Edible Flowers

Fact Sheet No. 7.237 Gardening Series| Flowers

by S.E. Newman and A. Stoven O’Connor*

Edible flowers have been used in the flowers in an airtight container in a cool, dark Quick Facts
culinary arts for flavor and garnish for place. Avoid dark-colored petals; they turn
hundreds of years. Early reports indicate even darker with this treatment. • Proper identification of edible
that the Romans used flowers in cooking, as flowers is important.
did the Chinese, Middle Eastern and Indian
cultures. During Queen Victoria’s reign, Using Edible Flowers • Use flowers that are grown
edible flowers were popular and they are To avoid stomach upset or to determine without pesticides.
again popular in North America and Europe. if there is an allergic reaction, try a small • For best flavor, use flowers at
Many flowers are edible and the flowers quantity of the new flowers yourself.
their peak.
of most culinary herbs are safe. However, Edible petals or entire flowers can be eaten.
proper identification is essential because However, remove stems, anthers and pistils • Introduce new flowers into
some flowers are poisonous and should not because they may be bitter (Figure 1). Use the diet slowly to be able to
be eaten. Many plants have similar common flowers that are free of insects and diseases. pinpoint allergic reactions.
names, which may cause added confusion. Many edible flowers are high in vitamin C
Always use the scientific name when and/or vitamin A, along with other essential • Edible flowers also may be
choosing a flower. (See Table 1.) nutrients. Use them as garnishes and in preserved in oils or vinegars.
Pick flowers early in the day. Use them at salads. Recipes for flowers may be found
their peak for the best flavor. Avoid unopened in the following areas: baking, sauces, jelly,
blossoms (except daylilies) and wilted or syrup, vinegars, honey, oil, tea, flower-scented
faded flowers. They may have a bitter or sugars, candied flowers, wine and flavored
unappealing flavor. Do not use flowers that liquors. Flavored vinegars and oils prepared
have been sprayed with pesticides, which at home have a limited shelf-life and should
often occur along roadsides, or collect be stored in the refrigerator (Kendall and
flowers from plants that have been fertilized Rausch, 2006). Pick the flowers, gently with
with untreated manure. Generally avoid running water, rinse and place between damp
purchasing flowers from florists, Garden paper towels. Refrigerate until ready to use.
centers or nurseries. These flowers are not Some varieties may last longer if not washed
grown for consumption. Table 2 lists many until they are ready to use. Some flowers may
plants that can be added to food for flavor, be dried and used as dried herbs.
aroma, color or garnish.
Fresh flowers also can be preserved
for later use. Choose flowers with larger
petals, such as pansies, and paint the petals
with an egg-white wash. Use a soft brush
and dehydrated egg whites to avoid food
borne illness. These flowers are edible if the
dehydrated egg powder has been pasteurized.
After painting, dust the petal with super-fine
granulated sugar and dry it. Store preserved
Figure 1: Flower parts.

©Colorado State University

Extension. 12/96. Revised 9/13.
*
S.E. Newman, Colorado State University Extension
greenhouse crops specialist and professor, horticulture www.ext.colostate.edu
and landscape architecture; and A. Stoven O’Connor,
Extension horticulture agent, Larimer County. Original
publication by K.B. Badertscher, former Colorado State
University horticulture agent, Boulder County. 9/13
Table 1: Some common house and garden plants with toxic plant parts or toxic flowers (not a complete list, if in doubt, consult a poisonous
plant reference).
Scientific name Common names Scientific name Common names
Achillea millefolium Yarrow, milfoil Lantana camara Lantana, red sage, shrub verbena
Anconitum spp. Monkshood Lathyrus spp. Sweet pea (seeds)
Day blooming jasmine, Night
Cestrum spp. blooming jasmine
Clematis spp. Clematis, virgin’s bower Lobelia spp. Cardinal flower
Colchicum spp. Crocus Narcissus spp. Daffodil, jonquil
Convallaria majalis Lily of the Valley Nerium oleander Oleander
Daphne mezereum Daphne Nicotiana spp. Flowering tobacco
Datura spp. Jimson weed Papaver somniferum Opium poppy, common poppy
Delphinium spp. Larkspur Phoradendron spp. Mistletoe
Dicentra formosa Bleeding heart Physalis spp. Chinese or Japanese lantern
Digitalis purpurea Foxglove, digitalis Rhododendron spp. Azaleas, rhododendrons, rose bay
Euphorbia spp. 1
Euphorbia Ricinus communis Castor bean, African coffee tree
Hippeastum spp. Amaryllis Zantedeschia aethiopica Calla lily
Hyaninthus spp. Hyacinth Zigadenus sup. Death camas, alkaligrass, wild onion
1
Poinsettias are not considered poisonous, but they are not edible. If eaten, all plant parts may cause varying degrees of mouth irritation, and vomiting, but not death. The
cultivated rubber tree Heavea brasiliensis, Manioc or cassava (Manihot), and Castor bean (Rincinus) are close relatives, which are poisonous. With its close genetic ties to
the rubber tree, which is where natural latex is derived, those who are sensitive may also be sensitive to the latex from poinsettias.

