The Ultimate Guide to Rosemary Companion Plants
If you are looking for ways to improve the growth of your rosemary plant, you may be wondering if there are any companion plants that you can use.
Companion planting is a great way to improve plant growth and health, and it can be used with many different types of plants.
In this blog post, we will discuss the best companion plants for rosemary, as well as some plants that you should avoid planting near your rosemary.
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What is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is the practice of growing two or more different types of plants in close proximity to each other.
Companion planting can have many benefits, including improved plant growth, reduced pests and diseases, and increased pollination.
When companion planting, it is important to choose plants that will complement each other and provide the desired benefits.
What are the Benefits of Companion Planting?
There are many benefits that can be gained from companion planting. Some of the most common benefits include:
Improved Growth and Health of Plants
One of the main benefits of companion planting is that it can improve the growth and health of your plants.
Companion planting can provide nutrients, shade, and support to your plants, which can help them to grow stronger and healthier.
Organic Pest Control
Another benefit of companion planting is that it can help to control pests and diseases.
By growing plants that repel pests or attract beneficial insects, you can reduce the amount of pesticides and herbicides that you need to use on your plants.
Attracts Beneficial Insects
As we mentioned above, one of the benefits of companion planting is that it can attract beneficial insects to your garden.
These insects can help to pollinate your plants, control pests, and improve plant growth.
Improves Soil Quality and Fertility
Companion planting can also improve the quality of your soil.
By adding organic matter to the soil, you can improve its fertility and water-holding capacity.
This will help your plants to grow healthier and stronger.
Improves Flavor of Vegetables
Companion planting can also improve the flavor of your vegetables.
When plants are grown close together, they can share nutrients and flavors, which can make your vegetables taste better.
Serve As Markers
Some companion plants can also serve as markers for other plants.
By growing taller plants next to shorter ones, you can create a living fence that will protect your garden from pests and animals.
You can also use companion plants to support climbing vines or vegetables.
Provide Necessary Shade
Some plants need shade to grow, and companion planting can provide this.
By planting taller plants next to shorter ones, you can create a microclimate that will provide the necessary shade for your plants.
Now that we've talked about the benefits of companion planting, let's take a look at the best and worst plants to grow near rosemary.
Looking for an easy reference guide? Then check out this dedicated sheet outlining the MOST beneficial companion plants on Etsy.
Rosemary Companion Plants
Some of the best companion plants for rosemary include:
Brassicas
A rosemary plant is an excellent addition to any garden, thanks to its fragrant leaves and pretty flowers. But did you know that rosemary makes an excellent companion plant?
One of the best plants to pair it with is a brassica. Brassicas are a family of plants that includes the cabbage family, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, turnips, kohlrabi, rutabaga, and radishes.
Not only do these plants look nice together, but they also help to repel pests. The strong smell of rosemary helps to mask the scent of brassica, making it less attractive to pests particularly cabbage worms and cabbage loppers.
And because rosemary is a perennial herb, it will come back year after year, providing long-lasting protection for your brassica crops.
So if you’re looking for a rosemary companion plant, consider brassica.
RELATED: Broccoli Companion Plants: What to Include and Not Include
Beans
If you love rosemary, then you should definitely consider planting beans as a companion.
Beans are great at fixing nitrogen in the soil, which rosemary needs in order to thrive. In addition, beans can help shade rosemary plants and protect them from the hot sun.
In return rosemary also helps to protect beans from the Mexican bean beetle. The strong scent of rosemary deters the beetles, and the thick leaves provide a physical barrier between the beans and the pests.
In addition, rosemary helps to improve the overall health of the bean plants, making them more resistant to attack. As a result, rosemary is an ideal companion for beans, helping to keep them healthy and delicious.
Carrots
Carrots make great rosemary companions, both in the garden and on the plate.
Rosemary helps to keep carrot pests at bay. The strong scent of rosemary deters the carrot fly, and the physical barrier created by the rosemary plants helps to protect carrots from attack.
This will result in an increase in your carrot crop. As a result, companion planting with rosemary can help to improve both the health and flavor of your carrots.
