11 Lavender Companion Plants to Grow in Your Garden

Lavender (Lavandula) is a hardy, low-maintenance plant that can thrive in a variety of growing conditions. While it will flourish without much care, one way to ensure a successful harvest is by growing lavender next to companion plants.

Sowing lavender in tandem with other garden staples—like marigolds, rosemary, garlic, or sage—creates a plot full of plants that mutually benefit each other. Tall, aromatic lavender protects lower-growing plants from sun and pests, while ground-level plants protect the soil surrounding the lavender. Ahead, we're sharing expert-recommended lavender companion plants that will ensure this crop succeeds in your garden.

Alex Betz, a landscape designer who is the founder and CEO of Plant by Number.

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Rosemary

Lavender and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) work well together because of their complementary aromas. "Rosemary’s strong scent helps repel pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and certain beetles, reducing the risk of these pests infesting the lavender plant," says Alex Betz, landscape designer with Plant by Number. "Likewise, lavender’s fragrance acts as a natural pest repellent for the rosemary." Lavender also helps to maintain a more stable microclimate around rosemary by reducing soil moisture evaporation.

Zones: 7 to 10
Size: 3 to 5 feet tall x 2 to 4 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

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Thyme

Fragrant thyme (Thymus vulgaris) also acts as a natural pest repellent for lavender, while its low-growing habit serves as a moisture-retaining mulch. "The lavender also acts as a fragrant repellent for the thyme, warding off moths, fleas, flies, and mosquitoes," says Betz. "Lavender grows taller than thyme and acts as a windbreak, providing protection to the low-growing thyme plants, as well as a partial shade barrier during the hotter parts of the day."

Zones: 5 to 9
Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

03 of 11

Marigold

While lavender's fragrance repels pests that might attack marigolds (Tagetes), marigolds can suppress nematodes that are drawn to lavender. "They can protect lavender from underground and above-ground threats," says Betz. Additionally, lavender attracts pollinators that benefit marigold flowers.

Zones: 2 to 11
Size: 6 to 36 inches tall x 6 to 24 inches wide, depending on variety
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

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Coneflower

Coneflower (Echinacea) is a popular pollinator plant that welcomes bees and butterflies, while discouraging aphids and Japanese beetles from attacking lavender. "Some species of echinacea have the ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, helping to improve soil fertility and benefiting neighboring plants," says Betz. In turn, lavender repels pests from coneflowers and acts as a wind and shade barrier with its height.

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 1 to 3 tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

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Legumes

Close-up of green pea pods growing in the garden. — emholk/Getty Images

Lavender's height allows it to shield beans and peas from wind and sun while also protecting the plants from powdery mildew and root rot. "The lavender repels pests, increases pollination rates, and improves the yield of beans and peas," says Betz. "Beans and peas can enhance soil, fix nitrogen, and support lavender’s growth."

Zones: 3 to 11
Size: 1 to 10 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide, depending on variety
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

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Garlic

While lavender helps garlic by attracting pollinators and improving soil health, garlic's powerful aroma and antifungal properties protect lavender from aphids, whiteflies, and root rot. "Garlic roots release compounds that improve soil structure and increase microbial activity, which can benefit the overall health of the soil and promote better grow for lavender," says Betz.

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

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Basil

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) can enhance the flavor of lavender and promote healthy growth while repelling unwanted pests and attracting beneficial pollinators. "The lavender also repels pests that could negatively affect the basil, attracts pollinators, and stimulates beneficial soil microbes, enhancing soil health and promoting better nutrient uptake by the basil plants," says Betz.

Zones: 2 to 11
Size: 12 to 24 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

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Sage

When grown next to lavender, sage (Salvia officinalis) can help improve the essential oil content in lavender, making it more fragrant. "It emits aromatic compounds, such as camphor and cineole, which repel pests like moths, beetles, and certain flies, protecting the lavender from pest infestations," says Betz. Sage's dense foliage can also help suppress weed growth around lavender plants, reducing competition for nutrients.

Zones: 5 to 9
Size: 12 to 30 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

09 of 11

Catmint

Catmint (Nepeta) draws bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to lavender while simultaneously repelling pests and suppressing weeds. "Catmint’s roots can stimulate beneficial soil microbes, enhancing soil health and promoting better growth of both the lavender and the catmint," says Betz. "The lavender also attracts pollinators that benefit the catmint by increasing pollination rates, leading to better flower production and potentially higher yields."

Zones: 3 to 8
Size: 12 to 24 inches tall; width varies
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

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Creeping Thyme

Improve the strength and health of your lavender by allowing a mat of creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) to suppress weeds. "Creeping thyme also contributes organic matter to the soil through leaf litter and root turnover, improving soil structure and fertility, benefiting lavender," says Betz.

Zones: 4 to 9
Size: 2 to 4 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil

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Alliums

close-up of growing green onion in the vegetable garden — YuriyS / Getty Images

Garlic and onions, both in the allium family, protect lavender with their anti-fugal, antibacterial, and pest-repelling properties. "Alliums, especially when crushed or decaying, release sulfur compounds that can suppress soil-borne pathogens and pests, improving soil health and reducing risk of disease," says Betz. "Both plants attract beneficial pollinators."

Zones: 4 to 9
Size: 3 to 4 feet tall
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil

4 Types of Plants Not to Pair with Lavender

Lavender's growing requirements make it an easy match for other plants that prefer the same conditions: full sun, well-drained soil, and not too much moisture, says Betz. Avoid pairing lavender with types of plants that need shade, moisture, or rich, acidic soil.

Shade-loving plants: Betz recommends avoiding placing shade-loving plants, like hosta, fern, astilbe, bleeding heart, and heuchera in the same spot as your lavender plants.
Water-loving plants: Herbs and plants that prefer moist soil, like mint, begonias, fuchsias, and impatiens, are unlikely to thrive alongside lavender, says Betz.
Heavy feeders: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, and other vegetables or flowers that need rich soil won't benefit from the soil that lavender needs—and can leave lavender competing for nutrients.
Acid-loving plants: Lavender prefers a slightly alkaline to neutral soil pH (around 6.5 to 7.5). Avoid planting lavender with acid-loving plants that prefer lower pH levels, like rhododendrons, azaleas, blueberries, camellias, and gardenias, says Betz.

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