Annie's Tips For Growing Edible Flowers
If you have a garden, growing your own edible flowers is a great way to enjoy flowers that you know have been grown for eating.
It’s important to only use flowers that you know have been grown without unwanted pesticides or chemicals. This is one of the reasons growing your own can be such a good option.
You will most likely discover that some of the flowers already growing in your garden are edible.
If you don’t have a garden, don’t worry — many edible flowers can also be grown very happily in pots or containers on a balcony or in a courtyard.
Annie’s Notes
Spring 2026
“Growing organically means I can enjoy my flowers knowing exactly how they’ve been cared for, and the bees and butterflies love them too!”
Annie’s Notes
Spring 2026
“Great to pop into your garden, pick a few blooms and add that extra dash of prettiness to whatever you’re making in the kitchen”
Easy Edible Flowers to Grow
Many edible flowers are quite happy growing in the garden or in pots and containers. Some of the varieties I enjoy growing include nasturtiums, calendula, violas and pansies. Verbena, pentas, scented geraniums and marigolds also do well in most garden areas.
Starting with just a few varieties is an easy way to begin, particularly if you are new to growing flowers you plan to use in the kitchen.
Easy Edible Flowers to Grow
There are many edible flowers that are quite happy growing in the garden or in pots and containers.
Some of the varieties I enjoy growing include nasturtiums, calendula, violas and pansies. Verbena, pentas, scented geraniums and marigolds are also among the many flowers that can grow happily in containers.
Starting with just a few varieties is an easy way to begin, particularly if you are new to growing flowers you plan to use in the kitchen.
“I love cosmos for their pretty daisy-like flowers and fine, lacy foliage. There are many new hybrids which are exquisite and the bees and butterflies enjoy them aswell.” — Annie
Growing Edible Flowers In Pots & Containers
Edible Flower Gardening tips
Easily Grow Edible Flowers In Pots
If you don’t have a garden, edible flowers can still be grown in a courtyard or on a balcony. There are plenty of varieties that grow happily in pots, including verbena, pentas, pansies, scented geraniums, marigolds and violets.
Edible Flower Gardening tips
Growing Edible Flowers In Container Gardens
An edible flower container garden is a wonderful way to be able to experience the joy of having a garden when you don’t have enough space for a garden! And growing flowers you can eat this way is very easy to do. I always love the chance to share helpful tips and advice on which edible flowers do well as container plants and which ones to plant together.
Growing Edible Flowers Safely for the Kitchen
If you are growing flowers to eat, you’ll need to know how they were grown. Only use flowers you can confidently identify as edible, and avoid flowers that may have been treated with unwanted pesticides or chemicals.
This is one of the real advantages of growing your own — you know where the flowers have come from and how they have been cared for.
I must give you a quick word of warning, don’t use flowers sold at supermarkets or general florists as most will have been grown using chemicals and pesticides that you don’t want in your body.
Also, be careful picking flowers from roadsides that are exposed to vehicle fumes as they could be contaminated with toxic substances.
Of course not all flowers are edible and poisonous flowers can usually look beautiful, but some are toxic. Some can be very toxic and so you will need to be aware of which flowers are safe to eat.
Harvesting Edible Flowers
Pick your edible flowers early in the morning when they’re fresh and looking their best. Choose young, healthy blooms, handle them gently and pop them into a container lined with slightly damp paper towel.
Keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to add a little floral magic to your favourite dishes!
Keeping Edible Flowers Fresh
You will be amazed at how long your little edible flowers will keep fresh if you treat them gently and keep them in a moist container in the fridge.
Some edible flowers are more delicate than others, but if you keep them in the right conditions they will reward you by keeping their beauty for about a week.
I often pick a small posy of flowers and keep them in the fridge during summer. It reminds me to use them every time I open the fridge!
Annie’s Notes
Spring 2026
“Keeping a few freshly picked flowers where I can see them makes me more likely to use them. Even a small handful can add something special to a meal.”
Annie’s Notes
Spring 2026
“Keeping a few freshly picked flowers where I can see them makes me more likely to use them. Even a small handful can add something special to a meal.”