The Best Herbs to Plant and Don't Plant Together

By Calin Oancea and Florin Gabriel

4/11/20246 min read

This ancient gardening practice is more than just a trend; it's a smart way to maximize the health and productivity of your herb garden.

When certain herbs are grown together, they can benefit each other in various ways. In this article, we dive into herb companion planting and we will reveal how to create a harmonious herb garden and also tell you what some ideal combinations are and what worked well for us including countless other experts so that you can start immediately without any doubt.

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multiplle herbal plants growing nicely together
multiplle herbal plants growing nicely together
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Understanding the Basics: Location, Growth, and Nutrients

Chive and Parsey herbs growinng in a garden bed
Chive and Parsey herbs growinng in a garden bed

Herbs, like people, have their preferences, it is best to plant most in fall. Some love basking in the sun on a Mediterranean cliff, while others thrive in the cool, moist soil of a woodland.

When planning your herb garden and growing herbs from small seeds, consider grouping herbs with similar sunlight, soil, and water needs. This ensures that each plant gets its ideal environment without competing with its neighbor, when we did this we had great results.

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1. Location Requirements: A Key to Harmony

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one big and green herbal bush
one big and green herbal bush

2. Growth Rates: Balancing the Scales

Imagine a race between a tortoise and a hare. Now, picture that in your garden with herbs. Fast-growing herbs can overshadow or outcompete slower ones. By pairing herbs with similar growth rates, whether evergreen herbs or normal herbs, you ensure that each plant has its fair share of space, light, and nutrients.

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well thriving green Chives growing in a garden bed
well thriving green Chives growing in a garden bed

3. Nutrient Sharing: The Underground Network

Herbs are not just about flavors; they're mini nutrient factories. Some, like Basil, are particularly generous, sharing their wealth with neighbors. Planting nutrient-rich herbs in good soil for herbs alongside those that are less demanding can create a balanced ecosystem where all plants have enough nutrients to thrive.

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The Perfect Pairings: Herb Companion Planting Chart

Now, let’s talk about some winning herb combinations:

  • Basil and Tomato: Basil is known to improve the flavor of tomatoes and also repel pests like flies and mosquitoes.

  • Chives and Roses: Chives can help deter aphids from roses and also enhance their growth.

  • Mint and Cabbage: Mint deters cabbage moths, making it a great companion for cabbage and related plants.

  • Sage and Carrots: Sage's strong scent repels carrot flies, protecting carrot plants without competing for resources.

  • Thyme and Strawberries: Thyme deters worms and attracts beneficial pollinators, making it an ideal companion for strawberries.

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When Not to Co-Plant: Avoiding Bad Herb Combinations

Just as some herbs are best friends, others are not quite compatible:

  • Mint and Parsley: Mint is a vigorous grower and can quickly overrun the more delicate parsley.

  • Fennel and Most Herbs: Fennel is a bit of a loner in the herb world and doesn’t play well with others, often inhibiting the growth of neighboring plants.

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Green Box

Creative Solutions for Small Spaces

Limited space? No problem! An indoor herb garden with grow lights or a herb spiral is a fantastic way to grow a variety of herbs in a compact area. This clever design creates multiple microclimates to suit different herbs, from sunny and dry at the top to moist and shaded at the bottom.

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a person watering herbs and plants in a grden bed
a person watering herbs and plants in a grden bed

Raise Your Herb Garden Beyond Planting

To keep your herb garden thriving, remember to fertilize periodically. This helps herbs develop their full aroma and health benefits. A well-fed herb garden is a happy herb garden!

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Companion planting with herbs is not just about practical benefits; it's about creating a diverse, and productive garden.

By understanding and respecting the needs and preferences of different herbs, you can create a beautiful and harmonious garden that's a delight to the senses. So go ahead and make a list of good herbs, experiment, and watch your garden flourish when you plant the right herbs together!

Conclusion

multiple long and green Chive stems
multiple long and green Chive stems
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Sources

Nature and Sustainability uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies to support the facts we describe in our articles. Please read our editorial policy to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. 

  1. Herb general information: Herbs - Better Health Channel

  2. Planning and starting a herb garden: How to Design an Herb Garden | Planet Natural

  3. Best herb combinations: Tips For Planting Herbs Together In One Container | Gardening Know How

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Calin Oancea
Calin Oancea
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Article By:

Calin has been in the garden industry for 5 years and knows a lot about gardening and plants. He owns this website and is responsible for most of the content.

Reviewed By:

Florin, a more technical guy, is responsible for the design, reviewing the articles and making improvements, and optimizing for SEO so that everything we publish looks deam good.