Want to grow a fragrant herb garden at home but haven’t had much luck in the past? The key to success in a small garden or raised garden bed is to choose the right herbs to plant with other plants.
Growing some herbs next to each other can help your garden stay healthy and grow, keep pests away, attract pollinators, and even make the flavors of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs that are close by better.
A huge range of combinations is available to see success in your herb garden. Here, we share our complete guide to companion planting herbs!.
There are a lot of different plants that can grow with basil and help it grow and do well. Each has its own benefits.
There are some herbs and plants that you should never grow near basil. These are cucumbers, sage, thyme, common rue, and fennel.
Parsley flourishes when it flowers, which can be beneficial to a wide variety of parsley companion plants!
Only a few plants go well with parsley. Allium plants, like garlic, onions, and shallots, are not one of them. Alliums tend to stunt the growth of parsley!.
Mint is typically a very happy plant, enjoying both full sun and shady areas. They’re easy to grow, and many mint companion plants can fill your garden with colour and mouth-watering scents.
Rosemary is a popular companion plant to various herbs, fruits and vegetables. With insect-repellent qualities, rosemary companion plants include:
You should never overlook sage when starting a veggie patch. Sage can help plants grow and keep pests away. It can also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Plus, there are loads of sage companion plants to choose from.
While sage is an excellent pest repellent, we recommend avoiding a few plants like cucumbers, fennel and wormwood.
Because thyme likes mostly dry, drought-tolerant soil, you need to find plants that can grow with it that can handle the same harsh conditions.
Thyme grows well with many other plants, but you should avoid partnering thyme with basil, coriander and chives. These herbs like moist soil rather than the dry conditions in which thyme flourishes.
There are many plants that go well with oregano, but it’s important to remember that oregano and thyme both like dry soil better than wet soil.
Basil, chives, coriander and mint all prefer moist soil — moister than what oregano plants need. If you plan to grow all these herbs, plant them in separate garden beds or containers.
Chives are low-maintenance perennials and make good companion plants for others thanks to their long lifespan. Here are some examples of beneficial chive companion plants.
Allium plants, like chives, can slow down the growth of asparagus. They also like different growing conditions than flowers and herbs like oregano, sage, thyme, rosemary, and lavender. These plants prefer sandy soil, which doesn’t sit well with chives.
Chamomile needs full sun (or partial shade in hot climates) and always-wet soil around it. It’s a very picky herb to grow, so be careful picking plants that go well with it!
While mint tends to grow well with most other flowers and herbs, chamomile is the exception. Chamomile can prevent mint plants from producing the oil that gives them their fragrance. The same bugs that eat chamomile also like carrots, parsley, and parsnips, so keep them away from chamomile.
Allelopathic means that fennel actually stops or kills the growth of other garden plants! Dill is the only plant that grows well with fennel because it helps keep the seeds stable, and fennel can keep pests away that like to eat dill.
Oregano is a versatile herb that can enhance the flavor of many savory dishes. With its pungent, aromatic leaves and pretty flowers, it also makes a great addition to an edible garden. However, when it comes to companion planting, not all pairings work well with oregano. Certain plants inhibit the growth and flavor of oregano or compete with it for resources.
Understanding what not to plant with oregano enables you to design a flourishing garden that brings out the best in this culinary herb. Follow these tips to avoid poor plant pairings and get the most out of your oregano.
Why Companion Planting Matters
Grouping complementary plants together in the garden provides multiple benefits, including:
- Enhanced growth and yields
- Pest control
- Improved pollination
- More efficient use of space
- Soil enrichment
On the other hand, planting incompatible species next to each other has the opposite effect. It can stunt growth, leave plants more susceptible to pests and disease, and make poor use of garden space and resources
When it comes to oregano, choosing suitable companion plants is key to success. This aromatic herb has particular needs and partners well with certain plants while disliking others. Avoid pairing oregano with incompatible species for best results.
Plants to Avoid Growing Near Oregano
Here are some of the worst choices for oregano companion planting:
Basil
A staple herb in many gardens basil does not make a good match for oregano. Both herbs like plenty of sun. However basil thrives in rich, moist soil. Oregano prefers dry, well-draining conditions. The different soil preferences lead to stunted growth and problems for both plants if grouped together.
Mint
Mint’s aggressively spreading roots can easily take over garden space, robbing moisture and nutrients from neighboring plants like oregano. Mint also prefers consistently moist soil, while oregano thrives in dry conditions. For best results, plant mint separately from other herbs.
