Bloom Appétit: Growing Delectable Edible Flowers with Grow Lights + Tea Recipe

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Is Growing Edible Flowers with Grow Lights Even Possible?

Yes, yes it is! We have, of late, been exploring the world of edible flowers. Growing edible flowers indoors allows you to add a touch of floral flair to your meals and your kitchen all year round, and Happy Leaf LED grow lights provide the perfect solution to simulate the sunshine necessary to grow them.

Since most flowers require a good amount of sunlight to thrive, Happy Leaf LED grow lights are a game-changer for indoor gardeners. The full-spectrum LED technology mimics natural sunlight, providing your floral friends with the light they need for healthy growth and vibrant blooms. Happy Leaf lights come in two sizes, making them perfect for any indoor gardening space, from a windowsill herb garden to a dedicated grow room.

Easiest Edible Flowers to Grow Indoors

There’s a surprising variety of flowers that are not only safe to eat but add a burst of flavor and color to salads, desserts, and even cocktails. Here are a few easy-to-grow options:

Pansies and violas: Delicate and vibrantly colored, these little blooms come in a range of flavors, from sweet to mildly peppery.
Borage: With star-shaped blue flowers, borage boasts a cucumber-like taste that complements salads and soups.
Nasturtiums: These cheerful trumpet-shaped flowers come in a variety of colors and have a peppery kick, perfect for adding a zing to salads or sandwiches. (More on these later!)
Roses: Not just for romance, rose petals are edible and have a subtle floral flavor.

Now, let’s delve deeper into three specific flowers that are perfect for Happy Leaf-powered indoor gardens:

Calendula: Often called “poor man’s saffron,” calendula boasts beautiful orange or yellow daisy-like flowers with a slightly spicy, peppery flavor. Calendula petals can add a pop of color and a touch of warmth to stews, soups, and rice dishes.

Black Cumin Seed (Nigella): Also known as nigella sativa, this plant produces beautiful black seed pods with white or blue flowers. The peppery seeds are a popular spice in Middle Eastern cuisine, but the feathery flowers are also edible and add a lovely touch to salads and desserts.

Nasturtiums: A cheerful and easy-to-grow option, nasturtiums come in a range of colors, including orange, yellow, and red. Both the flowers and leaves are edible, with a peppery flavor that adds a delightful kick to salads, sandwiches, and even cheese plates.

Tips for Success

Choose the right pots: Select pots with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. The flowers highlighted above can also be grown using the Kratky Method of passive hydroponics.
Well-draining soil: if you grow in soil, use a high-quality potting mix that drains well.
Light it up: Aim for 14-16 hours of light per day from your Happy Leaf grow lights.
Water wisely: Water your plants regularly but avoid overwatering.
Feed the flowers: Use a balanced nutrient/fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season.

Lavender Chamomile Tea – Download Recipe

With a little planning and Happy Leaf LEDs, you can be harvesting your own homegrown edible flowers in no time. Scroll down or print the recipe for a lovely and calming lavender chamomile tea with a touch of calendula for a beautiful summer vibe:

Print Lavender Chamomile Tea Recipe Here!

Ingredients:

2 cups boiling water
2 tsp dried chamomile flowers
1 tsp dried lavender flowers
3-4 calendula blossoms (fresh or dried)
Honey or lemon (optional)

Instructions:

Steep the chamomile and lavender flowers in the boiling water for 5-7 minutes. If using fresh calendula blossoms, add them in the last minute of steeping.
Strain the tea into cups.
Add a few calendula blossoms for garnish (if using fresh).
Sweeten with honey or add a squeeze of lemon to taste (optional).

Tips:

Make sure you identify your calendula flowers correctly. Only use flowers from a reputable source or your own garden that you know haven’t been treated with pesticides.
You can adjust the amount of chamomile and lavender depending on your preference for a stronger or milder floral taste.
Other edible flowers that can be substituted or added to this tea blend include rose petals, hibiscus, or pansies.

Enjoy this beautiful and relaxing cup of floral tea!