Carrots help enrich the soil and improve the overall health of rosemary plants, making them more resistant to pests and diseases.
As you can see, rosemary and carrots are a great team. They help each other to grow strong and healthy, and they also make delicious pairs.
So if you're looking for a rosemary companion plant, consider carrots.
Marigolds
When companion planting rosemary with marigolds, you get the best of both worlds.
Not only do the marigolds help to repel pests, but they also add a pop of color to your garden.
The two plants together can help keep your garden looking beautiful and free of pests.
Alyssum
Alyssum and rosemary companion plant very well together.
Alyssum has tiny flowers that are very attractive to bees and other beneficial pollinators, while rosemary acts as a pest repellent for other insects.
These two companion plants help each other out by creating a healthy ecosystem in your garden!
This is just one example of companion planting - there are many other combinations of plants that can help each other out in the garden.
Strawberries
The combination of strawberries and rosemary makes for a great gardening strategy.
Both plants benefit from the association, with increased fertility for both, and strawberries are better protected from pests and diseases.
Strawberries also have an improvement in flavor when companion planted with rosemary.
Peppers
Rosemary is a beautiful, aromatic herb that can also be very useful in the garden. When planted near peppers, rosemary can help to repel insect pests and keep the soil moist and weed-free.
Rosemary has a strong scent that can help to mask the scent of your pepper plants, making it more difficult for pests to find them.
Not to mention, rosemary's sprawling growth habit makes it an ideal ground cover. By covering the ground around your pepper plants, rosemary can help to prevent weeds from taking root and competing for water and nutrients.
As a result, rosemary makes an excellent companion plant for peppers.
Onions
When onion and rosemary are planted together, they can help to repel common garden pests.
In addition to deterring pests, rosemary also helps to improve the flavor of onions. When these two plants are grown together, they create a fragrant and flavorful combination that can enhance any dish.
Companion planting is a great way to deter pests and improve the flavor of your food, and rosemary and onions are a perfect match.
Try it in your own garden and see the difference for yourself.
Parsnips
In addition to being a delicious culinary ingredient, rosemary is also known for its ability to repel insects. For this reason, rosemary makes an excellent companion plant for many different crops.
When planted near parsnips, rosemary can help to deter carrot flies. These pests are attracted to the smell of this root vegetable, but they are repelled by the scent of rosemary.
As a result, companion planting rosemary and parsnips can help to keep your parsnip crop healthy and free of pests.
Herbs also make great good companion plants for rosemary. Let's talk a look at some of the best herbs for rosemary plants.
Sage
Rosemary and sage are two of the most popular herbs used in cooking. But did you know that they can also be used to help each other grow?
Rosemary and sage both like the same growing conditions, so they make a good pairing. By companion planting sage and rosemary, gardeners can enjoy the benefits of both plants without having to worry about negative impacts on their growth.
Rosemary is known to improve the flavor of sage, and sage helps to keep rosemary from being damaged by pests. In addition, the two herbs can help to deter deer and rabbits from eating other plants in the garden.
This is because the strong scent of sage confuses the animals' sense of smell, while the prickly leaves of rosemary make it unappealing as food.
As a result, companion planting sage and rosemary together can provide protection for other plants in the garden.
Lavender
Lavender and rosemary are two of the most popular herbs and for good reason. Both of these fragrant plants have a wide range of benefits, from culinary to medicinal to ornamental. They also happen to be great companions in the garden.
Lavender grows best in full sun and well-drained soil, while rosemary prefers a slightly shaded location with moist, but not soggy, soil. When these plants are grown together, they can help to improve the drainage and aeration of the soil.
They also attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, to the garden. In return, the pollinators help to improve the health of both lavender and rosemary plants.
So if you're looking for a winning combination in the garden, consider planting lavender and rosemary together.
Marjoram
Companion planting is a technique often used by gardeners to maximize the growth and health of their plants. When done correctly, companion planting can provide numerous benefits, such as increased pest resistance and improved nutrient uptake.
In the case of rosemary and marjoram, companion planting can help to increase the yield of both plants. Marjoram is known to improve the flavor of rosemary, while rosemary can help to protect marjoram from pests.
