Gardening is a journey full of surprises and learning experiences. I remember the first time I planted a bee balm next to a particular plant, only to watch them both struggle.
I realized I had stumbled upon an important lesson in plant compatibility. In this post, I’m sharing the list of 30 plants that just don’t get along with bee balm.
It’s like a garden reality show, where not every contestant can be a friend. So, let’s explore the plants that are better off growing elsewhere.
1. Mint
Picture a bustling garden corner, where one plant decides it needs more space. That’s what happens when mint is involved.
It’s a notorious spreader, sending runners far and wide, and before you know it, it’s everywhere! Now, enter bee balm, a plant that appreciates a little more order in its life.
The chaotic nature of mint can overwhelm bee balm, stealing nutrients and space. It’s like inviting a houseguest who never leaves. So, for bee balm’s sake, keep mint at a safe distance!
2. Fennel
Imagine hosting a dinner party where one guest monopolizes all the conversation. Fennel does that in the plant world. It releases chemicals that make it hard for neighbors like bee balm to grow.
Bee balm, known for its beautiful flowers, doesn’t stand a chance against fennel’s aggressive tactics. Fennel acts like it’s the star of the show, leaving bee balm to struggle quietly.
It’s best to plant fennel with those who appreciate its strong character, not the sensitive soul that is bee balm.
3. Sage
The garden can be a peaceful place, unless you plant sage next to bee balm. Sage has a way of dominating with its robust nature, leaving little room for its neighbors.
Bee balm, with its delicate needs, finds sage’s presence overwhelming. It’s like rooming with a friend who insists on playing loud music when you want to read.
While sage thrives in its environment, bee balm might just pack up and leave. Keep the peace by giving each their own space in the garden.
4. Garlic
Garlic has a reputation for being a strong, independent plant. It does its own thing, and doesn’t play well with others, including bee balm.
The heavy scent and strong oils released by garlic can make it difficult for bee balm to grow. Imagine trying to concentrate while a neighbor blasts loud music; that’s how bee balm feels next to garlic.
It’s better to let garlic have a corner of the garden to itself, where it can thrive without upsetting its floral companions.
5. Rue
In the world of plants, rue has a certain mystery about it. It doesn’t get along with many, including bee balm. Rue’s potent oils and strong scent can inhibit the growth of nearby plants.
Picture a room filled with a strong perfume; some might enjoy it, but others, like bee balm, find it overpowering.
Rue might attract certain beneficial insects, but when planted too close, it steals the show from bee balm. Give both plants their own space to shine.
6. Rosemary
Herbs should coexist peacefully, right? Not always. I learned this when I planted rosemary too close to my bee balm.
Rosemary overshadowed the bee balm, and I noticed the poor thing struggling to bloom. It was like having a friend who hogs the conversation at every dinner party.
Rosemary’s intense oils made it tough for bee balm to thrive nearby. Bee balm deserves to shine on its own, and now I make sure to give both herbs enough space to show off.
7. Thyme
Small but mighty, thyme can be a tricky neighbor. It loves to spread out, claiming territory like a land-hungry explorer.
Meanwhile, bee balm prefers a little more breathing room. Planting thyme next to bee balm is like inviting a friend who insists on sitting too close on the sofa.
Thyme’s persistent nature and tendency to spread can crowd out bee balm’s delicate blooms. To keep the peace, let thyme grow where it won’t encroach on bee balm’s personal space.
8. Coriander
Coriander might dream of being the life of the party, but it’s not always the best companion. This herb can be a bit demanding, drawing nutrients and attention away from neighbors like bee balm.
Picture a social butterfly who monopolizes all your time. Bee balm’s charming flowers might struggle to get noticed.
It’s best to keep coriander’s lively spirit separate, allowing bee balm to shine undisturbed. Give them their own spaces to thrive and watch both flourish!
9. Parsley
Imagine throwing a party where one guest takes all the appetizers. Parsley acts much the same way in the garden. It’s a nutrient hog, leaving little for its neighbors, including bee balm.
