Companion Planting: Where In The Garden Should I Plant My Herbs?

Written by Melissa Guzowski

1. Chives

Chives are one of my favorite companion plants in the garden. Like most Allium Family Members, they are great at repelling a variety of pests and can be planted throughout the garden to do so. Chives keep your strawberry plants healthy and disease free, they improve the flavor of tomatoes and carrots, and they repel carrot rust flies, aphids and Japanese beetles.

Plant with: Carrots, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Eggplant, Peppers, Squash, Raspberries, Basil, Parsley, Brassicas (Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Kohlrabi, Brussels, Collards, Cauliflower, etc.)

Keep away from: Beans, Peas, Asparagus, Spinach

2. Basil

Basil is another companion planting all-star in the garden. Basil not only repels a variety of pests but improves the growth, flavor and yield of particular plants. Basil deters mosquitos, aphids, flies, mites, asparagus beetle and tomato horned worm.

While chasing away invasive pests already makes it an all-star, it also increases the yield and promotes the growth of your eggplants, peppers and tomatoes. Basil improves the flavor of tomatoes as well as the growth, making them a dynamic duo whether they’re in the garden or on your plate. Asparagus is another plant that loves to be grown with basil as it repels asparagus beetles and attracts predatory insects like ladybugs who feed on other asparagus pests. Asparagus, Tomatoes, Basil and Borage all love to be planted together and all work to repel each others pests and improve each others flavors- proving how powerful companion planting can be in your garden!

Basil can also be extremely beneficial to grow alongside your Brassicas, who are prone to aphids and a variety of other pests- particularly Brussels.

Plant with: Tomatoes, Eggplants, Peppers, Asparagus, Borage, Brussels, other Brassicas, Oregano, Chives, Carrots, Radishes, Beets, Parsnips, Turnips

Keep away from: Rosemary, Sage, Rue

3. Parsley

One of the most important things I think there is to know about planting parsley in the garden is knowing what does NOT like it.

Keep your parsley away from your lettuce, as it will cause premature bolting. This is a lesson I learned the hard way in my first community garden plot. There was resident parsley growing and we planted a lettuce mix directly next to it. Needless to say, we didn’t get any lettuce that year as it bolted almost immediately and got infested with slugs- but thus, an interest in companion planting was born! You also want to keep parsley away from garlic as it will stunt your garlic’s growth.

Parsley is very beneficial to a lot of other plants. It’s true superpower lies in allowing it to go to flower as parsley flowers attract many different predatory insects that feed on your garden veggies and fruit trees. Predatory insects that are attracted to parsley flowers will feed on corn, tomato, bean, pea, rose, pepper, apple, pear and brassica pests- so flowering parsley is a great companion for the whole lot. Parsley is also a great companion for Asparagus as they promote each other’s growth and parsley repels asparagus beetle.

Plant with: Corn, Peppers, Tomatoes, Peas, Beans, Apple, Pear, Roses, Brassicas Asparagus

Keep away from: Lettuce, Garlic, Mint

4. Cilantro

Cilantro’s super power is similar to our previously mentioned parsley, it lies in the flowering plants ability to attract beneficial insects to pray on our garden’s pests. Cilantro flowers attract parasitoid wasps, hoverflies, ladybugs and lacewings. Cilantro also deters potato beetle and can be made into a tea and sprayed on plants to rid of spider mites (good to keep in mind for your indoor plants- especially if you grow ivy!) I love to plant my cilantro alongside legume family members (beans, peas, alfalfa, clover) as they fix the nitrogen in the soil and cilantro feeds on the nitrates that form in the soil. Tomatoes are also a beneficial companion plant for cilantro as they provide shade which helps your cilantro avoid bolting as quickly.

Plant with: Asparagus, Brassicas (Cabbage, Kale, Kohlrabi especially), Spinach, Lettuce, Peppers, Tomatoes, Alfalfa, Clover, Melons, Beans, Peas, Potatoes, Basil, Parsley, Mint

Keep away from: Fennel, Rosemary, Lavender, Chives, Thyme, Tarragon, Dill

5. Scallions

Scallions follow suit with the rest of the Allium family- keep them away from your beans and peas. Scallions do make great companions for tomatoes, strawberries, beets, brassicas, carrots and peppers- just like the other members of their family (onions. garlic, leeks, chives, etc.) Your scallions are also perennial, which means they will come back year after year- so choose an area thoughtfully! A trick to getting more of the tender white part of you scallions is to hill the soil up around them to protect them from the sun (same technique applies to leeks!)

