header-banner-grow-edible-flowers.jpg
Earth First

Edible Flowers & How To Grow Them

Have you ever thought about growing edible flowers? It’s pretty easy. We asked some experts, and here’s how treating edible florals like vegetables and loving them as herbs makes growing them pretty and easy.

How are edible flowers grown?

For farmers, it all starts on a flower field, where the soil is tested for optimal pH levels and fertility. The land used by farmers to grow edible flowers is often a remaining strip of other agricultural crops, usually vegetables or fruits.1 Through edible flower cultivation, the grower optimises land use, both in a greenery and out in the field.2

Often seeds are pre-sowed and cultivated indoors. Once the last frost is over, the seeds are transplanted outside. During the sowing period, the same fertilisers used for vegetable production are also used on edible flowers. Once the sowing is over, the seeds are regularly watered.1

Stay away from non-organic pesticides

The golden rule in edible flower farming is never use non-organic pesticides. Instead, edible flowers should be grown organically with just four ingredients: the sun, soil, organic fertilizers and water.

Only legally authorised fertilizers for organic agriculture (like biopesticides) can be used on edible flowers. For example, rapeseed oil extract can be used to limit damages caused by insects. Naturally, the maximal limit of use needs to be respected at all times.3,4 You can find the list for Belgium here

Some helpful insects (like ladybugs) can also be used as natural fertilizers to get rid of pests.1,3 And any wilted flowers should be removed by hand to allow fresh ones to grow. This way, the plant can maximise its energy use for the growth of new flower buds, otherwise lost in seed production of wilted flowers. 

When to harvest edible flowers

The window to pick edible flowers is very narrow. Just like fruit, you should only pick the flowers that are not under- or overripe.4 The best time to harvest them is early in the morning, right after the dew has dried and the flowers are fully opened.1

You will find the flowers in optimal shape: full of water, but not sticky and not warmed up by the sun yet. They are moist enough and have not yet been pollinated, which improves their shelf life.

Ready-to-eat flowers should also have remaining dirt and insects brushed off. You don’t even need to wash them, as washing will not benefit the quality— unless they are completely covered by mud after a heavy rainfall.4

Storing edible flowers

In an ideal world, edible flowers should be used right after harvesting. If this isn’t possible, some measures should help to keep them in optimal shape as long as possible.1

Here are 3 effective edible flower storage tips:1,5,4

  • Keep in form, store in a plastic container away from sunlight
  • Keep fresh, store in a refrigerator just like any other food
  • Keep humid, store on top of moist paper

Tip: Plastic actually gives just the right amount of thickness and respiration to store your edible flowers and let them breathe. But of course, try to limit your plastic waste as much as possible and reuse when you can.

Growing your own edible flowers

Sounds easy right? Edible flowers are extremely resilient as you’ll discover with calendulas or violas. Even if you have poor skills to keep plants alive, nature’s got you covered.2 So there’s no need to worry if you don’t have an open field in your disposition. You can also grow them inside before a window, or on your balcony in a flowerpot or hanging basket.

If you try this at home, leave us a progress picture in the comments below!

Related articles

Most viewed

Earth First

Spirulina | How It’s Grown

Katharina Kropshofer

The algae spirulina was already harvested by indigenous people in Mexico and Chad. Today, scientists…

Earth First

Plant-Based Milk Alternatives | Environmental Footprints

Katharina Kropshofer

Many of us already choose plant-based alternatives to dairy products, others might be wondering…

Earth First

6 Things to Know About Compostable Plastic

Jane Alice Liu

Compostable plastic utensils seem to be popping up everywhere these days. From compostable forks,…

Earth First

Health Claims | FAQs

Dr Stacey Lockyer

What are health claims and how are they regulated in Europe? Read on to find answers to your FAQs.

Human Stories

Farmed Fish | The ASC Certification Label | Buying Sustainable Aquaculture

Jessica Tengvall

Have you ever spotted a light green ASC label on various seafood products? The ASC label manages…

Earth First

Health Claims | The Asterisk: Friend or Foe?

Dr Chris Ryder

The humble asterisk (*) has many uses, one of which is to redirect readers to another part of a text…

Earth First

Probiotics: The Science Behind Good Bacteria

Carolina Moyano

Probiotics are often found in fermented foods, but not all fermented foods contain probiotics.…

Earth First

Seafood Fraud in The Supply Chain

Silvia Lazzaris

It might be easy to recognise a chicken from a pigeon, but it’s not that easy when it comes to…

Earth First

Where is Your Fish From?

Marie Lödige

Traceability is a recurring term when it comes to fish safety and fishery sustainability. But what…

Earth First

How Does Colour Affect The Way We Eat?

Dr Caroline Wood

It’s often said that ‘we eat with our eyes’ and science shows this is true –…

Earth First

What is ‘Natural Food’?

Lottie Bingham

Rising demand for ‘natural’ foods has seen the term often used as a marketing tool in…

Earth First

Used Coffee Grounds | What To Do With Them

Annabel Slater

We drink over 2 billion cups of coffee a day. Used coffee grounds are usually incinerated or sent to…

Keep updated with the latest news about your food with our newsletter

Follow Us