Many home gardeners have concerns about which herbs to plant together when it comes to creating a thriving intercropping herb garden. It can definitely be worthwhile to plant certain herb plants that grow well together. Such plants can be of great use for a kitchen garden. This means that numerous dishes or homemade teas can be prepared more aromatically and tastefully. You can also grow your herbs as companion plants to vegetables. They offer many health benefits for all family members in an herb garden. However, before you start gardening, you should consider specific factors so that such neighboring plants can grow in harmony. Here is some useful information and gardening tips to help you.
Before you decide which herbs to plant together
One of the main concerns in gardening is the question: What is the best way to grow certain types of plants? So if you have oneCreate a herb gardenIf you want to, you should first know how the plants can be optimally combined. Most new gardeners don't consider that, just like humans, some types of plants don't coexist well. For example, some may require more intensive watering or more sunlight than others. In some cases it could be even more complicated, such as mint, which should not be grown in the same pot as peppermint.
In addition, we speak of companion plants if they can be easily combined with each other in the same container. Such mixed crops not only have similar needs, but can help each other thrive, making them more beneficial for an herb garden. If you're planning on growing mixed crops in your own herb garden, just read on to learn more about choosing the right varieties.
Why can companion plants be beneficial to the garden?
Most herbal plants have a specific aroma and can naturally enhance flavor. This makes growing them in your own garden very beneficial for health and culinary reasons. However, not every herb has the same chances of survival as its neighboring plants. For example, shade-tolerant sage will not last as long as coriander and thyme in a growing location with extreme sunlight. So, in order for planting matching herbal plants to fulfill its culinary and health-promoting purposes, you should know which herbs combine to produce plants in harmonious coexistence.
Additionally, by growing herbs strategically like this, you can also improve the population of ladybugs in your garden. By planting herbs like dill, you can attract beneficial insects to your garden, while tarragon, for examplePests such as aphidsand deters other pests. So choose plant varieties that can be companion plants and benefit each other. As a result, these herbs reinforce each other's taste or growth and provide protection against pests. The same principle also applies to growing other mixed crops in the garden, regardless of whether you only want to grow herbs in planters or want to optimize your garden beds or vegetable garden.
Which herbs to plant together?
There are already some herbal plants that grow very well together in containers during the growing season. However, finding the right combination of different varieties in the same planter or garden bed can be a little more complicated. A general rule of thumb is to ensure that all herbs planted together have the same needs - more intensive watering and more sunlight, or perhaps less water and more shade.
It's best to find out about the specific requirements of each herb plant beforehand so that you can group them all as neighboring plants according to their needs. The most common varieties for an herb garden include basil, coriander, lavender, thyme, marjoram, parsley, tarragon, oregano, rosemary, sage, etc.
Grow compatible herb plants with each other
- Basilis a versatile and delicious herb that grows well with parsley, cilantro and tarragon.
- Coriandercan be a good companion to parsley, basil and tarragon.
- Lavenderis ideal for your own cultivation, and it smells great both as a fresh herb and as a dried version. You can easily plant lavender with rosemary, oregano, sage, thyme and marjoram.
- ZitronenthymianIn contrast to its cousin thyme, it has a bright citrus note. In addition, the herb pairs well with other citrusy herbs such as lemon verbena and lemon balm.
- Lemon verbena– The fresh leaves of this lemony herbal plant are perfect for making tea. The suitable companion plants are lemon thyme and lemon balm.
- marjoram– This herb is not that common, but marjoram certainly deserves its place in every herb garden. It has health benefits and smells pleasant as an appropriate ingredient for cocktails or appetizers. When growing marjoram, it is best to combine it with rosemary, oregano, sage, lavender and thyme.
- Oregano– This Mediterranean herb is not only popular in Italy and is suitable as a companion plant for rosemary, marjoram, sage, lavender and thyme.
- Parsley– A staple in almost every dish, parsley is also a versatile herb that is compatible with basil, cilantro, and tarragon.
- Rosemary– This equally popular herb can be difficult to combine with some herbs, but it gets along well with marjoram, oregano, sage, lavender and thyme.
- sage– This aromatic herb is best grown with rosemary, marjoram, oregano, lavender and thyme.
- Tarragon– Used in French cuisine, this herbal plant is similar to aniseed and can subtly enhance chicken meat, salads and sauces. Plant it with basil, parsley and cilantro.
- Thymian– If you want to add more aroma and flavor to your dishes, classic thyme would be a recommended choice. This herb grows best in combination with rosemary, marjoram, sage, oregano and lavender.
For which herbs planting together is not recommended?
When growing sworn enemies, consider preferred growing conditions. It's best to plan which seeds are suitable and try these combinations when planning an herb garden. The varieties described work well as companion plants, although not every herb plant can be a good companion for everyone.
Additionally, there are several categories of herb plants that you should stick to when gardening in raised beds or planters. Do not grow herbs together that are too moisture-loving, for example, or prefer conditions that are too dry. Such combinations would be, for example, lemon herbs and mint. Strategically planting an herb garden like this can bring many benefits.
Do you already know the lovage? You can decide how to care for and process itread here.
