Growing Lavender and Rosemary Together: A Fragrant Duo for Your Garden

Rosemary and lavender are two well-liked, fragrant perennial herbs that will stay in your garden forever and make great garden companions. Both herbs share a preference for well-drained, slightly alkaline soil and thrive in similar growing conditions. Their compatibility in terms of soil requirements allows for easy integration into a cohesive garden design. Because they like the same things, these fragrant herbs don’t need much special care. This makes it easy for gardeners to grow and take care of them next to each other or in the same raised garden bed, enjoying their wonderful smells.

Secondly, rosemary and lavender complement each other visually, creating an aesthetically pleasing and harmonious garden landscape. The contrasting yet complementary hues of their needle-like leaves and vibrant blossoms add texture and color diversity. The silvery-green foliage of rosemary provides an attractive backdrop to the lavenders delicate, aromatic blooms. This visual harmony makes the garden look better overall, making it a place that is stimulating for both sight and smell.

Furthermore, planting rosemary and lavender together can offer practical benefits in pest management. Both herbs are known for their aromatic oils, which possess natural insect-repelling properties. Rosemary and lavender have smells that can keep some pests away, especially mosquitoes. This is a natural way to get rid of pests. By strategically placing these herbs in the garden, you can help make the ecosystem healthier by lowering the risk of pest infestations and improving the health of plants nearby.

Lavender and rosemary are two of the most aromatic herbs that are a delight to grow in any garden. With their intoxicating scents and attractive flowers, these Mediterranean natives make excellent companion plants. Growing lavender and rosemary together can provide you with an easy care and decorative duo that thrives in the same conditions.

Why Grow Lavender and Rosemary Together

There are several benefits to planting lavender and rosemary side by side in your garden beds or containers

Similar Growing Requirements: Lavender and rosemary hail from the Mediterranean region and have very similar needs when it comes to sun exposure, soil type and drainage. This makes them ideal candidates for co-planting.
Complementary Scents The clean floral aroma of lavender combines beautifully with the piney, woodsy fragrance of rosemary Planting them together results in a sensational sensory experience.

Pest Control: The strong scents of lavender and rosemary can help deter common garden pests like deer, rabbits and small rodents. Interplanting these herbs provides natural pest protection for both plants.
Pollinator Appeal: Lavender and rosemary flowers attract pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Grouping them together provides food sources for pollinators over a longer bloom season.
Culinary Usage: Having both herbs in one spot makes harvesting easier for cooking. The flowers and leaves of both plants have delicious culinary uses.

Ornamental Value: With their slender green foliage and vibrant purple or blue flower spikes, lavender and rosemary look stunning when planted together. They add beauty and Mediterranean charm to gardens and containers.

Growing Conditions for Lavender and Rosemary

To successfully grow lavender and rosemary as companion plants, you need to provide the proper cultural conditions. Here are the key growing requirements these Mediterranean herbs share:

Sun: Plant lavender and rosemary in a spot that receives full sun – at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Morning sun is particularly important.
Soil: Well-drained soil is essential. Sandy, gravelly soil that drains readily is ideal. Avoid heavy, wet soil that stays soggy.
pH: Lavender and rosemary prefer slightly alkaline soil with a pH between 6.7-7.3. Test soil and amend with lime if needed to raise pH.

Fertilizer: Use a balanced organic fertilizer sparingly. Too much nitrogen can make plants floppy and inhibit flowering.
Water: Allow soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Established plants are quite drought tolerant. Good drainage prevents root rot.
Climate: Grow lavender and rosemary in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-10. Provide winter protection in colder climates.

How to Plant Lavender and Rosemary Together

When planting lavender and rosemary together, you can either plant them tightly clumped or spaced up to 2-3 feet apart depending on your design preference and available space. Here are some tips:

Dig a hole 2-3 times the width of the pot or plant roots. Mix compost into soil to improve drainage.

Set new plants at the same level they were growing in pots. Backfill soil and tamp down gently but firmly.
Water deeply after planting. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around plants to retain moisture.
If transplanting established plants, prune them back by 1/3 to reduce transplant shock.

For container gardening, plant one rosemary and one lavender plant together in a large pot at least 12 inches wide and deep.

Caring for Lavender and Rosemary

Aside from providing the recommended growing conditions, here are some care tips to keep your lavender and rosemary thriving together:

Prune plants in early spring to shape and remove winter damage. Don’t shear lavender too severely.
Use organic mulch like wood chips or gravel to help retain moisture and reduce weeds.
Water plants 1-2 inches per week during summer and reduce in other seasons. Water at soil level.

Stake tall varieties if needed to prevent flopping. Remove dead flowers regularly to encourage more blooms.
Fertilize with organic balanced fertilizer once in early spring and again mid-summer if needed.
Protect plants from hard freezes and winter wind. Mulch heavily for insulation.

Propagate new plants from tip cuttings in summer to expand or replace plants.

