Edible Flowers

As in every new culinary adventure, always be sure that you know what you are eating. Consult a reliable source (books, trusted internet sites, etc.) before you eat that plant! Garden pea flowers are edible .. sweat pea flowers are not. Day lillies are edible .. Asiatic and Oriental lillies are not. Things may become confusing. First and foremost, check your Latin! Just because plants share common names does not mean they are the same. When you're sure you've got the right plant, taste test to make sure you like the flavor before you harvest. Don't harvest from the wild unless you own the land or have permission, and please do not harvest from the side of the road. Vehicle exhaust contaminates the plants.

Certain edible flowers from the composite family (daisies, sunflowers, chamomile, chrysanthemum) should be avoided by people with allergies, asthma and hayfever.

Most culinary herbs produce flowers with a similar, milder taste to their parts. The following lists are not all-inclusive, but should give you an excellent starting point on your flower-eating adventure :)

Edible Herb Flowers

Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)*

Basil (Ocimum spp.)

Bee Balm/Monarda (Monarda didyma)

Borage (Borago officinalis)

Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium)

Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)

Common Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis)

Dill (Anethum graveolens)

English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum)

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)

Lavender (Lavandula spp.) *

Lovage (Levisticum officinale)

Lemon Verbena (Aloysia triphylla)

Marjoram (Origanum majorana)

Mexican Tarragon (Tagetes lucida)

Mint (Mentha spp.)

Common Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Society Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea)

Summer Savory (Satureja hortensis)

Thyme (Thymus spp.)

Winter Savory (Satureja montana)

*Extra Yummy!

Edible Ornamental Flowers

Tuberous Begonia (Begonia x tuberhybrida) *

Garland Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum coronarium)

Cowslips (Primula veris)

Clove Pinks (Dianthus caryophyllus) *

Dame’s Rocket (Hesperis matronalis) *

Day Lillies (Hemerocallis spp.)

English Daisy (Bellis perennis)

Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)

Fuschia (Fuschia arborescens)

Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides)

Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)

Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) *

Jasmine (Jasminum sambac)

Johnny Jump-Ups (Viola tricolor) ~ BEAUTIFUL frozen in water in ice trays!

Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)

Mallows (Malva spp.)

Moss Rose (Portulaca grandiflora)

Nasturtium (Trapaeolum majus)

Pansy (Viola wittrockiana)

Pot Marigold/Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Redbud (Cercis canadensis) *

Rose (Rosa spp.)

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) *

Signet Marigold (Tagetes signata)

Sweet Violets (Viola odorata) *

Yucca (Yucca spp.) *

Edible Fruit & Veggie Flowers

Arugula (Eruca vesicaria sativa)

Chicory (Cichorium intybus)

Garden Peas (Pisum spp.)

Lemon (Citrus limon)

Mustard (Brassica spp.)

Okra (Abelmoschus aesculentus)

Orange (Citrus sinensis)

Pineapple Guava (Feijoa sellowiana)

Radish (Raphanus sativus)

Runner Beans (Phaseolus coccineus)

Squash (Curcubita spp.)

Strawberry (Fragaria ananasa)

Disclaimer: The owners of this site can not be held responsible for any adverse reaction to the plants listed here. Although researched to be safe for consumption, individuals do so at their own risk.

For information on what plants to AVOID, see our "Poisonous Plants & Flowers" article!