How to Attract Bees with Basil and Borage

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A Sweet Invitation to the Garden’s Best Workers

Some of the best pollinator plants aren’t flashy. They don’t need fancy labels or exotic origins. They’re simple, useful, and — in this case — delicious. 🌿 Basil and borage may live quiet lives in herb beds and tucked-in corners, but once they bloom, bees can’t resist them. And if you’re struggling with low squash or tomato yields, or just want to boost garden health naturally, these two herbs are the garden allies you didn’t know you needed.

Let’s explore how basil and borage work as pollinator magnets, why timing matters, and how to use them strategically in your summer beds for better fruit, more flowers, and a buzzing, balanced ecosystem.

🌿 Why Basil and Borage Work So Well

Bees have favorite flowers too — and these are high on the list.

Basil and borage are both considered top-tier pollinator plants because of their abundant, nectar-rich blooms and continuous flowering once they get going. Even small patches can draw a crowd of native bees, honeybees, and beneficial hoverflies. But they each bring something unique to the garden:

🟢 Basil (Let It Bolt!)

• Most gardeners pinch off basil flowers to keep the leaves tender. But if you let one or two plants bloom, the tiny white or purple flowers become bee heaven.
• Different varieties (like Thai basil or lemon basil) produce slightly different scents and bloom patterns — giving pollinators more variety.
• Basil blooms continuously once it starts, especially in heat.

🔵 Borage (The Pollinator Superfood)

• Known as “bee bread,” borage is a true magnet for pollinators — particularly bumblebees and solitary native bees.
• Its star-shaped, periwinkle-blue flowers refill their nectar up to five times a day, making them a favorite food stop.
• It self-sows gently, often reappearing next season without fuss.

🔗 Learn more about creating a garden haven for bees in Why Pollinators Are Essential for Your Garden: 5 Ways to Attract Them.

🐝 When and Where to Plant Basil and Borage

Get the timing right, and you’ll feed pollinators all summer.

These two herbs are low-maintenance but benefit from thoughtful placement and succession planting.

📅 When to Plant

Herb	Start Indoors	Direct Sow	Bloom Time
Basil	4–6 weeks before last frost	After frost	Late spring to frost
Borage	2–4 weeks before last frost	After frost	Early summer to frost

• You can stagger planting every few weeks for a longer blooming window.
• Both thrive in full sun but tolerate partial shade — perfect for edges and between crops.

📍 Where to Plant

• Near squash, melons, cucumbers, and tomatoes to improve nearby pollination
• In herb beds or flower borders for beauty and function
• Beside compost piles or garden paths — they don’t need perfect soil

Want more ideas? See Growing Late-Season Flowers for Pollinators for companion bloomers that keep the nectar flowing through summer and fall.

🛠️ Garden Tips for Basil & Borage as Pollinator Plants

Make the most of these bee-friendly herbs.

Tip	Why It Helps
Let basil bolt after the first harvest	Provides nectar during midsummer when other blooms slow
Don’t overcrowd	Bees need airflow and visibility between plants
Avoid pesticides	Even organic sprays can confuse or repel bees
Water at the base	Keeps flowers from getting soggy and deters fungal issues
Pinch back borage lightly	Encourages more flowers and a longer bloom cycle

🌸 Try interplanting with zinnias, calendula, or cosmos to create a mixed nectar buffet.

🔗 Learn how flowers fit into a pollinator-friendly plan in No Pollinators, No Food: How to Attract Bees, Butterflies, and Birds to Your Garden.

✅ Basil & Borage Bee Benefits at a Glance

Benefit	Basil	Borage
Easy to grow	✅	✅
Continuous blooms	✅	✅
Supports native bees	✅	✅✅✅
Edible & medicinal	✅✅✅	✅✅
Reseeds	⚠️ Limited	✅ Mild self-sower
Deters pests	✅ (mosquitoes, aphids)	✅ (hornworms, cabbage moths)

📋 Want to see which flowers attract the most buzz in your garden?

Download our free Pollinator Tracker — a printable tool to log flower blooms, bee visits, butterfly sightings, and garden notes all season long.

🖨️ Print it out, grab a pencil, and turn your garden into a living science journal (minus the homework).

🧡 Final Thoughts: The Best Flowers Might Already Be in Your Herb Garden

Sometimes, the most helpful garden allies are hiding in plain sight. By letting basil and borage bloom freely, you’re not just helping the bees — you’re creating a ripple effect that improves your entire harvest. More pollinators means better fruit set, fewer pest issues, and a healthier garden from root to bloom.

So go ahead. Let that basil flower. Sprinkle in a few borage seeds. And watch your garden come alive with wings, color, and the promise of a better harvest.

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