From Nasturtium to Borage: 7 edible flowers you can grow and add to salads and desserts

Flowers aren't just for brightening up your garden. Many blooms are completely edible and can add vibrant colours, delicate flavours and even extra nutrients to your meals. From peppery petals that liven up salads to fragrant blossoms that decorate cakes and desserts, edible flowers are becoming a favourite among home gardeners and food lovers alike. If you're planning a kitchen garden, these seven edible flowers are beautiful, easy to grow and delicious on the plate.

Why grow edible flowers?

Edible flowers offer more than visual appeal. They help attract bees and butterflies, support pollinators, enhance biodiversity and turn everyday meals into colourful creations. Whether sprinkled over a fresh salad or used to decorate homemade desserts, these blooms bring flavour, fragrance and beauty straight from the garden to your plate.

Here are 7 edible flowers you can grow-

Nasturtium

Nasturtiums are among the easiest edible flowers to grow and one of the most popular choices for salads. Their bright orange, red and yellow blooms have a peppery flavour similar to watercress.

You can:
- Toss the petals into green salads
- Garnish sandwiches and soups
- Stuff whole flowers with soft cheese for an elegant appetiser
Nasturtiums thrive in full sun and bloom throughout the growing season

Calendula

Often called "poor man's saffron," calendula produces cheerful yellow and orange flowers with slightly tangy, peppery petals.

Use calendula petals to:
- Sprinkle over salads
- Add colour to rice dishes
- Mix into butter or soft cheeses
- Decorate cakes and cupcakes

Calendula grows well in sunny spots and flowers for months with regular deadheading.

Pansies and violas

Pansies and violas are known for their colourful petals and mild, slightly sweet flavour.

They're perfect for:
- Decorating cakes
- Topping cookies
- Garnishing fruit salads
- Freezing inside ice cubes for drinks

These flowers prefer cooler weather, making them ideal for spring and autumn gardens.

Lavender

Lavender's fragrant purple blooms add a floral aroma to both sweet and savoury recipes. A little goes a long way because of its strong flavour.

Try using lavender in:
- Shortbread biscuits
- Cakes
- Ice cream
- Lemonade
- Herbal teas

Grow lavender in full sun with well-drained soil.

Borage

Borage produces striking blue, star-shaped flowers with a refreshing cucumber-like taste.

They're delicious in:
- Summer salads
- Chilled drinks
- Fruit bowls
- Lemonades
- Cold soups

The flowers also attract bees and other pollinators, making them an excellent addition to any garden.

Chive flowers

If you already grow chives, don't overlook their beautiful purple blossoms. They have a mild onion flavour that complements savoury dishes.

Use them in:
- Green salads
- Potato salads
- Omelettes
- Herb butter
- Cream cheese spreads

Harvest the flowers while they're fresh for the best flavour.

Rose petals

Many fragrant garden roses are edible, provided they haven't been treated with pesticides or chemicals. Their flavour ranges from mildly sweet to slightly fruity.

Rose petals can be used to:
- Garnish desserts
- Mix into fruit salads
- Infuse syrups
- Make jams
- Decorate cakes and pastries

Remove the white base of each petal before eating, as it can taste slightly bitter.

Tips for safely eating flowers

Before adding flowers to your meals, keep these safety tips in mind:
- Only eat flowers that are positively identified as edible.
- Never use flowers from florists, garden centres or roadsides unless you're certain they haven't been treated with pesticides.
- Wash flowers gently before eating.
- Harvest blooms in the morning when they're freshest.
- If you're trying a flower for the first time, eat a small amount to check for any allergic reaction.