Best Lavender Companion Plants [With Plants To Avoid]

Planting companion plants has been a proven strategy among gardeners for ages to protect aromatic flowers from bugs, especially Lavender.

Best Lavender companion plants include herbs, perennials, and flowering shrubs like Roses, African daisies, and Thyme. However, strictly avoid growing mint and shade-loving plants, which may deter the Lavender’s growth.

Read on to learn more about the beneficial companion plants for Lavender and what to avoid.

Table of Contents Show

Is Lavender a Good Companion Plant?

Being a native of the Mediterranean and found across Europe, Africa, and Asia, Lavender prefers to grow in full sun with little watering.

For that, Lavenders are preferred as an easy-to-grow plant with the addition of the floral scent that fills any garden.

Consequently, the distinct smell of Lavender might irritate some bugs, such as mosquitos, fleas, moths, and ticks, while attracting beneficial bugs like butterflies and bees, making it one of the best companion plants.

The image represents bee sipping nectar from a Lavender plants flower. — Lavender flowers release a sweet aroma that attracts many different pollinators.

However, select the herb or plant that shares similar growing conditions as the Lavender to get the fullest of the technique.

For example, Lavender and Thyme share similar characteristics, including soil mix. Together they complement each other and repel pests that may hamper either’s growth.

It also makes a perfect houseplant to be grown indoors and is relatively low-maintenance and cold-hardy.

Benefits of Introducing Companion Plants to Lavender

Each companion plant will benefit Lavender by sometimes providing shade, nourishing soil, or warding off predatory bugs.

Most of the time, Lavender will reciprocate similar benefits to them. However, many more reasons exist to introduce companion plants to your Lavender.

Repel Predatory Pests: Garden predators feed on flowers and stems of Lavender, causing black spots and a wilted appearance. So the companion plants repel specific pests that feed on Lavender.
Attract Beneficial Pollinators: Garden plants like Daisies, Yarrows, and Roses attract beneficial pollinators like bees, ladybugs, and butterflies, which will help Lavender flowers with cross-pollination.
Improve Soil Condition: Lavenders take up valuable nutrients from the soil, requiring you to replenish the nutrients. However, certain companion plants can help replenish the soil’s nitrogen.
Encourage Healthier Growth: Some companion plants release chemicals that induce quicker growth in the Lavender plant and add sweetness to its blossoms. Some even reduce invasive weeds’ growth.
Provide Ground Cover and Shade: Companion plants like Basil work great as the ground cover, preventing sunlight from heating the soil, especially in summer, and helping to keep the Lavender soil moderately warm year around.

12 Best Lavender Companion Plants

Add a few plants that co-exist peacefully when growing Lavender in your garden bed.

Here is the list of twelve plants that will be beneficial to Lavender.

1. Perennials for Lavender

Perennials are one of the best companion plants for Lavender as they match the bushy growth and evergreen characteristic of Lavender.

Also, the richly scented and colorful blossoms from both the Lavender and perennials will attract many pollinators while keeping predators like deer away.

Roses

A Rose is a woody perennial flowering plant known for its gorgeous blossoms and a wide range of scents ranging from floral to fruity and musky.

When grown with Lavender, they expel a mix of fragrances that helps to attract beneficial pollinators for cross-pollination and avoid the risk of aphid infestation.

Lavender and Roses and can grow well together — Roses make a great companion plant to Lavender by preventing the risk of an aphid infestation.

Furthermore, Lavender and Rose share common ground to thrive in full sun and loamy, well-draining soil with organic mulch.

Roses’ color contrast can be extra beneficial while growing with the purple blossoms of Lavender.

However, remember to place Roses a few feet from Lavender, as they need more watering in late spring and summer. Too much water will lead to mildew in Lavender plants.

Echinacea

Echinacea, or Coneflower, is a hardy perennial flowering plant from the daisy family that survives in extreme winter and is famous for its spiny disc flowers.

As the name suggests, Echinacea daisy attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, which benefits Lavender as its companion plant.

Also, growing Echinacea has the added benefit of being even more drought-tolerant than Lavender, making it an excellent companion plant.

Echinacea growing in the garden — Echinacea and Lavender complement each other well in the garden.

They grow best between USDA Zones 3 and 9 and thrive in similar conditions. Echinacea will withstand full sun and a sharp temperature rise.

You need not worry about watering Echinacea less or more; it requires a similar amount of water as Lavender.

Alliums

Allium is a perennial flowering genus with hundreds of species, including onion, garlic, scallion, and shallot, that emit a strong scent.

