Which herbs to plant together: companion herbs - Plantura (2024)

Which herbs to plant together: companion herbs - Plantura (1)

Sarah

Which herbs to plant together: companion herbs - Plantura (2)

Sarah

For me plants are some of the most exciting living beings, even though they live in slow motion. They have fascinating abilities and just so much potential! That's why I studied organic farming. However, since plants are rather thin on the ground in my city, I often spend time hiking in the nearby mountains at the weekend. In the future I would love to run a farm myself.

Favourite fruit: strawberries and gooseberries
Favourite vegetable: courgettes

Some herbs get along better than others. Here is our comprehensive guide to which herbs grow well together, and which do not.

Which herbs to plant together: companion herbs - Plantura (3)

There is a huge variety of herbs that you can grow in your own garden. They come from the most diverse regions of the world and would probably never cross paths or grow together without our help. Just like people, there are some herbs that get along very well with each other and others that are best kept apart. But which herbs should you grow together? Find out how to best arrange your herb garden and learn how companion planting with herbs can be highly beneficial in helping your plants thrive.

Contents

  • Herbs to plant together
  • Herb companion planting chart
  • Which herbs do not go together?

Herbs to plant together

Many factors need to be considered to ensure the herbs grow well together:

  • Location: Herbs with similar site requirements – such as sunlight, soil and nutrients are generally good companions. Herb composts such as our are adapted to the needs of many herbs and help these companions to thrive.
  • Growth: If two herbs grow at roughly the same rate, there is no danger of one outgrowing the other. So, both herbs can thrive side by side without crowding each other out.
  • Nutrients: Do you love rosemary? You are not the only one, basil does too. The herb’s intense scent indicates that it is rich in nutrients. These nutrients also reach the neighbouring herb through the water, air and soil. In some cases, the nutrients of one herb can have a positive effect on the other herb’s growth, disease tolerance and taste.
Which herbs to plant together: companion herbs - Plantura (4)

Herb companion planting chart

HerbSuitable herb companions
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), lavender (Lavandula), sage (Salvia officinalis), hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), winter savory (Satureja montana)Get along well with each other because of similar location requirements (sunny, warm, nutrient-poor, alkaline pH)
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)Rosemary encourages basil to grow (Ocimum basilicum)
Sage (Salvia officinalis)Promotes the growth of oregano (Origanum vulgare) and savory (Satureja)
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)Compatible with fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus), borage (Borago officinalis) and Mediterranean herbs (see above)
Camomile (Matricaria chamomilla)Promotes the growth of dill (Anethum graveolens), chives (Allium schoenoprasum), marjoram (Origanum majorana), chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) and salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor)
Parsley (Petrosilium crispum ssp. crispum)Compatible with chives (Allium schoenoprasum), basil (Ocimum basilicum), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus), salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor)
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)Promotes the growth of lavender and savory
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)Compatible with almost all herbs
Lovage (Levisticum officinale)Promotes the growth of fennel and parsley (Petroselinum crispum ssp. crispum)
Borage (Borago officinalis)Compatible with almost all herbs
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)Compatible with almost all herbs

Which herbs do not go together?

There are various reasons why some herbs tend to dislike each other:

  • Annual and perennial herbs: In principle, annual and perennial herbs get along with each other, but perennials are disturbed if every year its annual neighbour is dug up and replaced by a new one.
  • Location requirements: Mediterranean herbs love the sun, nutrient-poor and alkaline soil, and like it a little drier too. Lemon balm and mint enjoy a somewhat shadier and more nutrient-rich location. It is therefore logical that the two groups cannot grow so close to each other.
  • Competition: Some herbs are very fast growing and would simply crowd out slower growing species. It is therefore better to keep such species apart.
  • Nutrients: Herbs are rich in essential oils and other nutrients. That is why they taste so good. But not every herb tolerates the substances produced by its neighbour. Such cases can lead to growth inhibition or even the death of the plant. For this reason, garden cress, for example, is a pretty unpopular companion with many plants.
Which herbs to plant together: companion herbs - Plantura (5)

By taking these factors into account, it is easy to work out which herbs make good companions based on their location requirements and growth habits. Nevertheless, we have compiled a table for you with herbs that do not get along at all.

HerbNot compatible with
Dill (Anethum graveolens)Cress (Lepidium sativum), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), caraway (Carum carvi), tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), mint (Mentha)
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum ssp. crispum)Chervil (Anthriscus), dill (Anethum graveolens)
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), dill (Anethum graveolens), cress (Lepidium sativum), marjoram (Origanum majorana), caraway (Carum carvi)
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)Camomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Garden cress (Lepidium sativum)Dill (Anethum graveolens), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), parsley (Petroselinum crispum ssp. crispum), rocket (Eruca vesicaria), chervil (Anthriscus)
Marjoram (Origanum majorana)Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), thyme (Thymus)
Thyme (Thymus)Marjoram (Origanum majorana)

If space is a bit limited and you would like to plant your herbs close together, including those that do not get along so well, an herb spiralis a great solution. It is made up of several microclimates, ranging from sun to shade, and well-drained to saturated soils.

Which herbs to plant together: companion herbs - Plantura (6)

Organic Herb & Seedling Compost, 20L

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Which herbs to plant together: companion herbs - Plantura (12) Which herbs to plant together: companion herbs - Plantura (13) Which herbs to plant together: companion herbs - Plantura (14) Which herbs to plant together: companion herbs - Plantura (15) Which herbs to plant together: companion herbs - Plantura (16)

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It is important to fertilise herbs from time to time to help them develop their full aroma. Read our article about fertilising herbs to learn more. Get an overview of immune-boosting herbs here.

