Companion planting is the art of putting plants together so they help each other — and herbs are the best companions in the garden. A basil plant next to a tomato is the classic pairing, and it is classic because it works: the basil is said to improve the tomato's flavour and to confuse the pests that find tomatoes by scent. Mint confuses cabbage pests, dill attracts the predators that eat aphids, and chives are said to deter aphids and carrot fly. Whether every claim is proven or not, a garden with herbs scattered through the vegetables is a healthier, more diverse garden than one without them.
Companion planting is not magic, and it does not replace good soil, sun and watering. But it is a useful way to use space, to attract beneficial insects, and to keep the worst pests at bay — and herbs are small enough to tuck into the gaps between vegetables without competing for much room. This guide covers the best herb companions for vegetables, the best herb combinations, and the herbs that should be kept apart. Use our companion planting finder to check pairings for your garden, and check your local extension service for the combinations that work in your area.
Basil and tomatoes: the classic pairing
Basil and tomatoes are the most famous companion pair in the garden, and for good reasons. Basil is said to improve the flavour of tomatoes, and its strong scent is thought to confuse the pests that find tomatoes by smell. Basil also attracts pollinators, which helps tomatoes set fruit, and it grows well in the same conditions as tomatoes — sun, warmth, steady moisture and rich soil — so the two are easy to grow together. Plant basil around the base of tomato plants, where it acts as a living mulch, shading the soil and keeping it moist, and where it is easy to pick when you pick the tomatoes.
Other herbs pair well with tomatoes too. Parsley is a good tomato companion, and chives are said to improve the flavour and health of tomatoes. Borage — a herb grown for its edible flowers — is a traditional tomato companion that attracts bees. What tomatoes do not want nearby is fennel, which is best kept away from most vegetables, and corn, which shares pests with tomatoes. For more on growing tomatoes, see our guide to growing tomatoes.
Herbs that protect vegetables from pests
Many herbs protect vegetables by confusing pests with their scent, or by attracting the predators that eat pests. Mint is said to deter cabbage white butterflies and flea beetles, but it must be grown in a pot near the cabbages, not planted direct among them, because it spreads. Rosemary is said to deter carrot fly and cabbage moths, and it grows well near carrots and cabbage. Sage is a traditional companion for cabbages and carrots, and thyme is said to deter cabbage worms. Dill attracts hoverflies and lacewings, whose larvae eat aphids, and it is a good companion for cucumbers and lettuce.
Chives are said to deter aphids and carrot fly, and they are a good companion for carrots and roses. Oregano is a good general companion that attracts pollinators and is said to deter pests. Chamomile is called the gardener's physician, because it is said to improve the health of the plants around it, and it attracts hoverflies. Plant these herbs in the gaps between vegetables, along the edges of beds, and in pots placed where they are needed — a pot of mint by the cabbages, a pot of rosemary by the carrots, and basil by the tomatoes.
Herbs that grow well together
Herbs that want the same conditions grow well together, and grouping them that way makes watering and feeding simple. Mediterranean herbs — rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano and lavender — grow well together in a sunny, gritty bed, because they all want sun, sharp drainage and little water. Soft herbs — basil, parsley, cilantro and chives — grow well together in a richer, moister bed. Chamomile grows well with most herbs and is said to improve their flavour and health.
Some herbs are particularly good neighbours. Basil grows well with parsley and chives. Chives grow well with parsley and carrots. Dill grows well with cucumbers and lettuce, but it should be kept away from carrots, because the two are related and can cross-pollinate if you are saving seed. Our companion planting finder can help you check any pairing before you plant.
Herbs to keep apart
Not all herbs are good neighbours, and a few should be kept well apart. Fennel is the worst offender: it is said to inhibit the growth of most other plants, and it should be grown on its own, away from the herb bed and the vegetable beds. Mint must be kept in its own pot, because it spreads by runners and will crowd out anything planted with it. Dill should be kept away from carrots if you are saving seed, and from tomatoes when young, because young dill is said to inhibit tomato growth — mature dill is less of a problem. Sage and rue are traditionally said to dislike each other, and sage is best kept away from cucumbers, which it is said to stunt.
