Edible flowers are extremely popular right now. That’s why I compiled this list of edible flowers. Having a list of edible flowers that can serve as a reference point for safe and delicious choices is more important than ever.
Eating flowers is not a new practice. In fact, people have been eating edible flowers for more than 2,000 years.
But let me be clear: not all flowers are edible. It is important to ONLY eat flowers that can be positively identified as safe and edible. That’s the first commandment of edible flowers. Please do not eat any flowers until you have read The 10 Commandments of Edible Flowers. And check this list to make sure that flower is edible.
Common Names and Botanical Names
It’s important to know not only the common name of a plant but the botanic name as well. The common names of some plants and flowers can be totally different from one area to the next and from one country to the next. That’s why both the common names and botanic names of the plants are listed below.
Flowers have so much dimension when it comes to flavor. A flower petal is a tiny thing that can be used in so many culinary ways. Rose petals are very popular. You see them candied in sugar. Violets are very popular because their flowers are so beautiful and dainty. Pansy petals are great for decorating cakes. Where you live influences the types of flowers that are most popular in foods and drinks.
Edible flowers are typically picked just before they are used in foods and drinks. So, the season of the year is a major factor in determining which edible flowers are available to you.
For more information about edible flowers, read Edible Flowers from Garden to Palate by Cathy Wilkinson Barash, which contains 280 recipes for 67 different flowers. Also read Edible Flowers: Drinks & Desserts .
Edible Flowers A-L
COMMON NAME BOTANIC NAME FLAVOR
Anise hyssop Agastache foeniculum Licorice
Apple Malus spp. Floral
Arugula Eruca vesicaria sativa Peppery
Banana Musa spp. Sweet
Basil Ocimum basilicum Herbal
Beebalm Monarda didyma Spicy/sweet
Borage Borago officinalis Cucumber
Broccoli Brassica oleracea var. italica Spicy
Calendula Calendula officinalis Slightly bitter
Canary creeper Tropaeolum peregrinum Peppery
Chamomile Chamaemelum nobile Apple
Chicory Cichorium intybus Slightly bitter
Chives Allium schoenoprasum Oniony
Chrysanthemum Dendranthema grandiflorum Mild to slightly bitter
Coriander (Cilantro) Coriandrum sativum Herbal
Dandelion Taraxacum officinale Sweet-slightly bitter
Daylily Hemerocallis spp. Sweet to vegetal
Dianthus (Pinks) Dianthus caryophyllus Sweet, clove
Dill Anethum graveolens Herbal
Elderberry Sambucus canadensis Sweet
English daisy Bellis perennis Slightly bitter
Fennel Foeniculum vulgare Herbal
Garlic chives Allium tuberosum Garlicky
Hibiscus Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Mild citrus
Hollyhock Alcea rosea Mild nutty
Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica Sweet floral
Hyacinth bean Dolichos lablab Beanlike
Hyssop Hyssopus officinalis Strong herbal
Japanese plum Prunus ‘Mume’ Sweet almond
Jasmine Jasminum sambac & J. officinale Sweet floral
Johnny-jump-up Viola tricolor Slightly minty
Kale Brassica oleracea, Acephala group Spicy
Lavender Lavandula spp. Strong floral
Lemon Citrus limon Sweet citrus
Lemon verbena Aloysia triphylla Sweet citrus
Lilac Syringa spp. Floral
Linden Tilia spp. Sweet
Edible Flowers M-Z
COMMON NAME BOTANIC NAME FLAVOR
Marjoram Origanum vulgare Herbal
Mint Mentha spp. Minty
Mustard Brassica juncea Spicy
Nasturtium Tropaeolum majus Peppery
Nodding onion Allium cernuum Oniony
Ocotillo Fouquieria splendens Sweet cranberry
Okra Abelmoschus aesculentus Mild, sweet
Orange Citrus sinensis Sweet citrus
Oregano Origanum spp. Herbal
Pansy Viola × wittrockiana Slight minty
Pea Pisum sativum Pea-like
Pineapple guava Acca (Feijoa) sellowiana Sweet tropical
Pineapple sage Salvia elegans Spicy sweet
Radish Raphanus sativus Peppery
Red clover Trifolium pratense Sweet
Redbud Cercis canadensis Pea-like
Rose Rosa spp. Floral
Rose of Sharon Hibiscus syriacus Mild
Roselle (Jamaica) Hibiscus sabdariffa Mild citrus
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis Herbal
Runner bean Phaseolus coccineus Bean-like
Safflower Carthamus tinctorius Bitter
Sage Salvia officinalis Herbal
Scented geranium Pelargonium spp. Floral
Signet marigold Tagetes tenuifolia Citrusy tarragon
Shungiku Chrysanthemum coronarium Slightly bitter
Society garlic Tulbaghia violacea Sweet garlicky
Squash Curcubita pepo spp. Vegetal
Summer savory Satureja hortensis Herbal
Sunflower Helianthus annuus Bittersweet
Sweet woodruff Galium odoratum Fresh, sweet
Thyme Thymus spp. Herbal
Tuberous begonia Begonia × tuberhybrida Citrus
Tulip Tulipa spp. Bean- or pea-like
Violet Viola odorata Sweet floral
Winter savory Satureja montana Herbal
Yucca Yucca spp. Sweet (must be cooked)
Want some recipes that include edible flowers in the ingredient list? Read our story about Edible Spring Flowers.
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