Coriander
Like basil and mint, coriander wants fertile, moist soil to thrive. When grown near oregano’s dry environment, it will suffer. Coriander also peaks in cool weather, while oregano needs summer heat. Their different growing needs make them poor companions.
Chives
Chives enjoy heavier, moisture-retentive soil. When planted near oregano’s well-draining roots, chives become stressed and grow poorly. Their contrasting preferences set them up for poor performance as bedfellows.
Fennel
Allow fennel plenty of space from oregano in the garden. As an allelopathic plant, fennel releases compounds that inhibit the growth of other plants nearby, including oregano.
Cabbage Family Plants
Brassicas like cabbage, kale, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts grow best in fertile ground with plenty of nutrients and moisture. With differing needs than oregano’s sandy, well-draining desired soil, they will compete for resources in the same space.
Root Crops
Root crops like potatoes, carrots, onions, and beets compete with oregano for soil nutrients, moisture, and space. Their different growth habits make interplanting a challenge. For best oregano flavor and growth, avoid combining with root crops.
Legumes
Beans, peas, soybeans, and other legumes are not ideal companions for oregano. They have large root systems that hog space, nutrients, and water that oregano needs. Keep them separate for healthy plants.
Cucumbers
Oregano likes hot, dry conditions with well-draining soil. Cucumbers thrive in cool, consistently moist environments with fertile ground. Planted together, both plants suffer. Cucumbers also lack the pest-fighting benefits of true oregano companion plants.
By avoiding planting oregano near any of these incompatible vegetable and herb varieties, you prevent unnecessary competition. This allows your oregano to thrive and develop its best possible flavor and oil content.
Better Companion Planting Options
Rather than struggle with growing oregano near plants with different needs and growth habits, choose suitable companion varieties like:
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Sage
- Lavender
- Marjoram
- Chamomile
- Basil
- Onions
- Celery
These Mediterranean herbs, flowers, and vegetables share preferences for hot, dry conditions and sandy, lightly fertile soil. Grouping them with oregano avoids issues with competition and cultivation differences. The plants complement each other beautifully while enhancing flavor and deterring garden pests.
Tips for Oregano Companion Planting Success
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Check plant specifics before combining with oregano. Choose companions with similar needs.
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Allow plenty of space between oregano and incompatible plants.
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Use separate garden beds or containers to grow oregano near plants that dislike dry soil.
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Plant oregano near flowers, herbs, and vegetables that thrive in hot, arid conditions.
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Add gravel mulch and sand to improve drainage around oregano.
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Avoid overwatering oregano when grown near moisture-loving plants.
With smart companion planting choices, your oregano will flourish. But by understanding what not to plant with oregano, you can prevent complications and create an ideal growing environment tailored to this wonderful herb. Your oregano will reward you with maximum flavor, vigorous growth, and abundant flowers when paired with its new best friends in the garden.
See your herbs flourish with a raised garden bed from Organic Garden Co!
We at Organic Garden Co want to make it easy for you to grow flowers, vegetables, fruits, and herbs in your own backyard. That’s why we sell cheap, easy-to-use raised garden beds!
Look through our collection of raised garden beds that come in a wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes. We’re sure you’ll find something that fits right in with your landscaping!
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FAQ
What herbs should not be planted together?
Can I plant oregano and basil together?
Does oregano like to be crowded?
Can peppers and oregano grow together?
Can oregano be planted with other plants?
Using oregano in companion planting can provide many benefits to other crops in your garden. While many people say oregano can just be planted with anything there are some important points to remember. Oregano is not a moisture-loving herb. Its soil conditions are usually dryer than those of herbs like basil and mint.
What plants eat oregano?
Oregano companion plants like grapes, melons, and cucumbers benefit from oregano’s ability to repel the insects that feed on them. Other companions, like lavender and rosemary, share oregano’s growing requirements. Tomatoes, strawberries, and pepper plants enjoy improved performance thanks to oregano’s ability to attract pollinators.
Can you eat oregano if you don’t have enough space?
But if you don’t have enough room for that many vining plants in your garden, oregano is a great nitrogen-boosting alternative. Bell peppers, jalapenos, and many other peppers make wonderful oregano companion plants because they don’t require much water. You can water these plants once a week, and they’ll be good to go.
Do oregano plants suffocate?
These plants can suffocate oregano’s shallow roots and prevent it from getting the nutrients it needs to thrive. Oregano likes companion plants that protect it from harsh sun, provide shelter in bad weather, and deter pests. And it absolutely doesn’t enjoy companions that require frequent watering.