Have you tried growing edible flowers at home? A small kitchen garden or a sunny windowsill filled with blooms is so charming. Recently I found tiny violas at a local garden shop and planted most in pots, but I had a few left over and tucked them into colorful coffee mugs as a playful alternative.
I’ve made mini mug gardens for years and they always feel special, but this was my first time using edible flowers in mugs. They make delightful little gifts for Mother’s Day, housewarmings, or simply to brighten your own kitchen. I’ve been inspired by botanical baking to include more edible flowers in our cooking and baking — they look lovely on salads, yogurt, and cakes. For many recipes and ideas, I’ve shared a collection of edible-flower uses in another post.
My husband recently made a blueberry dessert and garnished it with a few of our viola blooms — it was such a sweet finishing touch. Keeping the flowers in the kitchen makes them conveniently available whenever you want to add edible petals to a dish.
Mugs work surprisingly well as temporary homes for these plants. They don’t require drainage and can stay attractive for weeks, though eventually the plants may outgrow the mugs and will benefit from transfer to a larger pot or planting in the garden. The main care tip is to avoid overwatering: water sparingly and wait until the top of the soil is nearly dry. In my sunny kitchen I usually water lightly every day.
This spring I also added forget-me-nots to my garden, another charming edible flower. They popped up in our yard last year and were such a delight that I’m planting more into Lily’s Garden this week. Small flowers like these bring a nostalgic, playful feel to outdoor beds and indoor containers alike.
Want more ideas for using edible flowers in pretty, tasty ways? Explore other posts full of recipes and inspiration for adding blooms to your meals and desserts.
More gardening inspiration on The Inspired Room:
DIY Coffee Mug Herb Garden
3 Ways to Create a Happy Garden
Five 5 Minute Gardens (including teacup gardens!)
DIY Terrarium Diffuser
Spring in Our Outdoor Oasis (A Side Patio Refresh)
My Potting Area and Lily’s Garden
My Backyard Tour and Secret Garden (previous house)
DIY Pallet Garden