Which common UK edible flowers are secretly delicious?
In this guide, you’ll discover 15 common UK edible flowers that are safe to eat, easy to grow or forage, and full of personality.
Some are bold and peppery. Others are sweet and delicate.
You’ll learn what they taste like, how to use them, and important tips to keep things safe.
A Quick Note on Edible Flower Safety
Before you pick or eat any flower, remember these essential rules:
- ✅ Make sure you have the right plant and variety. Some flowers look alike but can be toxic.
- ✅ Only eat flowers that are unsprayed and grown without pesticides or chemicals.
- ✅ Forage from clean areas, away from roads, dog-walking routes, or polluted sites.
- ✅ Try small amounts first, especially if you’re allergic to pollen or new foods.
- ❌ Don’t eat florist or supermarket flowers unless they’re labelled food-safe.
1. Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Bright and bold, nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) are one of the easiest edible flowers to grow.
They come in sunny shades of red, orange, and yellow. My favourite is the salmon pink variety.
Flavour:
Nasturtium flowers have a peppery, mustard-like flavour, similar to arugula. They add a vibrant kick to dishes.
Sweet Recipe Ideas:
Try using nasturtium flowers in fruit salads or as a garnish for cakes. The peppery taste contrasts beautifully with sweet fruits like melon or strawberries.
Savoury Recipe Ideas:
Nasturtium flowers are perfect for adding a spicy, colourful element to savoury dishes like salads, sandwiches, or even sprinkled on soups. They pair well with goat cheese or smoked salmon.
Drink Recipes:
Make a nasturtium-infused lemonade or add to herbal iced teas for a peppery twist. The flowers also work in cocktails, adding a burst of colour and unique flavour.
Herbal Recipe Ideas:
You can make a soothing nasturtium tincture or infuse the flowers in vinegar for a peppery, herbal addition to your pantry. It’s said to have natural antibacterial properties, making it perfect for a DIY herbal remedy.
Growing Tips:
Nasturtiums thrive in well-drained, poor soil, so they’re perfect for container gardens. They need full sun and are relatively low-maintenance. Regular watering will help them flourish. Be sure to harvest the flowers regularly to encourage more blooms.
2. Violas and Pansies (Viola spp.)
Violas and pansies (Viola genus) look like they came straight from a fairytale.
You’ll often see them in window boxes, but they also shine on your plate.
Flavour:
Violas and pansies have a mild, slightly grassy flavour, often described as sweet and herbaceous.
Sweet Recipe Ideas:
Violas and pansies are perfect for making delicate floral syrups to drizzle over cakes or ice cream. They also work well as toppings for cupcakes or in candy-making.
Savoury Recipe Ideas:
You can sprinkle pansy petals on salads or add them to cheese platters for a colourful touch. They also make a lovely garnish for soups, especially creamy ones.
Drink Recipes:
Create beautiful, floral iced teas with pansies or violas, or infuse them into lemonades. Pansy petals can be added to cocktails for a colourful and fresh twist.
Herbal Recipe Ideas:
Violas and pansies have mild medicinal properties, and you can use them to create soothing teas to help with minor skin irritations or digestive discomforts. The flowers are also great in balms for their calming effect on the skin.
Growing Tips:
These flowers prefer partial to full sun and well-drained soil. They are hardy and can thrive in cooler temperatures. Water regularly but avoid over-watering, as they don’t like soggy soil. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowering.
3. Borage (Borago officinalis)
A favourite of bees and gardeners, borage (Borago officinalis) has star-shaped blue flowers that are as pretty as they are tasty.
Flavour:
Borage flowers have a mild cucumber-like flavour, making them refreshing and light.
Sweet Recipe Ideas:
Borage flowers are perfect in fruit salads, especially with berries. They can also be frozen into ice cubes and added to cocktails or lemonades for a cooling effect.
Savoury Recipe Ideas:
Use borage flowers to garnish cucumber-based dishes, like cold soups or salads. They also work wonderfully with cheese and in savoury tarts.
Drink Recipes:
Borage flowers are often used in herbal teas and refreshing summer drinks. They make a lovely addition to lemonades and cocktails, such as gin and tonics.
Herbal Recipe Ideas:
Borage has soothing properties, and you can use the flowers to make a calming tea that supports respiratory health. It’s also said to help with stress relief, making it perfect for a bedtime brew.