Plant with: Tomatoes, Lettuce, Brassicas, Carrots, Cucumbers. Peppers, Strawberries, Beets, Dill, Mint

Keep away from: Beans, Peas, Asparagus, Sage

6. Dill

Dill flowers are not only edible and delicious, but they attract a wide variety of predatory insects: ladybugs, honeybees, butterflies, praying mantis, parasitic wasps and hoverflies. Dill may also discourage cabbage loopers, aphids and spider mites- making them an epic companion plant for those who like it.

There is a debate on whether to plant your dill among tomatoes. While young dill repels tomato horn worm and can attract beneficial insects that may prove it to be an ally - mature dill plants can stunt the growth of tomato plants. Some will pull the dill plant before it matures- but to me that doesn’t seem worth it when tomato has so many other companions. Personally, I keep my dill and tomatoes apart. In fact, dill can stunt the growth of most nightshades, so you want to keep it away from your peppers and eggplants as well.

As dill is in the carrot family, it does attract carrot flies, so you want to also keep your dill away from your carrots, parsnips and fennel.

Plant with: Corn, Cucumbers, Onions, Lettuce, Brassicas, Asparagus, Bok Choy, Marjoram, Basil, Nasturtium, Borage

Keep away from: Fennel, Carrots, Tomatoes, Parsnips, Peppers, Eggplant, Potatoes, Cilantro, Lavender

7. Oregano

It’s not just Raymond- Everybody loves oregano! Oregano has no difficult relationships in the garden and all veggies and herbs enjoy being planted next to it. It is the social butterfly of the garden!

Being a member of the mint family, oregano is high in essential oils, which speaks to its pest repellent powers. While oregano is an overall pest repellent it specifically repels aphids, squash bugs, cucumber beetle, cabbage worm & butterfly and grape pests.

Plant with: Peppers, Asparagus, Eggplant, Pumpkins, Cucumbers, Grapes, Squash, Beans, Brassicas, Strawberries, Basil, Chives, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Savory, Mint

Keep away from: NOTHING!

8. Thyme

Thyme is not only versatile in the kitchen, but it brings so much to the garden as well. Thyme repels cabbage worms, cabbage loopers, moths, aphids, flea beetles, tomato hornworm, whiteflies, Colorado potato beetle, blackflies and corn earworms. As if that isn’t enough, thyme also attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs, parasitic wasps, honeybees and hoverflies to munch on whatever pests are left as a second order of protection.

Thyme doesn’t just protect its companions, but enhances them as well. When planted close, thyme improves the flavor of shallots, potatoes and tomatoes. It also strengthens tomato plants defense against pests and disease and encourages the growth of potatoes, strawberries, cabbage and eggplant. Strawberries and blueberries are especially fond of being companion planted with thyme. Thyme acts as a ground cover that controls soil temperature and moisture for both plants, repels worms from your strawberries and enhances its growth and attracts honey bees to your blueberries while tolerating its acidic soil needs!

While thyme gets along with everything in the garden, it prefers to be planted with herbs that like the same drier soil conditions. Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Marjoram and Oregano are herbs to keep together. While it won’t have severe affects on companionship, try and plant thyme with herbs that require similar soil conditions- avoid planting with basil, cilantro and chives which like moist soil.

Plant with: Eggplant, Tomato, Asparagus, Strawberries, Corn, Shallots, Brassicas, Rosemary, Sage, Marjoram, Oregano, Bay, Potato, Rose, Blueberries

Keep away from: Basil, Cilantro, Chives

9. Rosemary

The master of disguise. Rosemary’s talent lies in its aroma- its potent smell masks the scent of nearby plants, leaving them hidden from pests. This is especially true for beans and carrots, so keep your rosemary close. Rosemary also repels carrot flies so it is an all-star companion to keep your carrots and parsnips pest-free.

One of my favorite plants to plant my rosemary next to is broccoli, as they have a mutually beneficial relationship. Rosemary repels broccoli pests and broccoli enriches the soil which keeps your rosemary thriving! Other great companions for rosemary are sage and strawberries as rosemary improves the health of both!