Table 2: Recommended plants with edible flowers.

Plant name Type1 Flower color Bloom Taste Fragrance Comments and hints
Abelmoschus A Yellow, red Mid-July to Mild, sweet – Full sun, hot weather; prefers clay to clay loam.
aesculentus August and slightly
Okra, gumbo, gombo mucilaginous
Agastache P Lavender July to frost Strong anise, sweet, – May die back to the ground; readily resows; full
foeniculum licorice sun to light shade; well-drained soil.
Anise hyssop
Alcea rosea P Various July to frost Little, slightly bitter – Best as a garnish or container for dip. Full sun to
Hollyhock light shade.
Allium P Lavender, red May to Onion, strong Onion Separate florets to serve. Forms clumps; part
schoenoprasum to purple June shade to full sun; indoors.
Chive
Allium tuberosum P White August to Onion, strong Onion Separate florets to serve. Partial shade to full sun;
Garlic chive frost also indoors.
Anethum graveolens A Yellow June to Stronger than Dill Resows readily, tolerates poor soil but prefers
Dill frost leaves well-drained soil; full sun.
Anthemis nobilis P White petals; Late June Sweet apple flavor – Ragweed sufferers may be allergic to chamomile;
English chamomile yellow center to frost drink no more than one cup of tea per day.
Prefers moist, well-drained soil; full sun to part
shade.
Anthriscus cerefolium A White May to Parsley-like, hint of – Start in cold frame.
Chervil June citrus, tarragon
Begonia x TP White, pink, July to Citrus – Grow indoors or out; dig tubers each fall, just after
tuberhybrida yellow, red, August frost and store; prefers
Tuberous begonia orange and
combinations
Bellis perennis P White to April to Mild to bitter – Use as garnish or in salads. Thrives in cold
English daisy purple petals September weather; prefers full sun, moist soil.
Borago officinalis A Blue, purple to June to Cucumber – Use as garnish; may be candied. Full sun; light,
Borage lavender July poor, dry soil. Attracts bees.
Brassica spp. B Buds: blue- June to Broccoli – Vegetable. Prefers full sun; rich, well-drained soil.
Broccoli, cauliflower (grown green; yellow August Sow indoors six weeks prior to transplant.
as A) flower, white
buds in
cauliflower
Brassica spp. A Yellow April to May Mustard, hot – Salad garnish. Watch for allergies.
Mustard
(Continued)
Table 2: Recommended plants with edible flowers.
Plant name Type1 Flower color Bloom Taste Fragrance Comments and hints
Calendula A Yellow, gold/ June to Tangy and peppery – Ornamental. Dries well. Prefers cool weather; rich
officinalis orange August loam; direct sow.
Calendula, pot
marigold
Calendula A Yellow, gold/ June to Tangy and peppery – Ornamental. Dries well. Prefers cool weather; rich
officinalis orange August loam; direct sow.
Calendula, pot
marigold
Carthamus tinctorius A Yellow to deep August Bitter flavor – May impart yellow color to cooked foods. Full
Safflower, American red sun; light, dry, well-drained soil; start indoors and
safflower, saffron transplant.
Centaurea cyanus A White, pink, May to frost Mild – Annual; petals are edible; the calyx is bitter
blue
Cercis canadensis P Pink April Beanlike to tart – Native tree to U.S. ; may be marginal in Colorado.
Redbud apple Full sun to part shade; sandy loam; difficult to
transplant.
Chrysanthemum P Yellow to white August to Mild – Ornamental. Full sun; rich, moist, well-drained
coronarium October soil.
Garden
chrysanthemum,
shungiku
Chrysanthemum P White/yellow April to Mild – Use as garnish or in salad. Full sun; rich, moist,
leucanthemum center August well-drained soil, invasive.
Oxeye daisy
Cichorium intybus P Blue to July to frost Pleasant, mild-bitter – Considered a weed. Grows in most soils; sun to
Chicory lavender similar to endive shade; invasive.
Citrus limon P White Varies with Citrus, slightly bitter Sweet Subtropical tree but may be grown indoors.
Lemon variety
Citrus sinensis P White Varies Citrus, sweet/strong Perfume, Subtropical tree but may be grown indoors.
Orange sweet
Coriandrum sativum A White June to Like leaf but milder Fragrant Herb. Sow continuously for several harvests;
Coriander frost sun; rich, well-drained soil.
