Companion Planting Herbs And Vegetables

If you want to start companion planting herbs and vegetables, we got you covered. Here's a quick list of herbs and vegetables that grow amazingly well together.

Companion planting is one of the most helpful practices in gardening for a number of reasons.

One of those reasons is that certain plants can boost the growth and flavor of other plants.

Many gardeners use companion planting to decrease their need for fertilizers and pesticides. For that reason, companion planting herbs and vegetables is very popular among home growers. 

In this article, we’ll look at herbs and vegetables that grow amazingly well with each other.

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Companion Planting Herbs and Vegetables

 Here are the best combinations of herbs and vegetables to grow together:

1. Basil + Tomatoes

Fresh Basil ready to harvest

Technically, tomatoes are fruits, but in the kitchen, they’re considered vegetables.

Practices have shown that basil can boost the growth and enhance the flavor of tomatoes.

Additionally, basil can repel harmful pests and therefore, can protect your tomato plants.

Basil also grows well with cucumbers, peppers, and asparagus. It also loves other herbs, such as oregano. (Learn more about growing herbs together)

2. Caraway + Lettuce

Caraway

Caraway is a biennial herb that promotes digestion. According to Healthline, studies have shown that caraway can relieve bloating and abdominal cramps.

This herb develops very deep roots. So, it grows best with plants that have shallow roots, such as lettuce.

Caraway can attract beneficial insects that attack pests, so it can protect your lettuce plants.

Note: Don’t grow the herb with other deep-rooted plants, such as fennel.

3. Lavender + Cabbage/Cauliflower

Fresh lavender on wood

Lavender is known for its strong, wonderful aroma. For that reason, this herb is a very good companion plant.

Lavender can, in fact, mask the smell of other plants.

If you grow it around your cabbage, you’ll confuse the pests and keep them away.

The herb has no bad companions and you can grow it with any other plant as long as you’re using fast-draining soil. (Learn more about soil for lavender)

4. Lemon Balm + Pumpkin/Squash

Cup with fresh lemon balm on table

Similar to lavender, lemon balm has a powerful aroma.

The herb has many medicinal benefits. According to WebMD, it can relieve stress and anxiety, and improve sleep.

In the garden, lemon balm can keep pests away, particularly squash bugs.

So, growing lemon balm with pumpkin and squash is very helpful.

The flowers of lemon balm can also attract pollinators, such as bees.

Note: Lemon balm grows quick, so you need to either grow it in a container or prevent it from seeding in the garden.

5. Parsley + Asparagus

Parsley grows in the garden

Parsley is one of the most popular herbs in the kitchen. It can be used as garnish, seasoning, and also as the major ingredient of some traditional dishes, such as Tabbouleh.

The herb is an excellent companion for asparagus because it can repel asparagus beetles that can feed on asparagus spears.

Parsley can also attract beneficial insects and can grow well with other vegetables, such as carrots and onions.

Note: Don’t grow parsley and mint together because they don’t get along.

6. Rosemary + Carrots

Rosemary

Rosemary is the queen of medicinal herbs. According to MedicalNewsToday, the herb has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antioxidant, and anti-aging properties.

Growing and taking care of rosemary is a piece of cake.

This herb is a perfect companion for carrots because it can repel carrot flies.

Rosemary can protect cabbage from cabbage moths as well.

Rosemary also loves sage, and these two herbs grow very well together.

7. Oregano + Cabbage/Cauliflower/Broccoli

oregano

Oregano is a very popular culinary herb. Its aroma and flavor make every dish taste better.

Growing oregano beside other plants is very helpful because it can attract many beneficial insects.

The herb can repel cabbage butterfly, and hence it’s a good companion plant for cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli.

Note: Oregano is invasive, so it’s better to grow it in a container.

8. Sage + Cabbage/Cauliflower/Broccoli

sage plant leaves, Salvia officinalis

Sage is an herb that has a unique aroma and taste. And this plant is packed with antioxidants and may prevent many chronic diseases.

The herb can repel cabbage moths and beetles, so it’s very helpful to grow it with cabbage and its relatives.

Sage can also attract beneficial insects, and some gardeners believe that it can boost the growth of tomatoes.

Note: Don’t grow sage with cucumbers or onions.

9. Mint + Tomatoes

Spearmint Herb

Mints are perhaps the best-known genus of herbs in the world.

Growing mint in your garden can attract a wide variety of beneficial insects, including hover flies. Mints also have the ability to repel many pests, such as rodents, aphids, and worms.

You can improve the growth of your mint plants by growing them near stinging nettle.

Note: Mint plants are very invasive and can take over your garden. Grow them in containers. Also, avoid growing mint near parsley.

10. Coriander + Potatoes

Cilantro

Coriander or cilantro is a world-famous culinary herb.

It is used in many cuisines, including Indian, Mexican, and Middle Eastern cuisines.

This herb repels many pests, so it’s good to have it in the garden. In fact, coriander can repel potato beetles and it’s considered an excellent companion for potato plants.

Note: Coriander is a bad companion plant for fennel.

11. Dill + Lettuce

dill

Dill is a very flavorful herb that is brimming with antioxidants.

Growing dill is very simple given that you provide it with the right growing conditions.

This herb is a very good companion plant for lettuce because it improves its health and growth. Dill also grows wells with cucumbers, onions, and cabbage.

The herb repels harmful insects and attracts beneficial ones, including bees and wasps.

12. Thyme + Cabbage/Cauliflower/Broccoli

Thyme

Thyme has one of the strongest aromas among herbs. That feature makes thyme one of the best companion plants.

Thyme can mask the scent of plants growing beside it, and therefore it can protect them from pests that locate plants by smelling.

So, thyme is a very good companion plant for many vegetables, including tomatoes and eggplants.

And since it deters cabbage worms, it’s a perfect companion for cabbage and its relatives.

13. Chives + Carrots

fresh and young chives in a spring garden

Chives is an herb and a vegetable simultaneously.

Growing chives in the garden is very easy and beneficial.

Chives is an amazing companion for carrots. The herb can deter pests that can harm carrot plants, such as carrot rust fly.

The plant is also known to boost the growth and the flavor of carrots.

Chives is a great companion for tomatoes as well.

Note: Don’t grow chives close to peas.

14. Bee Balm + Tomatoes

Bee Balm

Bee balm is a heavy-flowering plant that is popular for its peppery-flavored leaves and flowers.

The herb attracts pollinators, including bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. For that reason, bee balm is an amazing companion for most plants.

Bee balm can also strengthen the flavor of tomatoes and boost their growth.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the art of companion planting is invaluable. And to achieve that, you must start practicing.

Now that you discovered some combinations, you can start growing your herbs and vegetables together.

Practicing will allow you to experiment and come up with your own combinations.

Enjoy growing your herbs and vegetables and don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Jad Daou

Jad has always been passionate about growing plants. When he finished high school, he majored in biology, which makes him very knowledgeable about agriculture.