Oregano and thyme spread steadily and can crowd out smaller herbs if they are planted too close, so give them room. Lavender grows into a large shrub and will shade smaller herbs if it is planted in the middle of the bed — put it at the back or at the end. And remember that companion planting is a guide, not a law: if two herbs are growing well together in your garden, that counts for more than a rule in a book. If a pairing is not working, move one of them — herbs in pots are easy to rearrange.
Companion planting for pollinators and predators
Herbs are among the best plants for attracting beneficial insects, and that is one of their greatest values as companions. Let a few herbs flower — basil, oregano, thyme, chives and dill all have flowers that bees and hoverflies love — and the garden will have more pollinators for the vegetables and more predators for the pests. A herb allowed to flower is a herb that is not producing leaves, so let one plant of each kind flower while you pick the others for the kitchen.
Plant herbs at the edges of beds, along paths, and in pots placed where they are needed, so they are easy to reach and easy to move. A pot of mint by the cabbages, a pot of rosemary by the carrots, and a row of basil by the tomatoes is a practical companion planting plan that fits in any garden. And do not forget the flowers: marigolds, calendula and nasturtiums planted with herbs bring in even more beneficial insects, and nasturtiums act as a trap crop for aphids, drawing them away from the herbs and vegetables. If you are unsure which combinations work in your area, check your local extension service for their recommendations.
Common mistakes
The most common companion-planting mistake is planting mint direct among other herbs or vegetables, where it spreads and crowds everything out within a season. The second is planting fennel in the herb bed, where it is said to inhibit its neighbours. The third is expecting companion planting to solve a pest problem on its own — it helps, but it does not replace good soil, sun, watering and regular checking. The fourth is planting herbs with very different water needs together, so one group always suffers. And the fifth is never letting any herb flower, so the garden has no flowers for pollinators and predators. Plant the right herb in the right place, let a few flower, and keep the spreaders in pots.
| Herb | Best companions | Keep away from | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Tomatoes, parsley, chives | Rue, sage (traditionally) | Flavour, pest confusion, pollinators |
| Mint | Cabbages (in a pot nearby) | Everything (in open ground) | Spreads by runners; deters cabbage pests |
| Rosemary | Carrots, cabbage, beans | — | Deters carrot fly and cabbage moths |
| Dill | Cucumbers, lettuce | Carrots (if saving seed); young tomatoes | Attracts hoverflies; taproot dislikes moving |
| Chives | Carrots, tomatoes, parsley | — | Said to deter aphids and carrot fly |
| Sage | Cabbage, carrots, rosemary | Cucumbers | Deters cabbage moths |
| Fennel | None — grow alone | Most vegetables and herbs | Said to inhibit neighbouring plants |
Frequently asked questions
What herb grows best with tomatoes?
Basil is the classic tomato companion — it is said to improve tomato flavour, confuse pests by scent, and attract pollinators. Parsley and chives are also good tomato companions. Plant basil around the base of tomato plants, where it is easy to pick with the tomatoes.
Which herbs repel pests in the vegetable garden?
Mint is said to deter cabbage pests and flea beetles, rosemary to deter carrot fly and cabbage moths, sage to protect cabbages and carrots, and chives to deter aphids and carrot fly. Dill attracts hoverflies and lacewings, whose larvae eat aphids.
Can I plant mint with other herbs?
No — plant mint in its own pot. It spreads by underground runners and will crowd out anything planted with it within weeks. A pot placed near the cabbages gives you the companion benefit without the spreading problem.
What herbs should not be planted together?
Fennel should be grown alone, away from most other plants. Dill should be kept away from carrots if you are saving seed. Sage is traditionally kept away from cucumbers, and mint must always be in its own pot.
Do herbs really improve the flavour of vegetables?
That is the traditional claim for basil with tomatoes, and many gardeners believe it. What is certain is that herbs attract pollinators and predators, confuse pests with their scent, and make good use of the gaps between vegetables — which is reason enough to plant them together.