Are you an herb lover and are wondering what herbs to plant together in the same container or garden bed? Your reasons for doing this might be space limitations or, maybe you want to practice companion planting.
Whatever the reason, it is possible to have different herbs growing together either in a garden bed or in a pot. The most important thing is to understand the growing conditions for each herb before mixing them.
This way, taking care of your herbs will be easy. Moreover, there is increased productivity in your herbs as some enhance growth while others attract beneficial bugs and pollinators.
Furthermore, there are reduced chances of insect-pest damage since some of these herbs protect each other by repelling harmful bugs.
Plus, other herbs are known to improve the flavor of herbs grown next to them.
So, let’s take a look at the list of herbs that you can grow together and the things to consider before mixing different herbs in one container/garden bed.
Things to Consider When Selecting What Herbs to Plant Together in the Same Container
Water and Sun Requirements
Plant herbs that love lots of sun and more water e.g. cilantro with basil and tarragon together. Do not mix these herbs with those that need less water and more shade in the same container.
Height
Mix tall herbs with trailing herbs so that they cascade over the container edges. This helps prevent the container from topping off due to heavy fennel tops.
Soil and water conditions
Some herbs like dry soil while others like wet soil, therefore, keep those with similar water and soil requirements together so that they’ll thrive together. E.g. lavender and rosemary thrive together as they like sandier and drier soil.
List of the Herbs to Plant Together in the Same Pot or, Container
Chili and Bell peppers with Mint
Even though mint is an invasive herb, it’s a good companion to peppers provided that you tame its spread by pulling it out regularly. When you grow mint and chili peppers in the same pot, you protect your peppers from pests such as aphids and flea beetles. The scent from the mint plants also repels spiders and ants.
In addition to this, menthol (the active ingredient in mint) acts as a natural pesticide for spider mites and mosquito larvae.
Basil with oregano or, Chamomile
Oregano is an easy-to-maintain herb that flourishes under full to partial sun. It requires watering when the soil is dry so, its needs are almost similar to those of basil.
Basil enhances oregano’s growth by repelling harmful insects, mosquitoes and, flies.
When it comes to dishes and stews, basil and oregano form a great blend in beef vegetable soups and Italian dishes.
Chamomile, on the other hand, helps promote the health and growth of basil.
Sage with Rosemary or, Thyme
Just like rosemary and thyme, sage is tolerant to dry conditions and prefers sandy soils. Although the three herbs are tolerant to shady areas, their flavors greatly improve when exposed to lots of sunlight.
The combination of these three herbs is not only easy to maintain but also brings out the strongest herb garden. Plus, they blend well in tasty stews.
Coriander with Parsley or, Dill
Coriander, parsley and, dill share a lot of things in common. For example, they are all relatively flexible and easy to grow and maintain.
Also, these herbs like to grow in humid and well-lit spaces with partial shade during hot weather. Moreover, they all love plenty of water and well-draining soils.
Coriander is also believed to attract beneficial insects hence, a good herb to plant together with your parsley or dill.
Thyme with Rosemary
These two herbs love similar water and light conditions. Both herbs are drought resistant and thrive in a sunny environment.
The maintenance of thyme and rosemary in a container is relatively easy as you need to water only when the soil is completely dry.
Planting thyme and rosemary together enhances the productivity of both herbs and saves space.
Dill with Cilantro or, Basil
Another great combination of herbs! Dill enhances natural pest control by attracting beneficial insects.
Honey bees, ladybugs, and butterflies are attracted to the umbrella-shaped flowers of dill. These good bugs help to get rid of harmful bugs such as spider mites, cabbage looper and, aphids.
Lavender with Rosemary, Thyme or, Sage
All these three are Mediterranean herbs with similar cultural, water, and sunlight needs. They grow well in drier soil and a lot of sunlight.
Apart from its attractiveness, lavender improves the sustainability of your herb garden. It’s good at attracting pollinators and other beneficial insects to other herbs growing with it.
Note: rosemary can get quite big so, use a larger container if you wish to grow it with either of the three herbs in one container.
Basil with parsley, chili, or borage
Both basils and parsley like to grow in full sun. They also have similar water needs hence a perfect match to grow in the same container.
Basil is a good neighbor because it repels fruit flies and some varieties of beetles that feed on peppers
Mexican Parsley/ Cilantro with dill, basil and, mint
Cilantro is a flowering herb with similar water and full-sun requirements like those of the other three herbs.
This combination of herbs enhances crop protection as well as improves production. For example, basil repels harmful insects while cilantro attracts beneficial insects such as parasitoid wasps and hoverflies and, fastens the growth of other herbs.
Chives with tarragon, basil, parsley and, cilantro
All these herbs grow well together since they all love moist soil that’s not too dry or sandy.
Chives are known to enhance the growth of other herbs and just like basil, they are good at repelling aphids.
On the other hand, tarragon improves the flavor of any herb grown with it.
Herbs that You Should Never Grow Together in Pots
Cilantro with fennel
Cilantro and fennel are highly competitive when grown with each other which can lead to poor performance, drying up, or death of either of the herbs.
Dill and Peppers
Dill can harm peppers and lavender as it attracts spider mites that prey on your peppers.
Mint and Parsley
Parsley enjoys a full or partial sun environment and moist soil whereas mint requires a partially lit environment and should be watered only when its soil has dried completely.
Chives with marjoram, oregano, sage, rosemary and, thyme
Like I mentioned earlier, chives thrive in moist soil that’s not too sandy or dry. It’s therefore not a good idea to grow drought-tolerant herbs (those that like drier and sandier soils) with them in the same container.
Other Herbs That You Should Avoid Having in the Same Container
Basil with sage, thyme, or rue.
Conclusion
As you have seen, having the right information on which herbs to grow together not only helps at managing pests but also helps at enhancing the growth and productivity of your herbs.
It also, allows you to enjoy the beauty of an herb garden and the convenience of having different herbs at your disposal.
This goes without forgetting the low maintenance requirements for container-grown herbs since you weed less frequently and the critters getting on to the plant aren’t many.
Just keep in mind one thing; Only herbs with similar growing conditions will thrive together in a pot.