Basil is a wonderful companion plants for basil for so many vegetables and herbs because it helps them repel garden pests, draw beneficial insects, and improve pollination. The best companion plants for basil are ones that share similar growing requirements, such as full sun and well-draining soil. It also makes a good companion plant for tomatoes, repelling the tomato hornworm that is so bothersome to them and helping them to grow larger and taste better. It also repels asparagus beetles, potato beetles, and flies, as well as mosquitoes and thrips that can hurt other vegetables.

Borage is a great companion plant for basil as it attracts bees, hummingbirds, and other butterflies to the garden and eats common leaf-munching pests such as aphids. It also increases the essential oils in basil, boosting its flavor. It is a low-maintenance herb that blooms all summer long, offering beautiful color to the garden and making an attractive border.

Perfect Pairings: Companion Plants for Basil to Boost Growth and Flavor

Other flowering herbs that make good companions for basil include marjoram, chamomile, and chives, as well as dill. They all enjoy the same growing conditions as basil and offer a wide variety of colors to the garden. They all attract bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators and improve basil’s pollination rates.

It is also important to know which plants to avoid when planting with basil because they can stunt its growth and alter the flavor of the herb. Cucumbers are a bad choice because they compete with basil for nutrients and require frequent watering, which can leave the basil wilting. Other plants that should not be planted with basil are mint, fennel, common rue, and sage because they are nutrient guzzlers that compete with the basil for water and can stunt its growth or change the flavor of its leaves.