Companion Planting with Herbs

ANISE

Plant Anise and Coriander seeds together. They will both germinate more quickly. Keep the soil moist and separate them when the seedlings have grown a little.

BASIL

Basil repels the white fly and makes a good companion to tomatoes, both in the garden and in the kitchen. You need three basil plants to every tomato plant for it to be effective. Basil also helps to repel flies and mosquitoes so a pot or basket is handy in the kitchen and outdoors near the barbeque. Basil dislikes being planted near Rue. Basil attracts bees for general garden fertility.

BORAGE

Planted in the strawberry patch, it will increase the crop. Borage is also a good companion to tomatoes and squash. It will attract bees to your garden.

CARAWAY

The long roots help to break down heavy soils so it can be planted near shallow-rooted plants. Caraway dislikes being planted near Fennel.

CHAMOMILE

Encourages other plants to increase their essential oils which makes them taste and smell more strongly. Avoid too much Chamomile next to onions and cabbages. Chamomile tea made by soaking the flowers in cold water for a day or two is a useful spray for some plant diseases, especially damping off. Rich in calcium it also keeps compost heaps sweet and healthy.

CHERVIL

Chervil improves the flavour of carrots if grown near them, and radishes planted near will have a hotter taste.

CHIVES

Carrots grow larger and healthier when planted near Chives. Chives help delay parsley from going to seed. If grown underneath apple trees, chives help to prevent apple scab. They are also said to help control aphids and black spot on roses. Cooled chive tea, made from chopped herb with boiling water, helps combat downy and powdery mildew.

CORIANDER

Sown with Anise seeds, it helps both seeds germinate more quickly. Coriander repels aphids. Don’t grow it near Fennel it hinders Fennel’s seed formation.

DILL

Cabbage grows well if planted near Dill. So do celery, corn, lettuce and cucumber. Dill has a reputation for being an enemy of carrots. This is only true if the Dill is allowed to flower when it will suppress the carrot crop. If it is not allowed to flower, Dill gets on very well with carrots. Don’t plant Dill near Fennel as they may cross-fertilise.

FENNEL

Don’t grow Fennel in the vegetable garden. It is particularly disliked by tomatoes, beans, kohlrabi, caraway and wormwood. Fennel repels fleas, so grow it around the dog kennel.

HYSSOP

Good for both cabbages and grapes. It helps deter white butterfly. A good insect repellent if planted in the vegetable or flower garden. Keep away from radishes.

LAVENDER

Is of general benefit to all kinds of plants in the garden but particularly repels all varieties of moths from laying their eggs. Silverbeet does well next to Lavender.

LEMON BALM

Attracts bees. Improves the growth and flavour of tomatoes.

LOVAGE

An all-round garden helper. It improves the health and flavour of most other plants if situated near them.

MARJORAM

Marjoram has beneficial effect on most vegetables if planted near them.

NASTURTIUM

A useful insect repellent. Plant a few around broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, radishes and fruit trees.

OREGANO

Plant near broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower to repel cabbage butterfly and improve the flavour of these vegetables. It also seems to benefit grapes.

PARSLEY

Grow Parsley near Chives, but away from Mint. It aids the growth of roses, tomatoes, asparagus, beans and carrots.

RUE

Rue hates Basil. Roses, strawberries and fig trees benefit when planted near Rue. It is an effective fly repellent. Dogs and cats hate it so if neighbourhood pets are a problem, plant Rue to deter them.

SAGE

Plant near Rosemary – they will help each other. A good companion to cabbage and carrots. Keep away from cucumbers. Sage tea can be sprayed on mature plants – don’t use spray on seedlings.

THYME

Plant next to cabbages. Thyme flowers attract bees.