Which herbs should not be planted together?
Written by
Paul Reynolds
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Understanding which herbs should not be planted together will help you avoid failures in the garden. Certain herbs compete with each other, while others attract disease, and some are perfect companions in your container garden. This guide lists herb pairs that do not get along, so you can avoid a common gardening mistake.
Rosemary + Basil
- Conflict: Rosemary needs dry soil while basil requires constant moisture
- Risk: Root rot develops when watering meets basil's needs
- Solution: Plant rosemary with thyme instead
Mint + Parsley
- Conflict: Mint spreads aggressively choking parsley's roots
- Risk: Parsley starves for nutrients and space
- Solution: Grow mint in isolated containers alone
Cilantro + Mediterranean Herbs
- Conflict: Cilantro needs shade unlike sun-loving rosemary
- Risk: Cilantro bolts prematurely under intense light
- Solution: Pair cilantro with chives in partial shade
Incompatible varieties of plants compete for three primary resources. The demand for water among the groups varies tremendously. The need for light creates shade competition. Root systems encroach on each other's territory. Be mindful of these behaviors before planting. When you grow your herbs separately, you will have a richer harvest.
"Follow simple rules for successful pairings. Group herbs with similar water requirements together. Match sunlight preferences exactly. When two herb seeds are aggressive growers, separate them immediately when planting to prevent overcrowding. I use the table above as a blueprint. Your harvests increase as a result! "
Consider spatial solutions for incompatible herbs, separating pairs that don't get along. "Sun(s)" are on the balcony rail; "shade(s)" are below, but not growing on one another's toes. Vertical stacking ensures they don't put their heads together for air and sun. My tiered plant stand works wonders with this sort of multi-species jigsaw puzzle.
Read the full article: 10 Best Herbs for Container Gardening Success
