Growing catnip in my garden started as a treat for my tabby, but quickly turned into a fascinating experiment in plant partnerships. The fuzzy-leaved herb doesn’t just make cats roll with joy—it creates a hub for beneficial insects when paired with the right neighbors.
I noticed something remarkable last summer when I tucked several flowering herbs around my catnip patch. The bee traffic tripled, and my catnip plants seemed more robust than ever before. Even pest problems decreased without any sprays or treatments.
Whether you’re a cat owner or simply appreciate medicinal herbs, these companion plants will transform your catnip patch into a thriving ecosystem. The following combinations have worked wonders in my own garden, creating a balance that benefits everything from soil health to pollinator presence.
1. Lavender
Purple spikes of fragrance create magic beside catnip’s soft green mounds. My garden’s lavender patch draws in bumblebees that happily bounce between both plants, improving pollination rates dramatically.
The strong scent of lavender helps mask catnip from pest insects while still allowing beneficial ones to find it. I’ve noticed fewer aphids since planting them as neighbors.
Both plants appreciate similar well-drained soil conditions, making them natural companions that don’t compete for resources. Their contrasting textures—lavender’s woody stems against catnip’s softer form—create visual interest that elevates the garden’s appearance.
2. Marigolds
Bright orange and yellow blooms make marigolds stand out while serving as catnip’s bodyguards. Their roots release compounds that deter nematodes and other soil pests that might otherwise trouble your catnip patch.
Planting a border of these cheerful flowers around catnip creates a natural pest barrier. Last season, I surrounded my catnip with French marigolds and noticed significantly healthier plants compared to previous years.
Butterflies frequently visit marigolds, often stopping by neighboring catnip plants during their feeding rounds. This increased pollinator activity benefits the entire garden ecosystem while adding splashes of color throughout the growing season.
3. Borage
Star-shaped blue flowers hang like tiny lanterns above fuzzy leaves, making borage an eye-catching neighbor for catnip. Honeybees absolutely adore these blossoms and will visit your garden in droves once established.
My experience growing these two together has been remarkable for soil health. Borage’s deep taproot breaks up compacted earth and draws up nutrients from lower soil layers that benefit surface-rooting catnip plants.
The cucumber-like flavor of borage leaves makes them a delightful addition to summer drinks, while their presence seems to strengthen the aromatic oils in nearby catnip. I’ve found my cats are even more attracted to catnip grown alongside borage.
4. Nasturtiums
Trailing vines adorned with circular leaves and bright trumpet-shaped flowers make nasturtiums perfect for filling empty spaces around catnip. Their sprawling habit provides living mulch that helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
Aphids are mysteriously drawn to nasturtiums, preferring them over nearby plants. This makes them excellent sacrificial plants that protect your catnip from these sap-sucking pests—I’ve watched aphids colonize my nasturtiums while leaving catnip completely untouched.
Both flowers and leaves are edible with a peppery kick similar to watercress. Hummingbirds frequently visit the bright blooms, bringing extra life to your garden while contributing to pollination of surrounding plants.
5. Calendula
Golden petals unfurl like sunshine around catnip’s more subdued greenery. Calendula’s long blooming season ensures pollinators have a food source from spring through fall, creating a constant buzz of activity.
Medicinal properties abound in both plants, making them practical garden partners. While harvesting calendula flowers for salves, I’ve noticed how healthy the neighboring catnip looks—their root systems seem to communicate underground in beneficial ways.
Rain splashing soil onto leaves spreads fewer diseases when calendula creates a protective barrier around catnip plants. Their sticky stems trap small insects, functioning as natural pest control while adding cheerful color to the herb garden.
6. Thyme
Low-growing mats of tiny leaves create perfect underplanting for taller catnip stems. Thyme’s shallow roots don’t compete with catnip’s deeper system, allowing them to share space harmoniously.