Bee balm, with its delicate flowers, needs its fair share of nutrients to flourish. Parsley’s appetite can leave bee balm looking a bit peckish.
To ensure both plants get what they need, it’s wise to keep parsley at a distance, allowing bee balm to bask in the nutrients it loves.
10. Basil
Imagine sharing a room with someone who snores loudly. Basil, with its fragrant aroma, can be a bit overbearing. While basil thrives on attention, bee balm prefers a more tranquil setting.
The strong scent of basil can overwhelm bee balm’s subtle charm. It’s not that they can’t get along, but bee balm might lose its voice in the aromatic presence of basil.
To keep harmony in your garden, consider giving basil its own corner, where it can enjoy the spotlight without stealing bee balm’s thunder.
11. Oregano
You know that friend who always has to be right? Oregano takes up space like it’s doing the garden a favor, and bee balm finds it hard to compete.
With its creeping nature, oregano can be a bit too much for bee balm. Bee balm appreciates a little room to show off its flowers.
The determined spread of oregano can overshadow bee balm’s delicate presence. For a harmonious garden, it’s best to let oregano rule its own patch, while bee balm enjoys its own spotlight.
12. Lavender
Lavender loves to take center stage with its calming scent and lovely flowers. It’s like that friend who always knows how to steal the spotlight.
Unfortunately, bee balm can get overshadowed in the presence of lavender. Lavender’s strong scent can overpower bee balm’s lighter fragrance.
To ensure both plants get the attention they deserve, it’s wise to plant them separately, allowing each to be the star of its own show.
13. Chives
Chives can be a bit of a show-off with their slender stalks and bold flavor. I found this out when I planted them too close to my bee balm.
Chives’ robust presence made it hard for the delicate bee balm to compete. It was like trying to have a peaceful chat in a crowded room.
Chives took over, and the bee balm barely had a chance to bloom. Now, I make sure to give each plant its own space, letting them thrive without stepping on each other’s toes.
14. Dill
Dill is like that enthusiastic friend who’s always on the move, spreading out wherever it can. With its more reserved nature, Bee balm finds itself overshadowed by dill’s vigorous growth.
Dill’s habit of taking over garden space can leave bee balm struggling to catch up. It’s like being paired with a partner who runs ahead on a hike.
For the sake of harmony, it’s best to plant dill in its own section, allowing bee balm to flourish without the competition.
15. Tarragon
Tarragon brings a certain flair to a garden, but it doesn’t always play well with others. Bee balm, with its own subtle beauty, finds it challenging to thrive next to tarragon’s vigorous growth.
Tarragon’s tendency to overshadow its neighbors means bee balm often struggles in its presence. It’s like being the understudy in a play where the lead never takes a day off.
Give tarragon its own stage, allowing bee balm to bloom freely without the pressure of competition.
16. Catnip
Catnip is the life of the party in the feline world, but it can be a bit much for bee balm. With its ability to attract cats and its aggressive growth, catnip often takes center stage.
It’s like trying to read a book at a loud concert. To ensure bee balm doesn’t get trampled in the catnip craze, keep these two plants in separate areas of the garden.
17. Lemongrass
Lemongrass sways to its own rhythm, much like a solo dancer in a crowded room. Bee balm, wanting a bit of space to show off its blooms, finds it hard to keep up.
Lemongrass’s swaying leaves can overshadow bee balm’s colorful performance. It’s like trying to have a quiet conversation in the middle of a bustling dance floor.
For both plants to enjoy the limelight, it’s best to give lemongrass its own corner where it can dance freely.
18. Bay Laurel
The bay laurel’s elegant stature can easily steal the spotlight, something I learned firsthand when I planted it near my bee balm.
The towering laurel cast a long shadow, leaving the bee balm in the dark. Literally and figuratively! It felt like watching a tiny performer trying to sing under the shadow of a giant.
Now, I give the bee balm a spot where it can thrive in the sunlight, letting the bay laurel stand tall in its own corner. It’s all about making sure each plant has the space to shine.