Best Varieties to Grow Together

When selecting rosemary and lavender varieties to grow together, choose types with similar growth habits and flowering seasons. Some excellent options include:

Lavenders:

English Lavender – a hardy variety with fragrant purple blooms. Grows up to 2-3 feet tall.

Hidcote Lavender – a dwarf variety that grows 12-18 inches tall with deep violet flowers.
Spanish Lavender – tall variety growing 3-4 feet with abundant lavender blooms.
Lavandula stoechas – top hat variety with showy purple bracts on top. Grows 1-2 feet tall.

Rosemaries:

Tuscan Blue – upright rosemary with blue flowers, grows 3-5 feet.

Arp – excellent cold hardiness, pink flowers, 3-4 feet tall.
Hill Hardy – drought tolerant variety, blue flowers, 3-4 feet height.
Blue Spire – prolific blooms, upright growth to 3-5 feet tall.

Creative Ways to Use Lavender and Rosemary

Once established, you’ll have an abundance of fragrant foliage and flowers to use:

Add fresh or dried leaves to soups, meats, vegetables and more for delicious flavor.

Infuse olive oil or vinegar with herb stems and flowers. Use for marinades, dressings and sauces.
Make floral ice cubes from lavender and rosemary infused water to add to drinks.
Craft handmade soaps, sachets and potpourri using the aromatic herbs.

Dry lavender flowers and tie bundles together to scent dresser drawers or closets.
Mix dried rosemary into a sea salt blend for a relaxing bath soak.

With their similar growing habits, complementary scents and ornamental appeal, lavender and rosemary make the perfect dynamic duo for your herb garden. Plant these Mediterranean beauties together and enjoy their fragrance, flavor and visual interest for years to come.

How to plant rosemary and lavender together

Planting rosemary and lavender together in the garden involves careful consideration of their individual needs and preferences. Begin by selecting a well-drained location with full sunlight, as both herbs thrive in these conditions. Ensure that the soil is slightly alkaline and amend it with well-rotted compost to enhance drainage and fertility. When you plan the layout, make sure there is enough space between the rosemary and lavender plants so they don’t get too crowded. Leave at least 1 to 3 feet of space between each plant to let air flow well, which lowers the risk of disease and encourages healthy growth.

Before planting, water the herbs thoroughly and prepare the soil by loosening it with a garden fork. Dig holes slightly larger than the root balls of the rosemary and lavender plants. With care, take the herbs out of their pots and place them in the holes that have been prepared at the same depth as they were in their pots. Backfill the holes with soil, pressing it down gently to eliminate air pockets.

Water the newly planted rosemary and lavender generously to settle the soil around the roots. Put a layer of organic mulch around the plants’ bases, like straw or wood chips, to help keep the soil moist, keep weeds away, and keep the soil’s temperature stable. Set up a regular watering schedule and let the soil dry out between applications to avoid overwatering and encourage healthy root growth. Fertilize sparingly, as these herbs prefer lean soils.

5 Tips to Grow Perfect Lavender

FAQ

Can you plant lavender and rosemary together?

Rosemary and lavender are often paired together in gardens because they have similar cultural needs. Both plants are native to the Mediterranean, so they’re accustomed to full sun, dry conditions, and well-drained soil. They’re both drought-tolerant and can thrive even in poor, rocky soil.

What not to plant with lavender?

The best companion plants for lavender are sun-loving plants that don’t require a large amount of water. For that reason, it’s best to avoid thirsty plants like ferns, hostas, and hydrangeas. Shade-loving plants like violets and impatiens will also not thrive in the same areas as lavender.

Do lavender and rosemary need full sun?

Rosemary needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily and well-drained low-fertility soil. Rosemary is a sun-loving Mediterranean native that thrives in rocky gardens alongside lavender, thyme, and sage. It cannot grow to its full potential without direct sunshine.

Can you plant rosemary & lavender together?

Both can be planted together as a pair of companion plants to benefit the rest of your garden. Rosemary and lavender attract a variety of pollinators and deter rabbits and deer. Note that rosemary is not as cold tolerant as lavender, so if you live in a cooler climate, another companion may be necessary.

Can you plant two lavender plants together?

Planting two or more plants together for mutual benefit is known as companion planting. Garden pests and illnesses may be kept to a minimum without using harmful pesticides if lavender is planted alongside certain other plants.

Do all plants grow well with lavender?

But, not all plants grow well with lavender. Plants with high requirements for water, rich soil, and shade will not survive the typical lavender growing environment. A few plants to avoid planting with lavender are Mint, Hostas, Impatiens, and Camellias. Now that you know what matches lavender, go ahead and pair up your lavender plants!

Can you plant roses and Lavender together?

When trying lavender and roses companion planting, you may have best results with floribunda roses and shrub roses. Both roses and lavender love well-draining soil and should flourish together. Roses may want slightly more water than lavender, so keep this in mind when deciding how close to plant them.