Herbs can be the heart of a flavorful garden, but not all of them get along! Some herbs, when planted together, can compete for nutrients, water, or sunlight, leaving you with less than stellar results.
I’ve learned the hard way that certain herb combos just don’t mesh well. In this list, I’m sharing 20 herb combinations you should avoid at all costs to keep your garden healthy and thriving. Let’s make sure your herbs grow harmoniously, so you can enjoy a bountiful, tasty harvest!
1. Basil and Sage
In the garden, it’s important to consider the specific needs of each plant. While basil enjoys moist soil and plenty of sunlight, sage prefers dry conditions and minimal water.
This contrast in their requirements can lead to one plant outgrowing the other. Basil’s need for constant watering can drown sage, while sage’s arid preference leaves basil struggling. To ensure both plants thrive, they should be kept apart.
2. Dill and Lavender
Every plant has unique requirements, and sometimes they don’t align. Dill thrives in fertile, moist soil, whereas lavender prefers dry, well-drained conditions.
The moisture-loving dill could overwhelm the drought-tolerant lavender, stunting its growth. Lavender’s need for dryness may also cause dill to wilt and struggle. For the best results, these two should not be planted side by side.
3. Mint and Parsley
Some plants grow more aggressively than others, making them incompatible for sharing space. Mint spreads quickly and thrives in moist conditions, while parsley is slower to grow and more delicate.
Mint’s rapid expansion could overshadow parsley, blocking its access to sunlight. Parsley, in turn, can be easily overpowered by mint’s growth. Planting them separately will allow each plant to thrive without interference.
4. Cilantro and Rosemary
If you’re thinking about planting cilantro and rosemary together, it might be time to rethink that decision. Cilantro loves a cool, moist spot, whereas rosemary thrives in sunny, well-drained soil. These herbs couldn’t be more different in their ideal conditions.
Cilantro’s thirst for water could leave rosemary waterlogged and miserable. For their well-being, plant them separately in their preferred habitats.
5. Chives and Thyme
These two herbs might look like they’d vibe together, but nope, they just don’t mesh. Chives prefer cool, damp conditions, while thyme’s all about that dry, sunny life.
The moisture-loving chives will quickly wilt in the dry soil thyme demands, leading to a sad, wilted mess. Give them separate spaces, and they’ll both thrive like they deserve!
6. Fennel and Coriander
If you put fennel and coriander together, you’re asking for trouble. Fennel grows tall and aggressive, blocking out the sun that coriander desperately needs.
As the fennel towers over, coriander’s left in the shade, struggling to grow. These two need their own corners of the garden to avoid a battle for resources!
7. Garlic and Asparagus
This pairing sounds great, but it’s a garden disaster in the making. Garlic tends to spread its roots far and wide, crowding out asparagus.
Asparagus, which grows slowly, gets overshadowed by garlic’s rapid root expansion. Give them their own plots, and they’ll both be happier and healthier.
8. Oregano and Marjoram
They may seem like a good team, but these two aren’t meant to be planted together. Oregano grows like a wild vine, while marjoram prefers more space and a more controlled environment.
The aggressive growth of oregano will eventually crowd out marjoram, stunting its growth. Plant them separately, and they’ll both thrive without competing
9. Sage and Rue
Trying to pair these two is like putting a water-loving plant next to a dry desert dweller. Sage likes things a little damp and cool, while rue thrives in dry, hot conditions.
Rue will suck up all the moisture, drying out the soil and leaving sage gasping for water. Let them live in their ideal conditions—apart from each other!
10. Chamomile and Mint
Chamomile and mint might sound relaxing together, but they’re more like a garden tug-of-war. Mint is a fast grower and will spread its roots everywhere, while chamomile prefers a calm, slower pace.
Mint will quickly take over, choking out the chamomile and stealing all the space and nutrients. It’s best to let these two chill in separate corners of the garden!
11. Basil and Rosemary
When it comes to these two, it’s like mixing oil and water—nothing good comes out of it. Basil loves warmth and moisture, while rosemary prefers it dry and sunny.
Basil will end up thirsty, while rosemary will be too dry for comfort. Separate them to avoid a clash of the herb titans!
12. Lavender and Mint
It’s like pairing two completely different personalities—you’ve got the calm, collected one, and then there’s the wild, unpredictable one. Mint is the rebellious type, spreading and growing everywhere it can, while lavender prefers a more controlled, dry environment.
When they’re planted together, mint ends up taking all the water, leaving lavender high and dry. It’s a battle for space, and neither one will thrive. Giving them separate spots ensures both herbs can grow at their own pace!
13. Tarragon and Dill
These two might seem like they’d get along, but they’re actually too competitive for each other’s taste. Dill’s rapid growth can easily overshadow the more delicate tarragon, which needs sunlight and a little breathing room to flourish.
Tarragon will find itself in the shade, struggling for light, while dill towers above, blocking all the good stuff. Plant them apart, and they’ll both have enough space to show off their best sides!
14. Chamomile and Basil
This combo may sound relaxing, but their needs are as different as day and night. While chamomile loves a shady, cooler spot, basil thrives under the hot sun with warmth and light.
Before you know it, basil will have overtaken chamomile, leaving it in the shadows and too stressed to grow. Let each herb find its own spot in the sun, where they’ll both feel right at home.
15. Rosemary and Lavender
On the surface, these two look like a match made in herb heaven, but their water preferences couldn’t be more different. While rosemary thrives in dry, well-drained soil, lavender needs a bit more space to survive with minimal water.
The competition for moisture creates a stressful environment for both. Keeping them apart allows each to bloom in the perfect conditions without worrying about who’s getting the last drop of water!
16. Sage and Basil
At first, this might seem like a cozy herb duo, but they’re not quite on the same wavelength. Sage loves cooler, more humid conditions, while basil is a sunshine lover that needs plenty of warmth.
Basil’s constant heat cravings will dry out the soil around sage, leaving it thirsty and stressed. Give them each their own space to thrive in the conditions they love!
17. Fennel and Tomato
Trying to grow these two together is like inviting two clashing personalities into one space. Fennel grows tall and wild, casting a massive shadow over the smaller tomato plants that crave sunlight to flourish.
Tomatoes need all the light they can get, and fennel’s towering height just takes it all away. Plant them in separate spots, and they’ll both enjoy the sun they deserve without competing!
18. Dill and Carrot
It seems like a good idea at first, but these two are too different to be planted side by side. Dill shoots up quickly and can block the sunlight that carrots need to grow strong and tall.
Carrots thrive on full sunlight, and dill will quickly overshadow them with its rapid growth. Keep these two separated to make sure each has enough light and space to reach its full potential!
19. Onion and Peas
This pairing might look promising, but they’re a little too mismatched for comfort. Onions love having their space and plenty of sunlight, while peas prefer to climb and spread out in all directions.
As peas grow, they can end up blocking the sun that onions need to thrive. Let them grow in separate areas to keep their space and sunlight needs in check!
20. Thyme and Coriander
They may seem like they’d get along, but these two can’t seem to agree on what conditions are best. While thyme loves dry, sunny spots, coriander thrives in cooler, moister conditions.
Coriander will struggle in the dry soil that thyme craves, and thyme will be unhappy with the extra moisture coriander demands. Let them each have their own spot for a flourishing garden!