Cucurbita spp. A Orange, July to Mild, raw squash Slightly Vegetable. Enrich soil with compost; prefers full
Squash or pumpkin yellow August floral sun.
Cynara scolymus A Immature Fall Artichoke – Prefers rich soil, abundant moisture; propagate
Artichoke head: green from division for annual harvest.
Dendranthema x P Red, yellow, August to Varieties differ, Pungent Ornamental. Full sun; rich, moist, well-drained
grandiflorum pink, orange, October strong to bitter soil.
Chrysanthemum purple, white
Dianthus spp. P Pink, white June to Spicy, cloves Some Ornamental. Tolerates wide range of soils; full
Dianthus or pinks and red August varieties sun.
are spicier
Eruca vesicaria A White May to frost Nutty, smoky, less – Salad green. Sow continuously for harvest; full
Rocket, arugula piquant than leaves sun to light shade; well-drained soil.
Feijoa sellowiana P White to deep Grow Floral flavor; papaya – Grow indoors in a greenhouse. Rich, well-drained
Pineapple guava pink indoors or exotic melon soil; full sun-light shade.
Foeniculum vulgare P Pale yellow July to Licorice, milder than – Tolerates wide range of soils; part shade to full
Fennel August leaves, sweet sun.
Galium odoratum P White May Sweet, grassy, Vanilla Herb or ground cover. May be invasive; prefers
Sweet woodruff vanilla shade. Can have a blood thinning effect if eaten
in large quantities. It is considered liver toxic. Best
as a garnish or container for dips or spreads.
Gladiolus spp. TP Various except 6-8 weeks Mediocre – Best as a garnish or container for dips or spreads.
Gladiolus true blue after
planting
Hemerocallis fulva P Tawny orange June to Cooked, – All parts are edible. Full to part shade; easy to
Daylily July combination of grow. May Lilies contain alkaloids and are NOT
asparagus/zucchini edible. Day Lilies may act as a diuretic or laxative;
eat in moderation.
Hibiscus P Orange, red or Late Citrus/cranberry – Subtropical tree but may be grown indoors. Used
rosa-sinensis purplish red summer flavor in many tea flavorings.
Hibiscus, China rose,
Rose-of-China
(Continued)
Table 2: Recommended plants with edible flowers.
Plant name Type1 Flower color Bloom Taste Fragrance Comments and hints
Hibiscus syriacus P Red, white, July to Mild, nutty – Shrub. Prefers well-drained soil; full sun to part
Rose-of-Sharon purple, violet August shade; deadhead to keep blooming.
Hyssopus officinalis P Blue, pink, July to Bitter; similar to – Used to flavor chartreuse, a liqueur; strong flavor.
Hyssop white October tonic Prefers part shade and well-drained soil.
Lavandula P Lavender, June Highly perfumed Floral Taste may be very strong depending on the plant.
angustifolia purple pink, to early
Lavender white August
Levisticum officinale B Yellow, white August Mild celery – Herb.
Lovage
Malus spp. P White to pink May Slightly floral to sour Sweet Petals may be candied. Seeds are poisonous.
Apple or crabapple floral Specimen tree, prefers full sun, fertile soil.
Melissa officinalis P Creamy white July to Lemony, sweet Lemon Herb. May be invasive.
Lemon balm August
Mentha spp. P Lavender, pink July to Minty; milder than Fresh, Herb. May be invasive; tolerates a wide range of
Mint to white September leaves minty soils; prefers part shade.
Monarda didyma P Red, pink, July to Tea-like, more Sweet, Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies; part shade
Bergamot, bee balm, white, lavender August aromatic than perfumed to full sun; prefers moist, rich soil. Powdery
Oswego tea leaves mildew when grown in part shade.
Muscari atlanticum, P Pink, blue April to May Grapey, slightly sour Grapey Bulb.
M. botryoides, with bitter aftertaste
Grape hyacinth
Ocimum basilicum A White to pale July to frost Milder than leaves, – Sow continuously for several harvests; well-
Basil pink spicy drained rich soil; full sun.
Origanum majorana TP Pale pink June to Spicy, sweet – Herb. Prefers full sun and dry, alkaline, well-
Marjoram August drained soil.
Origanum spp. P White June to Spicy, pungent-like – Herb. Prefers full sun and dry, alkaline, well-
Oregano August leaves drained soil.
Pelargonium spp. TP White, red, Varies Like variety Mild Ornamental. Prefers full sun; light, dry well-
