Choose fragrant varieties.
7. Not Bougainvillea - Begonia!
(Bougainvillea is toxic, don't confuse them!)
Begonia Flowers:
- Sour, citrus flavor
- Leaves also edible
- For salads and beverages
8. Borage (Borago)
Growing:
- Comes up on its own
- Light soil
- Sun to partial shade
- Drought-tolerant
Flavor: Cucumber-like, refreshing
Uses:
- Summer drinks
- Salads
- Decoration (star shape is attractive)
9. Pansy (Viola x wittrockiana)
Growing:
- Cool weather plant
- Partial shade
- Moist soil
- Spring/fall
Flavor: Mild mint-grassy
Uses:
- Decoration (large, showy)
- Salads
- Dessert garnish
10. Squash Blossom
Squash Seeds - Edible Flowers
$5
Uses:
- Stuffed with cheese and fried
- On pizza
- In risotto
- Tempura
Info
Prefer male flowers (straight stem). Taking female flowers reduces fruit yield.
Edible Flower Growing Guide
General Care Rules
Edible Flower Care Calendar
Spring
- •Seed sowing (after last frost)
- •Seedling planting
- •First fertilizing
Summer
- •Regular watering (morning)
- •Deadhead spent flowers
- •Harvest season
Fall
- •Second harvest season (some types)
- •Seed collecting
- •Winter preparation
Winter
- •Protect perennials
- •Planning and ordering
Organic Growing Requirements
Pros
- Don't use chemical fertilizers
- Prefer organic compost
- Natural pest control
- Water with clean water
- Use companion plants
Cons
- Synthetic pesticides
- Chemical fertilizers
- Seeds from unknown sources
- Watering with dirty water
Harvest and Storage
When to Harvest:
- Early morning (after dew dries)
- Fully open but not wilting
- On dry days
How to Store:
| Method | Duration | Suitable Types |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator (damp paper) | 2-5 days | Most flowers |
| In water | 1-2 days | Nasturtium, violet |
| Drying | Months | Lavender, chamomile |
| Freezing (ice cube) | Months | Borage, violet |
| Sugar coating | Weeks | Violet, rose |
Garden Tip
Put flowers in ice cube trays, add water, freeze. Both refreshing and decorative in summer drinks!
Culinary Uses
In Salads
Simple Edible Flower Salad:
- Mixed greens
- Nasturtium flowers and leaves
- Violet petals
- Lemon-olive oil dressing
In Desserts
Making Candied Flowers:
- 1
Ingredients
Fresh flowers, egg white, powdered sugar. - 2
Egg White
Whisk lightly until slightly foamy. - 3
Brushing
Brush all over flower with fine brush. - 4
Sugaring
Dip in powdered sugar, shake off excess. - 5
Drying
Let dry on wire rack for 12-24 hours.
In Beverages
Flower Ice Cubes:
- Fill ice tray halfway with water
- Freeze
- Place flower on top, add water
- Freeze again
Flower Lemonade:
- Classic lemonade
- Lavender or rose water
- Ice and fresh flower garnish
Flower and Flavor Pairings
| Flower | Flavor Note | Best Pairing |
|---|---|---|
| Nasturtium | Peppery, spicy | Salads, cheese |
| Violet | Sweet, floral | Desserts, drinks |
| Lavender | Intense, minty | Desserts, meat (sparingly!) |
| Rose | Romantic, sweet | Desserts, syrup |
| Marigold | Citrus, spicy | Rice, salads |
| Chamomile | Apple, honey | Tea, desserts |
| Borage | Cucumber | Summer drinks |
Annual Planting Plan
Edible Flower Planting Calendar
| Month | Task |
|---|---|
| March | Indoor seed starting (nasturtium, marigold) |
| April | Seedling planting begins (after frost risk) |
| May | Direct sow seeds, all seedlings outdoors |
| June | First harvest! Regular picking begins |
| July | Peak harvest season |
| August | Final summer harvests |
| September | Fall flowers (pansies) |
| October | Seed collecting, drying |
Container Growing
Perfect for balcony gardeners:
Edible Flower Container Set
$22
Container Tips:
- At least 20 cm diameter
- Good drainage essential
- Sunny location
- Regular watering
Conclusion
Edible flowers bring gardening and cooking together. They delight both your eyes and your palate. By following safety rules, you can safely consume flowers you've grown organically.
Success
Start small: Try just nasturtium this year. Easy, safe, and very flavorful. Expand varieties as you gain experience.
Spring Tip
Spring is planting time! Sow seeds after last frost, harvest all summer. Start now for first flowers on your table in June.
Product links in this guide may contain affiliate links.
(affiliate link)