Growing Tips:
Borage grows best in full sun and needs well-drained, fertile soil. It’s quite hardy and easy to grow, making it ideal for beginners. Keep the plant well-watered but ensure good drainage. The flowers bloom prolifically from summer to fall.
4. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Often called pot marigold, calendula is a cheerful flower that brings sunshine to any dish.
Flavour:
Calendula flowers have a slightly bitter, peppery flavour, with hints of saffron.
Sweet Recipe Ideas:
Use calendula petals to add a touch of colour and mild flavour to cakes or custards. They work well in sugar syrups or as an edible garnish for ice cream.
Savory Recipe Ideas:
Calendula petals can be added to soups, risottos, or sprinkled over salads for an added burst of flavour. They are also great mixed into soft cheeses or cream cheese spreads.
Drink Recipes:
Calendula-infused tea is calming and gentle. It can be combined with chamomile or lemon balm for a soothing, floral drink.
Herbal Recipe Ideas:
Calendula is known for its skin-healing properties. It can be infused in oils or used to create homemade salves to soothe cuts, burns, and skin irritation. Calendula tea is also popular for its anti-inflammatory benefits.
Growing Tips:
Calendula grows well in full sun and prefers well-drained soil. It’s very hardy, even in cooler weather. Water regularly, but avoid over-watering, as it doesn’t like soggy roots. Deadheading will encourage more blooms.
5. Chive Blossoms (Allium schoenoprasum)
The lilac pom-poms of chive blossoms are not just for show. They bring flavour and fun to your food.
Flavour:
Chive blossoms have a mild, onion-like flavour, adding a delicate sharpness to dishes.
Sweet Recipe Ideas:
Try using chive blossoms as a colourful garnish on fruit desserts, like tarts or fruit salads. They also work beautifully as a topping for sweet potato or roasted vegetable dishes.
Savoury Recipe Ideas:
Chive blossoms are a perfect addition to salads, sandwiches, or as a topping for scrambled eggs or baked potatoes. They can also be mixed into homemade herb butters or cream cheeses.
Drink Recipes:
Chive blossoms can be added to savoury cocktails like Bloody Marys, or use them to garnish a refreshing cucumber cooler.
Herbal Recipe Ideas:
Chive flowers are rich in antioxidants and can be used to make a mild, digestive-friendly tea. The flowers are also thought to have mild antibacterial properties, making them useful for soothing throat infections.
Growing Tips:
Chives grow well in sunny spots with well-drained soil. They are hardy and easy to care for, needing minimal attention once established. Water regularly, but ensure the soil isn’t too wet. Trim the flowers to keep the plant healthy and encourage new growth.
6. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Best used in small doses, lavender adds fragrance and flavour to both sweet and savoury dishes.
Flavour:
Lavender has a sweet, floral, and slightly herbaceous flavour, with hints of rosemary and thyme—ideal for anyone looking to explore edible flowers UK.
Sweet Recipe Ideas:
Lavender adds a beautiful, calming note to cakes, cookies, and syrups. Try it in a lavender shortbread or mix it into honey for a fragrant spread. These British edible flowers can turn any dessert into something special.
Savoury Recipe Ideas:
Lavender is perfect in herb blends like Herbes de Provence and works wonderfully with vegetables like roasted carrots and potatoes.
Drink Recipes:
Lavender lemonade is a refreshing and aromatic drink, while lavender also works well in cocktails like a lavender martini. For something soothing, try lavender-infused tea before bed.
Herbal Recipe Ideas:
Lavender is renowned for its calming properties and can be used to create sleep sachets or infused oils. Lavender tea is excellent for relaxation, and the flowers can also be used in salves to calm irritated skin.
Growing Tips:
Lavender thrives in full sun and well-drained, alkaline soil. It requires minimal watering once established, as it’s drought-tolerant. Prune it regularly to maintain its shape and encourage strong growth. These UK edible flowers are perfect for a low-maintenance garden.
7. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
A gentle herb with small daisy-like blooms, chamomile is famous for its soothing tea.
Flavour:
Chamomile flowers have a gentle, apple-like flavour with a slightly sweet and herbal note.
Sweet Recipe Ideas:
Chamomile works beautifully in honey or as an ingredient in sweet syrups, perfect for drizzling over cakes or using in desserts. Chamomile-infused custards or creams are a lovely, delicate treat.