Which herbs to plant together: companion herbs - Plantura (2024)

FAQs

Which herbs to plant together: companion herbs - Plantura? ›

Sage, rosemary, thyme, and lavender can all be planted together in the same garden bed as they have similar growing requirements and are known to be complementary to each other. These herbs prefer well-drained soil, full sun exposure, and infrequent watering, making them ideal companions.

What herbs are best planted together? ›

Sage, rosemary, thyme, and lavender can all be planted together in the same garden bed as they have similar growing requirements and are known to be complementary to each other. These herbs prefer well-drained soil, full sun exposure, and infrequent watering, making them ideal companions.

What not to plant next to rosemary? ›

Worst Companion Plants for Rosemary
  • Mint: Rosemary and mint are generally not considered good companion plants as they can have different growing requirements and can compete for space, water, and nutrients. ...
  • Basil: Both plants have different growing requirements.

What herbs should not be planted close together? ›

Which herbs do not go together?
HerbNot compatible with
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), dill (Anethum graveolens), cress (Lepidium sativum), marjoram (Origanum majorana), caraway (Carum carvi)
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)Camomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
7 more rows

Are there any herbs that should not be mixed together? ›

There are several combinations you should definitely avoid: Valerian and Kava: Taking these supplements together can cause dizziness, confusion, drowsiness, respiratory depression, impaired judgment, and motor control, and difficulty in concentrating. 2. , "Drug Interactions between Kava and Valerian Root", Drugs.com.

What is the best companion plant for lavender? ›

Rosemary and lavender make excellent companion plants because they have very similar growing needs. Both plants are native to the Mediterranean region and they grow best in full sun and well-draining soil that is slightly alkaline and not overly rich.

What is the best combination of herbs? ›

Some traditional combinations are:
  • basil – with chives, chilli, garlic, oregano.
  • bay – with parsley, thyme, garlic, oregano, marjoram.
  • chilli – with coriander, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, mint, oregano.
  • chives – with basil, garlic, tarragon.
  • dill – with chives, garlic, parsley, tarragon.

What herbs grow best with rosemary? ›

The best companion plants for rosemary

Rosemary can thrive in rich soils, but only if they are freely-draining. Herbs like lavender (Lavandula), sage (Salvia officinalis), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), oregano (Origanum vulgare), and marjoram (Origanum majorana) grow nicely together with rosemary in a pot or a raised bed.

What is a bad companion plant for basil? ›

Basil and rue dislike each other. Perhaps this is because Basil is sweet and rue is very bitter. Fennel is one of the few plants that has mostly bad companions. Most plants dislike Fennel, and it should be planted well away from the vegetable garden.

Is rosemary better in pots or ground? ›

Grow rosemary in well-drained soil in full sun. Young plants can suffer if their roots are sitting in wet soil in winter, so it's a good idea to grow rosemary in a container for a couple of years before planting into the garden.

What does borage grow well with? ›

Borage is a fast-growing herb with clusters of starry blue flowers that are beloved by bees! It's a wonderful companion plant for tomatoes, cabbage, strawberries, and squash, helping to reduce tomato hornworm and cabbageworm damage.

What herbs don't like to be next to each other? ›

While many herbs grow well together with basil, there are also herbs and plants that you should avoid at all costs! These include basil, cucumbers, sage, thyme, common rue and fennel. Cucumbers tend to compete with basil for resources like water and nutrients, stunting the growth of your basil plant.

What is the best layout for an herb garden? ›

Plant short, shade-tolerant plants beneath taller, bushy plants. When you mix sun-loving plants, put tall ones at the north end of the plot and small ones at the south end, so all will get needed sun. Plant herbs throughout the garden, especially basil, mint, sage, and dill. EXCEPTION: Keep dill away from carrots.

What herbs are hard on the liver? ›

Herbs Associated with Liver Damage
HerbUse
Chaparral (Larrea tridentata)common cold, bone and muscle pain, snake bites, weight loss, skin disorders, and antioxidant properties
Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys)weight loss and diarrhea
Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus)irritable bowel syndrome
5 more rows
May 24, 2023

What herbs should heart patients avoid? ›

While there are more than one dozen herbal supplements that should be avoided, Giardina often tells her cardiac patients to avoid the four Gs: garlic, ginkgo, ginseng, and ginger—all of which can have devastating effects on cardiac patients.

What herbs don't grow together? ›

Which Herb To Avoid Growing with Others?
  • Mint. One of the avoidable plants is mint. ...
  • Fennel and cilantro. This combo can not grow well if planted as companion plants. ...
  • Dill and lavender. This combination can not be grown together as the growing conditions of both plants differ from each other.
  • Rue, sage, and basil.
Jul 4, 2023

Can I plant cilantro and basil together? ›

They grow beautifully together in both large herb gardens and small patio planters. These two herbs are top choices for small-space growers and urban gardeners since basil and cilantro don't take up a lot of space, and they're easy to fit into balcony gardens and windowsill herb gardens.

What herbs to grow with basil? ›

Other Herbs: Mint, chives, and parsley are also great companions for basil. They thrive in similar conditions and collectively create a diverse, aromatic, and pest-resistant environment. These would also all work great if grown together in a raised bed.

What can you not plant with basil? ›

Basil and rue dislike each other. Perhaps this is because Basil is sweet and rue is very bitter. Fennel is one of the few plants that has mostly bad companions. Most plants dislike Fennel, and it should be planted well away from the vegetable garden.

Can rosemary and basil be planted together? ›

In summary, basil and rosemary can be planted together as long as their individual needs are considered. Provide well-draining soil, full sun exposure, and appropriate watering and spacing to ensure both herbs thrive.

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