Generally, Alliums go perfectly with Lavender, as their aromatic scent will distract pests and small animals from nibbling on Lavender plants.

Allium growing in the garden — Allium’s strong scent will deter pests, making it a good companion plant for Lavender.

Regarding care and maintenance, they require full sun with little water and sandy soil, and you need not worry about planting them in the same garden bed.

The tall Allium bulbs will complement the short Lavender blooms as garden borders or in a pot.

African Daisy

African Daisies are perennial daisy plants belonging to the Calendula family, a smaller Sunflower tribe native to Africa.

The daisy-like flower exhibits different colored blossoms ranging from purple, pink, yellow, and orange to white which suits Lavender blue-violet and purple hues.

Like the Lavender plant, African Daisy loves the full sun and thrives in well-draining soil, sharing similar characteristics in surviving drought conditions.

Also, the colorful blossoms will attract pollinators, which may benefit Lavenders.

2. Annuals For Lavender

Growing annuals work the same as growing perennials by boosting flower growth that attracts beneficial bugs.

Moreover, growing annuals may help ward off large predators like deer, rabbits, and raccoons from the garden.

Zinnia

Zinnias are beautiful annuals that blossom once every year to produce pink, red, Lavender purple, or even white-colored flowers that complement Lavender bloom.

Also, they enjoy basking in the full sun and are a warmth-loving plant from Mexico, similar to Lavender.

Meanwhile, the attractive flowers attract pollinators, including butterflies and hummingbirds, which may help the surrounding plants like Lavender.

Therefore, consider planting Zinnia bushes around your Lavender without fearing any repercussions.

Marigolds

Marigold is a warmth-loving plant that loves full sun and grows as both perennial and annuals.

Consider growing Marigolds as annuals if you want to add a companion to your garden Lavenders, as the bright orange florets attract pollinators, including bees and ladybugs.

Moreover, Lavender and Marigold have insect-repelling qualities because of the leaves’ peculiar scent that benefits both plants.

As for the growing condition, they both are drought tolerant and can thrive in sunny climates but make sure the soil is well-draining and slightly acidic.

3. Herbs For Lavender

Aromatic herbs serve as the best companion plants for Lavender since the sweet fragrance repels pests and works as a border or bed plant.

Basil, Oregano, and Rosemary

Basil, Oregano, and Rosemary are aromatic herbs from the same mint family as Lavender; therefore, they can be grown together with the Lavender plant.

All these herbs thrive in full sun, work great as the edging plant, and are low-maintenance.

These flavorful herbs also attract bees and other bugs essential for the Lavender plant.

Moreover, Basil and Oregano help repel aphids and flies that could harm Lavender bushes.

On the other hand, Rosemary and Lavender both prefer warmer climates and attract various pollinators while repelling rabbits and deer.

However, these herbs require slightly wetter soil than Lavender; hence, potting them a few feet apart may help.

Thyme

Thyme is a warm-loving plant that does exceptionally well with Lavender as a companion.

They complement each other in appearance as Thyme stays along the ground, the covering plant with its paler purple blossoms.

Thyme growing in the garden — Thyme Plant resembles Lavender in many ways, making them great garden companions.

Moreover, both plants are cold-hardy and survive in USDA zones 5 to 9. However, Thyme may become dormant when the first frost hits.

Remember to provide full sun with warm temperatures ranging from 68-86°F (20-30°C) to witness beautiful blossoms.

Sage

Sage is a popular herbaceous plant that complements Lavender’s sweet smell and appearance.

These herbs thrive in a hot and dry climate with sandy soil without fussing about water and can blossom throughout spring and fall, giving an aromatic smell around the garden.

Sage grows best in USDA zones 5 to 11 and complements many species like Thyme and bulb plants, similar to the Lavender.

Meanwhile, the aromatic herb scent will repel harmful pests that may otherwise damage your Lavender blossoms.

Artemisia

Artemisia is a large herbaceous shrub that gives an aromatic smell and produces attractive silver-gray leaves that perfectly contrast purple and blue Lavenders.

The fragrant smell of Artemisia repels whiteflies and aphids when planted close to Lavenders, which may otherwise feed on juicy Lavender saps.

Both plants prefer moderately fertile soil with full sun and thrive in dry conditions, and are also adaptable to the slightly alkaline soil preferred by Lavender.

However, Mugwort is more of a moisture lover but can adjust to Lavender’s water requirement.

