Best Herb Companion Planting Guide: Which Herbs Grow Well Together?

When it comes to creating a thriving herb garden, companion planting isn’t just for vegetables—herbs benefit just as much from the right pairings. Growing compatible herbs together can boost plant health, improve flavor, attract helpful pollinators, and naturally deter pests. Even better? Smart herb combinations can reduce the need for frequent watering and garden maintenance.

 Whether you're growing herbs indoors, in raised beds, or right in your backyard, knowing which herbs thrive together can save you time and effort while giving your garden a powerful, natural boost.

🌿 Tip: Starting your herb garden from seed? Consider using a high-quality seed starter kit to give your plants the best start possible.

 

Why Companion Planting Isn’t Just for Vegetables: The Case for Herb Pairings

Companion planting has deep roots in gardening history. One of the most iconic examples is the “Three Sisters” method used by the Iroquois and Cherokee for centuries—combining corn, pole beans, and squash. Each plant supports the others: corn acts as a natural trellis, beans enrich the soil with nitrogen, and squash shades the ground while deterring pests. This symbiotic planting strategy is just as powerful when applied to herbs.

While many people grow herbs for their culinary uses, they offer so much more in the garden. Certain herbs thrive when planted together, enhancing each other’s growth by attracting pollinators, deterring harmful insects, and creating microclimates that conserve moisture and reduce your watering efforts. However, not all herbs play nicely. Some can become invasive, require drastically different growing conditions, or release chemicals that stunt the growth of neighboring plants—a phenomenon known as allelopathy.

Think of companion planting herbs like crafting the perfect recipe. When the right ingredients come together, the result is flavorful and harmonious. But mix the wrong ones, and the whole garden “dish” can fall flat. That’s why understanding which herbs grow well together—and which don’t—is key to building a productive, low-maintenance herb garden.

🌱 Quick Start Tip: New to herb gardening? Check out this compact indoor hydroponic gardening system to experiment with companion planting right from your kitchen counter.

Complementary Herb Combinations That Thrive Together

One of the smartest ways to get more from your herb garden—with less effort—is by planting herbs that naturally benefit one another. These companion herb combinations can help deter pests, boost growth, and even improve the flavor of nearby vegetables. Plus, they often require similar care, which simplifies your gardening routine.

Instead of clustering all your herbs into a single bed, consider planting them in small groups throughout your garden. This not only spreads their benefits across more plants but also reduces the risk of disease that can come from overcrowding. Grouping herbs in this way is especially helpful in raised beds or small garden plots where space is limited.

🌿 Spacing Tip: When companion planting herbs, “close together” usually means within 1–3 rows or about 6–18 inches apart, depending on the plant’s mature size. Always check the seed packet or label for spacing recommendations.

🪴 Helpful Tool: A modular raised bed system makes it easy to create distinct herb groupings while maintaining healthy spacing and drainage.

Complementary Combinations: Basil, Oregano & Parsley (The Perfect Pizza Garden Trio)

If you're looking for a flavorful and beginner-friendly herb combination, basil, oregano, and parsley are a perfect match—both in the garden and on your plate. These three herbs not only complement each other in countless recipes, but they also thrive under similar growing conditions, making them ideal companions in your herb garden.

Together, they form the foundation of a pizza garden—a themed planting style that's as fun as it is functional. While you won’t be harvesting whole pizzas, you’ll have all the fresh herbs you need to flavor homemade sauce, dough, and toppings.

• Basil loves warm weather, full sun, and rich, well-drained soil. It’s famously compatible with tomatoes and repels common garden pests like mosquitoes and flies.

• Oregano is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, thriving alongside basil and parsley without competing for resources.

• Parsley prefers slightly cooler conditions and partial sun but can easily adapt to life next to oregano and basil, especially in spring or early summer.

These three herbs work well when planted in close proximity—whether that’s in a raised bed, vertical planter, or decorative container. The key is ensuring they receive enough sunlight (at least 6–8 hours a day) and don’t get overcrowded.

🍅 Pro Tip: Want to take your pizza garden further? Add tomatoes, garlic, and peppers nearby, and try growing wheat if you’re feeling adventurous and want to make homemade crust from scratch.

🪴 Recommended Gear: This outdoor pizza oven and grill is perfect for turning your patio or balcony into a mini pizza garden paradise. Whether you're grilling veggies or baking homemade pizza with fresh-picked herbs like basil and oregano, this space-saving setup brings the flavor of a backyard pizzeria to even the smallest spaces.

Complementary Combinations: Rosemary, Sage & Thyme (The Mediterranean Power Trio)

For a hardy, fragrant herb group that thrives in sunny, dry conditions, look no further than rosemary, sage, and thyme. These Mediterranean herbs not only pair beautifully in roasted dishes and marinades, but they also make great neighbors in the garden.

• Rosemary is a woody perennial that thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. It repels cabbage moths, carrot flies, and other pests, making it an excellent companion herb.

• Sage benefits from similar conditions and grows well near rosemary. It attracts beneficial pollinators and is known for deterring pests like flea beetles and cabbage worms.

• Thyme grows low to the ground, acting as a fragrant living mulch. It suppresses weeds, conserves moisture, and protects soil—all while enhancing nearby plant growth.

Together, this trio is ideal for rock gardens, raised beds, or container gardens with excellent drainage. They're drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and perfect for hot climates or gardeners who prefer a “set it and forget it” approach.

🌞 Try This: Plant this trio near brassicas (like cabbage or broccoli) to protect your veggies naturally—no sprays needed.

🪴 Top Pick: Use stackable herb planters to keep these sun-loving herbs organized, well-drained, and thriving—even in small spaces. The vertical design promotes proper airflow, saves space, and makes harvesting your favorite herbs like basil, oregano, and parsley a breeze.

Complementary Combinations: Mint, Lemon Balm & Chives (The Aromatic Pollinator Party)

Looking to attract bees and butterflies while deterring pests like aphids and mosquitoes? Planting mint, lemon balm, and chives together can turn any garden corner into a buzzing pollinator haven.

• Mint is a vigorous grower that repels ants, flies, and even mice. It spreads quickly, so it’s best planted in containers or bottomless pots buried in the ground.

• Lemon Balm, a relative of mint, has a citrusy scent that calms the nervous system—and mosquitoes hate it. It’s also excellent for tea lovers.

• Chives offer pest-repelling benefits and produce beautiful edible flowers that attract bees.

These herbs grow well in partial to full sun and moist, fertile soil. Keep mint and lemon balm in check by trimming regularly, and consider dividing them every season or so to prevent them from overtaking your space.

🌼 Bonus: These herbs are perfect for planting around patios or walkways to keep pests away while providing fragrance and beauty.

🌿 Garden Tool Tip: Boost your herb garden with a non-GMO, pollinator friendly seed mix —perfect for filling in gaps, attracting beneficial insects, and deterring pests.

Universal Companions: Herbs That Grow Well With Almost Everything

Some herbs are the true peacekeepers of the garden—playing nice with nearly every plant they’re paired with. These universal companion herbs are incredibly valuable for any gardener, especially if you're looking to enhance overall plant health, boost flavor, and attract pollinators without worrying about compatibility issues.

These herbs not only blend well with most garden crops but also deter common pests, improve the soil, and can even enhance the taste and vitality of neighboring plants. Whether you’re planting herbs alongside vegetables, flowers, or fruits, these “friendliest herbs” are safe and beneficial to plant almost anywhere.

🌿 Top Universal Companion Herbs:

• Basil – Known to improve the flavor and growth of tomatoes, peppers, and leafy greens. Its strong scent repels mosquitoes, aphids, and whiteflies.

• Chives – Excellent at deterring aphids and carrot flies. Chives enhance the growth of carrots and strawberries and produce beautiful, bee-attracting blooms.

• Cilantro (Coriander) – Attracts beneficial predatory insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps that feast on pests. Also complements many vegetables like spinach and tomatoes.

• Dill – Another pollinator magnet, dill attracts ladybugs and beneficial wasps while deterring cabbage loopers and spider mites. Pairs well with cucumbers, brassicas, and lettuce.

• Parsley – A garden-friendly herb that grows happily with tomatoes, asparagus, carrots, and corn. It also invites hoverflies and predatory wasps.

• Thyme – Helps deter cabbage worms, whiteflies, and hornworms. Its compact form makes it ideal for edging beds or filling in empty garden spaces.

🐝 Pollinator Tip: Interplanting these herbs throughout your garden increases biodiversity and supports bees and butterflies while reducing your need for chemical pesticides.

🪴 Smart Start: Grab an all-in-one herb seed pack that includes many of these universal companions—perfect for planting in containers, raised beds, or straight into the soil.

Mint, Parsley & Other Tender Herbs: Companions That Need a Little Extra Love

Not all herbs play by the same rules—and tender herbs like mint, parsley, and their delicate cousins often require more thoughtful placement and maintenance. While they can be wonderful companion plants in the right setting, these herbs thrive best when grouped with others that share their love for cooler conditions, rich soil, and consistent moisture.

• Mint is a vigorous spreader that can quickly take over a garden bed if not contained. It grows well with parsley and lettuce and helps repel aphids, ants, and flea beetles. To keep it under control, plant mint in containers or use bottomless pots sunk into garden soil.

• Parsley is a biennial herb that appreciates partial shade and moist soil. It grows beautifully with mint, tomatoes, asparagus, and carrots. Its flowers attract beneficial insects like parasitic wasps and hoverflies.

• Cilantro, chervil, and lemon balm also fall into this tender herb group. These herbs prefer similar conditions and can be interplanted in cooler areas of your garden or grown in containers where sun exposure can be controlled.

🌿 Moisture Matters: Tender herbs prefer soil that stays evenly moist—not soggy, but never fully dry. Mulching around the base can help retain water and prevent soil splash.

🪴 Container Gardening Hack: Use a self-watering herb planter to keep mint, parsley, and cilantro hydrated without daily watering. It’s perfect for patios, balconies, and kitchen windowsills.

These herbs may need a little more care, but their culinary and garden benefits are well worth the effort. Think of them as the “soft herbs” that balance out the tougher, sun-loving perennials in your garden plan.

 

Fennel, Cilantro & Caraway: Complicated Companions with Caution

Not all herbs play well with others—and fennel is a prime example. While it’s a flavorful and versatile plant with many culinary and medicinal uses, fennel has a reputation for being a bit of a loner in the garden.

Fennel releases allelopathic compounds, which can inhibit the growth of nearby plants, including common vegetables like beans, carrots, tomatoes, and brassicas, as well as herbs like caraway and cilantro. In fact, cilantro is a particularly poor match for fennel, as it can interfere with fennel’s ability to produce seeds—one of its most useful features.

That said, fennel doesn’t need to be banished from your garden. It’s a delicious and underappreciated herb whose bulbs, stalks, seeds, and fronds can all be used. You’ll find it in everything from teas and slaws to roasted dishes, soups, and even desserts. It also has a fascinating history in traditional medicine and folklore.

If you choose to grow fennel:

• 🌿 Plant it in isolation—either in a deep container or in a garden bed several feet away from other crops.

• 🚫 Avoid planting it near dill despite some claims. These two herbs can cross-pollinate, resulting in a bitter flavor that neither herb is known for.

🌱 Grow Smart: Try using a large raised planter box to grow fennel on its own, avoiding root zone conflict with nearby herbs and vegetables.

Fennel might be the garden equivalent of a difficult roommate, but when given space and the right conditions, it brings a lot to the table—literally.

 

Final Thoughts: Growing Harmony in Your Herb Garden

At the end of the day, herbs that grow well together tend to have similar needs—sunlight, soil type, and watering habits. When these elements align, your herbs will not only thrive but also support the health of your entire garden.

Of course, there are a few exceptions. Herbs like fennel (which releases allelopathic compounds) or mint (which can spread aggressively) require more thoughtful placement. But with a little planning, even these outliers can be successfully included in your garden design.

Herbs are more than just flavor powerhouses—they’re a feast for the senses, natural pest repellents, and pollinator magnets. Whether you’re tucking basil between your tomato plants or creating a pollinator-friendly patch with dill and parsley, companion planting with herbs is an easy way to boost biodiversity and garden productivity.

🌿 Pro Tip: Group herbs with similar growing conditions together using a raised bed or multi-tier planter like this one on Amazon to create a functional, space-saving herb garden that’s easy to manage and beautiful to look at.

Happy planting—and may your herbs (and veggies) grow in harmony!