Lavender (Wash it) is a hardy, low-maintenance plant that can thrive in a variety of growing conditions. Although it flowers without much care, one way to ensure a successful harvest is to grow lavender alongside companion plants.
Sowing lavender in tandem with other garden plants, such as marigolds, rosemary, garlic or sage, creates a patch full of plants that work together. Tall, aromatic lavender protects low-growing plants from sun and pests, while low-growing plants protect the soil surrounding the lavender. Ahead, we’re sharing expert-recommended lavender companion plants that will ensure this crop’s success in your garden.
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Alex BetzFounding landscaper and CEO of Plant by Number.
Rosemary
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Lavender and rosemary (Rosemary officinalis) work well together because of their complementary flavors. “The strong scent of rosemary helps repel pests such as aphids, whiteflies and some beetles, reducing the risk of these pests infesting lavender,” says Alex Betz, landscaper at Plant by Number. “Similarly, the scent of lavender acts as a natural pest repellent in rosemary.” Lavender also helps maintain a more stable microclimate around rosemary by reducing evaporation of soil moisture.
- Areas: 7 to 10
- Size: 3 to 5 feet tall x 2 to 4 feet wide
- Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Thyme
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Fragrant thyme (Common thymus) also acts as a natural pest repellent to lavender, while its low-growing habit serves as a moisture-retaining mulch. “Lavender also acts as a thyme-scented repellent, keeping away moths, fleas, flies and mosquitoes,” says Betz. “Lavender grows taller than thyme and acts as a windbreak, providing protection to low-growing thyme plants, as well as a barrier of partial shade during the hottest parts of the day.”
- Areas: 5 to 9
- Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Worry
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While the scent of lavender repels parasites that could attack marigolds (Tagetes), marigolds can suppress nematodes attracted to lavender. “They can protect lavender from underground and aerial threats,” says Betz. Additionally, lavender attracts pollinators which benefit marigold flowers.
- Areas: 2 to 11
- Size: 6 to 36 inches tall x 6 to 24 inches wide, depending on variety
- Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Echinacea
Valerie Loiseleux
Echinacea (Echinacea) is a popular pollinator plant that welcomes bees and butterflies, while discouraging aphids and Japanese beetles from attacking lavender. “Certain species of echinacea have the ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, helping to improve soil fertility and benefiting neighboring plants,” says Betz. In turn, lavender repels coneflower pests and acts as a barrier against wind and shade thanks to its height.
- Areas: 3 to 9
- Size: 1 to 3 feet tall 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 protecting plants from powdery mildew and root rot. “Lavender repels pests, increases pollination rates, and improves the yield of beans and peas,” says Betz. “Beans and peas can improve soil, fix nitrogen and support lavender growth.”
- Areas: 3 to 11
- Size: 1 to 10 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide, depending on variety
- Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Garlic
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While lavender helps garlic by attracting pollinators and improving soil health, its strong aroma and antifungal properties protect lavender from 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.
- Areas: 3 to 9
- Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Basil
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Basil (The Basilic) can enhance the flavor of lavender and promote healthy growth while repelling unwanted pests and attracting beneficial pollinators. “Lavender also repels pests that might harm basil, attracts pollinators, and stimulates beneficial soil microbes, thereby improving soil health and promoting better nutrient absorption by basil plants,” says Betz.
- Areas: 2 to 11
- Size: 12 to 24 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Wise
Julia Bilousova
When grown alongside lavender, sage (Sage) can help improve the essential oil content of lavender, making it more fragrant. “It emits aromatic compounds, such as camphor and cineole, which repel pests like moths, beetles and some flies, protecting lavender from pest infestations,” says Betz. Sage’s dense foliage can also help suppress weed growth around lavender plants, reducing competition for nutrients.
- Areas: 5 to 9
- Size: 12 to 30 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Catmint
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Catmint (Népeta) attracts bees, butterflies and other pollinators to lavender while repelling pests and suppressing weeds. “Catnip roots can stimulate beneficial soil microbes, improving soil health and promoting better growth of lavender and catnip,” says Betz. “Lavender also attracts pollinators which benefit catnip by increasing pollination rates, leading to better flower production and potentially higher yields.”
- Areas: 3 to 8
- Size: 12 to 24 inches tall; width varies
- Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
Creeping thyme
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Improve the strength and health of your lavender by leaving a carpet of creeping thyme (Serpyllus thymus) to suppress weeds. “Creeping thyme also adds organic matter to the soil through leaf litter and root turnover, improving soil structure and fertility, which benefits lavender,” says Betz.
- Areas: 4 to 9
- Size: 2 to 4 inches tall 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 from the allium family, protect lavender with their antifugitic, antibacterial and pest-repelling properties. “Alliums, especially when crushed or decaying, release sulfur compounds that can suppress soil pathogens and pests, improving soil health and reducing the risk of disease,” says Betz. “Both plants attract beneficial pollinators.”
- Areas: 4 to 9
- Size: 3 to 4 feet tall
- Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil
4 types of plants not to associate with lavender
Lavender’s growing requirements make it an easy partner for other plants that prefer the same conditions: full sun, well-drained soil and not too much humidity, Betz says. Avoid pairing lavender with plant types that need shade, humidity, or rich, acidic soil.
- Shade-loving plants: Betz recommends avoiding placing shade-loving plants, such as hosta, fern, astilbe, bleeding heart and heuchera, in the same location 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 alongside lavender, says Betz.
- Heavy feeders: Tomatoes, peppers, squash and other vegetables or flowers that need rich soil will not benefit from the soil that lavender needs and may leave lavender competing for nutrients.
- Acidophilic plants: Lavender prefers a slightly alkaline to neutral soil pH (around 6.5 to 7.5). Avoid planting lavender with acid-loving plants that prefer lower pH levels, such as rhododendrons, azaleas, blueberries, camellias and gardenias, says Betz.