If your summer plans include caprese salads, fresh pesto, or refreshing basil drinks, you’ll want a healthy supply of basil. While sunlight and well-drained soil are essential, pairing basil with the right companion plants can make a big difference. These partners can help deter pests, improve soil quality, and even enhance basil’s flavor.
Garden consultant Ashleigh Byrne from Atlanta, GA, shares that combining basil with certain herbs, flowers, and vegetables leads to a stronger, more productive garden. Here are 12 plants to grow alongside basil this season.
Why Plant Basil with Companions?
There are three key reasons to grow basil with companion plants:
Pest Control
Basil attracts some common garden pests like Japanese beetles and slugs. Certain companion plants either repel pests with their scent or attract them away from basil.
Soil Health
Some plants release nutrients into the soil that benefit basil’s growth.
Better Flavor
Companion plants can actually help intensify basil’s flavor, giving your recipes a boost.
01. Zinnias (Zinnia elegans)
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained
pH: Acidic to alkaline
Zinnias and basil love similar conditions: full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Basil helps keep pests away, while zinnias attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Byrne also suggests using basil in summer floral arrangements for an aromatic twist.
02. Cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus, Cosmos bipinnatus)
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained
pH: Acidic
Cosmos bring bright color to your herb garden and grow easily next to basil. While cosmos attract helpful pollinators, basil’s scent keeps harmful insects like aphids at bay.
03. Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum)
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Loamy, well-drained
pH: Neutral to acidic
Basil and tomatoes are a perfect match—in the garden and on your plate. Byrne recommends planting basil around your tomato beds. Not only do they benefit from the same growing conditions, but basil is believed to improve tomato flavor.
04. Peppers (Capsicum annuum)
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Fertile, loamy
pH: Neutral
Peppers and basil make a great team. Basil’s scent keeps away pests like aphids and whiteflies. It also helps trap heat and moisture near the soil, creating the perfect microclimate for peppers.
05. Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Sandy, loamy
pH: Neutral to acidic
The asparagus beetle avoids basil, so planting them together offers protection. In return, asparagus can attract pollinators that benefit basil’s growth.
06. Oregano (Origanum spp.)
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained
pH: Acidic to neutral
Both oregano and basil enjoy Mediterranean-style growing conditions. Oregano helps retain soil moisture and enhances basil’s flavor, making them a delicious and practical pairing for your herb garden.
07. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Loamy, well-drained
pH: Acidic to neutral
Parsley and basil grow well together. Basil deters aphids, a common parsley pest, and attracts hoverflies, which eat remaining aphids. Their shared love of sun and soil makes this duo easy to manage.
08. Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Moist, well-drained
pH: Slightly acidic to neutral
Marigolds release nutrients into the soil that basil can use to grow strong. They also keep away nematodes, which damage basil by turning its leaves yellow.
09. Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist, well-drained
pH: Neutral
Cilantro pairs well with basil because both repel pests and attract beneficial insects. Cilantro’s short life cycle also means it won’t compete with basil for space all season long.
10. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well-drained
pH: Neutral
Chives naturally repel aphids and other soft-bodied insects that threaten basil. Their slender leaves also make them a low-maintenance neighbor in the garden.
11. Borage (Borago officinalis)
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained
pH: Neutral
Borage is known to improve the health and growth of surrounding plants, including basil. Its star-shaped blue flowers also attract pollinators, making it a garden favorite.
12. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
Sunlight: Partial shade to full sun
Soil: Moist, well-drained
pH: Slightly acidic to neutral
Lettuce grows well in basil’s shade, especially during hotter months. This helps reduce the chance of lettuce bolting. In turn, basil benefits from having less exposed soil around it, which helps retain moisture.
Final Thoughts
Planting basil with companions not only protects it from pests but also makes your whole garden healthier and more flavorful. Whether you’re growing flowers, herbs, or veggies, these 12 plants can help your basil thrive all summer long.