Plant with: Peppers, Parsnips, Sage, Beans, Brassicas, Spinach, Carrots. Strawberry, Thyme, Chives, Oregano

Keep away from: Basil, Squash, Pumpkin, Potato, Tomato, Cucumber

10. Mint

First, let me just say that mint is double edged sword. It is an amazing companion plant for the garden, BUT it spreads like wildfire and will most likely end up taking over sections of your garden. Personally, I plant my mint in pots throughout the garden to keep it contained!

The strong scented essential oils in mint, much like other members of its family repel and confuse a variety of pests who will frequent your garden. While it spreads and I recommend keeping it contained, I still believe it is an important companion plant to keep around! Mint repels carrot flies, white cabbage moth, flea beetles, aphids, spider mites and rodents. Flowering mint also attracts beneficial insects who prey on these pests, adding another layer of defense to keep your valued veggies protected!

I like to keep a pot of mint close to my carrots to repel carrot flies. Something else to keep in mind is that mint improves the health and flavor of tomatoes and cabbage, so if you plant your tomatoes in pots then definitely consider mint as a companion!

Plant with: Radish, Carrot, Parsnip, Celery, Tomato, Eggplant, Peppers, Beets, Brassicas, Peas, Beans, Onions, Lettuce, Squash, Roses

Keep away from: Parsley, Rosemary, Chamomile

11. Garlic Chives

In my opinion, one of the most underrated Alliums. If you don’t have Garlic Chives growing in your garden, you are certainly missing out! Using the same harvesting technique as Chives- you want what’s growing above the ground instead of under it. Just cut the grass like leaves and flowers for a garlic flavored chive!

Not only do garlic chives taste amazing but they also repel Japanese beetles, slugs, aphids and cabbage worms- making them as helpful as they are delicious. They have similar companions and foes to the other members of the Allium family. Garlic Chives are not only helpful in repelling pests, they also improve the flavor and growth of their companions- they are especially beneficial to nightshades like eggplant, tomatoes and peppers.

Plant with: Beets, Celery, Carrots, Tomatoes, Grapes, Strawberries, Apple, Rose, Raspberries, Potatoes, Rhubarb, Kohlrabi, Parsley, Mint, Broccoli, Eggplant, Cabbage, Lettuce, Mustard, Peppers

Keep away from: Beans, Peas, Asparagus, Spinach

12. Sage

As I’m sure you’re realizing by this point, herbs are strong allies in the garden- especially when it comes to repelling pests naturally. Sage is no different. Sage repels cabbage moths, cabbage loopers, cabbage maggots, cabbage worms, beetles, carrot rust flies and black flea beetles. Sage improves the health of parsnips and repels parsnip and carrot pests like carrot rust flies. Sage is also a great companion for the brassica family- plant liberally next to kale, brussels, broccoli, cauliflower or any other brassica family members! Sage will stunt the growth of your Alliums- so keep them away from your garlic, onions and others of the sort. Sage and cucumbers also aren’t fond of each other so keep them distanced. Flowering sage will attract beneficial insects to your garden!

Plant with: Potatoes, Parsnips, Asparagus, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Brussel Sprouts, Kale, Kohlrabi, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Rosemary, Beans, Peas, Carrots

Keep away from:  Garlic, Onions, Other Alliums, Cucumbers, Rue

13. Tarragon

Tarragon is a worry-free companion in the garden- it enhances the growth and improves the flavor of any neighboring plants! Eggplant is especially found on growing with tarragon, they make a great pair of garden buddies! I love tarragon as a companion plant because of its diversity- not only is it great as a companion in the garden, but it is also an amazing companion for citrus and mulberry trees! Tarragon brings a lot to the table: it acts as a general pest repellent due to its intense aroma and is an all around helpful friend to have in the garden.

Plant with: Artichokes, Beans, Lemon, Lime, Oranges, Mulberries, Tomatoes, Eggplant, Parsnips, Oregano, Marjoram, Rhubarb

Keep away from: NOTHING!

14. Marjoram

Similar to tarragon and oregano, marjoram will improve the growth of any plant it is neighboring and deter whiteflies. Marjoram gets along with any plant in the garden but will especially thrive alongside the ones listed below as they enjoy similar growing conditions. Marjoram also is a great companion for kiwi fruit vines!

Plant with: Asparagus, Cucumbers, Squash, Celery, Corn, Eggplant, Onions, Beans, Peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Parsley, Oregano, Chives, Basil, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Kiwi

Keep away from: NOTHING!