20 Edible Flowers That Are Fun and Safe to Grow with Kids

Julie Ann - June 20, 2025

Gardening with kids can be a truly joyful experience—especially when you introduce the vibrant world of edible flowers. These colorful blooms not only brighten up your garden, but also add a whimsical touch to salads, desserts, and drinks. Edible flowers are easy to grow, making them perfect for young gardeners and families eager to explore nature together. Best of all, the varieties featured here are safe for curious hands and eager taste buds. Get ready to discover 20 fun, flavorful flowers that will transform your garden and your plate!

NEXT >>

1. Nasturtium

Nasturtiums are a favorite among young gardeners for their dazzling blooms in shades of orange, red, and yellow. These hardy plants are incredibly easy to grow from seed and thrive in both garden beds and containers. Their leaves and petals have a unique, peppery taste—much like watercress—which makes them a zesty addition to salads and sandwiches. Nasturtiums not only bring vibrant color to your space but also attract helpful pollinators, making your garden even more lively and abundant.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

2. Calendula

Calendula, often called “pot marigold,” boasts sunny yellow and orange petals that instantly brighten any garden. Its petals have a mild, slightly tangy flavor, making them a delightful garnish for baked goods, salads, or soups. Historically, calendula was used as “poor man’s saffron” to color and flavor dishes. This flower is known for its resilience and quick growth, making it a great choice for families eager to see results. Kids will love sprinkling these edible petals on their favorite treats!

<< Previous

NEXT >>

3. Pansy

Pansies are loved for their cheerful, “smiling” faces and wide array of vibrant colors. Their petals offer a mild, grassy flavor that’s subtle enough for both savory and sweet dishes. Perfect for decorating cakes, salads, and even ice cubes, pansies add a playful, edible touch to any occasion. These flowers thrive in cooler weather and are closely related to violas, sharing similar growing habits and uses. Kids will enjoy their versatility and the creative ways they can be used in the kitchen!

<< Previous

NEXT >>

4. Violet

Violets enchant with their deep purple hues and delicate, sweet flavor, making them a charming addition to any edible garden. Their blossoms are often candied for desserts or used to infuse teas with a floral twist. Both wild and cultivated varieties are safe to eat, though cultivated types typically have larger blooms. Violets are shade-tolerant, thriving where many other flowers won’t, so they’re an excellent choice for shady corners of your garden where kids can easily harvest their pretty petals.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

5. Borage

Borage dazzles with its striking, star-shaped blue flowers and refreshing, cucumber-like flavor. Kids will love plucking these blooms to float in summer drinks or sprinkle over fresh salads for a splash of color and taste. Borage is a magnet for bees, supporting pollinators and adding life to your garden. This plant is also famous for its easy self-seeding habit—once you plant it, it often returns year after year, making it a low-maintenance, rewarding choice for family gardens.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

6. Chive Blossoms

Chive blossoms stand out with their fluffy, purple pom-pom flowers and their pleasantly mild onion flavor. These edible blooms are perfect for sprinkling over savory dishes, such as salads, potatoes, or omelets, and make an eye-catching garnish. Compared to garlic chives, which have white flowers and a subtle garlic taste, regular chive blossoms are a bit sweeter and more delicate. Chives grow well in containers, making them a fun and accessible option for kids to care for on patios or windowsills.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

7. Marigold (Tagetes)

Marigold (Tagetes) petals are bursting with bold, citrusy, and slightly spicy notes that add an exciting twist to salads and rice dishes. These golden blooms are distinct from calendula, which has a milder, tangier taste. Marigold flowers are not only edible but also prized for their natural pest-repellent properties, helping to protect your family’s garden from unwanted insects. Their vibrant color and unique flavor make them a favorite for kids to harvest and sprinkle over a variety of meals or snacks.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

8. Dandelion

Dandelions bring a burst of sunshine to any garden with their bright yellow flowers and sweet, honey-like flavor. The petals can be used in creative ways—think fritters, colorful salads, or even homemade syrups for pancakes and drinks. Dandelions are famously abundant and easy to find, making them perfect for spontaneous foraging adventures with kids. While wild dandelions are most common, cultivated varieties offer similar taste and are just as safe to eat, ensuring a plentiful and playful harvest.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

9. Rose

Rose petals are celebrated for their sweet, aromatic flavor that adds elegance to any dish. They’re perfect for creating fragrant jams, beautiful desserts, or infusing into refreshing beverages. When harvesting for eating, always choose unsprayed roses to ensure safety, as many store-bought blooms are treated with chemicals. Interestingly, the flavor of rose petals can vary by color—darker petals tend to have a more intense taste, while lighter ones are milder. Kids will delight in sampling these classic, edible garden treasures.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

10. Lavender

Lavender enchants with its floral aroma and delicate, slightly sweet flavor, making it a unique addition to your edible flower garden. These fragrant purple blossoms are perfect for baking into cookies, stirring into homemade lemonade, or infusing into syrups for a touch of elegance. Because lavender has a strong scent, a little goes a long way in recipes. Be sure to use culinary varieties, such as Lavandula angustifolia, to ensure the best flavor and safety for your family’s tasty creations.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

