Looking to elevate your tablescape with a bit of nature? Adding edible plants can transform your space while providing fresh ingredients for your meals.
From vibrant herbs to stunning fruits, these plants aren’t just pretty – they’re practical too. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply want to bring in a touch of greenery, these 20 edible plants will steal the show.
Plus, there are beautiful varieties you might not have known about that will give your table a unique flair. Let’s explore some of the best options!
1. Lavender
Imagine your table adorned with the delicate aroma of a sunlit meadow. Lavender will not only bring its calming scent to your dishes but also add a touch of elegance to your table setting.
This drought-tolerant plant thrives best under the sun and in well-drained soil. To ensure a plentiful harvest, trim regularly and avoid overwatering. Lavender’s beautiful purple blooms will make your tablescape both aromatic and picturesque.
2. Violas
Bring an artistic splash of color to your table with violas. These charming blooms offer not just beauty but a mild, sweet flavor that pairs well with salads.
Violas flourish in cool weather and partial shade, making them versatile for different climates. Keep them happy by ensuring rich, well-drained soil and regular watering. With violas, your table becomes a canvas bursting with color.
3. Chive Blossoms
Add a pop of pink and a subtle onion flavor with chive blossoms. They not only enhance the visual appeal but also bring a delicate taste to your culinary creations.
Chives are perennial herbs that require minimal care, thriving in full sun or partial shade. Ensure well-drained soil and occasional feeding for lush growth. Let chive blossoms be the charming sprinkle atop your tablescape.
4. Nasturtiums
Picture a cascade of vibrant petals spilling across your table. Nasturtiums provide a peppery punch and a burst of color that’s hard to ignore.
These easy-to-grow plants love the sun and do best in poorer soils, which encourage more blooms. Water moderately, and you’ll find nasturtiums rewarding you with endless color. Turn your table into a lively fiesta with these fiery blooms.
5. Calendula
Envision sunny, golden accents gracing your dishes with calendula petals. Known for their slightly spicy, tangy flavor, they add both color and zest to your meals.
Calendula thrives best in full sun and can tolerate a variety of soil types. Regular deadheading will promote more blooms. Let calendula bring a cheerful glow to your tablescape.
6. Marigolds
Think of marigolds as the golden jewels of your table. With their bold colors and slightly citrusy taste, they’re a feast for the eyes and the palate.
Marigolds are hardy plants that thrive in sunny spots with well-drained soil. Keep them blooming with regular watering and occasional deadheading. Elevate your tablescape with these radiant flowers.
7. Fennel
Introduce a touch of elegance and anise-like flavor with fennel fronds and flowers. This aromatic herb adds a sophisticated note to any dish while enhancing your tablescape’s visual appeal.
Fennel loves sunny locations and well-drained soil, and it benefits from occasional feeding. Regularly thin out crowded plants to promote healthy growth. Let fennel’s delicate beauty and flavor charm your guests.
8. Borage
With its star-shaped blue flowers and refreshing cucumber-like taste, borage brings a touch of whimsy to any table. These blossoms are perfect for decorating salads and refreshing drinks.
Thriving in sunny spots with well-drained soil, borage responds well to regular watering and will self-seed, offering new plants each spring. Embrace its playful charm and let it elevate your table’s appeal.
9. Mint
Enliven your tablescape with the invigorating scent and taste of mint leaves. Known for their refreshing burst, mint adds a cool touch to drinks and desserts alike.
Mint is a hardy perennial that thrives in part sun to full shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. To contain its spreading roots, consider planting mint in pots. Let the fresh aroma of mint waft through your dining space.
10. Thyme
Infuse your table with the earthy and aromatic essence of thyme. This versatile herb complements a variety of dishes, enhancing flavors with its subtle spice.
Thyme thrives in sunny, warm conditions and requires well-drained soil. Prune regularly to promote bushy growth and prevent legginess. Thyme’s understated beauty will subtly elevate your culinary presentation.
11. Rosemary
Imagine the forest-fresh aroma of rosemary gracing your tablescape. This robust herb adds a piney flavor that complements both savory and sweet dishes.
Rosemary loves full sun and well-drained soil, thriving with minimal care. Prune to shape and prevent woody growth, encouraging new shoots. Let rosemary’s aroma transport your table to a Mediterranean retreat.
12. Lemon Balm
Offering a citrusy twist, lemon balm infuses your table with its light, lemony fragrance. Its fresh leaves add a zestful touch to beverages and salads.
Thriving in partial to full sun and well-drained soil, regular pruning encourages bushy growth and more aromatic leaves. Let lemon balm brighten your tablescape with its cheerful scent and delightful taste.
13. Dandelions
Rediscover the humble dandelion, a common weed with a culinary secret. Its slightly bitter leaves and bright yellow flowers add a unique twist to your dishes.
Dandelions are incredibly resilient and grow in almost any condition, from sun to shade. Harvest young leaves for the best flavor and regularly remove flower heads to prevent seeding. Dandelions bring a wild and whimsical charm to your table.
14. Sage
Let the earthy and slightly peppery taste of sage grace your culinary creations. Its aromatic leaves are perfect for seasoning meats and vegetables alike.
