These Companion Plants Will Give You More Flavorful Basil—Here's What to Plant (2024)

Gardening

Herbs

• 01 of 20

  Asaparagus

  

  Asparagus attracts ladybugs, which are incredibly effective at eating the aphids that are known to attack basil. Additionally, the aroma of basil keeps the asparagus beetle away, making it a mutually beneficial relationship.

  • Name:Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)
    
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:3-10
  • Light:Full sun
  • Soil:Sandy, loamy, neutral acidic
    

• 02 of 20

  Chamomile

  

  Not only does chamomile have a pleasant fragrance that gardeners love to use in tea, that aroma also helps enhance the growth and flavor of basil plants nearby. Chamomile's cheerful flowers also attract pollinators.

  • Name:Chamomile (Matricaria recutita, Chamaemelum nobile)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:2-9
  • Light:Full sun
  • Soil:Well-drained, neutral

• 03 of 20

  Marigold

  

  See Also

  Companion Planting Guide | Thompson & MorganWhat is Companion Planting and its Benefits to Gardeners - Simplify GardeningBenefits of Companion PlantingCompanion planting: a guide to growing crops side by side to keep them healthy

  Marigolds are incredibly unfriendly to pests, which is exactly why you want them in your garden. They repel nematodes and attract ladybugs and parasitic wasps, which will promptly rid your garden of the aphids and beetles that threaten basil.

  • Name:Marigold (Tagetes spp.)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:2-11
  • Light:Full sun
  • Soil:Evenly moist, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral
    

• 04 of 20

  Peppers

  

  Basil does much of the heavy lifting in the relationship with peppers, where it traps in the moisture and humidity that peppers need to thrive. The pollinators that basil attracts also pollinate the peppers, while repelling pests.

  • Name: Pepper (Capsicum annuum)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:9-11
  • Light:Full sun
  • Soil:Fertile loam, neutral

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• 05 of 20

  Tomatoes

  

  Anyone who loves Italian cuisine knows that there's nothing better than plucking a vine ripened tomato and fresh basil from the garden. But these two also do well in the same conditions and basil repels tomato hornworms.

  • Name:Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
    
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:3-11
  • Light:Full sun
  • Soil:Loamy, well-drained, neutral to acidic
    

• 06 of 20

  Radish

  

  Because basil's aromatic fragrance overpowers other scents nearby, it can be used to mask the scent of the greens that grow atop root vegetables. This keeps pests and predators away while the vegetables grow safely underground.

  • Name:Radish (Raphanus sativus)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:2-11
  • Light:Full sun
  • Soil:Loamy, sandy, moist, well-drained, acidic, neutral
    

• 07 of 20

  Carrots

  

  Carrots are particularly susceptible to aptly named carrot flies. But basil's strong fragrance repels these and other pests from munching on carrots before they've been harvested.

  • Name:Carrot (Daucus carota)
    
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:3-10
  • Light:Full sun to part shade
  • Soil:Loose, well-draining soil, slightly acidic
    

• 08 of 20

  Eggplant

  

  Eggplant often falls victim to many of the same pests as tomatoes, including the tomato hornworm. Since basil repels the tomato hornworm, that makes eggplant and basil excellent companions in the garden.

  • Name:Eggplant (Solanummelongena)
    
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:9b–12a
  • Light:Full sun
  • Soil:Loamy, well-drained, acidic, neutral, alkaline

  Continue to 9 of 20 below

• 09 of 20

  Lettuce

  

  Aphids love lettuce. Hoverflies and parasitic wasps enjoy both aphids and the sweet taste of basil flower nectar. That means planting basil near lettuce will bring in the insects that control aphids and keep your lettuce safe and sound.

  • Name:Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
    
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:2a–11b
  • Light:Full sun to partial sun
  • Soil:Loamy, rich, well-drained, acidic, neutral

• 10 of 20

  Potatoes

  

  See Also

  Companion planting – the plants to grow side-by-side

  Basil can help ward off potato beetles and create a better environment for potatoes' all-important root system.

  • Name:Potato (Solanum tuberosum)
    
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:3-10
  • Light:Full sun
  • Soil:Loamy, acidic
    

• 11 of 20

  Beets

  

  Beets are another root vegetable that benefits from the aromatic fragrance of basil, which will repel pests.

  • Name:Beets (Beta vulgaris)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:2-11
  • Light:Full sun to partial sun
  • Soil:Loamy, moist, well-drained, acidic, neutral

• 12 of 20

  Chives

  

  When basil is planted next to other aromatic plants, like chives, the two are stronger together. Each enhances the flavor of the other plant, creating a delicious garden.

  • Name:Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
    
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:3-9
  • Light:Full sun to light shade
  • Soil:Loamy, sandy, slightly acidic to neutral

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• 13 of 20

  Cilantro

  

  Cilantro is another one of the aromatic herbs that can enhance the flavor of basil. These two herbs both require lots of sun and water so they grow well when planted next to each other.

  • Name:Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)
    
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:2-11
  • Light:Full sun to partial sun
  • Soil:Loamy, moist, well-drained, acidic
    

• 14 of 20

  Garlic

  

  Basil and garlic are the start of a great meal, and they also grow beautifully together in the garden. Garlic keeps away some of basil's bigger enemies, like squirrels and rabbits, and the two enhance each other's flavor.

  • Name:Garlic (Allium sativum)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:4-9
  • Light:Full sun
  • Soil:Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral

• 15 of 20

  Dill

  

  Dill is another sun- and water-loving herb that helps enhance the natural flavors of basil. Both are excellent choices for a basic herb garden.

  • Name:Dill (Anethum graveolens)
    
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:2-11
  • Light:Full sun
  • Soil:Rich, well-drained, slightly acidic

• 16 of 20

  Marjoram

  

  Marjoram releases chemicals that actually speed the growth of the already fast-growing basil. This means your basil plant will bounce back even quicker after each harvest.

  • Name:Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
    
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:9-10
  • Light:Full sun
  • Soil:Sandy, loamy, well-drained, acidic, neutral
    

  Continue to 17 of 20 below

• 17 of 20

  Turnips

  

  Turnips are a root vegetable that can become a target for pests looking to eat the leafy greens that grow above ground. Basil's strong fragrance repels those predators, keeping the turnip roots safe.

  • Name:Turnip (Brassica rapa)
    
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-9
  • Light:Full sun to partial shade
  • Soil:Sandy, well-draining, slightly acidic

• 18 of 20

  Nasturtium

  

  Nasturtium will keep away the aphids that can wreak havoc on your basil plants. Plus, they're an edible flower that adds vibrance to your dish.

  • Name:Nasturtium (Tropaeolum spp.)
    
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:9-11
  • Light:Full sun
  • Soil:Moist but well-drained, acidic, neutral, alkaline

• 19 of 20

  Oregano

  

  Not only does oregano help enhance basil's flavor, it also serves as a ground cover around basil, helping to keep the soil moist.

  • Name:Oregano (Origanumspp.)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:4-10
  • Light:Full sun
  • Soil:Well-drained, acidic, neutral

• 20 of 20

  Parsley

  

  Parsley and basil require similar sun and water conditions, and, like other herbs, the two work to enhance each other's flavor.

  • Name:Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
    
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:2-11
  • Light:Full sun
  • Soil:Loamy, moist, well-drained, acidic, neutral