Roses repay a little planning around what grows beside them. Roses are a shrub grown for scented flowers and a long flowering season. They need full sun, soil with a pH of 6.0–6.5, 24–36 inches of space and 1–2 years to reach maturity, so their neighbours need to suit the same bed and the same season. This guide lists the companions for roses from our crop data, how each one is thought to help, and which close relatives to keep apart.
There are 5 companions listed for roses here: Garlic, Lavender, Marigolds, Catnip and Chives. Companion planting is traditional garden practice rather than proven science, so benefits below are described in those terms — what gardeners have long said and done. Roses are in the Rosaceae family, need moderate water, and are planted as young plants in their permanent spot, not sown as seed in the bed. They are hardy, so choose the site with that in mind — a sheltered, sunny spot for tender kinds, and open ground where hardy kinds can take winter cold. Give them time: they are a long-term planting, not a one-season crop. Check any pairing first with the companion-planting finder.
Best companion plants for roses
| Companion | Why it is grown with roses |
|---|---|
| Garlic | Its strong scent is traditionally said to deter pests, and it fits neatly at the bed edge. |
| Lavender | A scented perennial that draws pollinators and is traditionally said to deter some pests. |
| Marigolds | Grown as a border or dotted through the bed; its roots are traditionally said to discourage some soil pests, and its flowers attract beneficial insects. |
| Catnip | A scented herb that attracts beneficial insects and is traditionally said to deter some pests. |
| Chives | A small, clumping herb for the bed edge; its onion scent is traditionally said to confuse pests. |
Garlic is the first companion to reach for with roses. Its strong scent is traditionally said to deter pests, and it fits neatly at the bed edge or between plants without taking much room. Plant it in autumn where winters are cold, and harvest it before it competes for summer water.
How companion planting works
Companion planting works through four overlapping mechanisms.
Pest confusion. Many pests find their host plant by scent. Strong-smelling companions such as Garlic, Lavender, Marigolds, Catnip, Chives are traditionally said to mask that scent, so the pest passes by. It is a delaying effect, not a barrier.
Pollinator and beneficial-insect attraction. Several companions here flower — Lavender, Marigolds, Catnip — drawing pollinators and beneficial insects in. Let a few flower, and leave some blooms standing rather than deadheading everything.
Nitrogen fixing. Nitrogen fixing does not apply here — none of the listed companions is a legume.
Ground cover and root layers. No companion here is a ground-cover plant, so mulch does that job instead. Deep roots beside shallow ones also compete less for water and nutrients.
None of this replaces the basics. Spacing, watering, rotation and weekly inspection matter more than any pairing.
Plants to avoid near roses
The plants to keep away from roses are its own relatives. Roses belong to the Rosaceae family, and plants in the same family share the same pests and diseases — here, aphids, japanese beetles, black spot and spider mites — so problems pass easily between them and build up in the soil.
| Plant to avoid | Why |
|---|---|
| Strawberries | Same Rosaceae family; shares pests such as aphids, japanese beetles, black spot and spider mites. |
| Raspberries | Same Rosaceae family; shares pests such as aphids, japanese beetles, black spot and spider mites. |
| Blackberries | Same Rosaceae family; shares pests such as aphids, japanese beetles, black spot and spider mites. |
| Apples | Same Rosaceae family; shares pests such as aphids, japanese beetles, black spot and spider mites. |
| Pears | Same Rosaceae family; shares pests such as aphids, japanese beetles, black spot and spider mites. |
Keep these relatives in a different bed and rotate the Rosaceae family to fresh ground each year. If you are unsure whether a plant is a relative, check your local extension service before planting it beside roses.
Planting layout and spacing
One plant needs 24–36 inches and a spot that suits its needs; once it is planted, it stays put, so choose the site carefully.
Give roses their full spacing of 24–36 inches between plants. Crowded roses mean poor airflow, more disease and smaller harvests, and no companion plant compensates for it. Work out how many plants fit your bed with the plant-spacing calculator or the square-foot garden planner.
Plant companions in the spaces the spacing leaves, not instead of it. Low companions go around the base of the bush and along the bed edges; taller ones go at the north side so they do not shade the bush; scented herbs go closest to the plant, dotted through the row. Keep a mulched ring around the base clear of grass.
Roses need full sun and soil with a pH of 6.0–6.5. Water needs are moderate, so keep the soil consistently moist with deep, regular watering rather than a light daily sprinkle, and mulch thickly to hold moisture in. The watering calculator gives a starting point for your bed size. Expect the first real crop in roughly 1–2 years from planting, and a bigger harvest once the plant is established. If growth is poor despite good care, check your local extension service for advice specific to your area and soil.
Common problems and fixes
The pests most often reported on roses are aphids, japanese beetles, black spot and spider mites. Companions may reduce pressure, but they do not prevent them — inspect leaf undersides and new growth weekly and act while numbers are low.
| Problem | What you see | First fix |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sap-sucking insects on new growth; leaves curl. | Wash off with water; encourage ladybirds. |
| Japanese beetles | Metallic beetles that skeletonise leaves and flowers. | Hand-pick into soapy water in the morning. |
| Black spot | Black spots on leaves, yellowing and leaf drop. | Remove affected leaves; improve airflow. |
| Spider mites | Tiny mites; fine webbing and speckled, bronzed leaves. | Spray water under leaves; encourage predators. |
Aphids
Wash them off with a strong jet of water and leave ladybirds and lacewings alone to eat them. Check the undersides of young leaves, where colonies start.
Japanese beetles
Japanese beetles chew leaves down to the veins. Hand-pick them into a bucket of soapy water in the morning, when they are slow, and avoid squashing them on the plant.
Black spot
Black spot shows as black marks on leaves that yellow and fall. Pick off affected leaves, clear fallen leaves from the ground, and space plants for airflow so foliage dries quickly.
Spider mites
Spider mites thrive in hot, dry weather and leave fine webbing and speckled leaves. Spray water on the undersides of leaves and keep plants well watered to slow them down.
Unsure what you are seeing? Try the pest-identifier helper or the plant-disease checker. Remove badly affected leaves and rotate the Rosaceae family next year.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best companion plant for roses?
The most widely recommended companions are garlic. Its strong scent is traditionally said to deter pests, and it fits neatly at the bed edge.
What should not be planted near roses?
Avoid other members of the Rosaceae family, including Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Apples, Pears. They share the same pests and diseases as roses, so problems move easily between them. Rotate the family to a fresh bed each season.
Can I plant roses with lavender?
Yes. Lavender is on the companion list for roses. A scented perennial that draws pollinators and is traditionally said to deter some pests.
How far apart should roses and their companions be planted?
Space roses plants 24–36 inches apart, and put companions in the gaps, along the edges and at the ends of rows. The seed-spacing calculator and the plant-spacing calculator work out how many plants fit your bed.
Does companion planting replace pest control?
No. It may reduce pest pressure, but it does not replace inspection, spacing, watering, rotation and good airflow. Check plants weekly and act early, and check your local extension service for advice on pest problems that keep coming back in your area.