Scented geranium pink, purple selected, e.g., rose, drained soil.
lemon; varies
Phaseolus coccineus TP Bright orange July to Raw bean but – Vegetable. Flower crunchy; use in salad.
Scarlet runner bean to scarlet August milder
Pisum sativum A White, tinged May to Raw peas – Vegetable. Prefers full sun; sandy, well-drained
Garden pea pink June soil.
Poterium sanguisorba P Red July to Cucumber – Salad herb. May be invasive; tolerates wide range
Burnet August of soil; sun or part shade.
Prunus spp. P Pink to white April to May Mild, like flower Sweet Petals candy well. Pits of mature fruit are
Plum poisonous.
Raphanus sativus A White, pink, One month Spicy – Prefers full sun; well-drained, sandy soil but will
Radish yellow after grow in almost any soil.
planting
Rosa spp. P White, pink, May to Highly perfumed; Rose Ornamental. Remove sour petal base. Full sun;
Rose yellow, red, June, sweet to bitter rich, well-drained soil.
orange September
Rosmarinus officinalis TP Pale blue, dark Depends Mild rosemary Delicate Herb. Do not cook flower. Tolerates full sun to part
Rosemary blue, pink, on cultivar shade; well-drained, evenly moist soil.
whit
Salvia elegans TP Scarlet September Pineapple/sage – Herb. Prefers full sun; light, well-drained soil; may
Pineapple sage overtones be invasive.
Salvia officinalis P Blue, purple, May to July Flowery sage, – Herb. Full sun to light shade; sandy, well-drained
Garden sage white, pink slightly musky soil; may be invasive.
Satureja hortensis A Pink July to Mildly peppery, – Herb. Prefers full sun; light, sandy soil.
Summer savory August spicy
Satureja montana P Pale blue to July to Mildly peppery, – Herb. Prefers full sun; light, sandy soil.
Winter savory August spicy
Syringa vulgaris P White, pink, April to May Perfume, slightly Lilac Candies well. Prefers well-drained, alkaline soil;
Lilac purple, lilac sun to part shade.
Tagetes erecta A White, gold, May to Variable; some Strong, Ornamental. Prefers full sun; well-drained soil.
African marigold yellow, red September cultivars are strong pungent
and bitter
Tagetes tenuifolia A White, gold, May to Citrus; milder than – Ornamental. Prefers full sun; well-drained soil but
Signet marigold yellow, red September T. erecta tolerates many soils.
(Continued)
Table 2: Recommended plants with edible flowers.
Plant name Type1 Flower color Bloom Taste Fragrance Comments and hints
Taraxacum officinale P Yellow May to Bitter – Eat cooked only. Cool weather; full sun; tolerates
Dandelion June; fall wide range of soils.
Thymus spp. P Pink, purple, July to Milder than leaves – Herb. Most creeping thymes have little flavor.
Thyme white August
Trifolium pratense P Pink, lilac June to Hay Hay Scatter florets on salad. Tolerates most soils; self
Red clover September sows.
Tropaeolum majus A Varies July to Watercress, – Container or in salads. Grow in full sun and well-
Nasturtium August peppery drained soil.
Tulbaghia ciolacea A or TP Lilac Spring Onion flavor – Best in full sun; tolerates part shade; prefers rich,
Society garlic moist, well-drained soil.
Viola odorata P Violet, pink, April to May Sweet Sweet Ornamental. Candies well. Sun to part shade;
Violet white moist, well-drained soil.
Viola x wittrockiana A Violet, white, May to July Stronger than – Ornamental. Prefers cool weather;
Viola tricolor pink, yellow, violets moist, rich, loamy soil but tolerates many soils.
Pansy or Johnny multi-colored
Jump-Up
Yucca filamentosa P Creamy white July Hint of artichoke, – Ornamental. Full sun; well-drained, sandy soil.
Yucca with purple slightly bitter
tinge
A = annual; B = biennial; P = perennial; TP = tender perennial
1

References
Kendall, P. and J. Rausch. 2006. CSU
Extension Fact Sheet 9.340, Flavored
Vinegars and Oils. Available at: www.ext.
colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09340.html.
Knight A.P. A Guide to Poisonous House
and Garden Plants. Teton New Media.
2006.
Lampe, Kenneth F. AMA Handbook of
Poisonous and Injurious Plants, 1985.
American Medical Association.

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is intended nor is criticism implied of products not
mentioned.