Image: The Burtons/Getty ImagesThere’s something special about having an herb garden. Aromatic and vibrant, herbs can enhance your dishes and brighten up your space. But, much like any other garden, you can't just dive in with a shovel and expect the best results.
To ensure your herb garden flourishes, a bit of foresight is required—here are five herb combinations that should never be planted together, along with a few that are perfect pairings.
Mint and Any Other Herb
Mint is an excellent herb to grow for many reasons. It has a delightful fragrance and makes a refreshing garnish for cocktails—think homemade mojitos! It can even elevate a simple glass of water! You may be eager to plant it, but it’s essential to give this herb its own space.
As noted by Lindsay Etemadipour, holistic herbalist and founder of Symbi, a women-led small-batch tea company, mint is incredibly invasive and can quickly dominate any garden, choking out other herbs.
Yes, it turns out you can have too much of a good thing. To prevent it from spreading uncontrollably, she recommends planting mint in a separate container. She adds, “Mint is one of my favorite herbs to use daily, but if planted with others, it will take over fast.”
You shouldn’t even plant mint near another mint. Courtney Sixx, founder of the DIY flower-arranging business Bouquet Box, advises, “Different mint varieties, like spearmint and peppermint, should never be planted together as they will lose their distinct flavors and scents.”
Who doesn’t enjoy fresh dill in a warm bowl of soup or sprinkled on a bagel with cream cheese? While you don’t need to plant it completely apart, Sixx recommends keeping dill away from several herbs, including lavender, marjoram, sage, and parsley.
Sage brings a distinctive, savory flavor to dishes like chicken or fish. However, Sixx advises keeping it separate from chives, which prefer a more moist environment than sage does.
Etemadipour recommends planting sage next to thyme. As she explains, “Sage and thyme thrive in dry, well-drained soil and full sun. I love planting these two together because the strong fragrance of sage helps repel pests from both herbs.”
“Fennel is temperamental and seems to prevent many plants from flourishing nearby,” Sixx adds.
Basil is an excellent herb to grow at home due to its versatility. However, experts recommend keeping it separate from sage. Etemadipour suggests pairing basil with oregano or parsley for the best results.
I enjoy combining basil, parsley, and oregano since basil naturally helps keep pests away from oregano and parsley. These herbs thrive under similar conditions, needing ample sunlight and well-drained soil, making them perfect companions in the garden as well,” she says.
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