What Are The Easiest Edible Flowers To Grow?

Did you know that some blooms not only look good, but taste good too? Surprisingly, edible flowers offer a range of benefits beyond adding a dash of colour. 

As the term suggests, edible flowers are florets that can be safely consumed like a herb, decorative garnish, or even as a part of the meal itself. Although prominent in regional cuisines found in Europe, Asia and Middle Eastern culture, edible flowers have started to gain traction in the western world largely thanks to their “Instagrammableness”. 

Six Edible Flowers To Try Growing At Home 

While adding a range of flowers to your garden will always help to attract bees and other “good” insects, edible flowers also provide a surprising range of health benefits too – so which ones can you actually eat? 

Violets – The blue and purple varieties are popular for consumption, thanks to their gorgeous aesthetics and surprising medicinal properties surrounding anti inflammation. Try adding violets as a garnish, in salads, or as an increasingly popular topper for pancakes. 

Marigolds – Although known to be bitter and peppery in taste to some, marigolds can actually compliment very sweet dishes such as poached fruit. Referred to as “the poor man’s saffron”, it can also be added to stews, stir fries and even egg based dishes like omelettes. 

Snapdragons – Known for their bitter and tangy aftertaste, what snapdragons lack in flavour, they certainly make up for in beauty. One of the more popular edible flower garnishes, they also pack a punch with Vitamin C, iron and potassium. 

Carnations – Also known as dianthus, carnations deliver a clove like taste. As a result, they’ve become increasingly popular to use with sweet dishes, such as a way to embellish desserts, baked into tarts, ice cream and even mixed into fruit salads. 

Nasturtiums – Did you know that nasturtium edible flowers present up to ten times more Vitamin C than a lettuce? Probably not, but thankfully they also look good too. With a sweet but peppery flavour like a radish, they work well with chives or when mixed into a potato salad. 

Lavender – Perhaps one of the more versatile options, technically culinary lavender is classed as a herb. As an ancient remedy to treat depression, anxiety and insomnia, edible lavender can be added to scones, breads, biscuits, ice cream and even as a tea. 

Growing Edible Flowers In Your Garden

If you’re considering trying to grow edible flowers in your garden, backyard or even in a pot indoors, make sure that your selections are safe to consume – don’t make the assumption that all varieties are suitable if you wish to avoid an upset stomach.

Once you’ve planted your selections, the next step is to pay attention to what third party materials that you introduce to your garden. After all, the end goal is for your plants to end up on your plate at some stage – so it’s crucial to make safe choices when it comes to pesticides and weed killers. If you’ve been on the hunt for a healthy way to spray, then the good news is that Bioweed may be just the solution that you’ve been looking for. 

Bioweed is an organic, non selective weed killer that works fast on contact with the weed, in order to rapidly desiccate and burn even the most stubborn of plants. It can be used anywhere around the house including garden beds, veggie patches, paths and driveways, and is safe to use around children, animals and even native wildlife. 

The best part? Bioweed is the brainchild of well established agricultural leaders Greenpro, and is backed by over twenty years of research and development. Owned and manufactured in Australia, the primary ingredient of Bioweed is actually sustainably sourced pine oil, and is even approved by NASAA, ACO and APVMA for use around organic farms and food production.

If you’ve been on the hunt for a healthy way to spray for your fresh crop of edible flowers, then check out other tips and tricks in our online advice forum, or contact us for any further queries.