Taste the Rainbow: Colourful Edible Flowers for Vibrant Dishes

Edible flowers have a long culinary and medical history and have seen a recent surge in popularity. Many commonly grown flowers are edible and can add flavour, texture and colour to recipes.

Pineapple sage

Scientific name: Salvia elegans
Taste: Sweet, tangy, pineapple
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 1.5 metres
Width: 90 cm to 1.2 metres
Uses: Salads, ice cubes, garnish, tea

A herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae (mint) family native to Mexico. The red flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Pineapple sage is rich in vitamin K and is a good source of vitamins A, C, Bc, manganese, potassium and folate. Pineapple is used by Mexicans as a traditional treatment for hypertension and anxiety.

Calendula

Scientific name: Calendula officinalis
Taste: Earthy, tangy, peppery
Sunlight:
Height:
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Uses: Tea, salads, infused oils, and as colourants in food

Calendula is a herbaceous perennial native to southwestern Asia, western Europe, Macaronesia, and the Mediterranean. Flowers have a long history of edible use in salads and as a garnish. The vibrant yellow can also be used as a natural food dye.

Borage

Scientific name: Borago officinalis
Taste: Cucumber
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Height: 30 – 40 cm
Width: 20 cm
Uses: Ice cubes, soup, candied, pickle flavouring, salad

Also known as starflower, borage is an annual flowering herb native to the Mediterranean region. Borage produces an abundance of star-shaped blue flowers during summer.

Borage flower contains a number of beneficial compounds (phenolics, flavonoids and fatty acids) that have showed antioxidant and antibacterial together, along with mild anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties.

Clover

Scientific name: Trifolium spp.
Taste: Sweet
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Height: 20 cm
Width: 40 cm
Uses: Salads, tea, fruit jellies, garnish

Clover is a genus of 300 species native to Europe and Central Asia. It is commonly used as a grazing plant for livestock. The trifoliate foliage is heart-shaped, and on rare occasions will produce four leaves, which is a symbol of good luck.

The shamrock is a type of clover and a symbol of Ireland. In Irish legend, Saint Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity (the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit) to non-believers.

Red clover was used in traditional medicine to treat asthma, whooping cough, cancer and gout.

Pansy

Scientific name: Viola x wittrockiana
Taste: Sweet, grassy
Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
Height: 15 cm
Width: 10 – 15 cm
Uses: Salads, ice, tea, cake decorating, garnish, candied

Pansies are a common flowering hybrid native to Europe and Asia. They are popular as a garden bed or potted plant for their bright, multicoloured flowers and ease of care.

The nutritional elements of pansies vary depending on the flower colour and the flowering stage. Researchers found white and yellow pansies had the highest protein, and red pansies had the highest carbohydrates. Red pansies had the highest contents of total carotenoids and monomeric anthocyanins, while white and yellow pansies had an increase in hydrolysable tannins, flavonoids, monomeric anthocyanins and antioxidant activity from bud to entirely open.

Nasturtium

Scientific name: Tropaeolum majus
Taste: Peppery, slightly bitter
Sunlight: Full
Height: 30 cm
Width: 90 cm
Uses: Salads, tempura, garnish

Nasturtium is a genus of approximately 80 species of herbaceous flowering plants native to central and south America. Its funnel-shaped flowers grow in yellow, orange and red.

Nasturtiums contain a number of compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Citrus blossom

Scientific name: Citrus spp.
Taste: Citrus
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 3 – 4.5 metres
Width: 3 metres
Uses: Ice cubes, salads, cakes, biscuits, blossom water, preserves, tea

Citrus is a species of flowering tree native to Asia and Australia known for its tangy fruit. Although we associate citrus with its fruit, the leaves and sweetly scented flowers are also edible.

The flowers of orange blossoms have long been used to treat anxiety and insomnia and lemon flowers may be used to treat migraines.

Cherry blossom

Scientific name: Prunus spp.
Taste: Sweet, fruity
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 19 metres
Width: 9 metres
Uses: Cakes, jellies, tea, honey, salads, garnish, sweets, candied, ice cubes, sakura mochi, raindrop cake

Cherries are fruiting deciduous trees native to the Northern Hemisphere and made up of 430 species. The sweet and sour fruit is enjoyed fresh or in jams. Cherry blossoms (sakura) are a national flower of Japan and heralds in the spring season.

