Best edible flowers to grow in Zone 4

January 25, 2024 1:08 PM

Looking for recommendations for edible flowers to grow! I already grow a lot of herbs to dry and use in the winter. I would love to harvest flowers to put on salads or in pasta all summer (and fall). I also have small kids who take some interest in picking & eating food right off the plant. What do you recommend for a midwestern backyard grower? I'm just getting my seed order together now. Thank you!
posted by Emmy Rae to Home & Garden (10 answers total)

Nasturtiums!
posted by Ideefixe at 1:16 PM on January 25 [7 favorites]

Best answer: Seconding nasturtium!

Also, chamomile, chives (beautiful purple flowers), violets, calendula
posted by carrioncomfort at 1:21 PM on January 25 [3 favorites]

You should also check in with your local extension office.

UMN, Illinois, etc.
posted by zamboni at 1:32 PM on January 25 [3 favorites]

Best answer: Agree with the above recommendations and adding: dill, bee balm, pansies, marigolds, tulsi/ holy basil.
posted by wicked_sassy at 1:36 PM on January 25 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Violas, bachelor buttons/cornflowers, dianthus
posted by corey flood at 1:41 PM on January 25 [2 favorites]

Best answer: You can get different colors of nasturtiums; they're easy to grow from seed. Some are trailing, and really nice in pots. Borage has lovely blue edible flowers.
posted by theora55 at 3:49 PM on January 25 [2 favorites]

Nasturtiums are great but prone to aphids. You may need to order some ladybugs if they don't arrive by themselves.

Also seconding borage, which is great for attracting bees.
posted by Pallas Athena at 4:49 PM on January 25 [1 favorite]

All squash blossoms are edible (and delicious), and usually you can harvest many flowers along with a few good squash from just one happy plant.

Some Mexican dishes use them, and you can stuff them and cook them, or just toss into a salad.
posted by SaltySalticid at 5:58 PM on January 25 [4 favorites]

Yes!! With squash flowers (specifically zucchini) one can learn to distinguish male from female flowers, hand-pollinate the females and eat the males.

(Sounds like a horror film, but extremely delicious)
posted by Pallas Athena at 7:04 PM on January 25 [1 favorite]

Okra flowers are big and lovely and edible, if your summers are warm enough for okra.
posted by clew at 10:38 PM on January 26