Yarrow

Yarrow is a popular herb from the Asteraceae, which gives honey-flavored umbel bloom yearly and thrives in cold-hardy regions.

Although Yarrow is commonly regarded as a weed due to its uncontrollable growth, it thrives in a garden bed alongside Lavenders.

It shares similar characteristics with Lavender, which grows in sandier soil with full sun and minimal watering requirements.

The beautiful Yarrow blossoms will attract honeybees and other pollinators, which may also benefit Lavenders.

4. Lavender Companion Vegetables

Growing vegetable plants along the Lavender bed may serve a unique purpose.

The vegetable companions improve the soil by structuring it, making it fertile, and drainage.

Moreover, they prevent pests like aphids, flies, and beetles from infecting Lavender plants.

Brassicas

Brassica belongs to the Cabbage and Mustard family, including vegetables like Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, and Collard greens.

One significant advantage of growing Brassica is to repel harmful insects like moths that lay eggs on the leaf underside of Lavender.

These small vegetables make perfect edging plants with Lavender. Moreover, Lavender helps ward off a wide variety of flies and beetles that may infest Brassica.

However, remember that Brassicas enjoy wetter soil than Lavender, requiring planting them on different plots.

Best Companion Plants for Sea Lavender

Sea Lavender is one of the 300 flowering species that grows in coastal areas and produces Lavender blossoms that grow only around saline water, such as the sea.

However, given the proper soil condition, care, and companion plants, you can also grow them as garden plants.

The Sea Lavender also goes by the name Marsh Rosemary, but they do not belong to the Rosemary family and is susceptible to pest due to their growing surrounding.

So better to plant the Sea Lavender with some companions to differ the attention of predators and attract the beneficial pollinator.

Plants	Benefits
Dainthus	A full sun loving plant that attracts butterflies and other pollinators. It provides low groundcover to keep the soil cool for Sea Lavender.
Dusty Miller	Dusty Miller loves full sun and well-draining soil suitable for Sea Lavender. You can grow them as border plant to keep predators away from Sea Lavender.
Red Hot Poker	A perennial flower is a repeating bloomer which prefers full sun and well-draining soil, and attracts bees and butterflies.
New Zealand Flax	New Zealand Flax is a slow-grower that prefers well-draining soil and works as the best alternative to ornamental grass.

Take reference from the video below for extra tips!

Some Bad Companion Plants for Lavender

Not all plants complement Lavenders. Some thrive in the full shade, while others require contrasting growing environments.

Remember, when planted alongside your Lavender, some companion plants will do more damage or provide zero benefits.

Look at the table below to learn about flawed companion plants for Lavender.

Plants	Reason
Mint	Mint is a popular herb to grow in gardens but not along the Lavenders as it requires rich, moist soil and plenty of water.
Camellias	Camellias may complement Lavender with their rich appearance but often demand a lot of shade light and soggy soil.
Hostas	Hostas demand shade or dappled light which makes them a perfect indoor plant, just not a Lavender companion plant.
Impatiens	Impatiens are flowering perennials which require full shade and may wilt under higher temperature.
Coleus	Coleus thrives in cool and moderately moist condition with well-drained soil which counteracts with Lavenders.
Fuchsia	Fuchsias are shade-loving plants that require a lots of dappled light to grow and bloom.

Tips to Offer for Planting Lavenders

Adding companion plants will make your garden look fuller and happy.

However, you must follow the basic companion planting rules so that one plant does not affect another’s growth.

Here are a few things to remember when adding Lavender companion plants.

Grow perennials like Roses at least 2 to 3 feet apart from Lavenders, as they have slightly different soil mixes and acidic soil requirements.
Keeping a distance of at least 3 feet between two different plants will work great in any condition.
Herbaceous plants prefer well-draining yet dry soil, so keep them at least 12 to 18 inches apart from Lavender.
Schedule watering once or twice a week until the plant is established and every three weeks until buds form.
When the plant reaches the flowering stage, consider watering once or twice a week in spring and summer.
Keep the soil acidity level at a minimum because they prefer slightly alkaline soil (6.7-7.3 pH).
Lavenders will enjoy the full sun for at least 6 hours every day.
Resort to growing vegetable and herb plants around Lavender if the problem of aphids and other soil pests is prevalent.

From Editorial Team

Conclusion!

Successful gardening only works well when you combine complementary plants to create a healthy ecosystem, and the same applies to the Lavender.

Remember to check the soil, light, and water requirement of the other companion plants before introducing them to the Lavender ground.