Rose

Scientific name: Rosa spp.
Taste: Sweet, floral, fruity
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 1.2 metres
Width: 1 metre
Uses: Jams, jellies, sweets, candied, cakes, flavoured sugars, biscuits, ice cubes, syrups, salads, rosewater, garnish

Roses large species of flowering plant native to Asia and Europe, roses are one of the most popular flowers for gardeners and florists. The petals are used in cooking for their delicate flavour and versatility and are widely used in the cosmetic and perfume industry for their beautiful scent.

The rule of thumb is if the rose has an attractive scent, it will also have a flavour.

English lavender

Scientific name: Lavandula angustifolia
Taste: Floral and slightly bitter with hints of rosemary
Sunlight:
Height:
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Uses: Cakes, biscuits, icing, honey, ice cream, tea, salad, vinegar, honeys, dry spice rubs, ice blocks, butter, sugar, sorbet, jelly

Lavender is a flowering herbaceous perennial native to the Mediterranean and is a popular garden plant in cottage gardens. The flowers and foliage are highly scented and used in oils, perfumes and soaps.

The beautiful colour and scent of lavender make it a highly desirable culinary flower with a vide array of uses.

Violet

Scientific name: Viola odorata
Taste: Sweet and floral
Sunlight:
Height:
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Uses: Jelly, gin, syrups, candied flowers, salads, cakes, teas

Also known as sweet violet, violet is a beautifully fragrant herbaceous perennial native to Europe and Asia. This shade-loving plant has beautifully scented flowers that bloom in late winter or early spring and are used in the perfume industry.

Society garlic

Scientific name: Tulbaghia violacea
Taste: Mild garlic
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 30 cm
Width: 45 cm
Uses: Salt, salads, stirfries, flavoured vinegar, garnish

Society garlic is a perennial herb native to the grasslands of South Africa. The plant grows in clusters and is commonly planted in borders. Society garlic has long, slender stalks which emit a garlic-like odour.

In traditional medicine, society garlic has been used to treat fever, colds, asthma, paralysis, and hypertension.

Fennel

Scientific name: Foeniculum vulgare
Taste: Aniseed
Sunlight: Full to partial sun
Height: 40 cm to 2 metres
Width: 1 metre
Uses: Flavouring for roast meats, salads, pickles, seasoning

Fennel is a flowering perennial in the carrot family native to the Mediterranean but is widely established in many parts of the world where it has become a noxious weed. The aniseed-flavoured fennel bulbs are used in a wide range of dishes including stews. Fennel is an important ingredient in absinthe.

Anise hyssop

Scientific name: Agastache foeniculum
Taste: Mild aniseed
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 60 cm to 1.2 m
Width: 30 cm
Uses: Tea, salads, garnish, cakes, biscuits

Anise hyssop is a perennial herb in the mint family native to northern America. Its lavender flowers attract birds and bees and bloom from early summer until autumn.

Anise hyssop was used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties as well as a cold and cough remedy.

Coffee

Scientific name: Coffea arabica
Taste: Mellow floral, slight vanilla, hint of jasmine
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 5 to 8 metres
Width: 2.5 to 4.5 metres
Uses: Tea, ice cubes, salads, cordial

A broadleaf evergreen native to Ethiopia. Coffee has been cultivated for its beans for over 1,000 years and is commercially grown in tropical and subtropical regions globally. The short-lived white flowers smell like jasmine.

Siberian chives

Scientific name: Allium nutans
Taste: Mild onion
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 60 cm
Width: 30 cm
Uses: Salads, dips, garnish, butter

Siberian chives are a species of flowering bulbs and a member of the allium family grown for their onion-flavoured leaves. The decorative purple globe-shaped flowers are also popular with gardeners.

Sweet alyssum

Scientific name: Lobularia maritima
Taste: Slightly sweet
Sunlight: Full or partial
Height: 5 – 30 cm
Width: 20 – 30 cm
Uses: Salads, ice cubes, garnish

Alyssum is a herbaceous flowering plant native to Northern Africa. It is popular as a border plant for its fast-growing, sweetly scented flowers which grow in clusters.

