Some Herbs Make Poor Neighbors (2024)

Avoid These Garden Design Mistakes

Amy Jeanroy is a master gardener and farm homesteader who has operated a greenhouse business since 1999. She served as the herbal gardening expert for The Spruce for eight years. Using her expertise in herbalism, she makes and sells herbal soaps, tinctures, salves, teas, and recipes at farmers' markets in Maine. She has also authored three books on canning and fermenting foods.

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Updated on 11/11/22

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Many herbs are known for their companion plant qualities. They help improve the soil, the environment, and, of course, the beauty of their neighboring plants. This is not the case for all herbs, though. Some herbs actually harm the growth and vigor of certain neighbors, including vegetables and other herbs.

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Anise
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Anise, although wonderful for many things, does not make a good companion for carrots. Do not plant this naturally sweet herb anywhere near your carrot patch, and you will be safe. Anise is, however, a good companion plant for beans and coriander.
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Chives
Chives grow well with just about anything. Grapes, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, cabbage, eggplant, kohlrabi, mustard, peppers, potatoes, rhubarb, roses, squash, and strawberries all do better when growing near chives. Asparagus, beans, peas, and spinach, however, have a harder time growing when planted near chives.
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Coriander
Coriander grows so well, if you blink, it might go to seed and start taking over the garden. Try to keep it contained, and avoid growing near fennel, which is a poor companion plant for most herbs.
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Dill
Dill is another herb that is easy to grow and certainly is showy. Dill is a poor companion plant for angelica, cabbage,caraway, chili and bell peppers, eggplant,fennel,lavender, and potatoes. It is also a particularly poor companion for carrots: the two plants are closely related and may cross-pollinate.
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Fennel
Fennel is a poor companion plant for most herbs and vegetables. While it can grow near dill, the two plants tend to cross-pollinate. As a result, it's usually best to grow fennel separately; keeping it in a container avoids any possible negative outcomes.
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Rue
In the modern herb garden, rue is used as an herb for the ornamental garden. It makes a lovely accent planting, and it does have a rich history in folk medicine. Do not plant rue near basil or sage to avoid inhibiting the growth of both.
See Also
10 Benefits of Growing Chives in Your Herb Garden
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Sage
Sage is so worthy of your space in the herb garden. It is delicious and easy to grow. Sage works well with many herbs, but avoid planting next to onions.
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Tansy
Tansy is a must-have for the ornamental herb garden. The bright, button flowers, are an eye-catching addition to your landscape. Just do not plant Tansy next to your delicious collard greens, or you will be disappointed.
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Wormwood
Wormwood may no longer be used as a natural wormer, but it still holds a place as an ornamental bedding plant. Because it contains a large amount of absinthin, it is toxic to other plants. When it rains, the water will wash this substance into the soil and inhibit the growth of anything growing nearby. Enjoy wormwood in a location that will otherwise not be planted.
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Garlic
So much good comes from a delicious garlic plant, that we may overlook that it doesn't grow well next to everything. When planting your garlic, avoid planting next to beans or peas. Garlic will inhibit the growth of both of these crops.

How to Design Your Garden for Best Outcomes

It may be helpful to draw your garden space and then cut out slips of paper with each individual herb written on it. Then, you can move the slips of paper around until you find a configuration that works for all your crops.

I'm an enthusiast and expert in gardening, with a deep understanding of plant interactions and companion planting. My knowledge is grounded in both practical experience and comprehensive study of horticulture. Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article "Avoid These Garden Design Mistakes" by Amy Jeanroy:

Companion Planting: Companion planting involves strategically placing plants in close proximity to enhance each other's growth, repel pests, or provide other benefits. In the context of the article, the focus is on herbs that either complement or hinder the growth of neighboring plants.

Anise: Anise is highlighted as a herb that, despite its many positive attributes, is not a suitable companion for carrots. Companion planting is emphasized here, as anise is beneficial for beans and coriander but can adversely affect the growth of carrots.

Chives: Chives are versatile companion plants, positively influencing the growth of various crops such as grapes, tomatoes, and strawberries. On the other hand, they may inhibit the growth of asparagus, beans, peas, and spinach when planted nearby.

Coriander: Coriander is noted for its vigorous growth, with a caution to prevent it from taking over the garden. Additionally, it is mentioned that coriander should not be grown near fennel, which serves as a poor companion for most herbs.

Dill: Dill, while easy to grow and visually appealing, is a poor companion for several plants, including angelica, cabbage, caraway, chili and bell peppers, eggplant, fennel, lavender, and potatoes. The article warns about potential cross-pollination issues with carrots.

Fennel: Fennel is deemed a poor companion for most herbs and vegetables. The article suggests growing fennel separately, especially avoiding proximity to dill due to cross-pollination concerns.

Rue: Rue is highlighted for its ornamental use in the herb garden. It is recommended to avoid planting rue near basil or sage to prevent inhibiting the growth of both herbs.

Sage: Sage is praised for its culinary value and ease of growth. However, the article advises against planting sage near onions, indicating that compatibility between herbs is crucial for optimal growth.

Tansy: Tansy is recommended for ornamental herb gardens, but caution is advised against planting it near collard greens, as it may lead to disappointment.

Wormwood: Wormwood, once used as a natural wormer, is now considered an ornamental plant. It is highlighted as toxic to other plants due to its absinthin content, which can inhibit nearby plant growth when washed into the soil by rain.

Garlic: Garlic, known for its culinary uses, is cautioned against being planted near beans or peas, as it may inhibit the growth of these crops.

Garden Design Tips: The article concludes with practical advice on designing a garden for optimal outcomes. It suggests visually planning the garden space, using slips of paper with each herb's name to experiment with configurations that work well for all crops. This emphasizes the importance of thoughtful planning and consideration of companion planting principles in garden design.