Aromatic oils from both herbs confuse pest insects searching for host plants. My garden journal notes fewer flea beetles since pairing these fragrant neighbors together three seasons ago.
Hot summer days release intoxicating scents from both plants, attracting diverse pollinators from honeybees to tiny native bees. The textural contrast between thyme’s woody stems and catnip’s soft foliage adds visual interest while their compatible growing needs make maintenance simple.
7. Echinacea
Tall purple coneflowers sway above catnip clumps, creating a dramatic backdrop for your herb garden. Butterflies flock to echinacea’s nectar-rich centers, often visiting catnip blooms during the same feeding session.
Deep taproots help echinacea withstand drought while accessing nutrients from lower soil layers. This non-competitive growth habit makes it an ideal companion that won’t steal resources from more shallow-rooted catnip.
Native bees particularly favor these prairie flowers, increasing overall pollinator diversity in your garden. After adding three echinacea plants behind my catnip patch, I’ve counted at least six different bee species visiting regularly—a noticeable improvement in my garden’s ecological health.
8. Rosemary
Needle-like leaves packed with aromatic oils make rosemary an excellent defender against cabbage moths that might otherwise trouble your catnip. The strong scent masks catnip from certain pest insects while still allowing beneficial visitors to find both plants.
Structural support comes naturally when these herbs grow together. Rosemary’s woody stems provide windbreak protection for softer catnip stalks during summer storms—something I discovered accidentally after planting them side by side.
Both plants prefer similar well-drained soil conditions and moderate watering, making them compatible garden companions. Their complementary blue and white flowers attract different pollinator species, increasing biodiversity in even the smallest herb gardens.
9. Sunflowers
Towering yellow blooms cast dappled shade during intense afternoon heat, protecting catnip from scorching. Sunflowers act as living trellises, providing support for climbing beneficial insects that help protect your herbs.
Bees buzzing around sunflower heads inevitably discover nearby catnip blossoms. This increased pollinator traffic strengthens seed production in both plants—I’ve collected noticeably more viable catnip seeds since adding sunflowers to my herb garden layout.
Birds attracted to ripening sunflower seeds also hunt for insects, providing natural pest control. The deep roots of sunflowers break up compacted soil, improving drainage around more sensitive catnip plants while their fallen leaves eventually decompose into rich organic matter.
10. Oregano
Spreading mounds of fragrant oregano create excellent ground cover around catnip clumps. The aromatic oils from both plants combine to confuse and repel many common garden pests while still attracting beneficial insects.
Morning dew collects on oregano’s tiny leaves, increasing humidity around catnip plants. This microclimate effect has helped my catnip thrive during drier spells without extra watering.
Small white flower clusters appear on both plants around the same time, creating a pollinator buffet that buzzes with activity. Oregano’s ability to suppress weeds through natural competition reduces maintenance around catnip plants while its spreading habit helps retain soil moisture during hot summer days.
11. Fennel
Feathery fronds wave gently above catnip plants, creating an architectural element in your herb garden. Fennel’s umbel-shaped yellow flower clusters attract tiny parasitic wasps that help control aphids and other pests that might damage catnip.
Swallowtail butterflies lay eggs on fennel stems, bringing their beautiful presence to your garden. The caterpillars feed exclusively on fennel, leaving your precious catnip untouched while still contributing to biodiversity.
Both plants have aromatic qualities that seem to enhance each other when grown nearby. My cats show particular interest in catnip grown near fennel—perhaps the licorice scent creates an intriguing combination that heightens the catnip’s appeal to feline visitors.
12. Yarrow
Flat-topped flower clusters in white, yellow, or pink create landing pads for beneficial insects above catnip’s more modest blooms. Yarrow attracts predatory insects like ladybugs and lacewings that hunt aphids and other pests threatening your catnip.
Drought resistance makes yarrow an undemanding garden companion. Its presence actually improves soil quality around neighboring plants through accumulation of nutrients—my catnip grows noticeably stronger when yarrow grows nearby.
