Gardening with kids is a wonderful way to spend quality time together while teaching them about nature and responsibility. Planting edible flowers takes this experience to the next level—combining the joy of growing something beautiful with the excitement of eating it! These colorful blooms can brighten your garden and your meals, making them perfect for a parent-child project. Here are five fun edible flowers that are easy to grow and enjoy together.
1. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are a top pick for their bold colors—red, orange, and yellow—and their simplicity. They love full sun and well-drained soil, so they’re great for beginners. Kids will get a kick out of their peppery flavor, which adds a zesty twist to salads or sandwiches.
· How to Plant: Sow seeds directly in the ground after the last frost. They sprout fast and bloom in about six weeks.
· Why It’s Fun: Both flowers and leaves are edible, and you can even blend the leaves into a tasty pesto!
2. Violas
Violas, like pansies, are delicate little flowers that come in all sorts of colors. They do well in partial shade with moist soil, and their sweet, mild taste makes them a hit for decorating desserts like cakes or ice cream.
· How to Plant: Start seeds indoors a couple of months before spring, then move them outside when it’s warm. Pots work too!
· Why It’s Fun: Kids can use them to make treats look extra special—think edible art!
3. Calendula
Known as pot marigold, calendula brings sunny orange and yellow petals to your garden. It’s tough enough to handle poor soil and loves full sun. The petals have a tangy bite, perfect for sprinkling into soups or coloring rice naturally.
· How to Plant: Scatter seeds in early spring and thin them out as they grow.
· Why It’s Fun: Drying the petals for tea or crafts adds an extra layer of enjoyment.
4. Borage
Borage stands out with its star-shaped blue flowers and fuzzy leaves. It thrives in sunny spots with good drainage. The flowers taste like cucumber—cool and refreshing—making them awesome in lemonade or on sandwiches.
· How to Plant: Sow seeds outside after frost risk is gone. It might even reseed itself next year!
· Why It’s Fun: Bees love it, so kids can watch pollinators buzz around their plants.
5. Lavender
Lavender’s purple flowers and calming scent make it a garden favorite. It needs full sun and dryish soil to thrive. With a floral, slightly sweet flavor, it’s amazing in cookies, tea, or homemade honey.
· How to Plant: Buy small plants instead of seeds (they’re tricky to start) and trim them to keep them bushy.
· Why It’s Fun: Sniffing the blooms is relaxing, and cooking with them feels like a special treat.
Tips for Planting with Kids
Make it a blast by letting kids pick their flowers, dig the holes, and water the plants. They can decorate plant markers with crayons or stickers to claim their patch. When the flowers bloom, harvest together and try them in simple recipes—think viola-topped cupcakes or borage in a cool drink.
Safety First
Keep it safe by growing everything organically—no pesticides! Teach kids which flowers are okay to eat and double-check before tasting. Little ones should always have an adult nearby when they’re handling plants or eating blooms.
Why It’s Worth It
Growing edible flowers is a hands-on way to connect with your kids and show them where food comes from. It’s a mix of learning, creativity, and delicious rewards. Grab some seeds, head outside, and start planting—your garden and taste buds will thank you!
