Rosemary (Rosemarinus Officinalis) is an evergreen perennial herb with fragrant, needle-like leaves and blue, pink, purple, or white flowers. It’s native to the Mediterranean region and is a popular herb used in cooking. Knowing the best companion plants for Rosemary can give your plants a boost this year!
Rosemary leaves can be used fresh or dried, and are wonderful in cooking. The essential oil extracted from the leaves is also used in perfumes and other beauty products. Rosemary is considered to have medicinal properties and has been used to treat a variety of ailments.
What is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is the practice of planting certain types of plants together in order to enhance their growth. It can also help protect them from pests and diseases. Certain plants can provide benefits to others when grown in close to each other.
Looking for more companion planting advice? Check out this article:
The Best Companion Plants For Spinach
How to Grow Rosemary
Rosemary prefers well-draining soil and full sunlight. Therefore, look for a bright and sunny location in your garden to plant this herb. It can be grown as a perennial plant in warm climates, but it is often treated as an annual in colder areas. If you’re starting your rosemary inside, plant the seeds 6-8 weeks before the last frost.
Water your rosemary regularly, but be careful not to over-water it. Rosemary is drought-tolerant and doesn’t like too much water. To encourage bushier growth you can regularly prune the plant.
If you live in a colder area, it is best to bring the rosemary indoors during the winter or protect it with a covering of mulch or burlap. Rosemary cannot thrive in cold temperatures therefore it needs to be well protected.
Tip: Rosemary is a slow grower, therefore it can take up to a year for the plant to mature and start producing leaves for harvest. So be patient!
Growing Rosemary Inside?
If you are growing your rosemary inside, from seed, it is incredibly beneficial to use indoor grow lights. A lot of plants do not get enough sunlight when grown indoors therefore grow lights can help!
Indoor grow lights are the secret to having beautiful healthy house plants. Especially, if you live up north and go through the winter season.
A lot of houseplants don’t get enough light, grow lights can change that immediately! We personally have 3 sets of these grow lights and always get compliments and questions on how we keep our indoor plants looking healthy!
Why would Rosemary benefit from Companion Plants?
Rosemary is a pretty tough and hardy plant that can grow well on its own. However, the main benefits of companion planting when it comes to Rosemary plants are:
Pest control
Some plants can repel pests that may be attracted to rosemary, such as carrot flies and cabbage moths. Companion planting with plants such as garlic, onions, or thyme can help keep these pests away.
Soil health
Some plants, like beans, peas, or clover, can fix nitrogen in the soil, making it more fertile. Companion planting rosemary with these plants can improve the soil and help the rosemary grow better.
Pollination
Rosemary is a self-fertile plant and does not need another rosemary plant to produce seed. However, companion planting with plants that attract bees and other pollinators can help ensure that rosemary gets pollinated.
Improving growth
Plants that have different water and nutrient needs can help balance the soil and make it more suitable for growth.
Reducing Weeds
Some companion plants help reduce the number of weeds in your garden. This, in turn, reduces the number of competing plants for nutrients.
The Best Companion plants for Rosemary
1) Aromatic Herbs
Lavender, Sage, Thyme, Chives, Oregano, and Marjoram are all good companion herbs to rosemary because they all have strong fragrances and oils that can repel certain pests and insects. They also need similar conditions for growth (with some also being Mediterranean herbs), so they can be planted together in a garden without competing for resources.
Additionally, they are all culinary herbs and can be used in cooking to add flavor and aroma to your dishes. If you’re planning on starting a herb garden or a vegetable garden, all of the ones mentioned above are relatively easy to grow!
2) Vegetables
Brassica Plants
Brassicas, such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage plants, and brussels sprouts are good companion plants to rosemary because they can help to repel pests such as aphids and whiteflies, which can be attracted to rosemary.
The strong scent of rosemary can mask the scent of the brassicas, making it harder for pests to locate them. Additionally, rosemary is known to have a beneficial effect on the growth and health of brassicas, possibly due to its fungicidal and insecticidal properties.
The Carrot Plant
Carrots are a great companion plant to rosemary because they are believed to have a mutually beneficial relationship. The deep root system of the carrots can help to loosen the soil and make it easier for the rosemary to establish its own roots.
Additionally, the strong scent of rosemary is said to repel pests that may harm the carrots, while the carrot foliage may help to shade the rosemary and protect it from the sun, during the height of summer.
Beans
Beans are good companion plants for rosemary because they can provide nitrogen to the soil, which can help to improve the growth and health of the rosemary. Additionally, the beans can also act as a natural pest deterrent, helping to keep insect pests away from the rosemary.
The strong scent of rosemary can also help to mask the scent of the beans, making it less attractive to pests. This can help to reduce the need for chemical pesticides and improve the overall health of your garden.
3) Fruits
Strawberry Plants
Strawberries are an excellent companion plant for rosemary for a few reasons. They repel pests like aphids and spider mites that are attracted to rosemary. Strawberries also improve soil health by adding organic matter and nutrients as they grow. They help to suppress weeds, which can help reduce competition for resources and improve the growth of rosemary.
Rosemary is a sun-loving plant and needs full sun to grow well. However, in hot climates, it’s important to provide some shade for the rosemary during the hottest part of the day. Strawberries are a low-growing plant, so they can provide some shade for the rosemary without blocking too much sunlight.
4) Flowers
Marigolds
Marigolds are good companion flowers for Rosemary because they help repel pests that are attracted to them. They release a chemical called alpha-terthienyl which repels nematodes, which are small worms that can damage the roots of plants.
Additionally, marigolds produce a strong, distinctive odor that can also help repel pests. This can help create a barrier around rosemary and keep pests away. Marigolds also attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings that feed on harmful insects.
Additionally, Marigolds have different water and nutrient needs than rosemary. Therefore, they can help balance the soil, making it more suitable for rosemary to grow.
Sweet Alyssum
Sweet alyssum is one of the best options for Rosemary as it attracts beneficial insects such as lacewings, ladybugs, and parasitic wasps. These bugs can really help control pests that may be attracted to rosemary, such as aphids.
It is a hardy plant that can tolerate poor soil conditions. Sweet Alyssum also fixes nitrogen in the soil, making it more fertile. Companion planting rosemary with sweet alyssum can improve the soil and help the rosemary grow better.
Don’t Plant These With Rosemary
Mint
Mint is not a good companion plant to rosemary because mint is a very aggressive and invasive plant that can quickly take over any garden.
It also spreads rapidly, taking over a lot of space, via underground runners and can easily outcompete other plants for resources. It also has a tendency to crowd out other plants and can inhibit their growth.
Basil
Basil and rosemary are not necessarily “bad” companion plants. However, with that said, they have different growth habits and requirements that can lead to competition for resources. It is a heavy feeder and will outcompete rosemary for nutrients if planted too closely together.
The Tomato Plant
Rosemary and tomatoes attract different pests and diseases. For example, tomatoes are prone to attack by tomato hornworms, while rosemary is affected by rosemary beetles. Additionally, rosemary can inhibit the growth of some plants, including tomatoes, due to its strong scent. This is because the volatile oils in the rosemary can inhibit its growth.
Cucumber
Cucumbers and rosemary are not necessarily bad companions but they do have different nutrient and water requirements. Cucumbers require a lot more water and nutrients than rosemary, since Rosemary does not like damp soil, this can be a problem.
Companion planting can be so beneficial to your garden. If you have not given it a try yet, this is the year! Having a plan will always help you get a better crop yield out of your garden.
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