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Grow & Garnish: Edible Flowers You Can Grow at Home to Elevate Any Dish
Have you ever eaten a flower? Not just admired it in a vase or snapped a photo in the garden—but actually sprinkled petals over a salad or topped a cake with a fresh bloom? If not, you’re in for a real treat.
Edible flowers are a fun and surprisingly easy way to make meals feel special. They bring unexpected flavors, stunning color, and a garden-fresh touch you just can’t get from store-bought garnishes. The best part? You can grow them right at home—whether you have a backyard bed, a few pots on the patio, or even a sunny windowsill.
Here are a few of our favorite edible flowers to grow (and eat!), what they taste like, how to grow them in the Bay Area, and simple ways to use them in your kitchen.
Calendula – The Garden Workhorse with a Golden Glow
Tastes like: Mildly tangy and a little peppery—some say it’s the poor man’s saffron!
Why we love it: Calendula is a hard-working, cheerful flower that blooms its heart out. It’s great for beginners and thrives in our cooler spring and fall seasons.
How to grow: Loves full sun and well-draining soil. Deadheading (removing spent blooms) helps it keep going strong.
How to use:
- Pull off the petals and toss them onto salads, soups, or pasta dishes.
- Infuse petals into butter or olive oil for a golden hue and subtle kick.
- Dry them and use in homemade teas or bath products!
Nasturtium – The Life of the (Garden) Party
Tastes like: Bright and peppery, kind of like arugula with attitude.
Why we love it: Nasturtiums are bold, beautiful, and super easy to grow. Plus, you can eat the flowers and the leaves.
How to grow: Sow seeds directly in the garden or in pots. They like full sun and average soil. Let them trail over the edge of containers or climb up a trellis.
How to use:
- Use whole blossoms to decorate cheese boards or appetizers.
- Add flowers and leaves to salads for a colorful, zesty bite.
- Stuff the larger blooms with herbed cream cheese for a stunning appetizer.
Lavender – Fragrant, Elegant, and Surprisingly Tasty
Tastes like: Floral with a sweet, citrusy twist—almost minty.
Why we love it: Lavender isn’t just for sachets. It’s one of the most popular floral flavors in artisanal cooking—lavender ice cream, anyone?
How to grow: Thrives in full sun and well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. Once it’s established, it’s drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.
How to use:
- Infuse into honey or simple syrup for cocktails and lemonades.
- Mix with sugar and bake into cookies, cakes, or scones.
- Add to cream to make dreamy homemade lavender ice cream—subtle, floral, and oh-so-refreshing. Tip: Stick with English lavender for culinary use, as other types can be too strong.
Pansies & Violas – The Prettiest Petals on Your Plate
Tastes like: Mild and slightly grassy, with just a hint of wintergreen in some.
Why we love it: These sweet little flowers are edible works of art. Plus, they thrive in cooler weather—perfect for Bay Area winters and early spring.
How to grow: Great for containers and garden beds alike. They prefer partial to full sun and regular water.
How to use:
- Place whole flowers on frosted cakes, cupcakes, or shortbread cookies.
- Freeze into ice cubes for a floral touch in drinks.
- Press them into butter or soft cheese for a garden-party-worthy spread.
A Few Growing Tips Before You Garnish
- Skip the sprays. If you're growing flowers for the kitchen, avoid synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Stick to organic methods.
- Harvest in the morning. Flowers are most flavorful and fresh right after the dew dries.
- Give them a rinse. Gently wash your blooms and pat them dry before using. A soft paintbrush can help remove little bugs or specks of soil.
- Use fresh. Edible flowers are best the day they’re picked!
Simple Ways to Use Edible Flowers in Everyday Meals
You don’t have to be a chef to use edible flowers. Here are a few easy ways to try them:
- Sprinkle over green salads or grain bowls
- Garnish soups, dips, or deviled eggs
- Dress up a cocktail or mocktail with a flower-filled ice cube
- Add them to homemade syrups, vinegars, or even floral lemonade
- Top desserts like cheesecakes, tarts, and ice cream with fresh blooms
Grow Something Beautiful (and Delicious)
Edible flowers are such a fun way to bring a bit of whimsy and elegance to your meals—and they’re easier to grow than you might think. At SummerWinds Nursery, we have everything you need to get started, from seasonal flower starts and seeds to the best organic soils and fertilizers from E.B. Stone Organics.
Come see what’s blooming and take your next dish from ordinary to extraordinary—right from your own garden.