Savory Recipe Ideas:
Chamomile can be added to light salads or mixed into dressings for a refreshing floral hint. It also pairs nicely with roasted vegetables like carrots or squash for a subtle sweetness.
Drink Recipes:
Chamomile tea is perhaps the most common way to enjoy these British edible flowers, offering a calming effect. Chamomile can also be mixed with other herbs like lavender or mint for a soothing, sleep-inducing drink.
Herbal Recipe Ideas:
Chamomile is famous for its calming properties and can be used in sleep-inducing teas or balms. It’s perfect for reducing stress and promoting relaxation after a long day.
Growing Tips:
Chamomile prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It’s relatively easy to grow and can thrive even in poorer soils. Regular deadheading will encourage more blooms, and the plant should be watered moderately.
I hope you are enjoying this list of UK edible flowers. Keep reading to discover more…
8. Mint Flowers (Mentha spp.)
The leaves of mint get all the attention, but the flowers are edible too—and they pack a punch!
Flavour:
Mint flowers have a fresh, crisp flavour with the unmistakable taste of mint, adding a cool and refreshing touch to dishes.
Sweet Recipe Ideas:
Mint flowers are perfect for infusing into syrups, teas, or ice creams. They also work well when added to fruit salads, bringing a burst of freshness to sweet recipes.
Savoury Recipe Ideas:
Add mint flowers to couscous or tabbouleh for a burst of coolness, or use them in Mediterranean-style dips like tzatziki.
Drink Recipes:
Mint flowers are fantastic in mojitos or any drink with a mint base. Try infusing mint flowers in water, iced teas, or lemonades for a refreshing twist.
Herbal Recipe Ideas:
Mint is widely used for its digestive properties, and mint flower tea is a popular remedy for bloating or indigestion. The flowers can also be added to homemade balms for their cooling and soothing effects.
Growing Tips:
Mint thrives in moist, partially shaded spots with well-drained soil. It can spread rapidly, so it’s best grown in pots or containers. Water regularly and harvest the flowers to encourage new growth. These UK edible flowers are hardy and easy to care for.
9. Thyme Flowers (Thymus vulgaris)
The tiny pink or white flowers of thyme add a delicate feminine touch to a herb garden.
Flavour:
Thyme flowers have a milder, delicate version of the herb’s flavour, with a subtle earthy, slightly floral taste.
Sweet Recipe Ideas:
Thyme flowers can be used to infuse syrups for use in cakes, pies, or drizzling over fruits. They add an intriguing floral touch to sweet recipes like lemon-thyme shortbread cookies.
Savoury Recipe Ideas:
Thyme flowers work wonderfully in Mediterranean-inspired dishes, such as stews, roasted vegetables. Their mild flavour enhances savoury dishes without overpowering them.
Drink Recipes:
Thyme flowers are excellent in herbal teas and can also be infused into cocktails for an herbal twist. Try it in a thyme-lemonade for a refreshing summer drink.
Herbal Recipe Ideas:
Thyme has antimicrobial properties, and its flowers can be used to create herbal infusions for respiratory health. A thyme tea is soothing for sore throats and can also help with digestion.
Growing Tips:
Thyme loves full sun and well-drained, dry soil. It’s drought-resistant and doesn’t need a lot of water once established. Trim the flowers regularly to promote new growth, and harvest them before they go to seed.
10. Rose (Rosa spp.)
Romantic and fragrant, rose is a classic edible flower.
Flavour:
Rose petals have a delicate floral flavour, which varies from sweet to slightly tart, depending on the variety of rose you choose.
Sweet Recipe Ideas:
Rose petals are perfect in syrups, cakes, and jellies. They can also be used to make rosewater, which is an essential ingredient in many sweet recipes, including baklava and Turkish delight.
Savoury Recipe Ideas:
Add rose petals to stews or sprinkle over Mediterranean dishes for an aromatic touch. They work well in a tagine, adding a floral undertone to the meal.
Drink Recipes:
Rose petals make a lovely addition to homemade rose lemonade or iced tea. Rose-flavoured cocktails, such as a rose martini, are also popular.
Herbal Recipe Ideas:
Rose is used in various herbal remedies, particularly for skincare. Rose petal tea is soothing for sore throats and can also be used for its calming properties. The flowers can also be used in homemade skincare masks.