Native pollinators particularly favor yarrow’s accessible nectar, increasing overall garden biodiversity. The feathery foliage contrasts beautifully with catnip’s broader leaves, creating visual interest even when neither plant is flowering.
13. Lemon Balm
Citrusy fragrance wafts through the garden when lemon balm joins catnip in your herb patch. Both members of the mint family, they share similar growing requirements while attracting slightly different beneficial insect populations.
Morning sun filtering through their leaves releases aromatic oils that seem to strengthen each other. I’ve found that harvesting both herbs is more productive when they grow as companions rather than separated.
Bumblebees move methodically between the similar white flowers, improving pollination for both plants. Their compatible growth habits—lemon balm slightly more spreading, catnip more upright—create a balanced planting that maximizes garden space while minimizing competition.
14. Chives
Purple pompom flowers atop slender green stalks add vertical interest among catnip’s leafier growth. Chives’ strong onion scent naturally repels aphids and other sap-sucking insects that might otherwise damage catnip plants.
Early spring growth provides garden interest before catnip fully emerges. Their staggered blooming schedule ensures pollinators have food sources throughout the growing season—my garden journal shows nearly continuous beneficial insect activity from April through October.
Compact root systems allow these herbs to grow closely without competing for resources. Chives’ natural antifungal properties seem to reduce disease pressure on neighboring plants, keeping catnip healthier with no extra effort on my part.
15. Zinnias
Candy-colored blooms in every shade imaginable make zinnias the perfect cheerful companions for subtler catnip. Their long-lasting flowers provide continuous nectar sources that draw butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds throughout summer and into fall.
Heat tolerance helps zinnias thrive alongside sun-loving catnip even during July and August. Their sturdy stems withstand summer storms while providing casual support for neighboring herbs.
Cutting zinnia flowers for bouquets encourages more blooms and more pollinator visits. After adding a rainbow mix of zinnias beside my catnip patch, seed production improved dramatically—evidence of increased pollination activity that benefits the entire garden ecosystem.
16. Cosmos
Delicate fern-like foliage topped with daisy-like flowers creates airy contrast to catnip’s more substantial presence. Cosmos’ open growth habit allows plenty of sunlight to reach catnip while still providing some afternoon shade protection.
Self-seeding tendencies make cosmos reliable garden companions year after year. Their presence seems to discourage certain pest insects—my catnip has remained remarkably free of spider mites since planting cosmos nearby.
Goldfinches and other small birds visit cosmos to feed on seeds, often catching insects along the way. This natural pest control benefits catnip without any intervention needed, while the constant movement of wildlife brings additional life and interest to your herb garden.
17. Basil
Aromatic leaves in various colors from green to purple make basil both useful and ornamental alongside catnip. Their complementary scents seem to enhance each other while confusing pest insects that might damage either plant.
Frequent harvesting of basil encourages bushier growth that helps shade catnip roots during hot weather. I’ve noticed stronger catnip oil production (and happier cats) when these herbs share garden space.
Pollinators particularly enjoy basil’s small white or purple flower spikes, often visiting catnip during the same foraging trip. Their similar water and nutrient needs make them practical companions that thrive under the same care routine—simplifying your garden maintenance.
18. Anise Hyssop
Tall spikes of lavender-blue flowers create vertical interest behind shorter catnip plants. Anise hyssop’s licorice-mint fragrance complements catnip’s more herbal scent, creating an aromatic corner that’s a delight for both humans and beneficial insects.
Honeybees show particular preference for anise hyssop, sometimes forming queues just to access its nectar-rich blooms. Their constant presence increases pollination rates for nearby catnip as well.
Both plants belong to the mint family but display different growth habits that work harmoniously together. The staggered blooming times—catnip earlier, anise hyssop later—extend the season of interest and ensure continuous pollinator support throughout summer and into early fall.