Herbs, like Sage, make great companion plants for vegetable gardens! Ladybugs love herbs like Sage (shown above).
Yes, herbs are excellent companion plants because they can attract beneficial insects, repel pests, improve soil quality, and even enhance the flavor of other vegetables!
Herb seeds are easy to start and many of our herbs are perennial (Oregano, Sage, and Garlic Chives) so you can plant them once and they'll provide you with an endless supply of flavor for years to come.
Planting herbs like basil, chives, around your vegetable garden can naturally improve the health and yield without the need for harsh chemicals.
Here are some good examples of companion planting with herbs:
- Basil: A great companion for tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries.
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Chives: Deters pests like the Japanese beetle, and they have pest-repelling properties and ability to confuse pests like carrot flies and aphids. Chives are good companion for carrots and cabbages.
- Thyme: A good companion for sage, as both prefer drier conditions, and it deters cabbage worms.
- Oregano: Good oregano companion plants include other Mediterranean herbs like basil, thyme, and sage, as well as vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and brassicas like cauliflower and cabbage
- Dill: Good companion plants for dill include many brassicas like cabbage and broccoli, alliums such as onions and garlic, and many other vegetables and flowers like corn, cucumber, lettuce, strawberries, marigolds, nasturtiums, and borage. Dill attracts beneficial insects that prey on pests, and also repels pests like the cabbage moth.
Exceptions (what not to plant near each other):
- Avoid planting Dill near carrots and celery because they are in the same family and can cross-pollinate
- Avoid planting Sage near cucumbers and onions, as it can restrict their growth and has different water needs than both.
- Cilantro (Coriander): Avoid planting with dill.
Other great companion plants:
- Marigolds: Discourage nematodes and other insects, making them beneficial throughout the garden.
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Three Sisters Garden: planting corn, squash and pole beans is a classic companion planting! Native American tribes have relied on this sustainable planting technique for years as the Corn provides a natural trellis for climbing beans, Beans enrich the soil with nitrogen to feed all three plants, and
Squash leaves create living mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Read more about the best Companion Plants for Tomatoes and Peppers»
View our video of ladybugs on our Sage on Instagram:
