Herbs
As Companion Plants

Practiced
by organic gardeners for years, companion planting has become
very popular with gardeners. The concept is to plant together
species which will benefit each other, and help prevent disease
and insect infestation without the use of chemicals. In general,
herbs and other aromatic plants like tomatoes, marigolds and
onions are helpful in warding off insects. Certain colors, like
the orange of nasturtium flowers, are thought to repel flying
insects. While these practices have not been scientifically
proven, many gardeners have been using them for years. Try it
- and see if it works for you!
Basil
- Enhances the growth of tomatoes and peppers, dislikes rue.
Repels flies and mosquitoes.
Borage
- Companion to tomatoes, squash and strawberries. Deters tomato
worm.
Chamomile
- Companion to cabbages and onions; improves the growth of all
garden plants.
Chervil
- Companion to radishes.
Chives
- Companion to carrots. Deters Japanese beetles, blackspot on
roses, scab on apples and mildew on cucurbits.
Dill
- Improves the growth of lettuce, cabbage and onions, dislikes
carrots.
Fennel
- Most plants dislike it - plant it away from the garden.
Garlic
- Plant near roses and raspberries. Deters Japanese beetles.
Horseradish
- Plant at the corners of your potato patch; deters potato bug.
Hyssop
- Companion to cabbage and grapes. Deters flea beetles and cabbage
moths. Dislikes radishes.
Marigolds
- Plant throughout the garden as they discourage nematodes and
other insects.
Mints
(esp. Spearmint and Peppermint) - Companion to cabbages and
tomatoes. Deters aphids, flea beetle and many types of cabbage
pests.
Nasturtium
- Companion to radishes, cabbage and cucumbers. Plant under
fruit trees. Deters aphids and squash bugs.
Onion
- Repels cabbage loopers, potato beetles, carrot flies and imported
cabbage moths.
Oregano
- Improves the growth of beans.
Parsley
- Enhances the growth of roses. Repels asparagus beetles.
Pot
Marigold - Companion to tomatoes, but plant elsewhere,
too. Deters tomato worm, asparagus beetles and other pests.
Rosemary
- Companion to cabbage, bean, carrots and sage. Deters cabbage
moth, bean beetles and carrot fly.
Rue
- Companion to roses and raspberries, dislikes sweet basil.
Deters Japanese beetles.
Sage
- Plant with rosemary, tomatoes, strawberries, cabbage and carrots,
dislikes cucumbers. Deters cabbage moth and carrot fly.
Summer
Savory - Companion to beans and onions. Deters bean
beetles.
Tansy
- Plant under fruit trees. Companion to roses and raspberries.
Deters flying insects, Japanese beetles, striped cucumber beetles,
squash bugs and ants.
Tarragon
(French) - Enhances the growth of all vegetables.
Thyme
- Improves the growth of tomatoes, potatoes and eggplant. Repels
whiteflies and cabbage worms.
Wormwood
- As a border, keeps animals from the garden.
Yarrow
- Plant along borders, paths and near aromatic herbs; enhances
production of essential oils. Also, attracts beneficial insects
including ladybugs and predatory wasps.