Best and Worst Companion Plants for Rosemary

Rosemary is a perennial herb with fragrant, evergreen needle-like leaves and white, pink, purple, or blue flowers, native to the Mediterranean region. It is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae and is commonly used as a culinary herb and in traditional medicine. It is also grown as an ornamental plant in gardens and has a distinctive fragrance that is popular in perfumes and aromatherapy.

What Is Companion Planting?

Companion planting is an organic method of preventing or protecting plants from pests and diseases, attracting the right types of insects for pollination, enhancing nutrient uptake, and increasing crop production simply by growing specific plants near each other. In essence, companion planting helps bring a balanced ecosystem to your landscape, allowing nature to do its job.

Benefits of Companion Planting

1. Organic Pest control
Some plants can emit scents that either repel insects, attract them, or confuse insects or disease organisms in search of their favorite host plants. They make insects less likely to land on your garden vegetables.

2. Attracts beneficial insects
Some plants help attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, bees, and butterflies, that pollinate and help control harmful bugs. Beneficial insects feed on common garden pests, like aphids and caterpillars.

3. Provides necessary shade
Tall sun-loving plants offer shade to smaller shade-loving plants. This results in better products and can also potentially provide pest control. A good example is The Three Sisters Garden. Practiced by Native Americans thousands of years ago, this garden includes corn, beans, and squash. The tall corn provides shade for the lower squash but also stops the squash vine borer beetle.

4. Shelters plants
Some plants can provide windbreaks and prevent soil erosion. Strong winds can damage gardens by removing mulch, topsoil, and eroding beds and hillsides. Rain can also cause severe damage by beating down young seedlings. By carefully selecting the right ground cover, you can help prevent soil erosion.

5. Provides natural supports
Some companion plants can physically support each other, reducing the need for staking. The example of planting corn, beans, and squash together applies here again. Corn provides tall stalks for the beans to climb so that they are not out-competed by sprawling squash vines.

6. Saves space
Interplanting different crops greatly maximizes space and improves productivity in small gardens.

7. Enhances flavors
Some plants can subtly enhance the flavor of other plants. Most herbs have been found to enhance the flavor of fruits and vegetables grown nearby, and Basil grown beside tomatoes is an excellent example. Similarly, chamomile has an aromatic scent that is believed to improve the growth and flavor of cabbages, cucumbers, and onions when grown beside them.

8. Better soil quality and fertility
Some crops help fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and reduce fertilizer needs. Similarly, planting plants with different root structures together can aerate the soil and allow plants to pull nutrients from different parts of the soil.

Not only can companion planting helps your plants to grow better, but it also makes the vegetable garden more attractive thanks to the addition of colorful flowers that help or hinder nearby vegetables. Companion planting combines beauty and purpose to create an enjoyable, healthy environment.

Best Companion Plants for Rosemary

Rosemary is a versatile herb that grows well with many different plants. Here are some of the best companion plants for rosemary:

• Sage: Both rosemary and sage thrive in similar growing conditions, making them excellent companions. They also complement each other well in the kitchen.
• Thyme: Thyme and rosemary have similar watering and sunlight requirements, and their flavors complement each other well in cooking.
• Lavender: Lavender and rosemary are both Mediterranean herbs that grow well in similar conditions. Lavender’s scent can also help repel pests that may attack rosemary.
• Oregano: Oregano is a hardy plant that is also resistant to many pests and diseases, making it a good companion for rosemary.
• Marjoram: Marjoram has a delicate flavor that complements the stronger flavor of rosemary. It is also a good pest repellent and can help protect rosemary from insect attacks.
• Beans: Beans are nitrogen-fixing plants that can help improve the soil quality for rosemary. Plus, the strong scent of rosemary can help deter bean beetles.
• Carrots: Carrots and rosemary grow well together and can help repel each other’s pests. Carrots can also help loosen the soil around the rosemary roots, making it easier for the plant to absorb water and nutrients.
• Cabbage: Cabbage and rosemary are good companions because they have different soil requirements. Rosemary prefers well-draining, slightly alkaline soil, while cabbage likes soil that is more acidic.
• Tomato: Rosemary is believed to improve the flavor and growth of tomatoes and also repel pests that may harm the tomato plant, such as the tomato hornworm. Additionally, the aromatic oils released by rosemary may help to mask the scent of the tomato plant, making it harder for pests to locate.