Herb Companions

A Companionate Herbal
for the Organic Garden

A list of herbs, their companions and uses, including some beneficial weeds and flowers.

Herb

Companions and Effects

Basil

Companion to tomatoes; dislikes rue intensely. Improves growth and flavor Repels flies and mosquitoes.

Beebalm

Companion to tomatoes; improves growth and flavor.

Borage

Companion to tomatoes, squash and strawberries; deters tomato worm; improves growth and flavor.

Caraway

Plant here and there; loosens soil.

Catnip

Plant in borders; deters flea beetle.

Chamomile

Companion to cabbages and onions; improves growth and flavor

Chervil

Companion to radishes; improves growth and flavor

Chives

Companion to carrots; improves growth and flavor

Dead nettle

Companion to potatoes; deters potato bug; improves growth and flavor

Dill

Companion to cabbage; dislikes carrots; improves growth and health of cabbage

Fennel

Plant away from gardens. Most plants dislike it.

Flax

Companion to carrots, potatoes, deters potato bug; improves growth and flavor

Garlic

Plant near roses and raspberries; deters Japanese beetle; improves growth and flavor

Horseradish

Plant at corners of potato patch to deter potato bug

Henbit

General insect repellant

Hyssop

Deters cabbage moth; companion to cabbage and grapes. Keep away from radishes.

Lambs-quarters

This edible weed should be allowed to grow in moderate amounts in the garden, especially in corn.

Lemon Balm

Sprinkle throughout garden.

Lovage

Improves flavor and health of plants if planted here and there

Marigolds

The workhorse of the pest deterrents. Plant throughout garden; it discourages Mexican bean beetles, nematodes, and other insects.

Mint

Companion to cabbage and tomatoes; improves health and flavor; deters white cabbage moth.

Marjoram

Plant here and there in garden; improves flavors

Mole plant

Deters moles and mice if planted here and there

Nasturtium

Companion to radishes, cabbage, and curcubits; plant under fruit trees. Deters aphids, squash bugs, striped pumpkin beetles; improves growth and flavor.

Petunia

Protects beans

Pot marigold

Companion to tomatoes, but plant elsewhere in garden too. Deters asparagus beetle, tomato worm, and general garden pests.

Purslane

This edible weed makes good ground cover in the corn.

Pigweed

One of the best weeds for pumping nutrients from the subsoil, it is especially beneficial to potatoes, onions, and corn. Keep weeds thinned.

Peppermint

Planted among cabbages, it repels the white cabbage butterfly.

Rosemary

Companion to cabbage, bean, carrots, and sage; deters cabbage moth, bean beetles, and carrot fly.

Rue

Keep it far away from sweet basil; plant near roses and raspberries; deters Japanese beetle.

Sage

Plant with rosemary, cabbage, and carrots; keep away from cucumbers. Deters cabbage moth, carrot fly.

Southernwood

Plant here and there in garden; companion to cabbage, improves growth and flavor; deters cabbage moth.

Sowthistle

This weed in moderate amounts can help tomatoes, onions and corn.

Summer savory

Plant with beans and onions; improves growth and flavor. Deters bean beetle.

Tansy

Tansy (continued)

Plant under fruit trees; companion to roses and raspberries. Deters flying insects, Japanese beetles, striped cucumber beetles, squash bugs, ants.

Tarragon

Good throughout garden.

Thyme

Plant here and there in garden. Deters cabbage worm.

Valerian

Good anywhere in garden.

Wild morning glory

Allow it to grow in corn.

Wormwood

As a border, it keeps animals from the garden.

Yarrow

Plant along borders, paths, near aromatic herbs; enhances essential oil production.

Top

This information was collected from many sources, most notably the Bio-Dynamic Association and the Herb Society of America.

The above table is taken from Organic Gardening and Farming Magazine, February, 1972.