Gardening Edible Gardening Herbs How to Use Edible Flowers For the Most Instagram-Worthy Plates Add both flavor and a pop of color to any dish with these delicious tips on how to identify and use edible flowers. By Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln Instagram Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on May 5, 2016 Share Tweet Pin Email The most common (and safest edible flowers) are nasturtium, pansy, violet, Johnny-jump-up, calendula, chive, and sage. These flowers are easily grown without the use of chemicals or pesticides. Many roses are delicious, but you need to be sure they are grown organically. A good rule of thumb is: If you cannot positively identify a flower as edible, don't eat it. Also, if you have asthma, hayfever, or other allergies, do not eat flowers. Never eat flowers from a nursery, garden center, or florist; they are likely to have chemical residues that concentrate in the flowers. Pansy Pansies span every color of the rainbow, so you can have fun decorating food. Plan a party months ahead and grow pansies to match your decor, best outfit, or favorite color. Their flavor is slightly minty. Try this flower baked into a cookie, as a salad additive, or as a wintergreen-tasting dessert garnish. Nasturtium Nasturtiums are one of the most commonly eaten flowers. The flower may be vivid yellow, orange, or red as well as muted tones and bicolors. Both the leaves and the flowers have a peppery flavor and are best eaten uncooked. Toss petals into salads, top a sandwich, or make a spicy appetizer. Try This Recipe: Nasturtium Poppers Rose Roses not only look beautiful in a bouquet, but pair well in some delicious dishes. Roses may be tasteless, sweet, perfumed, or slightly spicy. Chop the petals and mix with sugar. Let them infuse for a week and use for baking and desserts. Try These Recipes: Rhubarb and Rose Petal Jam Strawberry, Mango & Rose Pavlova Borage Borage's star-shape blossoms practically fall off the plant when they are ready to eat. They have a mild cucumber flavor that is delicious in lemonade. Try Borage in These Lemonade Recipes Tulip Tulips have a wonderful crunch, especially at the base of the petals. The flavor ranges from pea- to beanlike. Use tulip petals as a low-calorie substitute for chips with dip. Be cautious, though—the bulbs on this lovely flower are NOT edible. Dip Tulip Petals Into These Delicious Dips Pinks and other dianthus have a sweet, clove-like taste. Do not eat whole—remove individual petals. Infuse petals in water for tea, or top a cracker and cheese with several petals. This flower also makes a delectable sorbet. Marigold 'Tangerine Gem' marigold and the other Gem hybrids are the only good-tasting marigolds, with a citrusy tarragon flavor. Use petals in deviled eggs or sprinkle on soups or pasta dishes. Try These Recipes: Flower Power Mini Cupcakes Lilac Lilacs are another variable flower, with a grassy taste or a delightful perfumed flavor. Use in chicken dishes and fruit salads or as an infused water upgrade. Try Lilac in One of These Fruit Salad Recipes More Edible Flower Varieties Anise hyssop Bee balm Broccoli Calendula Chamomile Chives Daylilies Geranium Hollyhock Honeysuckle Rosemary Sage Scented geraniums Squash blossoms Sweet woodruff Thyme Tuberous begonias Violets Yucca Note: Use only flowers that have been grown without pesticides or other chemicals. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit