Lavender is a beloved herb known for its pretty-smelling flowers, commonly used in cooking and for creating beautiful gardens. When selecting companion plants for lavender, it's important to consider factors such as sunlight requirements, soil conditions, and growth habits.
Choosing compatible companions is crucial, as these plants can mutually benefit each other by repelling pests and attracting beneficial insects. Below, we have compiled a list of companion plants that pair well with lavender.
Rosemary and lavender make great companions in the garden; rosemary's toughness and pest-repelling qualities create a perfect environment for lavender to thrive. Together, they form a resilient and easy-to-care-for herb duo that loves well-draining soil.
In cooking, the compatibility between rosemary and lavender extends beyond the garden. They are often combined to enhance flavors, whether in tasty dishes or herbal drinks. The mix of rosemary and lavender brings a nice blend of smells and tastes to various culinary creations.
Lavender, with slender stems and small, fragrant purple flowers, pairs well with the flowering shrubs of roses. Its importance lies in its ability to repel pests and attract beneficial insects, promoting a healthier ecosystem for roses.
Roses, in turn, benefit lavender by providing a diverse visual appeal. To optimize this combination, consider various ways of growing roses, such as selecting the right soil and providing adequate sunlight. Such careful cultivation ensures that both plants blossom together harmoniously.
Marigold is a vibrant and hardy annual flower praised for its bold colors, including orange and yellow. With a distinctive fragrance and valued pest-repelling properties, marigolds boast dense, bushy foliage and daisy-like flowers. They make excellent companions for lavender in a garden setting.
Planted alongside lavender, marigolds act as natural pest deterrents, safeguarding lavender from specific insects like aphids. Their varied heights and textures create a visually pleasing contrast in the yard, while also infusing a delightful blend of scents that further enriches the outdoor ambiance.
Thyme is a fragrant herb with small, green leaves commonly used in cooking. It belongs to the mint family and is known for its pleasant scent. Thyme can serve as a beneficial companion plant for lavender. Planting thyme near lavender helps deter pests, as this herb is a natural insect repellent.
To establish a planting partnership, place thyme and lavender together in a garden area, ensuring they receive adequate sunlight and have proper soil drainage. This pairing enhances the aesthetic appeal of the garden and promotes mutual growth by sharing similar habitat requirements.
Catmint and lavender look great together, creating a lovely mix of colors. Catmint is unique because it attracts cats with its scent. The name reflects this, and the compound nepetalactone in its leaves makes cats playful. The term indicates it's attractive to cats and has some mint family traits.
Additionally, catmint's delightful aroma acts as a magnet for pollinators, aiding the growth of both plants. Bees and butterflies, drawn to the sweet scent, ensure effective pollination by flitting from flower to flower, ultimately fostering the well-being of the plants.
Tansy is a blooming plant in your garden with bright yellow flowers. Apart from its looks, it serves a practical purpose as a natural pest repellent. The plant emits a scent that keeps bothersome insects at bay, making it a functional choice for pest control.
When thinking about planting tansy with lavender, it's important to make sure both like the same things. Pick a sunny spot because both lavender and tansy love sunlight. They also do well in soil that's not too wet. This way, both plants can be happy and grow nicely together.
Oregano, recognized for its aromatic leaves and distinct flavor, is a herb widely used in various cuisines, enhancing the taste of dishes like pizzas and pasta sauces. When cultivated alongside lavender, the two plants not only complement each other visually but also offer a practical synergy for those seeking a diverse range of flavorful herbs.
Similar to lavender, oregano flourishes in sunny locations. Planting them together can create a lovely herb garden with culinary benefits. Both lavender and oregano share common features in terms of preferred growing conditions. They both prosper when exposed to ample sunlight, emphasizing their compatibility.
Lemon balm is known for its lemony scent and mild citrus flavor. Popular as a spice herb, it is often used in teas, salads, and as a seasoning. The name 'lemon balm' comes from its lemon-like aroma and taste. Although not a citrus plant, its leaves emit a refreshing lemon fragrance when crushed.
Lemon balm and lavender are great companions. They both thrive in similar sunny conditions, growing happily side by side. Lemon balm brings a touch of citrus scent, while lavender adds its captivating aroma, making your outdoor space smell enchanting.
Hyssop is a fragrant herb with vibrant blue flowers. You can find this plant mostly in Southern Europe, the Middle East, and around the Caspian Sea. People use hyssop for its aromatic leaves in teas, cooking, and herbal remedies. It's believed to have potential health benefits, and its flowers attract pollinators to gardens.
To grow hyssop alongside lavender, choose a sunny spot with slightly alkaline soil. Plant them about 18 inches apart to allow for good airflow. Water moderately, as both plants prefer drier conditions. With these simple steps, you can cultivate a harmonious garden where hyssop and lavender thrive together.
