Basil Companion Planting

Basil Companion Planting.

Basil, when planted nearby will help asparagus, beans, beets, cabbage, chili and bell peppers, eggplant, marigolds, oregano, potatoes and tomatoes.

Tomatoes are particularly good companions for basil as growing both near each other is said to make each crop taste better. One expert did suggest that the only benefit of planting basil and tomatoes together was the ability to harvest them at the same time but I read numerous gardeners reporting that their tomatoes, basil or both plants seemed to benefit from the pairing.

Companions for Basil.

Planting chamomile near basil will be beneficial to the growth of your basil plants.

Bad Companions for Basil.

Common rue and sage should not be planted near basil. Anise is supposed to increase the essential oil production in basil which depending upon your plans for your basil plants may be a good or bad companion plant.

Basil & Anise.

One of our sources said that planting anise near basil is beneficial and another listed anise as a bad companion plant for basil. Another source explained that anise will cause the essential oil production of basil to increase.

Basil attracts beneficial insects.

Basil will attract butterflies to your garden.

Basil repels many harmful insects.

Basil repels aphids, asparagus beetles, mosquitoes, tomato hornworms and white flies. Basil is also reputed to slow the growth of milkweed bugs.

To learn more about growing basil be sure to check out our basil fact sheet.

Basil has a long and interesting history which can be read on our basil throughout history page. Did you know that it was once believed that basil generated scorpions? And that it was once considered the emblem of the devil? Thank goodness we have found much better uses for this tasty herb.