Borago pygmaea
Slender borage · Dwarf borage · Borage
Description
Source: leafsnapBorago pygmaea, commonly known as pygmy borage, is a small herbaceous plant from the Boraginaceae family. Native to the Mediterranean region, it thrives in rocky and dry habitats. The plant grows up to 20 cm in height and features small blue flowers that bloom from May to July. Traditionally, pygmy borage has been valued for its medicinal properties, particularly its anti-inflammatory effects. The leaves are rich in essential fatty acids, such as gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which are known to possess anti-inflammatory benefits. In addition to its medicinal uses, pygmy borage is also appreciated as a culinary herb for its pleasant cucumber-like flavor. It can be added fresh or dried to salads or used as a garnish for various dishes. Overall, Borago pygmaea is a fascinating and versatile plant with both medicinal and culinary applications.
Care Guide
💧 Water Every 7 days
☀️ Light Partial sun
Slender borage comes from habitats with dappled light, such as forest understories or rocky sites that provide natural shade. It grows well in partial sun but can also adapt to full-sun conditions.
🌡️ Temperature 15–35°C
Slender borage can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but its distribution can still be restricted by different combinations of moisture and heat. It does best in warm summer conditions with sufficient rainfall or watering. Extended periods of cloudy, rainy weather or prolonged high temperatures increase the chance of Slender borage dying. In winter, protecting it from cold can raise the plant's survival rate.
💨 Humidity
🪴 Soil 6-8
🌱 Fertilizer
When most of the Slender borage's blooms have opened to full size, resume fertilizing. Around the time the flowers are at peak output, fertilize once every three to four weeks, as weather permits. Then, when Slender borage begins to produce fewer new blooms, stop fertilizing; there is no need to feed the plant when it can no longer form more blooms.
🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity
Characteristics
- Plant Type
- Herb
- Life Cycle
- Annual
- Genus
- Borago
- Family
- Boraginaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 7-10
- Mature Height
- 30 cm
- Mature Spread
- 15 cm
- Leaf Color
- Green, Dark Green
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
- Flower Color
- Blue
- Flower Size
- 1.02 cm to 1.52 cm
- Bloom Time
- Mid spring, Late spring, Early summer
- Planting Time
- Spring, Autumn
- Harvest Time
- Summer
- Native Area
- Italy, France