Echinacea

Scientific name: Echinacea purpurea
Taste: Earthy and floral
Sunlight: Full sun to light shade
Height: 1 metre
Width: 500 cm
Uses: Tea

Echinacea is a group of flowering plants native to North America with beautiful daisy-like flowers that bloom throughout spring and summer and are pollinated by butterflies and bees.

The flowers were widely used by Indian tribes to treat mouth sores, colds, snakebites, respiratory infections, toothache, urinary tract infections, herpes sores and gonorrhoea; skin disorders, staph infections, cold sores, ulcers, wounds, burns, insect bites, eczema, allergies and others; and rheumatoid arthritis.

Elder

Scientific name: Sambucus nigra
Taste: Floral, herby
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 3 – 4 metres
Width: 3 metres
Uses: Wine, cordial, salads, cakes, biscuits

Elderflower is a flowering shrub native to Europe. Its flowers and berries are widely used to make wines and jams. The flowers are used in traditional medicine to treat the common cold, influenza, and rhinosinusitis.

Cornflower

Scientific name: Centaurea cyanus
Taste: Mildly sweet
Sunlight: Full
Height: 1.3 metres
Width: 200 cm
Uses: Salads, garnish, teas

Also known as bachelor’s buttons, cornflower is an annual flowering plant native to Europe. The attractive flowers grow in pink, red, white and purple.

Cornflowers have been used in traditional medicine to treat feater, chest congestion and constipation.

Only the petals are edible.

Stock

Scientific name: Matthiola incana
Taste: Sweet, peppery
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 1 metre
Width: 50 cm
Uses: Salads, garnish, tea, candied, ice cubes

Also known as Hoary stock, stock is a flowering annual native to southern Europe. Stock is a popular garden plant for its ease of care, and highly scented flowers and is routinely used in cut floral bouquets.

Dianthus

Scientific name: Dianthus spp.
Taste: Floral, spicy
Sunlight: Full
Height: 1 metre
Width: 30 cm
Uses: Garnish, salads, ice cubes, candied

Dianthus is a genus of 340 flowering plants native to Europe and Asia. The most well-known Dianthus is the carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus), which is a popular cut flower and is a common ingredient in the perfume industry.

Dianthus was used in herbal medicine to treat nervous and heart disorders.

Zucchini (courgette)

Zucchini flower — Heliosphile/Shutterstock

Scientific name: Cucurbita pepo
Taste: Mild, slightly sweet zucchini flavour
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 30 cm
Width: 120 cm
Uses: Stuffed, salads, garnish, tempura

Also known as courgette, zucchini is a flowering plant of the genus Cucurbita, which also includes pumpkin and squash. Zucchini is predominantly grown for its fruit which is a popular ingredient in savoury dishes, but the flowers are also edible.

Hibiscus

Rosella flower — Ivaschenko Roman/Shutterstock

Scientific name: Hibiscus spp.
Taste: Tart, floral
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 1 metre
Width: 500 cm
Uses: Salads, pickled, garnish, syrups, tea, jams

Hibiscus is a flowering plant genus native to China, Mauritius, Madagascar, Fiji, and Hawaii. The stunning short-lived flowers grow in shades of gold, red, pink and white. While all hibiscus flowers are edible, rosella Hibiscus sabdariffa is most commonly used as an edible flower.

Common jasmine

Scientific name: Jasminum officinale
Taste: Sweet, fragrant
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 2 metres
Width: 4 – 6 metres
Uses: Tea, salads, candied,

Jasmine is a climbing vine native to the Caucasus, northern Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Himalayas, Tajikistan, India, Nepal and western China. It is widely valued among gardeners and in the cosmetic and perfume industry for its highly scented flowers which bloom in spring.

Jasmine is said to have a number of beneficial nutrients and antioxidants used to enhance digestion, weight loss, improve concentration and manage liver disease.

Passionflower

Scientific name: Passiflora spp.
Taste: Slightly bitter
Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
Height: 1.5 – 2 metres
Width: Up to 6 metres or more
Uses: Salads, candied, garnish

Passionflower is a climbing vine native to the southeastern United States and Central and South America that is used to manage anxiety, sleep problems, pain, heart rhythm problems, and as a dietary supplement.

