Companion Plant Guide
Cabbage
Aromatic cover that confuses cabbage moths.
Herb · Mint family
Sage companion plants
Salvia officinalis
What to plant with sage, what to keep apart, and how to grow it — sun, spacing, soil and the reason behind every pairing.
Photo: Marija Zaric on Unsplash
Overview
Growing sage beside the right neighbour
Sage (Salvia officinalis) is a herb in the Mint family. Perennial herb that repels pests and attracts pollinators.
Sage wants dry feet — plant it with the Mediterranean herbs, never with cucumber.
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 4-11 and is ready in about 60-90 days.
Grows well with
What to plant with sage
The best companion plants for sage in this guide are Cabbage, Carrot, Rosemary, 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 sage.
Carrot
Aromatic foliage helps mask carrots from carrot fly.
Rosemary
Both want lean, sharply drained soil and little water.
Broccoli
Aromatic cover that confuses cabbage moths.
Kale
Aromatic cover that confuses cabbage moths.
Thyme
Both want lean, sharply drained soil and little water.
Keep apart
What not to plant with sage
Keep sage away from Cucumber. These neighbours compete for the same food, release chemicals that stunt growth, or otherwise hold the crop back.
Cucumber
Strongly aromatic herbs like sage are said to stunt cucumbers.
In the bed
How to grow sage
| Sun | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Spacing | 18–24 in |
| Soil | Well-draining, lean to moderate fertility |
| Hardiness | Zones 4-11 |
| Days to maturity | 60-90 |
These notes sit beside the companion lists — they are how sage actually occupies the bed, not a substitute for local climate.
- Very drought tolerant
- Attracts bees and butterflies
- Prune to maintain shape
- Divide every 3-4 years
Questions
Sage companion planting FAQ
What can I plant next to sage?
Plant Cabbage, Carrot, Rosemary, Broccoli, Kale, and Thyme beside sage. Cabbage: Aromatic cover that confuses cabbage moths. Carrot: Aromatic foliage helps mask carrots from carrot fly. Rosemary: Both want lean, sharply drained soil and little water. Broccoli: Aromatic cover that confuses cabbage moths. Kale: Aromatic cover that confuses cabbage moths. Thyme: Both want lean, sharply drained soil and little water.
What should I not plant with sage?
Keep sage apart from Cucumber. Cucumber: Strongly aromatic herbs like sage are said to stunt cucumbers.
How much sun do sage plants need?
Sage plants want full sun. Space them 18–24 in apart in well-draining, lean to moderate fertility.
How long do sage plants take to mature?
Most sage plants are ready in about 60-90 days. Sage grows in USDA hardiness zones 4-11.
Compare every pairing at a glance
Open the guide, pick sage, and see what thrives alongside it — and what quietly holds it back.
Open the pairing guide