We all know the benefits of vegetable companion planting, but what about growing herbs as companion plants? Creating a companion herb garden is no different and allows you to take advantage of their beneficial relationships with other plants.
Reasons for Companion Planting an Herb Garden
Companion planting with herbs offers numerous benefits. For example, companion planting with herbs can discourage pests, which often occurs when you plant companion herbs that exude an aroma that pests find unpleasant. On the other hand, some herbs that grow well together can actually attract beneficial insects or draw unwanted pests away from more susceptible herbs.
Some herbs can even increase the essential oils in companion herbs. However, some herbs that don’t grow well together can draw nutrients and moisture from their companion plants. When choosing companion plants for your herb garden, consider these factors:
Heavy feeders planted next to each other will compete for nutrients in the soil.
Strong smelling/tasting plants planted next to one another may change the flavors and scents of other herbs or vegetables.
Interested in growing herbs as companion plants? This herb companion planting list will get you started.
Basil
Benefits – Improves the flavor of neighboring herbs. Repels flies and mosquitoes.
Companions – Tomatoes, peppers, asparagus, oregano (Not sage or common rue)
Chamomile
Benefits – Improves the flavor of any neighboring herb. Attracts beneficial insects and pollinators.
Companions – Cabbage, onion, cucumber
Garlic
Benefits – Repels aphids, loopers, snails, Japanese beetles.
Companions – Most plants
Mint
Benefits – Repels aphids, mosquitoes, ants, attracts bees.
Companions – Tomatoes, most plants (avoid combining mint varieties)
Chives
Benefits – Repels aphids.
Companions – Carrots, tomatoes, dill and most herbs
Tarragon
Benefits – Improves flavor of any neighbor.
Companions – Great companion to eggplant
Cilantro
Benefits – Deters spider mites, aphids.
Companions – Spinach, caraway, anise, dill
Sage
Benefits – Repels some beetles and flies.
Companions – Rosemary (not Rue)
Dill
Benefits – Discourages spider mites, aphids.
Companions – Onions, corn, lettuce, cucumbers, (not carrots, tomatoes, fennel, lavender, or caraway)
Rosemary
Benefits – Deters a variety of pests.
Companions – Beans, peppers, broccoli, cabbage, sage (Not carrots or pumpkins)
Catnip
Benefits – Repels harmful pests, attracts bees.
Companions – Pumpkins, beets, squash, hyssop
Lavender
Benefits – Repels harmful pests, attracts butterflies.
Companions – Cauliflower
Note: Keep in mind that some herbs just don’t grow well together. For example, fennel doesn’t get along with most other plants and is best planted in an area all by itself, mostly because of the strong aroma. However, from its solitary location, fennel repels fleas and aphids and attracts beneficial pollinators.