Orange jasmine

Scientific name: Murraya paniculata
Taste: Sweet
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 2 metres
Width: 1.8 metres
Uses: Tea, salads, garnish

Orange jasmine is an evergreen flowering bush native to Southern China, Taiwan, the Indian sub-continent, south-eastern Asia and northern Australia. The ease of care, stunning green leaves and fragrant flowers make the orange jasmine a popular garden plant.

Banana

Scientific name: Musa spp.
Taste: Neutral
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 5 m
Width: 4 m
Uses: Stuffed, soups, stir fries

Banana is a species of fruiting herb native to Southeast Asia and northern Australia and now grown in tropical regions across the globe. The edible fruit is high in potassium and fibre, ranking fourth in the world behind rice, wheat and maize, banana is a major food crop.

Fuchsia

Scientific name: Fuchsia spp.
Taste: Mildly sweet/tart
Sunlight: Partial shade
Height: 30 – 60 cm
Width: 20 – 30 cm
Uses: Salads, candied, ice cubes, garnish

Fuchsia is a genus of flowering shrubs native to central and southern America. Its showy, multicoloured flowers make it popular as a garden plant, especially in hanging pots.

Hollyhock

Scientific name: Alcea rosea
Taste: Cucumber
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 1.8 metres
Width: 40 cm
Uses: Salads, stuffed, garnish, jellies, tea

Hollyhock is a species of flowering plant native to Europe and Asia that are commonly grown for its attractive flowers that grow on tall spikes.

The large flowers are used to make a medicinal tea, treat and prevent breathing disorders or applied directly to the skin to treat ulcers and inflammation.

English daisy

Scientific name: Bellis perennis
Taste: Slightly spicy, hint of nuttiness
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 5 cm
Width: 10 cm
Uses: Salads, candied, ice cubes, garnish

English daisies are a species of daisy native to northern Africa, Asia and Europe.

Honeysuckle

Scientific name: Lonicera japonica
Taste: Mild sweet
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 10 metres
Width: 5 metres
Uses: Salads, candied, cakes, biscuits, syrup, tea, sorbet, garnish

Honeysuckle is a flowering vine native to China, Japan and Korea. This climbing vine produces abundant sweet-smelling flowers from spring onwards which contain sweet nectar.

There are approximately 180 species of honeysuckle, but most are toxic. Therefore it is important to ensure you only consume the flowers from Lonicera japonica.

Primrose

Scientific name: Primula vulgaris
Taste: Mildly sweet
Sunlight: Partial shade
Height: 25 – 30 cm
Width: 10 – 20 cm
Uses: Wine, curd, jam, syrups, salads, tea, garnish

Primrose is a genus of flowering plant native to western and southern Europe which produces a mass of scented yellow flowers in spring. Italy chose the common primrose as a symbol for their COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

The flowers have been used in traditional medicine to heal wounds.

Chamomile

Scientific name: Matricaria chamomilla
Taste: Mild apple, honey
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 30 cm
Width: 45 cm
Uses: Tea

Chamomile is an annual annual flowering herb with fragrant flowers that native to southern and Eastern Europe. Unlike most of the plants featured in this article, chamomile is usually grown as a medicinal plant. Ancient Egyptian, Green and Roman texts describe using chamomile as a calming tea infusion and for treating reddening of the skin, and abnormally dry skin.

Only the petals are edible.

Sunflower

Scientific name: Helianthus spp.
Taste: Buds (artichoke), flowers (bitter sweet)
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 30 cm to 1.5 metres
Width: 20 cm to 50 cm
Uses: Salads, garnish

Sunflowers are a large species of flowering plant native to North America. They are an important commercial crop grown for their oil and seeds.

The height of sunflowers ranges from 30 cm to up to 150 cm or taller, which makes them an outstanding feature plant for the home garden.

Lilac

Scientific name: Syringa vulgaris
Taste: Floral, lemony
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 2 – 4 metres
Width: 2 metres
Uses: Sugar, syrups, candied, salads, garnish, honey

The lilac bush is a deciduous bush native to the Balkan Peninsula but is now widespread throughout Europe. Lilacs produce an abundance of highly scented lilac or white flowers in spring which are widely used in the perfume industry.

