Growing Edible Flowers can be a wonderful and rewarding experience for novice and seasoned gardeners. These vibrant blooms add a burst of color to your garden and offer a culinary dimension to your meals.
The Best Edible Flowers to Grow
If you’re looking for more ideas for the garden, the 35 Best Cottage Flowers to Grow and How to Create a Tea Garden will help you on your gardening journey.
From the delicate petals of nasturtiums, with their peppery taste, to the sweet and aromatic lavender buds, there is a wide variety of edible flowers to choose from.
Ensuring the plants have the right amount of sun and well-draining soil to cultivate these floral delicacies will help you grow flowers successfully.
Choosing flowers you can grow without pesticides is essential to an edible garden. Not all flowers are edible; clearly identify which flowers you can eat.
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Here are the Best Edible Flowers to Grow
1. Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
Anise Hyssop is a stunning garden addition with its delicate purple flowers. Its fragrant leaves and flowers carry a subtle licorice flavor, making it a versatile herb in sweet and savory dishes.
You can use Anise Hyssop in salads, steeped for teas, or dried flowers in baked goods and syrups. It is also valued for its medicinal properties, often alleviating digestive issues and promoting relaxation.
2. Borage (Borage officinalis)
Borage isn’t just a pretty face in the garden; it can also jazz up your salads and drinks.
Toss a few fresh flowers in your salad bowl, and suddenly, you’ve got a beautiful pop of color that adds a subtle cucumber-like flavor. You can freeze these beautiful blooms into ice cubes for fancy drinks at your next backyard barbecue.
3. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Chamomile flowers are renowned for their soothing properties in herbal teas.
They have an apple-like flavor and are used to make chamomile tea, which is known for its calming effects. These beautiful daisy-like flowers are also perfect for decorating cakes and pastries.
4. Chive Blossoms (Allium schoenoprasum)
Chive blossoms have a mild onion flavor, making them an excellent garnish for savory dishes. They are the perfect addition to salads, omelets, or compound butter.
5. Dandelions (Taraxacum)
Dandelions are an ordinary backyard edible with a slightly bitter taste. You can add them to salads or make into dandelion wine. Dandelion petals can also be fried to create a unique, crispy snack.
6. Elderflowers (Sambucus nigra)
Elderflowers have a delicate, floral flavor and are used to make elderflower cordial, syrups, and sparkling beverages like elderflower champagne. They are also popular in cakes and desserts.
7. Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Hibiscus is also a prized edible flower in many cultures that are known for its vibrant and eye-catching flowers.
The dried petals of the hibiscus flower are commonly used in teas. This tart and refreshing beverage is known for its deep crimson hue and tangy flavor. In addition to teas, hibiscus petals can be incorporated into jams, syrups, and desserts.
8. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender is used in culinary applications to infuse dishes with a subtle floral flavor and is known for its fragrant, calming scent.
It pairs wonderfully with sweets like cookies and cakes, and lavender’s purple buds will make a soothing tea when steeped.
9. Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
Lilac flowers have a mild, lemony taste and add a subtle floral note to salads and desserts. The blossoms also make lilac-flavored syrups and jellies.
10. Marigolds or Calendula (Tagetes erecta)
Marigold petals are known for their earthy and slightly citrusy flavor. They are commonly used in soups and salads and as a colorful addition to rice dishes.
Some marigold varieties are not edible, so be sure to plant the ones that are.
Calendula petals (calendula officinalis) also have potential medicinal properties and are used in herbal medicines.
More information on pot marigold:
- How to Save Marigold Seeds
- Are Marigolds Edible? + Marigold Recipes
11. Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus)
Nasturtiums have vibrant, peppery blossoms, adding a zesty kick to salads and savory dishes. They come in various colors, from fiery oranges to rich yellows, making them a flavorful and visually appealing choice for garnishes.
12. Rose Petals (Rosa rubiginosa)
Delicate and sweet rose petals have been used for centuries to enhance the flavor and appearance of food and beverages.
Roses are often used in desserts and sweet condiments. Examples are rose-petal jam and crystallized rose petals for cake decorations.
31 Secrets to Growing Roses
13. Squash Blossoms
The delicate and vibrant flowers of squash plants are a visual delight in gardens and a delectable addition to culinary creations.
Squash blossoms offer a subtle, slightly sweet flavor with hints of squash essence, making them a versatile ingredient in savory and sweet dishes. They are often stuffed with cream cheese, herbs, and spices, then battered and fried to crispy perfection.
You can also add their tender petals into salads, soups, or risottos for a colorful and flavorful twist.
14. Violas (genus Viola)
Violas have a sweet, floral taste and are often used to garnish desserts and salads. Their striking purple, blue, or white petals make them a favorite choice for decorative touches on cakes and pastries.
10 Tips on Growing Violas
What to do with Edible Flowers
- Create a vibrant salad with a mix of colorful blooms like nasturtiums, pansies, and violets.
- Infuse honey with edible flowers like lavender or rose petals for a unique sweetener.
- Place small edible flowers in an ice tray to make floral ice cubes, adding a touch of elegance to your drinks.
- Brew floral teas using chamomile, hibiscus, or calendula.
- For an exquisite touch, garnish desserts like cakes, cupcakes, or ice cream with delicate edible flowers.
- Create floral simple syrups by simmering flowers like elderberry or jasmine with sugar and water. These are perfect for cocktails and soda.
- Make floral-infused vinegar using flowers like chive blossoms or nasturtiums.
- Bake edible flower focaccia by decorating the dough with colorful blooms before baking.
- Prepare flower-studded butter by mixing edible flowers into softened butter for a fragrant spread.
- Craft floral-flavored popsicles using edible flowers for a refreshing summer treat.
- Create visually stunning edible flower sushi rolls with colorful petals in the rice.
- Make floral-infused olive oil by steeping flowers like basil or rosemary in a high-quality oil.
- Bake edible shortbread cookies for a delicate and aromatic dessert.
- Prepare a floral-scented rice pudding using jasmine or orange blossom flowers.
- Make colorful deviled eggs and top with flower edibles.
- Brew a floral lemonade using petals like dandelions or pansies for a unique twist on a classic drink.
- Create a floral-infused yogurt by mixing flower petals into Greek yogurt.
- Make a colorful flower and herb omelet by folding edible flowers into beaten eggs before cooking.
- Create a cheese board with floral accents by pairing cheese with edible flowers like marigolds or borage.
- Make floral-flavored homemade marshmallows using rosewater or violet extract.
- Prepare floral-scented spa water by placing edible flowers in a pitcher of cold water for a refreshing and visually appealing drink.
How do I prepare and store edible flowers?
To prepare edible flowers:
1.Gently wash them in cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
2.Remove any stems, pistils, or stamens as these parts can be bitter or unpleasant to eat.
3.Store them in airtight containers lined with damp paper towels in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.
How can I grow my own edible flowers at home?
Many edible flowers can be easily grown in home gardens or in pots on balconies or windowsills. Ensure you use organic practices and avoid pesticides to keep your flowers safe for consumption.
CAUTION: To be safe, be sure to clearly identify your flowers prior to consuming them. Don’t eat the flowers if you have doubts.
We’ve reached the end of the Best Edible Flowers to Grow. I hope you enjoyed it.
Let me know in the comments below what your favorite edible flower is and how you use the flowers.
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