Best companion plants for basil

Companion planting is a practice where two plants are grown close to one another to benefit from each other. Practising companion planting can diversify your garden, maximise space, improve soil fertility, repel pests, attract pollinators and beneficial insects.

Basil is an aromatic herb used for its medicinal and culinary purposes. There are many varieties of basil, the common varieties being holy basil, purple basil, sweet basil, Italian basil and Thai basil. Basil is a great companion for many vegetables and flowering plants. The pungent smell produced by basil deters many pests. Basil also helps to attract bees and butterflies to your garden.

Best companion plants for basil

1. Tomatoes

Basil is a great companion plant for tomatoes. It attracts pollinators that help your tomato plants. The pungent smell produced by basil repels many pests as well. Basil is also known to improve the flavour of tomato plants.

2.Marigolds

Both basil and marigolds help to repel many pests from your garden. Planting them near your vegetables can protect your vegetables from pest attack.

3.Root vegetables

Planting basil near radish, carrots and beetroots can protect the leafy tops of these vegetables from pest attack.

4. Beans

Beans help to fix nitrogen in the soil, which helps to improve soil fertility. This can help basil to grow faster. Basil can help to repel aphids that attack your beans.

5.Borage

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Borage makes a great companion plant for basil. It helps to attract pollinators and beneficial insects. Borage also draws minerals from the soil which helps basil to grow faster.

6. Herbs

Planting basil near other herbs like Oregano, Chives and Chamomile can increase the strength of the essential oils. It also improves the flavour of herbs as well. The strong scent produced by these herbs also helps to repel other pests from your garden.

7.Lettuce

Planting basil near lettuce can help to repel pests that attack your lettuce. Basil also helps to attract pollinators and beneficial insects that feed on these pests. It can also help to improve the flavour of lettuce.

8.Eggplant

Eggplants and basil make good companion plants that benefit one another. Eggplants provide the shade that basil plants require during the summer season. Basil helps to attract pollinators and beneficial plants that help to repel pests and improve pollination. Basil also helps to enhance the aroma of eggplants.

9. Asparagus

Both asparagus and basil benefit from one another. The strong scent produced by basil protects asparagus from the asparagus beetle. Both asparagus and basil don’t compete for nutrients and light requirements.

10. Okra

Planting basil near okra can help to repel whiteflies, mealy bugs and aphids that attack your okra plant. Okra also provides the necessary shade that basil needs during the summer season. Basil also attracts pollinators that help okra.