Ali Majdfar / Getty ImagesBasil grows well next to many different plants. In fact, it can improve the taste of its neighbors, and its strong smell can thwart common garden pests like aphids and spider mites. As a result, basil has plenty of excellent bedfellows, including other herbs, as well as vegetables and fruits. Here, we spoke with gardening experts to learn more about the best plants to grow next to basil.Meet the ExpertsAnna Hackman, farmer and owner of The Naked Botanical, a New Jersey herb farm.Luke Hammond, farmer, educator, and the director of brand advancement for Seedtime.Nicole Johnsey Burke, gardener and founder of Gardenary, Inc.Related: How to Grow and Care for Basil Plants—Indoors and OutsideTomatoesmarketlan / GETTY IMAGESBasil and tomatoes share a mutually beneficial relationship. Tomatoes can help improve basil’s growth and enhance its flavor. In turn, basil can repel tomato pests, like hornworms.But that’s not all. “When basil is in bloom, it attracts beneficial insects to pollinate tomatoes,” says Anna Hackman, farmer and owner of The Naked Botanical.Zones: 3-11Mature Size: 3-5 ft. tall, 2-4 ft. spreadCare Requirements: Full sun; loamy, well-drained soilRelated: 9 Pest-Repelling Plants to Grow With Tomatoes for a Healthy and Prolific CropCarrotsNikolaeva Elena / Getty ImagesThis vegetable will do well next to basil. “Basil is aromatic, so it helps to repel armyworms, mites, and weevils, which harm your carrots,” says Hackman.“Additionally, carrots can help loosen the soil structure,” says Luke Hammond, director of brand advancement for Seedtime. However, avoid planting them too close to the basil, and ensure 8 to 12 inches of spacing around the basil plants. “That way, when you go to harvest the carrots, you don’t damage the root structure of the basil,” he adds.Zones: 3-10Mature Size: 6 to 12 inch root, 1 foot foliage height; 9 inch spreadCare Requirements: Full sun to part shade; loose, well-drained soilOreganoannick vanderschelden / Getty ImagesOregano and basil thrive in a similar environment, so they grow well together. Plus, according to Hammond, both provide a good ground cover to help retain moisture in the soil.“However, take care—oregano is in the mint family and, depending on the variety, is prone to spread rapidly,” he says. Another benefit to growing these herbs as companion plants is that basil and oregano are used together in many recipes.Zones: 4-10Mature Size: 1–2 ft. tall, 1.5 ft. wideCare Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soilZucchinialvarez / Getty ImagesBasil benefits zucchini. “It prevents fungus from spreading on the [zucchini] leaves,” says Nicole Johnsey Burke, gardener and founder of Gardenary, Inc. This is especially important for zucchini, which is prone to powdery mildew.Some gardeners swear that growing basil near zucchini enhances both the growth and flavor of the fruits, thanks to certain chemicals that basil releases into the soil.”Either way, when basil produces its pretty little flower spikes, it attracts tons of beneficial insects, including bees, butterflies, and lacewings,” she adds.Zones: 3-11Mature Size: 1-3 ft. tall, 2-6 ft. wideCare Requirements: Full sun; loamy, well-drained soilRelated: 9 Zucchini Companion Plants That Help Keep the Pests and Weeds AwayParsleyLeliaSpb / Getty ImagesParsley is a good companion plant for basil because it won’t compete for space. “And like basil, it will draw in beneficial insects and pollinators to the garden,” says Hammond. Hackman agrees, adding they will also help each other’s taste. “Plus, the two create a lethal combination of aroma, which deters pests.”Zones: 3-9Mature Size: 12 to 24 inches tall and wideCare Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soilBell PeppersHelen Camacaro / Getty ImagesBasil can help peppers thrive. The two plants have similar heat, sun, and water needs, so they’re easy to grow next to each other—plus, basil can help repel unwanted pests like aphids, flies, and spider mites.Zones: 9-11Mature Size: 18 in. to 3 feet tallCare Requirements: Full sun; fertile loam soilMarigoldsRavinder Kumar / Getty ImagesMarigolds are a great companion plant for basil. “Marigolds help basil in its organic pest control efforts, and also bring beauty to the garden,” says Burke. For this reason, she loves to interplant basil, low-growing marigolds, zinnias, and trailing nasturtium around the edge of a raised bed.Zones: 2-11Mature Size: 4–48 in. tall, 6–24 in. wideCare Requirements: Full sun; evenly moist, well-drained soilLettuceAnna Mardo / Getty ImagesBasil and lettuce work well together, especially when the basil gets larger. “This provides shade to help lettuces thrive in the heat, and stretch lettuce harvests into summer,” says Hammond. Plus, basil’s aromatic qualities can improve the flavor of lettuce.Zones: 2a-11bMature Size: 6–12 in. tall and wideCare Requirements: Full to partial sun; loamy, rich, well-drained soilRelated: 14 Lettuce Companion Plants That Will Help Your Crop ThriveEggplantPeter van Haastrecht / Getty ImagesBasil and eggplant help each other. “Tall fruiting plants like eggplant can cast some shade on basil to keep it from flowering in the warmer months,” says Burke. In return, the strong scent of basil helps control pests, such as whiteflies and thrips. It can also repel aphids and spider mites.Zones: 5 to 12Mature Size: 2–4 ft. tall, 1–3 ft. wideCare Requirements: Full sun; loamy, well-drained soilRead the original article on Martha Stewart
