Elevate your garden game by strategically planting herbs alongside the vibrant blooms of zinnias!
Companion planting is a traditional gardening practice that involves growing specific plants close to one another so they can boost each other’s growth and development.
Even though zinnias are low-maintenance plants, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t receive any additional help. This is where basil comes along. With basil by their side, zinnias will produce more blooms. On the other hand, you’ll never experience tastier basil!
In this article, we are going to talk more about why you should grow basil and zinnias together. Stay tuned to find out more about these companion plants. 🙂
Basil And Zinnias Are Best Buddies
There are a couple of reasons why you should grow basil next to zinnias:
• Basil will attract pollinators necessary to support zinnia’s blooms
• Zinnia’s flowers will last longer
• They have the same growing requirements
• Both plants can tolerate heat and sun
• They won’t compete for nutrients
• Both grow well in well-draining soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5
• Green basil leaves create a beautiful dark background to colorful zinnia flowers
• You can grow them in the same planter or close to each other in a garden or flowerbed
• Be on the lookout for mildew and fungi if you keep both plants in too much shade and moisture
You can also grow basil with these plants: 21 Best Basil Companion Plants + Some Plants To Avoid
How To Get The Best Out Of Zinnia And Basil
There are numerous zinnia varieties that you can pick and choose to grow in the garden. However, not all are suitable for companion planting, so you have to know which one to pair up with your basil.
The popular variety called Zinnia elegans is often used as a statement plant in the garden or as a filler plant in flowerbeds. To ensure that they produce numerous button-style flowers, you’ll have to plant basil within a few feet.
Proper air circulation is required, so trim back unnecessary stems to allow the ground to stay open.
Plant both zinnias and basil at the same time – usually in late spring, after the frost has passed. Buy starter plants or grow them straight from the seeds.
Now is the time to get creative with your zinnias and basil!
To enjoy the best view every day, you can plant one of each type of plant in a long window box – basil is a great choice for containers because it requires between 4 to 8 inches of space between plants, whereas zinnias require about 6 inches.
The zinnia and basil combo also looks great on the front porch – with so many options out there, you can combine different colors or opt for a monochromatic flower display.
Because both plants are easily picked and gathered all year long, fresh buds are constantly forming.
You can also combine zinnias with these plants: 10 Best Zinnia Companion Plants + Some Varieties To Avoid