Skip to main content

Growing and keeping edible flowers

Often, when we think about edible plants, we think of eating the fruits, roots, and leaves of the plants. Flowers are beautiful, but they’re mostly used for decoration. That doesn’t have to be the case, though! If you’ve ever been curious about edible flowers, here is some basic information so that you can have your garden and eat it, too.

Which flowers are edible?

There are a lot of edible flowers, so it’s important to do research on any particular flower you have before eating it. Some of the most common edible flowers are: Roses, clover, dandelions, daisies, hibiscus, lavender, lilac, mums, honeysuckle, nasturtium, marigolds, pansies, carnations, gladiolus, sunflowers, kudzu, and violets. Orchids are edible, but some varieties have been known to cause indigestion.

Recommended Videos

Never eat a flower unless you are absolutely certain what it is and what it will do to you. It’s also important to only eat flowers that you know haven’t been sprayed with any chemicals, as pesticides can make you sick. You also want to make sure that you try flowers slowly at first, in case you have an allergic reaction. You should always wash the petals before you eat them, but this is doubly true if you have pollen allergies. If you have severe allergies, you may want to consult with your doctor before eating flowers.

How long do edible flowers last in the fridge?

When stored properly, edible flowers can last four to six days in the fridge. Flowers don’t last as long as other foods because they don’t have any peel or rind to protect themselves. Flowers are kept alive through their connection to the stem and have very little reserve energy, so once they’re separated from the stem they die quickly.

To store your flowers in the fridge, remove the stamen and pistols in the center, then carefully wash the petals. In order to keep your edible flowers fresh, put them in an airtight container and use them as quickly as possible.

Lavender flowers against pink sky
Janine Joles / Unsplash

If you need your flowers to last a little longer, you can leave them on the plant and only pick and prepare them when you’re ready to use them. This is recommended, since flowers spoil so quickly.

You can also harvest them with the stem as cut flowers. This is easier for flowers with long stems, such as roses, but it can be done with any flower. Place the stems in a container of fresh water, and they can last seven to 12 days. If your flowers start to wilt, cut the end of the stem off and replace the water with fresh water.

What can I do with edible flowers?

There are a variety of recipes available for edible flowers and countless ways to personalize or experiment with them. Flowers can have wildly different tastes, so don’t be afraid to try different combinations! Lavender and violets are sweet, while nasturtium has a stronger, more peppery flavor.

Many edible flowers can be eaten raw, although the flavor and texture can be off-putting for some. Jams are one excellent way to use your flowers. Dandelions, lavender, lilac, and violets are the top flowers, but not the only flowers, for jams and jellies.

You can also eat fried flowers. Fried kudzu blossoms and fried zucchini blossoms both have a distinct and interesting flavor. Tea is another option. Roses make a light, floral tea, while hibiscus makes a tea with a richer flavor.

A tray of white cookies with violets

You can candy your flowers, making them into beautiful, sweet decorations for cakes or other desserts. Another dessert you can make with them is ice cream. Lavender ice cream is delicious and pairs well with white chocolate. If you’re over the legal drinking age, try adding some flowers into your favorite cocktail. You can even pickle flowers, if you’re in an adventurous mood.

Can you grow edible flowers?

Lilac blossom next to and in coffee

Yes, you absolutely can grow edible flowers! In fact, edible flowers are better if you grow them yourself. This is partly because things taste better that way, but mainly because you can be certain that there were no chemicals used on them.

Most of the examples listed above are edible flowers you can grow easily, with very little instruction. Roses can be a touch finicky but aren’t impossible to grow, and lilacs can get up to 15 feet tall, so make sure you have plenty of room for them. Consider how much sun and shade your garden gets, what type of soil you have, and how much rain you typically get when picking out flowers. Don’t forget that you can also grow flowers in pots, so don’t get too discouraged if your favorite edible flower’s preferences don’t match up with your garden.

The only edible flower you can’t grow is kudzu. Kudzu is invasive and extremely aggressive, taking over large areas quickly.

Edible flowers are a fantastic way to add color and fun to your meals. There are tons of different flowers, all with different tastes and uses. Don’t be afraid to explore your options and try out some new recipes! Just remember not to eat anything unless you know what it is and where it came from.

Cayla Leonard
Cayla Leonard is a writer from North Carolina who is passionate about plants.  She enjoys reading and writing fiction and…
How to make a flower garden: Tips for a vibrant, thriving space
Start your first flower garden with these tips
Shady flower garden

If you’re just getting into gardening, you might be staring at a patch of land in your yard wondering how to turn it into a gorgeous flower garden. Sorting through advice when you’re starting a new hobby can be overwhelming and even a little anxiety-inducing at times, but it doesn’t have to be that way. This guide on how to make a flower garden will break everything down so you can take it one step at a time. Just follow along, and before you know it, you’ll be gardening like a pro!
Choosing a location for your flower garden

To start your garden, pick the place where you want your garden. It should be relatively flat (plants can grow on hills, but caring for them will be more difficult) and free from large obstructions like rocks, tree stumps, or sheds. Additionally, avoid areas where chemicals have been dumped recently or repeatedly.

Read more
What is no-dig gardening? Here’s how to do it
Start your own no-dig garden today
A heliotrope plant growing in a garden

There are as many ways to design a garden as there are gardeners, with more variations and methods than we can count. Many of these variations offer benefits, ranging from the soothing effects of zen gardens to the ecological benefits of native wildflower gardens. One beneficial gardening method you might want to try out is no-dig gardening. If you aren’t familiar with this technique, you might be confused by the name. How can you grow a garden without digging? We’ve put together this guide for just that reason, and the answers are simpler than you might imagine.
What is no-dig gardening and is it right for you?

No-dig gardening doesn’t mean you never dig at all -- you’ll still need to dig holes if you want to plant seedlings or mature plants. It just means that digging is limited to only the times when it's necessary. By limiting the amount of digging you do, your garden can more closely mirror the natural environment, leading to fewer weeds, better drainage, and healthier soil.

Read more
Raised bed gardening for beginners: The ultimate guide
How to start your own raised bed garden today
Raised garden beds with vegetable plants growing in them

While many gardens are planted directly into the ground, some gardeners prefer raised garden beds. These beds come with plenty of benefits, but if you aren’t familiar with them, it can be overwhelming to get started. There are many ways you can set up a raised garden, but which one is right for you? We’ve put together this simple guide to raised bed gardening for beginners to answer all of these questions. If you want to tackle this project or are curious about what it would take, then this is the guide for you.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of raised garden beds?

Raised garden beds help conserve space, and they can discourage certain pests from eating your plants. Raised beds can also be used in places where there is no outdoor access, such as an apartment balcony. If your garden has particularly poor drainage, then a raised garden bed is a great solution, as gravity and a looser soil will provide your plants with more even drainage. Raised beds can also be easier for gardeners with mobility issues, as they can for them standing or from a chair rather than kneeling or sitting on the ground.

Read more