One of the simplest plants to cultivate in a kitchen window, herb garden, or vegetable garden is basil. The intensely fragrant basil leaves repel pests and draw pollinators.
The basil plant also deters worms, Japanese beetles, and bean beetles. Basil benefits its nearby plants rather than needing to be protected.
Growing diverse crops together is an appropriate way to get the rewards of planting together – which also boosts output.
Let’s look at the best herbs that you can grow with basil.
Most Suitable Plants to Plant with Basil
Growing the following plants alongside the basil will benefit both of your gardens.
Asparagus
Growing asparagus and basil together attracts ladybugs that fight against pests like aphids.
Also, basil plants prevent the asparagus beetle from damaging the delicate ends of asparagus shoots.
Borage
Borage is a blooming herb that attracts pollinators and works as a pest deterrent.
Additionally, it aids in the basil plant’s development and flavor improvement.
Chamomile, oregano, and chives
Basil can be grown alongside flowering herbs like chives, oregano, and chamomile.
These herbs aid in raising the number of essential oils in nearby plants. Additionally, they improve basil’s flavor and increase its effectiveness as an insect deterrent.
Marigolds
Basil and marigolds make the perfect natural pest deterrent duo. To make the most of the strongly scented shield, plant them closely.
Peppers
The finest insect deterrents are pepper and basil – which also provide a thick ground cover.
Basil also absorbs heat and moisture from the air, while pepper plants thrive in high humidity.
Vegetables with roots
Basil pairs well with root vegetables like radishes, parsnips, carrots, beets, and turnips. They can all gain from the basil plant next door’s pest-repelling scent.
Tomatoes
The output of tomato plants is increased when basil is grown nearby.
Additionally, basil aids in preventing tomato hornworms. The impact of one plant on the other; however, in terms of enhancing flavors is still up for debate.
Parsley
Basil thrives best when grown with parsley because both plants need enough water and sunlight to grow.
It’s a particularly good source of fiber, lipids, proteins, carbs, potassium, folic acid, vitamin K, vitamin C, and vitamin A.
Thus, planting parsley with basil promotes the grower’s family’s health in addition to assisting in the reduction of pest populations.
Calendula
Planting basil and marigolds together will provide a strong scent shield because they are naturally effective insect-repellent partners.
Cilantro
The cilantro plant, which yields tasty, nutrient-rich leaves, is a member of the same plant genus.
It considerably reduces the need for artificial fertilizers and is a good choice for companion planting. It also helps to ward off infamous bug infestations.
Additionally, it is a great source of fiber, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, manganese, zinc, potassium, selenium, phosphorus, copper, calcium, magnesium, and other minerals and nutrients.
So, adding it to salads, soups, and other foods is a great way to get various health advantages.
Lemon Basil
By combining basil and American basil, a hybrid known as lemon basil is created.
Basil and lemon basil have identical growing requirements, so managing their companion crops doesn’t add any more work.
Oregano
Oregano, a well-known and commonly used companion herb, can be grown alongside a variety of herbs and plants, including basil.
The leaves of the helpful perennial plant oregano are oblong and green.
In many parts of the world, oregano is grown separately since it is a fantastic source of nutrients and has many health benefits.
However, growing basil and oregano together has great advantages for human health and insect pest management.
Marjoram
Basil pairs well with marjoram, which is extremely similar to oregano. Basil and marjoram can both be grown in the same pot or container by gardeners.
Marjoram is a useful perennial herb that is utilized in many different foods. It is also a hardy herb that is simple to grow and requires minimal upkeep.
Anise
Anise contributes by boosting the essential oils in herbs like basil, intensifying the flavor.
Predatory wasps can help maintain aphid populations to a minimum because anise serves as a host plant for them.
Garlic
Given that basil and garlic can help ward off pests that harm tomato plants, basil, garlic, and tomatoes seem to go well together.
Bonus: garlic deters squirrels and rabbits and other rodents.
Grapes
Numerous pests enjoy visiting grape plants and eating fruit. Basil’s ability to keep fending off insects benefits grapes.
Plants Not to Plant Next to Basil
You shouldn’t cultivate any plants with basil other than those listed here, as they all have different growing requirements.
Cucumbers
Since cucumbers contain a lot of water, they often pick up the flavor of the plant that is cultivated close by.
The flavor and productivity of cucumbers can also be impacted by fragrant herbs like basil. So, space them apart while planting.
Fennel
Fennel attracts useful insects, but home gardeners should avoid using it because it doesn’t get along with other plants.
It has a depressive effect that can prevent a companion plant, like basil, from growing or even killing it.
Sage and Rue
Sage and rue shouldn’t be grown close to basil.
Note: grow rosemary and basil in different containers if you’re growing them close together because basil needs more water than rosemary.
Quick Recap
Mosquitoes, aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms are all repelled by basil, which also works well in pest management in the garden.
Additionally, beneficial for increasing soil fertility and the physical, chemical, and biological health of the soil is growing herbs together.
Since these herbs may be cultivated both inside and outside, gardeners can take advantage of their enticing smells all year round.
Basil has a considerable positive impact on soil health, soil productivity, and insect repellency when planted with the herbs mentioned above.
This drastically reduces the need for synthetic chemicals while also enabling gardeners to make significant financial savings.
