Companion Plant Guide
Tomato
Masks tomato scent from pests. Keep it pinched.
Herb · Mint family
Basil companion plants
Ocimum basilicum
What to plant with basil, what to keep apart, and how to grow it — sun, spacing, soil and the reason behind every pairing.
Photo: Tobias Doering on Unsplash
Overview
Growing basil beside the right neighbour
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a herb in the Mint family. Fragrant herb perfect for cooking and pest control.
Keep basil pinched — flowering drops the aromatic oils that do the pest work.
Give plants 6–12 in in full sun. Aim for well-draining, fertile soil with regular moisture. In most gardens the crop sits in USDA zones 2-11 (annual) and is ready in about 20-30 days.
Grows well with
What to plant with basil
The best companion plants for basil in this guide are Tomato, Pepper, Carrot, and Cucumber. Each pairing below is a reason to share a bed — pest masking, roots that do not compete, or insects that hunt the pests drawn to basil.
Pepper
Pest deterrent and beneficial space sharing.
Carrot
No nutrient competition. Complementary growth.
Cucumber
Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects.
Basil is also a good companion for
Asparagus — Aromatic cover said to deter asparagus beetle.
Keep apart
What not to plant with basil
Keep basil away from Fennel and Rue. These neighbours compete for the same food, release chemicals that stunt growth, or otherwise hold the crop back.
Fennel
Inhibits basil growth and germination.
Rue
Allelopathic - interferes with basil growth.
In the bed
How to grow basil
| Sun | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Spacing | 6–12 in |
| Soil | Well-draining, fertile soil with regular moisture |
| Hardiness | Zones 2-11 (annual) |
| Days to maturity | 20-30 |
These notes sit beside the companion lists — they are how basil actually occupies the bed, not a substitute for local climate.
- Pinch off flower buds to encourage leaf growth
- Harvest leaves regularly to promote bushiness
- Plant after all frost danger has passed
- Use fresh or dry for storage
Questions
Basil companion planting FAQ
What can I plant next to basil?
Plant Tomato, Pepper, Carrot, and Cucumber beside basil. Tomato: Masks tomato scent from pests. Keep it pinched. Pepper: Pest deterrent and beneficial space sharing. Carrot: No nutrient competition. Complementary growth. Cucumber: Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects.
What should I not plant with basil?
Keep basil apart from Fennel and Rue. Fennel: Inhibits basil growth and germination. Rue: Allelopathic - interferes with basil growth.
How much sun do basil plants need?
Basil plants want full sun. Space them 6–12 in apart in well-draining, fertile soil with regular moisture.
How long do basil plants take to mature?
Most basil plants are ready in about 20-30 days. Basil grows in USDA hardiness zones 2-11 (annual).
Compare every pairing at a glance
Open the guide, pick basil, and see what thrives alongside it — and what quietly holds it back.
Open the pairing guide