Phlox

Scientific name: Phlox spp.
Taste: Mildly sweet
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 30 – 60 cm
Width: 30 – 60 cm
Uses: Salads, ice cubes, garnish

Phlox is a genus of flowering plants native to the United States. The abundant flowers grow and bloom over an extended period and are an important food source for insects and hummingbirds.

Broad bean

Scientific name: Vicia faba
Taste: Mild nutty
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 1.5 metres
Width: 30 – 45 cm
Uses: Salads, savoury dishes, garnish

Also known as fava bean, the broad bean is a species of legume native to North Africa. Broad beans are a highly cultivated plant and are also popular with home gardeners.

Gardenia

Scientific name: Gardenia jasminoides
Taste: Mildly sweet
Sunlight: Full sun to semi-shade
Height: 1.8 metres
Width: 1 – 2 metres
Uses: Salads, pickled, honey, cakes, candied, syrups, garnish

Gardenia is a perennial evergreen shrub grown for its beautifully scented white flowers and attractive dark green foliage that are widely used in the perfume industry.

Apple blossom

Scientific name: Malus domestica
Taste: Mildly sweet
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 4.5 metres
Width: 3 metres
Uses: Jellies, syrups, salads, ice cubes, garnish, tea

Apple is a diverse group of flowering trees native to the mountains of Kazakhstan and widely cultivated. The fruit of the apple can range from tart to extremely sweet and can be consumed raw or cooked in pies and sweet stews.

Dahlia

Scientific name: Dahlia spp.
Taste: Slightly sweet, spicy
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 1.6 metres
Width: 60 cm
Uses: Salads, garnish, syrups

Dahlia is a genus of flowering plants native to Mexico and Central America. Their long-lasting flowers bloom from summer until late autumn, making them popular with gardeners and florists. Flower size can range in size from 3 – 5 cm to the size of a dinner plate, hence the term dinnerplate dahlias.

Gladiolous

Gladioli — Abduramanova Elena/Shutterstock

Scientific name: Gladiolus spp.
Taste: Mild lettuce
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 140 cm
Width: 30 cm
Uses: Salads, garnish

Gladiolus is a genus of flowering perennials that grow from an underground corm native to Asia, Mediterranean Europe, South Africa, and tropical Africa. Mature plants produce a tall spike containing 12 – 20 florets in a wide range of colours, which are cultivated throughout the world for the florist industry.

One study investigating the bioactivity of gladiolus found the flowers have a high vitamin C content, anthocyanins, flavonoids, total phenolic contents and high antioxidant activity.

Where to find edible flowers

Many of the edible flowers featured in this article can be easily grown in the home garden or in pots providing an abundant supply of flowers for the home cook. When growing flowers for consumption, avoid the use of herbicides and sprays to avoid ingesting chemicals.

Fresh and dried edible flowers and mixes can be purchased from specialist grocery stores. Always look for organically grown flowers which don’t contain herbicides.

Some edible flowers grow in the wild and can be foraged. Avoid picking flowers along busy roads due to contamination from traffic as well as the risk of herbicide contamination.

Notes

All of the edible flowers in this article can be eaten raw or cooked. Some flowers are consumed whole, and others just have edible petals. It was beyond the scope of this article to include preparation notes or recipes, but have tried to link to a few.

Some of the flowers in this article add a visually appealing element to meals, but not much flavour. As a rule, the stronger the scent of the flower, the stronger the flavour. Jasmine, rose and lavender all have a beautiful scent and add flavour to a range of foods. One of the nieces examples of lavender in cooking was lavender icing, which imparted a beautiful and delicate floral taste. Rose is the main flavour in Turkish delight and jasmine flowers have been used to flavour teas for centuries.

Julia Wilson

Julia is a writer and landscape consultant from Wollongong with a love of horticulture. She had been an avid gardener for over 30 years, collects rare variegated plants and is a home orchardist. Julia is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge of plant propagation and plant toxicology. Whether it’s giving advice on landscape projects or sharing tips on growing, Julia enjoys helping people make their gardens flourish.