Sage thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring little water once established. Trim regularly to maintain shape and encourage new growth. Sage’s rustic appeal will add depth and flavor to your tablescape.
15. Pansies
With their colorful palette, pansies are both pleasing to the eye and mild on the palate. These edible blooms can top salads or decorate cakes with their subtle sweetness.
Preferring cool weather and partial shade, pansies flourish in rich, well-drained soil. Keep them blooming with consistent watering and regular deadheading. Let pansies bring their joyful presence to your table.
16. Bee Balm
With its vibrant blooms and citrusy, minty flavor, bee balm delights both the eyes and the palate. These flowers not only add beauty but also attract beneficial pollinators to your garden.
Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, bee balm appreciates regular watering. Deadheading spent blooms encourages continuous flowering.
17. Chamomile
The gentle, apple-like scent and taste of chamomile create a calming atmosphere at your table. Its small, daisy-like flowers are ideal for soothing teas or garnishing desserts.
This plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring little care once established. To encourage more blooms, simply harvest the flowers regularly.
18. Chrysanthemums
Edible chrysanthemums add a touch of elegance with their vibrant petals and peppery taste. These blooms can adorn your dishes, offering both aesthetic appeal and a slight spice.
Chrysanthemums love full sun and well-drained soil, thriving with moderate watering. Regular pruning encourages more blooms and a bushier plant. Let these flowers bring sophistication and flair to your table.
19. Purple Basil
Bringing a regal splash of color and a sweet, clove-like flavor, purple basil enhances any tablescape. Its striking leaves are perfect for garnishing dishes or infusing oils and vinegars.
Preferring warm temperatures, full sun, and rich, well-drained soil, basil thrives with regular care. Pinch it back often to prevent flowering and encourage a bushy, vibrant growth.
20. Tarragon
With its delicate anise flavor, tarragon adds a sophisticated touch to meats and sauces. Its slender leaves bring both visual appeal and culinary delight to your table.
Preferring full sun and well-drained soil, tarragon thrives with regular but moderate watering. Dividing plants every few years keeps them strong and healthy.
21. Cilantro (Coriander)
Known for its fresh, citrusy taste, cilantro can turn any dish into a flavor fiesta. Both the leaves and seeds (coriander) bring unique culinary uses to the table.
Cilantro thrives in cool weather, preferring full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Regular harvesting helps prevent bolting and encourages bushy growth.
22. Lemon Verbena
With its intense lemony aroma and flavor, lemon verbena enchants any dish, making it perfect for teas and desserts. Its glossy leaves add an elegant touch to your table setting.
Preferring full sun and well-drained soil, this herb thrives with regular watering during dry spells. Frequent pruning helps maintain its shape and encourages fresh growth.
23. Sweet Potatoes (Leaves)
Surprise your guests with the edible leaves of sweet potatoes. These nutrient-rich greens have a mild, slightly sweet flavor that complements salads and stir-fries.
Sweet potatoes thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, appreciating regular watering. Harvest leaves sparingly to allow tubers to develop. Let sweet potato leaves add a nutritious and unexpected element to your table.
24. Squash Blossoms
The delicate texture and mild flavor of squash blossoms can elevate any dish. These golden flowers are perfect for stuffing or frying, creating a gourmet experience.
Thriving in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil, squash plants benefit from regular watering. Harvest blossoms early in the day for the best flavor.
25. Hostas (Young Leaves)
Who knew hostas, typically admired for their lush foliage, offer young leaves that are unexpectedly delicious? These tender greens have a mild flavor, making them perfect for fresh salads or light steaming.
Thriving in shady spots with well-drained, rich soil, hostas love regular watering. Be sure to harvest the young leaves sparingly to keep the plant healthy.
26. Daylilies
Add a touch of drama with the bold blooms of daylilies. Their sweet, crunchy petals can be stuffed or added to salads for a colorful twist.
Daylilies thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring minimal care once established. Remove spent blooms to encourage new flowers. Let daylilies bring a burst of color and flavor to your table.
27. Red Clover
Adding a pop of color and a mild, sweet flavor to dishes, red clover is perfect for garnishes or infusions.
Thriving in full sun and adaptable to various soil types, it’s easy to grow and maintain. Regular mowing or cutting encourages fresh growth and prevents flowering.
28. Creeping Thyme
With its tiny flowers and herbal flavor, creeping thyme adds a burst of aroma and visual charm to any dish. Perfect for garnishing savory meals, it enhances both taste and presentation.
Thriving in sunny spots and well-drained soil, this hardy plant requires minimal water once established. Trim it lightly after flowering to keep its compact form.
29. Oregano
The robust flavor of oregano is a must-have for Italian and Greek dishes, adding depth and warmth to every bite. Its aromatic leaves are a kitchen staple, enhancing meals with their earthy notes.
Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, oregano requires little more than occasional watering. Regular pruning encourages bushy growth and prevents legginess.
30. Lettuce
A refreshing crunch and a burst of green, lettuce adds vitality to any table setting. Whether as the foundation for salads or a garnish for sandwiches, this versatile leafy green shines.
Preferring cool weather and partial shade, lettuce thrives in well-drained, moist soil. For the crispest texture, harvest leaves early in the morning.