Growing Tips:
Roses prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They need regular watering, especially in dry weather. Prune roses regularly to encourage strong growth, and be sure to remove dead flowers to promote new blooms.
11. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Often seen as a weed, dandelions are nutritious and tasty.
Flavour:
Dandelion flowers have a slightly bitter, honey-like flavour that makes them a unique addition to many recipes.
Sweet Recipe Ideas:
Dandelions are perfect for making honey, jelly, or syrup. Try them in dandelion wine or use them as a sweet garnish for cakes and desserts.
Savoury Recipe Ideas:
Dandelion flowers can be used in salads or soups for a slightly bitter taste. You can also add them to stir-fries or mix them into herb butters.
Drink Recipes:
Dandelion flowers are great for infusions and can be used in herbal teas to aid digestion. You can also make a refreshing dandelion iced tea or use them in cocktails like a dandelion gin fizz.
Herbal Recipe Ideas:
Dandelion flowers are used in traditional medicine for their detoxifying properties. They’re excellent in detox teas or tinctures to support liver health.
Growing Tips:
Dandelions grow well in most soil types and thrive in both sun and partial shade. They’re incredibly resilient and can be found growing naturally in gardens, meadows, and roadsides. Regular harvesting ensures fresh flowers for your recipes. Dandelion flowers are most commonly bright yellow, but varieties are also available in shades of orange-yellow, pale white, and occasionally pinkish hues.
12. Clover (Trifolium pratense / T. repens)
Clover blossoms grow wild across the UK and are easy to spot in grassy fields.
Flavour:
Clover flowers have a mild, sweet, and slightly nutty flavour.
Sweet Recipe Ideas:
Clover flowers are ideal for making syrups, honey, or adding to fruit salads. They can also be used to decorate cakes, offering a mild sweetness.
Savoury Recipe Ideas:
Clover petals are great in herbal salads or mixed into soft cheese spreads. They can also be added to soups or casseroles for a subtle, natural sweetness.
Drink Recipes:
Clover flowers can be infused into teas or used to make a mild, sweet herbal beverage. They also work in smoothies for a floral twist.
Herbal Recipe Ideas:
Clover is known for its soothing properties. A tea made from clover flowers is beneficial for calming the digestive system and reducing inflammation. You can also use it in herbal poultices for skin irritations.
Growing Tips:
Clover thrives in well-drained soil and prefers partial to full sun. It’s a low-maintenance plant that improves soil health by fixing nitrogen. Regular mowing encourages fresh flowers throughout the growing season.
13. Primrose (Primula vulgaris)
One of the first flowers of spring, primroses are edible and utterly charming.
Flavour:
Primrose flowers have a sweet, floral taste, perfect for using in sweet recipes or garnishing a meal.
Sweet Recipe Ideas:
Primrose flowers can be used in cakes, cookies, or to make sweet syrups. They’re also perfect for adding a delicate floral touch to fruit salads or ice cream.
Savoury Recipe Ideas:
Primroses can add a subtle floral flavour to salads or be used as a garnish for soups. They also work well with light cheeses.
Drink Recipes:
Primrose-infused teas are soothing and fragrant, offering a mild floral flavour. They can also be used in lemonades or cocktails for a refreshing twist.
Herbal Recipe Ideas:
Primrose flowers are used in traditional medicine for respiratory health. Primrose tea is calming and known to help with coughs and colds.
Growing Tips:
Primroses prefer shaded, cool environments with moist, well-drained soil. They thrive in woodland areas and are perfect for British gardens. Regular watering will help them flourish, and deadheading spent blooms will encourage new growth.
14. Courgette Flowers (Cucurbita pepo)
Large, yellow, and floppy, courgette flowers are best known for being stuffed and fried.
Flavour:
Courgette flowers have a mild, slightly sweet, and earthy flavour, ideal for use in both sweet and savoury vegetarian dishes.
Sweet Recipe Ideas:
Courgette flowers can be stuffed with a sweet ricotta and honey filling, then baked for a delightful dessert. You could also use them in muffins or add to fruit salads for a fresh, floral note.
Savoury Recipe Ideas:
Stuff courgette flowers with a mixture of cheese, herbs, and grains, then bake or fry them for a delicious vegetarian meal. They can also be added to risottos, pasta dishes, or used in vegetable fritters.