19. Peppermint
Peppermint is like that enthusiastic friend who’s always on the go. Its rapid growth and spreading nature can easily overwhelm bee balm.
Bee balm, with its more laid-back personality, finds it hard to keep up with peppermint’s energy. It’s like trying to have a quiet picnic with a friend who keeps running off to explore.
To ensure both plants have the space they need, it’s best to let peppermint roam in its own area, leaving bee balm to relax in peace.
20. Saffron Crocus
Saffron crocus may be prized for its valuable spice, but it doesn’t play well with others. Needing its space and nutrients, Bee balm can struggle to grow when planted next to the crocus.
The crocus tends to dominate, much like a guest who takes all the dessert at dinner. For the best results, plant saffron crocus separately, allowing bee balm to flourish without competition for resources.
This way, both plants can thrive in their own space.
21. Marigold
Marigolds are like the sunshine of the garden, always eager to make their presence known. Bee balm, however, finds it hard to shine when marigolds are around.
Marigolds can be a bit overbearing, both in color and in space. It’s like trying to have a quiet conversation while someone else is singing loudly.
To let bee balm’s gentle beauty stand out, it’s best to plant marigolds where they can spread their cheer without stealing the show.
22. Horseradish
I discovered that horseradish is a force to be reckoned with in the garden. Its roots dive deep, and the leaves spread wide, leaving bee balm struggling for space.
I remember planting both together and watching bee balm get overshadowed by horseradish. The vigor of horseradish made it impossible for the delicate bee balm flowers to thrive.
Now, I keep horseradish in its own corner, and my bee balm blooms beautifully without competition.
23. Periwinkle
Periwinkle spreads like a lush carpet, inviting in its appearance but demanding in space. Bee balm, with its upright flowers, finds it hard to share the stage with such a ground-hugging neighbor.
Periwinkle’s creeping nature can cover the ground, leaving bee balm struggling for space. To let both plants flourish, it’s wise to keep periwinkle’s creeping charm away from bee balm’s upright beauty.
24. Hosta
Hostas can make a beautiful addition to any garden with their textured foliage, but their love for shade can create challenges for sun-loving plants like bee balm.
The wide leaves of hostas block out the sunlight that bee balm craves, hindering its growth. It’s like trying to bake a cake in a cold oven. The heat just doesn’t reach where it’s needed.
To help bee balm thrive, it’s best to place hostas in a spot where their shade won’t overshadow the sun-loving nature of bee balm.
25. Astilbe
I noticed that planting bee balm next to astilbes doesn’t always work out. While astilbes look stunning with their feathery plumes, they love moist areas.
That’s completely different from bee balm’s need for sunlight and drier conditions. It was like trying to get my two dogs to share a bed. One always ended up getting the short end of the stick.
After realizing this, I gave them separate spots to thrive. Now, both plants get exactly what they need, and I enjoy their beauty without any competition!
26. Lily of the Valley
Lily of the valley is as charming as it is demanding. Its sweet fragrance and delicate flowers can overshadow bee balm’s presence.
Bee balm, needing room to grow, finds it hard to compete with lily of the valley’s spreading habit. To ensure both plants can thrive, it’s best to plant lily of the valley where its charm won’t outshine bee balm.
27. Bamboo
Bamboo’s rapid growth can quickly turn it into a dominant force in the garden, overshadowing plants like bee balm.
With its towering height, bamboo competes for space, sunlight, and nutrients, leaving bee balm struggling to thrive.
For a harmonious garden, it’s best to plant bamboo in a spot where it can spread out without overtaking more delicate flowers like bee balm. This allows both plants to flourish in their own right.
28. Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny is a ground-hugger with a knack for spreading and covering every inch of space. Bee balm, standing tall, can find it difficult to compete with such a persistent neighbor.
It’s like trying to find your spot at a crowded concert. Creeping Jenny’s vigorous growth can overshadow bee balm’s flowers.
To let both plants flourish, it’s important to give Creeping Jenny its own patch, allowing bee balm the room to reach for the sky.