Marjoram leaves add a sweet flavor to cooking and are often used in soups and sauces. Some people also believe it helps with digestion; marjoram aids the process by calming stomach muscles, reducing gas, and soothing discomfort, promoting a more comfortable and efficient digestive experience.
Marjoram serves as a natural guardian, warding off potential threats from flying bugs that might pose harm to lavender. In their shared preferences for water and sunlight, these two botanical companions establish a symbiotic friendship.
Chives are green herbs with an onion-like flavor. As companions for lavender, they help repel pests by releasing a scent that deters harmful insects, protecting lavender from potential damage. Both plants thrive in well-drained soil and sunny spots, constructing a healthier growing environment for lavender.
Additionally, chives' petite size complements lavender's taller stature. The shared resilience against pests and compatible growing conditions make chives an advantageous companion for lavender, promoting a mutually beneficial relationship.
Sage and lavender both prefer soil with good aeration and full sunlight. Sage is a member of the mint genus, recognized for its woody stems and grayish-green leaves. This perennial herb offers an earthy flavor and is commonly used in stuffing and meat preparations.
Planting sage alongside lavender not only enhances the beauty of your landscape but also streamlines maintenance, making it an easy herb pairing to manage. Their compatibility with soil and sunlight requirements ensures optimal growing conditions for both herbs.
Artemisia is a plant with silver or green leaves, and it's often used for ornamental purposes in gardens. People grow this type of flower to add variety to their garden because of its distinct color and texture. While some use it for decorative landscaping, others might use it in arrangements or dried bouquets due to its unique appearance.
Silver-leafed types of artemisia offer a pleasing contrast to lavender's regular green leaves. Lavender has standard green foliage, whereas artemisia's leaves are silver, creating a visually balanced combination. Growing them together can make your garden more interesting.
Yarrow is a plant with feathery leaves and flat-topped clusters of tiny flowers. It's often used for its medicinal properties and as a colorful addition to gardens. Yarrow attracts beneficial insects, making it a good companion for lavender. It also helps keep harmful pests away, creating a healthier environment for lavender to grow.
Yarrow is particularly suitable for English lavender types. The combination of yarrow and lavender not only looks nice but also supports each other's well-being in the garden. So, if you are growing this lavender, consider planting yarrow nearby to enhance both plants' growth and overall appearance.
Echinacea is a helpful plant used in herbal remedies, keeping our immune system strong and healthy. What's really cool about it is the colorful petals that stand out in gardens. People like it not just for its looks but also because it has good effects on health.
In addition, this plant is known for bringing in busy bees and pretty butterflies, making gardens lively. Echinacea is tough and can handle different conditions. It's a good friend to lavender, another plant that smells nice and looks beautiful.
Belonging to the mint family, basil has fragrant leaves and comes in various varieties like sweet basil and Thai basil. Due to its flavorful leaves, this plant is widely used in many cuisines. Dried basil is also used in tea and is believed to cure problems like the common cold and dry cough.
Growing basil and lavender get along well, as they share the same sunlight and soil preferences. Additionally, basil is helpful as it scares away pests that might bother lavender. When planting them together, they support each other's growth.
Agastache is loved for its pretty spikes of flowers, like tiny tubular blossoms in shades of purple, pink, or blue. It blossoms in well-drained soil with good sunlight, preferring sandy or loamy conditions. Agastache flourishes best in soil with a pH ranging from slightly acidic to neutral.
Agastache and lavender thrive together as they share sunlight and well-drained soil preferences. When planted side by side, they attract beneficial pollinators, supporting each other's growth. Plus, the combined aromatic qualities of these plants create a pleasant setting for your landscape.
Russian sage is a perennial with slender stems and lavender-blue flowers. Its unique feature lies in its silvery-gray foliage, which emits a pleasant fragrance when touched. For successful co-cultivation with lavender, choose a sunny location and provide adequate spacing to prevent overcrowding.
The upright form of Russian sage complements the bushier lavender, creating a pleasing combination. Both plants succeed in similar conditions, requiring minimal water once established. This pairing further benefits each other by sharing nutrients and deterring pests.
Bee balm is renowned for its vibrant tubular flowers that irresistibly attract busy bees. Its fame extends to versatile medicinal applications, often utilized in soothing teas and herbal remedies. Beyond its healing properties, bee balm is also a beloved decorative plant, enhancing gardens with its attractive blooms.
Moreover, Bee balm and lavender make ideal garden companions! Bee balm attracts helpful bees, ensuring pollination for both plants. This harmonious partnership boosts the growth of each, creating a vibrant and flourishing team.
Dianthus is a plant that blooms in summer, reaching a height of usually about 10-60 cm. This low-maintenance plant prefers full sun and well-drained soil, much like lavender. Additionally, due to its modest height, Dianthus won't shade lavender.
Dianthus is not very tall, so it won't shade lavender. Both plants are effective at repelling insects and can be grown together in a garden or even in pots. Therefore, if you appreciate the appearance and color of lavender, it's a good choice to cultivate alongside dianthus.
