The Best Companion Plants To Basil

Title: The Best Companion Plants to Basil

Introduction:

Basil is a delicious and versatile herb that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is also a relatively easy plant to grow, making it a popular choice for home gardeners.

One way to help your basil plants thrive is to plant them with companion plants. Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves planting certain types of plants together to benefit each other.

In the case of basil, there are a number of plants that can be beneficial companions. These plants can help to deter pests, improve the flavor of basil, or even attract pollinators.

In this blog post, we will discuss the best companion plants for basil. We will also provide some tips on how to plant and care for these plants together.

Main Content:

Plants that deter pests:

• Marigolds: Marigolds are a popular companion plant for basil because they help to deter pests. Marigolds release a scent that is unpleasant to many pests, including aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites.
• Chives: Chives are another good companion plant for basil because they help to repel pests. Chives contain allicin, a compound that has insecticidal properties.
• Garlic: Garlic is also a good companion plant for basil because it helps to repel pests. Garlic contains allicin, the same compound that is found in chives.

Plants that improve flavor:

• Tomatoes: Tomatoes and basil are a classic combination for a reason. Tomatoes and basil complement each other's flavors perfectly. Tomatoes also help to improve the flavor of basil by increasing the production of essential oils.
• Onions: Onions are another good companion plant for basil because they help to improve the flavor. Onions contain sulfur compounds that give them their characteristic flavor. These compounds also help to enhance the flavor of basil.
• Cilantro: Cilantro is a third herb that can help to improve the flavor of basil. Cilantro and basil have similar flavors, so they complement each other well.

Plants that attract pollinators:

• Borage: Borage is a flowering herb that attracts pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. Pollinators help to pollinate basil plants, which can lead to increased yields.
• Nasturtiums: Nasturtiums are another flowering herb that attracts pollinators. Nasturtiums also have edible leaves and flowers, so you can enjoy them in your dishes.
• Sunflowers: Sunflowers are a tall flowering plant that attracts pollinators. Sunflowers also provide shade for basil plants, which can help to protect them from the sun.

Tips for planting and caring for basil companion plants:

• When planting basil companion plants, it is important to consider the size and growth habits of the plants. Some plants, such as tomatoes and sunflowers, can grow quite large, so you will need to plant them further apart.
• It is also important to consider the sunlight and water requirements of the plants. Some plants, such as marigolds and chives, prefer full sun, while others, such as nasturtiums and sunflowers, can tolerate partial shade.
• Finally, it is important to water the plants regularly. Basil and its companion plants are all relatively drought-tolerant, but they will do best with regular watering.

Conclusion:

By planting basil with companion plants, you can help to improve the health, flavor, and yield of your basil plants. There are a variety of plants that can be beneficial companions for basil, so you can choose the plants that work best for your garden.

Basil is a versatile herb that can be used in many different dishes. It is also a great companion plant, meaning that it can be grown alongside other plants to benefit both plants. Some of the best companion plants for basil include tomatoes, peppers, marigolds, chamomile, oregano, and chives. These plants help to repel pests, improve the flavor of basil, and even increase the essential oil content of basil.

For more information about companion plants to basil, please visit Home Gardening.

FAQ of companion plants to basil

What are some good companion plants for basil?

Some of the best companion plants for basil include:

• Asparagus: Asparagus attracts ladybugs, which help to control aphids and other pests that can harm basil.
• Borage: Borage helps to repel pests, such as tomato hornworms, that can be harmful to basil's other companion plants.
• Chamomile, oregano, and chives: These flowering herbs increase the strength of the essential oils in their herb garden neighbors, making basil more flavorful in culinary applications and effective in the garden as a pest deterrent.
• Marigolds: Marigolds attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and parasitic wasps, which help to control pests that can harm basil.
• Peppers: Basil and peppers can be planted together to improve the flavor of both plants.
• Root vegetables: Basil can be planted near root vegetables, such as carrots and potatoes, to help deter pests.
• Tomatoes: Basil and tomatoes are a classic companion plant combination. They benefit from each other's qualities, and they both help to deter pests.

What plants should I avoid planting near basil?

Some plants that you should avoid planting near basil include:

• Cucumbers: Cucumbers and basil compete for resources, such as water and nutrients.
• Fennel: Fennel can inhibit the growth of basil.
• Thyme: Thyme can stunt the growth of basil.
• Common rue: Common rue can kill basil.
• Sage: Sage can suppress the growth of basil.

What is the best time to plant basil?

The best time to plant basil is in the spring, after the last frost. Basil can also be planted in the summer, but it is important to keep the plants well-watered during hot weather.

How do I care for basil companion plants?

The best way to care for basil companion plants is to provide them with the same conditions that basil needs. This includes full sun, well-drained soil, and regular watering. You should also fertilize basil companion plants every few weeks to help them thrive.

Image of companion plants to basil

10 different images of companion plants to basil that are free to use:

1. Tomatoes: Tomatoes and basil are a classic companion plant pairing. They both thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, and they help each other to grow better. Tomatoes help to deter pests from basil, while basil helps to improve the flavor of tomatoes.
2. Peppers: Peppers are another great companion plant for basil. They have similar growing requirements, and they also help to deter pests from each other. Peppers can help to improve the flavor of basil, and basil can help to improve the yield of peppers.
3. Lettuce: Lettuce is a cool-season crop that can be planted near basil in the spring or fall. Lettuce helps to suppress weeds, and basil helps to deter pests from lettuce.
4. Carrots: Carrots and basil are a good companion plant pairing because they have different root systems. Carrots have a taproot, while basil has a fibrous root system. This means that they will not compete for water or nutrients.
5. Asparagus: Asparagus is a perennial plant that can be planted near basil. Asparagus helps to deter pests from basil, and basil helps to attract pollinators that help to pollinate asparagus.
6. Cucumbers: Cucumbers and basil are a good companion plant pairing because they have similar growing requirements. They both need full sun and well-drained soil. Cucumbers can help to improve the flavor of basil, and basil can help to deter pests from cucumbers.
7. Parsley: Parsley is a cool-season herb that can be planted near basil in the spring or fall. Parsley helps to suppress weeds, and basil helps to deter pests from parsley.
8. Cilantro: Cilantro is a warm-season herb that can be planted near basil in the summer. Cilantro and basil have similar growing requirements, and they also help each other to grow better. Cilantro helps to deter pests from basil, while basil helps to improve the flavor of cilantro.
9. Chives: Chives are a hardy perennial herb that can be planted near basil. Chives help to deter pests from basil, and basil helps to attract pollinators that help to pollinate chives.
10. Marigolds: Marigolds are a flowering plant that can be planted near basil. Marigolds help to deter pests from basil, and basil helps to attract pollinators that help to pollinate marigolds.