There’s something undeniably elegant (and just a little bit magical) about adding flowers to food, isn’t there? For the longest time, I bought dried edible flowers without really thinking about where they came from. But that all changed after I watched With Love, Meghan by the Duchess of Sussex. Suddenly, the idea of growing my own edible blooms felt like the perfect little project—despite not having a garden.

So, I dove into research, found the best varieties to grow indoors, and got started. Now, my kitchen windowsill is a tiny floral paradise, bursting with colour, fragrance, and fresh flavours. It brightens my space and my meals! If you love the idea of growing your own edible flowers, here’s everything you need to know to bring that same magic into your kitchen.

A Miniature Garden in Your Kitchen 🌿

Imagine stepping into your kitchen each morning and seeing delicate flowers blooming right by the window. You can snip a few petals to sprinkle over your breakfast, drop them into a drink, or use them to add a gourmet touch to dinner. It’s a feast for the eyes, the taste buds, and—let’s be honest—the soul.

Edible flowers aren’t just beautiful; they offer unique flavours that can completely transform a dish. Let’s talk about the best ones to grow and how to make them thrive!

Choosing Your Edible Blooms 🌼

After lots of research (and a little trial and error), here are my top picks for easy, delicious, and gorgeous edible flowers:

🌿 Nasturtiums – Cheerful and peppery, these taste a little like rocket and are perfect for salads. Get them here
🌿 Violas – Delicate, colourful, and perfect for decorating cakes, cocktails, or even pancakes. Get them here
🌿 Calendula – Bright and citrusy, these petals are amazing in soups, risottos, and teas. Get them here
🌿 Mint Plant – Fresh and aromatic, I love using these in drinks and desserts.

There are so many other edible flowers to explore—so if something catches your eye, give it a go!

Creating Your Windowsill Garden 🌱

Don’t worry if you’re not a natural gardener—this is so much easier than it sounds! Here’s how I set up my little indoor flower patch:

Containers & Soil: The Foundation of Your Garden 🪴

✔ Pots with drainage holes are essential—happy roots = happy flowers! I used these cute containers.
✔ A lightweight, nutrient-rich potting mix works best.

Light & Water: Sunshine and Hydration ☀️💧

✔ Place your flowers on the sunniest windowsill you have—at least 6 hours of direct sunlight is ideal. No bright window? A small grow light works wonders!
✔ Water lightly every couple of days to keep the soil moist but not soggy.

Care & Maintenance: Thriving Blooms 🌸

✔ Fertilising – A mild, balanced fertiliser every few weeks keeps them thriving.
✔ Pruning – Regularly snip off wilted flowers to encourage new blooms.
✔ Pests – If aphids or other tiny bugs appear, a simple homemade spray does the trick.

Serving Suggestions: Adding Beauty to Your Cooking 🍽️

Once your flowers are blooming, the real fun begins! Here’s how I love using mine:

✨ Salads – Toss in a few nasturtiums or violas for a pop of colour and a hint of spice.
✨ Desserts – Garnish cakes, cupcakes, or biscuits with violas for a stunning, professional finish.
✨ Floral Ice Cubes – Freeze calendula or mint flowers in ice cubes for a touch of elegance. A top tip for crystal-clear cubes? Use freshly boiled, filtered water. Try it here.
✨ Infused Water – Drop a few petals into a glass of water for an instant upgrade.

My Current Obsession: Flavoured Ice Cubes 🧊

Lately, I’ve been freezing mint leaves and chopped lime into ice cubes and let me tell you—it’s a game-changer! It makes water taste like a refreshing mojito (without the alcohol or the calories). If you try it, let me know what you think!

Preserving Your Blossoms 🌸

If you end up with more flowers than you can use (which, let’s be real, is a good problem to have), here’s how to save them:

✔ Drying – Perfect for teas or cake decorations.
✔ Freezing – Freeze whole blooms in ice cubes or olive oil for cooking later.
✔ Crystallising – Brush petals with egg white and sugar for beautiful edible garnishes.
✔ Floral Syrups – Infuse flowers into syrups to drizzle over pancakes, mix into cocktails, or add to lemonade.

Share Your Flower Power! 🌸✨

I’d love to hear if you give edible flowers a go! Do you already have a favourite variety? A creative way to use them? Drop a comment below and let’s swap ideas. The more, the merrier!

A Blooming Kitchen Awaits 🌷

This little project has been a pure joy, and I hope it brings you just as much happiness. There’s something truly special about growing your own ingredients—even if it’s just a few flowers on a sunny windowsill.

So, why not give it a try? You might just surprise yourself.

🌸 Happy window gardening!

Love

Megan X