Companion planting for lavender is an experience-based observation developed over centuries. People have noticed that planting certain plants side by side has a positive effect on each other, increasing the quality and quantity of the harvest.
Companion planting is not set in stone and it is the least you can do for your plants. You can get the right care from the individual plant article. You can see the companion and the enemy plants of lavender below.
Why does companion planting work?
Companion planting works due to several interconnected factors:
Pest Control: Certain plants emit natural chemicals or scents that repel pests, effectively acting as natural pest deterrents for nearby plants. This reduces the need for chemical pesticides and fosters a more balanced ecosystem.
Attracting Beneficial Insects: Some companion plants attract beneficial insects like ladybugs, hoverflies, and predatory wasps, which feed on common garden pests. This creates a natural form of pest control and helps maintain ecological balance.
Soil Improvement: Different plants have varying root structures and nutrient requirements. Companion planting can enhance soil health by reducing soil erosion, suppressing weeds, and improving nutrient uptake. For example, leguminous plants fix nitrogen in the soil, benefiting neighboring plants that require nitrogen for growth.
Competition Reduction: Companion planting can help reduce competition for resources such as water, sunlight, and nutrients by utilizing plants with complementary growth patterns and root structures. This allows for more efficient resource utilization and healthier plant growth.
Biodiversity and Resilience: Planting diverse species together increases biodiversity in the garden, which can enhance ecosystem resilience. A diverse ecosystem is better equipped to withstand pests, diseases, and environmental stresses compared to monocultures.
Maximizing Space: Companion planting allows gardeners to make the most of limited space by intercropping plants with different growth habits and maturity rates. This maximizes yield per square foot and promotes efficient land use.
Overall, companion planting capitalizes on the natural synergies between plant species, creating a thriving and sustainable garden ecosystem.
What are the companion plants of lavender?
The following plants have positive effects on the growth of your lavender. These plants can repel pests that damage your plants. These plants provide increased nutrition to the soil that your plants can use. Therefore, we recommend planting these plants next to your lavender.
Rose
Roses, known for their majestic blooms and garden beauty, grow in various soil conditions. Flourishing in loamy soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.0. Full sunlight and consistent moisture nurture their luxurious flowers and lush foliage. Roses provide invaluable benefits to neighboring plants by attracting pollinators, enhancing garden aesthetics, and promoting a sense of tranquility in the landscape.
Roses and lavender make a perfect pair, not just because they look beautiful together, but because roses thrive when lavender is around. Lavender helps keep aphids and other pesky insects away from rose bushes, giving them a better chance to bloom strong and healthy. Plus, the strong scent of lavender confuses pests that might otherwise munch on your roses.
Common sage
Common Sage grows in diverse soil conditions. Flourishing in well-drained, sandy or loamy soil. Full sunlight and moderate moisture nurture its aromatic foliage and sturdy growth. Common Sage provides invaluable benefits to neighboring plants by repelling pests, attracting beneficial insects, and adding culinary richness to the garden.
Sage is a hardy little herb that knows how to take care of its friends. It thrives in the same dry, well-drained soil that lavender loves, making them natural garden neighbors. Even better, sage helps improve soil conditions, which means happier, healthier lavender plants. It also brings in pollinators like bees, which will visit your lavender blooms as well. A little sage in the garden makes everything just a bit more balanced.
Oregano
Oregano grows in diverse soil conditions. Flourishing in well-drained, sandy or loamy soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 8.0. Full sunlight and occasional pruning nurture its flavorful foliage and compact growth. Oregano offers invaluable benefits to neighboring plants by repelling pests, attracting pollinators, and enhancing overall garden biodiversity.
Oregano is a low-growing herb that acts as a living mulch, helping to keep the soil from drying out too fast on extra hot days. Oregano’s strong aroma also confuses pests that might try to nibble on your lavender’s fragrant blooms. Plus, both plants thrive in similar conditions, so they’ll grow side by side with little fuss.
Thyme
Thyme grows sandy or loamy soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 8.0. Full sunlight and moderate moisture nurture its flavorful foliage and compact growth. Thyme provides invaluable benefits to neighboring plants by repelling pests, attracting beneficial insects, and enhancing overall garden biodiversity.
Thyme is a tough little plant that knows how to make life easier for its garden neighbors. It helps keep weeds from taking over the soil, making sure lavender has plenty of space to stretch its roots. It also attracts pollinators, which will happily bounce from thyme flowers to lavender blooms. With its ability to thrive in dry soil, thyme and lavender are a natural match.
Rosemary
Rosemary flourishes in well-drained, sandy soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.0. Full sunlight and moderate moisture nurture its aromatic foliage and robust growth. Rosemary provides invaluable benefits to neighboring plants by repelling pests, attracting beneficial insects, and enhancing overall garden biodiversity.
Rosemary and lavender go together like old friends—both love dry, sunny spots and don’t need much water. Rosemary’s strong scent helps keep away pests that might try to bother your lavender. It also grows in a way that provides a bit of shelter for lavender on especially windy days.
Onion
Onions thrive in various soil conditions. Flourishing in well-drained, fertile soil—preferably loamy or sandy—with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.0. Partial sunlight and consistent moisture nurture their hearty foliage and bulb formation. Onions provide invaluable benefits to neighboring plants by deterring pests with their strong aroma and improving soil structure with their fibrous roots.
Onions might not seem like the obvious choice for a lavender companion, but they have a lot to offer. Their pungent smell is excellent at repelling pests that might otherwise take a liking to lavender’s delicate flowers. Onions also help improve the soil structure, making it easier for lavender to grow strong roots. A little onion nearby can keep troublemakers at bay while lavender does its thing.
Garlic
Garlic flourishes in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.5, it embodies adaptability and strength. Adequate sunlight and consistent moisture support robust growth and bulb development. Garlic provides invaluable benefits to neighboring plants by deterring pests with its strong aroma and acting as a natural fungicide against soil-borne diseases.
Garlic is a powerhouse when it comes to protecting plants from pests and diseases. Its strong smell deters aphids, spider mites, and other critters that might try to feast on lavender. Garlic also has natural antifungal properties, which can help keep soil-borne diseases from spreading. With garlic as a neighbor, lavender has a better chance of staying healthy and vibrant.
Leek
Leek thrives in various soil conditions. Flourishing in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.0. Partial shade and consistent moisture nurture its slender stalks and tender leaves. Leek provides invaluable benefits to neighboring plants by deterring pests with its pungent aroma and improving soil structure with its deep roots.
Like their onion and garlic cousins, leeks give off a scent that keeps harmful insects away. They also help improve soil health, making it easier for lavender to soak up nutrients. Growing leeks near lavender is a simple way to keep pests in check without any extra effort.
Chives
Chives thrive in well-drained, fertile soil enriched with compost, they embody adaptability and finesse. Adequate moisture and sunlight support lush growth and abundant foliage. Chives extend general benefits to neighboring plants by repelling pests and attracting beneficial insects, enhancing overall garden biodiversity.
Chives’ strong scent keeps aphids, mites, and other bothersome insects away from lavender’s fragrant flowers. Chives also improve the soil around them, making conditions just right for lavender to thrive. With chives nearby, lavender gets a little extra protection and a whole lot of good company.
