Companion Plants for Your Garden: 10 Herbs That Thrive When Grown Together
Spruce up your meals with some homemade herbs! But watch out for those problematic plant pals that can spoil the garnish game. Fortunately, we've got the lowdown on the best herb combos to grow together from gardening gurus. Here's a fresh take on their insights:
Mint and Lemon Balm: The Invasive Duo
Luay Ghafari, recipe developer at Urban Farm and Kitchen, cautions to plant these minty mates separately, in separate pots, or even in a large one. Both herbs tend to wilt in the scorching sun, sothey need a well-watered haven, especially during heatwaves.
Rosemary and Lavender: A Sun-Loving Duo
Jen McDonald, co-founder of Garden Girls, highlights that rosemary and lavender complement each other due to their shared sun-loving habits. Both thrive in full sun and enjoy infrequent watering. They're also great for raising garden beds or landscaping and are drought-tolerant.
Basil and Oregano: A Vertical Balance
Anna Ohler, owner of Bright Lane Gardens, suggests that basil (a tall herb) and oregano (a bushy herb) make an excellent pairing because they balance each other thanks to their contrasting growth patterns. Both herbs enjoy full sun and well-draining soil and will continue to sprout fresh goodness throughout the season.
Pairing Basil with your favorite herbs not only flavors your dishes but also attracts pollinators.
Thyme and Sage: The Drought-Tolerant Duo
Thyme and sage are perennials that thrive in dry soil and prefer infrequent watering. They're also very drought-tolerant and will grow year after year in most zones. Perfect for a permanent spot in your garden!
Dill and Cilantro: The Pollinator-Friendly Duo
Dill and cilantro make a great pair as they both grow tall and attract pollinators. They thrive in cooler climates and need well-drained soil and regular watering. Dill even plays host to the swallowtail butterfly, making it an exceptional herb to keep post-flowering!
Rosemary and Thyme: The Deer-deterring Duo
Rosemary and thyme are strong-scented herbs that not only repel pests but also deter critters like rabbits and deer from your vegetable plants. They're perfect for lining the outskirts of your garden!
Basil and Parsley: The Sun-Loving Duo
Basil and parsley both enjoy partial to full sun and require regular watering. They are annuals, so they can be planted anywhere, even in containers, and will add a burst of flavor to your meals for one season before needing to be replanted.
Thyme and Oregano: The Corner-Hugging Duo
Both herbs are versatile, drought-tolerant, and thrive in the same conditions, making them ideal for the corners of raised garden beds. Their sprawling growth patterns also make them handy for snipping during quick harvests.
Basil and Chives: The Aphid-Repelling Duo
Chives, due to their strong onion-like scent, can help repel aphids, a common pest that targets basil. Since chives are perennials, they'll keep coming back year after year.
Chives and Parsley: The Shade-Tolerant Duo
Parsley and chives are ideal for less sunny areas and can tolerate partial shade. Pair them in a shadier part of your garden, and they'll thrive together! Chives will even beat parsley to the herb garden, providing early harvests!
Martha Stewart, famous lifestyle and home-and-garden expert, might appreciate the insights on herb pairings for a vegetable garden. The mint and lemon balm duo, which tend to be invasive, should be planted separately or in a large pot to prevent them from wilting under the scorching sun.
Garden Girls co-founder, Jen McDonald, emphasizes that rosemary and lavender, both sun-loving herbs, complement each other and are great for raising garden beds or landscaping due to their drought-tolerant nature.
Basil, a tall herb, and oregano, a bushy herb, make an excellent pairing as they balance each other thanks to their contrasting growth patterns. They both enjoy full sun and well-draining soil.
Incorporating thyme and sage in a vegetable garden provides a drought-tolerant duo that thrives in dry soil and prefers infrequent watering, making them perfect for a permanent spot in the garden.
Dill and cilantro, both tall herbs that attract pollinators, thrive in cooler climates and need well-drained soil and regular watering, making them a great addition to a shadier part of the garden.