Additionally, the two herbs share many of the same soil requirements, making them ideal companions. When planted together, rosemary and marjoram can create a mutually beneficial relationship that helps both plants to thrive.
Oregano
Rosemary and oregano are two of the most popular herbs, and they have a long tradition of being used together in cooking. But did you know that these two herbs also make excellent companions in the garden?
When planted next to each other, rosemary and oregano can help to repel pests and increase the overall health of your plants.
Rosemary is a strong-smelling Mediterranean herb that can help to deter pests such as deer and rabbits.
Rosemary and oregano share many of the same soil requirements. This means that they are more likely to thrive when planted together than when grown alone.
So if you're looking for a way to give your garden a boost, try companion planting rosemary and oregano together. You'll be amazed at the difference it makes!
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Thyme
When it comes to rosemary companion planting, thyme is the perfect plant to pair with it.
Both rosemary and thyme are drought-tolerant herbs that thrive in well-drained soil. They also have similar sun and water requirements.
Additionally, these two herbs have a symbiotic relationship: thyme protects rosemary from cabbage worms, and rosemary repels other insects.
When grown together, rosemary and thyme make a beautiful and fragrant addition to any garden. And best of all, they require very little maintenance!
So if you're looking for an easy-care herb garden, rosemary and thyme are a perfect choice.
Chives
When done correctly, companion planting can provide a number of benefits, including improved nutrient uptake, pest control, and disease resistance.
Chives and rosemary are often planted together because they are both strong-smelling herbs that can deter pests.
Additionally, rosemary is known to improve the flavor of chives when the two plants are grown together.
By taking the time to select the right companions for your garden, you can create a healthy and thriving ecosystem that will provide you with fresh herbs for years to come.
Rosemary Companion Planting Chart
Worst Rosemary Companion Plants
Now that you know what makes a good companion plant for rosemary, you might be wondering what plants you should avoid planting with it.
While rosemary is a versatile herb that can be planted with many different crops, there are a few plants that it does not companion well with. These include:
Basil
Basil and rosemary are two of the most popular herbs, but they do not make good companions. Basil needs more water than rosemary, so planting them together can lead to problems.
One plant will thrive while the other suffers, and it is best to avoid this combination.
RELATED: Basil Companion Plants: the Best and Worst Plants to Grow Nearby
Mint
Mint and rosemary shouldn't be planted together. Mint is a very invasive plant, and it will quickly take over any garden bed it is planted in.
Rosemary needs room to spread out, so planting them together can crowd the rosemary and cause it to suffer.
If you want to plant mint, it is best to do so in a container where it can't spread.
Tomatoes
Rosemary should not be companion planted with tomatoes. The two plants have different water requirements, with tomatoes needing more water than rosemary.
In addition, rosemary can inhibit the growth of tomatoes. For these reasons, it is best to plant rosemary and a tomato plant in separate areas of the garden.
Pumpkins
Rosemary is a beautiful and fragrant herb that is also very pest-resistant. However, it is susceptible to root rot and powdery mildew, which is why it's important to be careful about what other plants you grow alongside it.
Pumpkins should not be planted near other plants that are prone to mildew. By keeping these two plants apart, you can help ensure the health of both rosemary and pumpkins.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are another plant that should not be companion planted with rosemary.
These two plants have different water requirements, and cucumbers need more water than rosemary.
Cucumber also needs a lot of nitrogen in the soil, which rosemary may not tolerate.
Tips on Growing Rosemary
If you're considering companion planting for rosemary, here are some quick tips to help you out.
The best season to grow your rosemary is in spring.
When you're watering your plant, be sure to do so sparingly and allow it to dry before watering again.
Rosemary needs plenty of sunlight, so make sure to expose it to direct sunlight as often as possible.
You should also fertilize your plant with manure or compost.
Summing Up Rosemary Companion Plants
Rosemary is a great companion plant for many different crops. It can help to deter pests and improve the flavor of your food.
However, there are a few plants that rosemary does not companion well with. By following these tips, you can ensure that your rosemary plants thrive.