Companion Plant Guide
Carrot
Traditional hedge against carrot fly.
Herb · Mint family
Rosemary companion plants
Salvia rosmarinus
What to plant with rosemary, what to keep apart, and how to grow it — sun, spacing, soil and the reason behind every pairing.
Photo: Maria Kovalets on Unsplash
Overview
Growing rosemary beside the right neighbour
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is a herb in the Mint family. Evergreen herb that repels pests and attracts pollinators.
A rosemary hedge along the carrot bed is the traditional answer to carrot fly.
Give plants 18–24 in in full sun. Aim for well-draining, lean to moderate fertility. In most gardens the crop sits in USDA zones 6-11 and is ready in about 90-365 days.
Grows well with
What to plant with rosemary
The best companion plants for rosemary in this guide are Carrot, Cabbage, Sage, Bean, Broccoli, Kale, and Thyme. 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 rosemary.
Cabbage
Aromatic oils help confuse cabbage moths.
Sage
Both want lean, sharply drained soil and little water.
Bean
Strong scent is said to deter bean beetles.
Broccoli
Aromatic oils help confuse cabbage moths.
Kale
Aromatic oils help confuse cabbage moths.
Thyme
Both want lean, sharply drained soil and little water.
In the bed
How to grow rosemary
| Sun | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Spacing | 18–24 in |
| Soil | Well-draining, lean to moderate fertility |
| Hardiness | Zones 6-11 |
| Days to maturity | 90-365 |
These notes sit beside the companion lists — they are how rosemary actually occupies the bed, not a substitute for local climate.
- Very drought and heat tolerant
- Can be trained as topiary
- Harvest as needed for cooking
- Frost tender - protect in cold areas
Questions
Rosemary companion planting FAQ
What can I plant next to rosemary?
Plant Carrot, Cabbage, Sage, Bean, Broccoli, Kale, and Thyme beside rosemary. Carrot: Traditional hedge against carrot fly. Cabbage: Aromatic oils help confuse cabbage moths. Sage: Both want lean, sharply drained soil and little water. Bean: Strong scent is said to deter bean beetles. Broccoli: Aromatic oils help confuse cabbage moths. Kale: Aromatic oils help confuse cabbage moths. Thyme: Both want lean, sharply drained soil and little water.
What should I not plant with rosemary?
Rosemary has no recorded antagonists in this guide — it gets on with most of the bed.
How much sun do rosemary plants need?
Rosemary plants want full sun. Space them 18–24 in apart in well-draining, lean to moderate fertility.
How long do rosemary plants take to mature?
Most rosemary plants are ready in about 90-365 days. Rosemary grows in USDA hardiness zones 6-11.
Compare every pairing at a glance
Open the guide, pick rosemary, and see what thrives alongside it — and what quietly holds it back.
Open the pairing guide