7 Basil Companion Plants+What You Should Not Plant with Basil

Grow these Basil Companion Plants to promote the best growth of the herb. They are easy to plant and offer fresh supplies for the kitchen!

Basil is one of the easiest herbs to grow in the vegetable garden, herb garden, or kitchen window. The highly aromatic basil leaves protect other plants from pests and attract pollinators as well. The basil plant also prevents insects like Japanese beetles, bean beetles, and worms. Instead of requiring protection, basil helps its neighboring plants. Let’s have a look at the Basil Companion Plants. 

Check out our article on companion plants for carrots here. 

Basil Companion Plants

The following plants are beneficial to grow together with the basil to encourage their growth. 

1. Asparagus

Growing asparagus, along with basil, attracts ladybugs that work on preventing aphids and other pests. Basil plants also help in deterring asparagus beetle that damages tender tips of asparagus shoots.

2. Borage

Borage is a flowering herb and a favorite of pollinators that also helps in repelling bugs. It also helps in improving the taste and growth of the basil plant.

3. Chives, Oregano, and Chamomile

You can grow flowering herbs like chives, oregano, and chamomile as companion plants with basil. These herbs help in increasing essential oil content in neighboring plants. They also enhance the flavor of basil and makes it more potent as a pest repellent.

4. Marigolds

Marigolds with basil are an ideal natural pest repellent pair. Plant them closely with one another to maximize the potent aromatic shield.

5. Peppers

Both basil and pepper are the best pest repellent and provide a dense ground cover. In addition, pepper plants perform well in humidity, and basil works on catching heat and moisture from the atmosphere.

6. Root Vegetables

Root vegetables like radishes, parsnips, carrots, beets, and turnips are good companion plants of basil. They all can benefit from the pest repelling fragrance of a neighboring basil plant.

7. Tomatoes

When growing together, basil helps in boosting the yield of tomato plants. Basil also helps in deterring tomato hornworms. But the influence of one plant on the other in boosting flavors is still under discussion.

Here are some best companion plants for tomatoes. 

Plants to Avoid Planting with Basil

Apart from the plants suggested below, you should avoid growing plants with basil with different growing requirements.

1. Cucumbers

Cucumbers have a high water content, and they tend to take on the flavor of the plant that is planted near to them. Also, fragrant herbs like basil can affect the taste and yield of cucumbers. Therefore, plant both of them apart.

2. Fennel

Though Fennel attracts beneficial insects, it is not recommended for home gardeners as it doesn’t grow well with other plants. It acts as a depressant that can stunt the growth or kill a companion plant like basil.

3. Sage and Rue

Avoid planting rue and sage near basil. Also, if you are planting rosemary near basil, then grow them in separate containers as basil requires more water than rosemary.