11. Chamomile

Chamomile captivates with its tiny, daisy-like flowers and gentle, apple-like flavor. These cheerful blooms are most famous for their use in soothing herbal teas, but they also add a delicate touch to desserts like custards and cakes. Chamomile is cherished for its calming properties, making it a wonderful addition to a family garden. There are two main types: German chamomile, which is annual and more commonly used for tea, and Roman chamomile, a perennial with similar flavor and appearance.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

12. Squash Blossom

Squash blossoms feature a delicate, mild flavor and a vibrant yellow-orange color that stands out in any dish. These edible flowers are especially popular when stuffed with cheese or herbs and then lightly fried, creating a fun treat for kids to help prepare and enjoy. It’s best to harvest the male flowers, as they don’t produce fruit—leaving the females to grow into squash. Both zucchini and pumpkin blossoms are edible, with similar taste and texture, perfect for creative garden-to-table meals.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

13. Sunflower

Sunflower petals and unopened buds bring a mild, nutty flavor to your edible flower lineup. The bright yellow petals can be sprinkled over salads for a cheerful, crunchy twist, while the buds are delicious when lightly steamed, much like artichokes. Sunflowers offer more than just edible flowers—their seeds are a classic snack, and the sprouts are packed with nutrients. Kids will love exploring the many ways sunflowers can be enjoyed, from petal to seed, all from one towering plant.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

14. Bee Balm (Monarda)

Bee balm, also known as Monarda, features spiky petals with a lively citrusy, minty flavor that kids find intriguing. Try adding these petals to fruit salads or floating them in iced drinks for a refreshing twist. The bright red, pink, or purple blooms not only light up the garden but also attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. As a member of the mint family, bee balm’s flavor is reminiscent of other mints, but with an extra zing that makes it truly unique.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

15. Clover

Clover blossoms, both red and white varieties, have a sweet, mild taste that’s easy for kids to enjoy. These familiar flowers can be sprinkled over salads for a pop of color or used to make a gentle, honey-like syrup. Clover is common in lawns and meadows, making it an accessible choice for family foraging. Red clover tends to be a bit larger and slightly sweeter than white clover, but both are safe and delicious additions to your edible garden adventures.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

16. Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)

Honeysuckle flowers are famous for their sweet nectar and delicate floral flavor, making them a magical treat for kids to sample straight from the vine. It’s important to properly identify Lonicera japonica or other edible species, as not all honeysuckles are safe to eat. The blossoms can be enjoyed raw or used to flavor desserts. Never consume honeysuckle berries, as they can be toxic. With a little guidance, honeysuckle flowers offer a safe and enchanting edible experience.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

17. Johnny Jump-Up (Viola tricolor)

Johnny Jump-Ups delight with their cheerful tri-color petals and mild, sweet flavor, making them a favorite for both young gardeners and cooks. These little flowers are perfect for decorating cakes, topping cookies, or adding a splash of color to fresh salads. Similar in taste and appearance to pansies, Johnny Jump-Ups are a bit smaller but grow quickly, providing fast results for eager kids. Their vibrant hues and versatility make them a playful and tasty addition to any edible flower garden.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

18. Basil Flowers

Basil flowers grow in delicate clusters and offer a milder, slightly sweeter basil flavor than the leaves. These edible blooms are an inventive way to add a floral twist to pesto, sprinkle over salads, or use as pretty garnishes on pasta and pizzas. The flowers attract pollinators, supporting a healthy garden ecosystem. Different basil varieties—such as sweet, Thai, or purple basil—produce unique blossoms with subtle flavor differences, inviting kids to taste and compare each one fresh from the plant.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

19. Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)

Herb Robert features charming, tiny pink flowers and a slightly bitter, herbal flavor that adds depth to wild salads or simple garden plates. Often found growing wild, this delicate geranium is safe to taste and brings a forager’s spirit to family gardening. Compared to other geraniums, Herb Robert’s blooms are smaller and more vivid, with a distinct earthy aroma. It naturalizes easily, popping up year after year, making it a wonderful, low-maintenance choice for introducing kids to edible wildflowers.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

20. Elderflower

Elderflower offers delicate, lacy clusters of white blossoms with a sweet, floral flavor cherished in syrups, cordials, and desserts. These fragrant flowers can be used to make refreshing summer drinks or added to cakes and jellies for a unique twist. It’s important to harvest only the flowers—never the leaves, stems, or unripe berries, as these parts are not safe to eat. With their enchanting scent and taste, elderflowers are a delightful finale to any family-friendly edible flower adventure.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Conclusion

Growing edible flowers with kids is a wonderful way to connect with nature, spark curiosity, and bring bursts of color and flavor to every meal. These safe-to-eat blooms not only brighten gardens but also inspire creativity in the kitchen. Encourage your family to experiment with different flowers, savoring their unique tastes and beauty together. Dive in, explore, and enjoy every bite and blossom on your family’s edible flower journey!

<< Previous