Lavender (Lavandula) is a hardy, low-maintenance plant that can thrive in a variety of growing conditions. Although it will bloom without much care, you can ensure a successful harvest by growing lavender alongside companion plants.
Sowing lavender together with other garden products, such as marigolds, rosemary, garlic or sage, creates a plot full of plants that mutually benefit each other. Tall, aromatic lavender protects lower growing plants from sun and pests, while plants at ground level protect the soil around the lavender. Ahead, we share expert-recommended lavender companion plants that will ensure this crop is successful in your garden.
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Alex Betza landscape designer who is the founder and CEO of Plant by Number.
Rosemary
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Lavender and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) work well together because of their complementary aromas. “Rosemary’s strong scent helps repel pests such as aphids, whiteflies and certain beetles, reducing the risk of these pests infecting the lavender plant,” says Alex Betz, landscape designer at Plant by Number. “Similarly, the scent of lavender acts as a natural pest repellent for the rosemary.” Lavender also helps maintain a more stable microclimate around rosemary by reducing the evaporation of soil moisture.
- Zones: 7 to 10
- Mate: 3 to 5 feet long x 2 to 4 feet wide
- Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Thyme
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Fragrant thyme (Thymus vulgaris) also acts as a natural pest repellent for lavender, while its low-growing growth habit serves as a moisture-retaining mulch. “The lavender also acts as a fragrant repellent to the thyme, repelling moths, fleas, flies and mosquitoes,” says Betz. “Lavender grows taller than thyme and acts as a windbreak and provides protection to the low-growing thyme plants, as well as a partial shade barrier during the warmer parts of the day.”
- Zones: 5 to 9
- Mate: 6 to 12 inches high x 12 to 18 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Marigold
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While the scent of lavender repels pests that might attack marigolds (Marigold), marigolds can suppress nematodes attracted to lavender. “They can protect lavender from underground and above-ground threats,” says Betz. Additionally, lavender attracts pollinators that benefit the marigold flowers.
- Zones: 2 to 11
- Mate: 6 to 36 inches high x 6 to 24 inches wide, depending on variety
- Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Sun hat
Valerie Loiseleux
Sun hat (Echinacea) is a popular pollinator plant that welcomes bees and butterflies while discouraging aphids and Japanese beetles from attacking lavender. “Some types of echinacea have the ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, which helps improve soil fertility and benefits neighboring plants,” says Betz. Lavender, in turn, repels pests from coneflowers and acts as a wind and shade barrier with its height.
- Zones: 3 to 9
- Mate: 1 to 3 high x 1 to 2 feet wide
- Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Legumes
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Lavender’s height allows it to protect beans and peas from wind and sun, while also protecting the plants from powdery mildew and root rot. “The lavender repels pests, increases pollination rates and improves bean and pea yields,” says Betz. “Beans and peas can improve soil, fix nitrogen and support lavender growth.”
- Zones: 3 to 11
- Mate: 1 to 10 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide, depending on the variety
- Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Garlic
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While lavender helps garlic by attracting pollinators and improving soil health, garlic’s powerful aroma and antifungal properties protect lavender against aphids, whiteflies and root rot. “Garlic roots release compounds that improve soil structure and increase microbial activity, which can benefit overall soil health and promote better lavender growth,” says Betz.
- Zones: 3 to 9
- Mate: 1 to 3 feet long x 6 to 12 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Basil
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Basil (Ocimum basilicum) can enhance lavender’s flavor and promote healthy growth, while repelling unwanted pests and attracting beneficial pollinators. “The lavender also repels pests that can negatively affect the basil, attracts pollinators and stimulates beneficial soil microbes, improving soil health and promoting better nutrient uptake by the basil plants,” says Betz.
- Zones: 2 to 11
- Mate: 12 to 24 inches high x 12 to 18 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Sensible
Julia Bilousova
When sage is grown next to lavender (Salvia officinalis) can help improve the essential oil content in lavender, making it more fragrant. “It emits aromatic compounds, such as camphor and cineole, which repel pests such as moths, beetles and certain flies and protect the lavender from pests,” says Betz. Sage’s dense foliage can also help suppress weed growth around lavender plants, reducing competition for nutrients.
- Zones: 5 to 9
- Mate: 12 to 30 inches high x 12 to 24 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Catmint
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Catmint (Nepeta) attracts bees, butterflies and other pollinators to lavender, while simultaneously repelling pests and suppressing weeds. “Catmint roots can stimulate beneficial soil microbes, improve soil health, and promote better growth of both lavender and catmint,” says Betz. “The lavender also attracts pollinators which benefit the catnip by increasing pollination rates, leading to better flower production and potentially higher yields.”
- Zones: 3 to 8
- Mate: 12 to 24 inches long; width varies
- Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Creeping Thyme
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Improve the vigor and health of your lavender by allowing a mat of creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) to suppress weeds. “Creeping thyme also contributes organic matter to the soil through leaf litter and root turnover, improving soil structure and fertility, which benefits lavender,” says Betz.
- Zones: 4 to 9
- Mate: 2 to 4 inches high x 12 to 18 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil
Alliums
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Garlic and onions, both members of the allium family, protect lavender with their anti-fugal, antibacterial and pest-fighting properties. “Alliums, especially when crushed or rotting, release sulfur compounds that can suppress pathogens and pests in the soil, improving soil health and reducing the risk of disease,” says Betz. “Both plants attract beneficial pollinators.”
- Zones: 4 to 9
- Mate: 3 to 4 feet tall
- Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil
4 types of plants that cannot be combined with lavender
Lavender’s growth requirements make it an easy match with other plants that prefer the same conditions: full sun, well-drained soil and not too much moisture, says Betz. Do not combine lavender with types of plants that require shade, moisture or rich, acidic soil.
- Shade-loving plants: Betz recommends not placing shade-loving plants, such as hosta, fern, astilbe, bleeding heart and heuchera, in the same spot as your lavender plants.
- Water-loving plants: Herbs and plants that prefer moist soil, such as mint, begonias, fuchsias and impatiens, are unlikely to thrive next to lavender, says Betz.
- Heavy feeders: Tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins and other vegetables or flowers that require rich soil will not benefit from the soil lavender needs — and can leave lavender to compete for nutrients.
- Acid-loving plants: Lavender prefers a slightly alkaline to neutral soil pH (about 6.5 to 7.5). Avoid planting lavender near acid-loving plants that prefer lower pH levels, such as rhododendrons, azaleas, blueberries, camellias and gardenias, says Betz.