Drink Recipes:
Courgette flowers can be blended into smoothies for a mild, refreshing addition, or used to make fresh vegetable juices. Try them with cucumber, mint, and lime for a crisp, summer drink.
Herbal Recipe Ideas:
While not typically used in herbal medicine, courgette flowers are rich in nutrients and can be incorporated into vegetarian dishes for their antioxidant properties, perfect for boosting a healthy diet.
Growing Tips:
Courgette plants thrive in well-drained, fertile soil with plenty of sunlight. They need regular watering, particularly during dry spells. The flowers should be harvested early in the morning for the best flavour, and regular picking encourages more blooms.
15. Daisy (Bellis perennis)
Common on lawns and loved by kids, daisies can brighten up your food, too.
Flavour:
Daisy petals have a mild, slightly sweet, and grassy flavour, perfect for adding a gentle floral touch.
Sweet Recipe Ideas:
Daisy petals can be used to decorate cakes, cupcakes, or fruit salads. They’re also ideal for infusing into syrups or honey, which can be drizzled over desserts or used in teas.
Savoury Recipe Ideas:
Use daisy petals as a garnish in salads or soups, or add them to herb blends for a unique twist. They also pair nicely with leafy greens, making them a perfect addition to fresh summer salads.
Drink Recipes:
Daisy petals can be used in floral iced teas or as a pretty garnish for lemonade. They also work in smoothies, adding a mild, natural sweetness without overpowering the flavour.
Herbal Recipe Ideas:
Daisies have mild anti-inflammatory properties and can be used in herbal teas to soothe sore throats or reduce inflammation. Daisy flower infusions are also good for skin health and can be used in DIY balms or lotions for bruises.
Growing Tips:
Daisies are easy to grow in full sun with well-drained soil. They’re hardy and can tolerate a range of soil types, making them ideal for a British edible flowers garden. Deadheading spent flowers encourages more blooms throughout the summer.
UK Edible Flowers in Everyday Cooking
Salads
Add whole flowers or petals for bursts of colour and taste. Try mixing peppery nasturtiums with cooling borage and delicate rose petals.
Drinks
Freeze petals in ice cubes for party drinks, or steep calming herbs like lavender and chamomile in tea.
Baking
Press flowers into biscuit dough or use as a cake topping. Crystallised flowers also keep longer.
Syrups and Vinegars
Infuse edible petals in honey, simple syrup, or apple cider vinegar for dressings or cocktails.
Savory Dishes
Top pasta, pizza, or grilled veg with thyme, chive or basil flowers for a gourmet finish.
Growing Your Own Edible Flowers
Many edible flowers are surprisingly easy to grow, even if you’re new to gardening. You don’t need a huge space—just a sunny windowsill, a few pots, or a small corner of your garden will do.
If you’re short on space, try growing nasturtiums, violas, or borage in containers. Nasturtiums are great for beginners—they grow fast, love poor soil, and don’t mind a bit of neglect. Their trailing stems look beautiful spilling over pots or hanging baskets. Violas are compact and flower for ages, especially if you keep picking the blooms. Borage can get quite big, so choose a deeper pot and give it some support.
Mix edible flowers in with herbs or salad greens for a colourful and practical kitchen garden. Calendula, for example, grows well alongside lettuce and helps attract pollinators. You could also tuck some chive flowers into your herb patch—they’re hardy and come back each year.
Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil, and try to avoid chemical fertilisers or sprays if you’re planning to eat the flowers. Water regularly, especially in hot weather, and keep picking the blooms to encourage more to grow.
To save money, sow from seed in spring. Many varieties like chamomile, thyme, and coriander can be started indoors or sown straight into the ground once the frost has passed. With just a little effort, you’ll have edible flowers ready to pick all summer long.
90-Day Family Herbalist
Just One More Page…
Looking for even more edible flowers?
Can’t stop study-scrolling?
UK Edible Flowers List: Final Words
Growing edible flowers is a fun and easy way to connect with nature, support pollinators, and make your food more exciting. Once you know what’s safe to pick and how to use them, the possibilities are endless.
If you’re starting out, begin with just a few flowers—nasturtium, viola, and borage are all brilliant for beginners. Then expand as your confidence grows.
Have you tried any of these blooms? What’s your favourite way to use edible flowers?
Let me know in the comments, reading your messages makes my day 🌸🌿
