Companion planting is an age-old practice that helps you grow a thriving garden by pairing plants that can benefit each other. It’s not just about keeping pests away but also about encouraging healthy growth. Some plants naturally protect their neighbours from pests or share nutrients that help others flourish. It’s complementary planting, which is an art that requires considering different factors like soil type and sunlight. For example, lavender thrives in well-draining soil and full sun, making it ideal for pairing with plants that need similar conditions.
Complementing colours and growth patterns can create a beautiful and harmonious look in your garden. Companion planting is about making smart choices, like pairing lavender with plants that enhance its beauty while keeping unwanted pests at bay.
In this article
Related article: Best Companion Plants for Roses
Planting different plant species in close proximity can offer mutually beneficial results. In some cases, the benefits are one-sided; one plant helps another without receiving anything in return. Either way, it enables you to make the most of your garden space and often protects plants from unwanted pests.
Choosing the right partners for your lavender opens many exciting possibilities. We’ve gathered an expert list of the best lavender companion plants to make it easier. With these pairings, you can create a stunning display that looks good and functions efficiently in your yard.
24 Best Lavender Companion Plants
THYME
Scientific name: Thymus vulgaris
Zones: 5-9
Height: 1-3 feet
Exposure: Full sun
Soil: Sandy, loamy
Fragrant thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is an excellent natural pest repellent when paired with lavender. Its low-growing habit is moisture-retaining mulch, helping keep pests like moths, fleas, flies, and mosquitoes away. According to Betz, the fragrant repellent properties of both thyme and lavender work together, offering protection to one another.
Additionally, because lavender grows taller, it acts as a windbreak for the low-growing thyme, offering protection and some partial shade during the hotter parts of the day.
SAGE
Scientific name: Salvia officinalis
Zones: 4-10
Height: 1 to 5 feet tall, 1 to 6 feet wide
Exposure: Full sun
Soil: Sandy, loamy, well-drained
Growing lavender alongside sage plants can create a visually striking and aromatic garden. Sage, known for its tubular flowers, provides a beautiful contrast to lavender’s soft blooms. Their different textures and colours add layers of interest, making your garden more appealing. Sage plants’ shape and bloom time can also help extend the flowering season, giving you more time to enjoy their beauty together.
In addition to their aesthetic value, sage and lavender thrive in similar environments, like sunny, stony habitats with low water needs. Culinary sage is an excellent addition to any herb garden or vegetable plot, as it brings a unique flavour to main dish recipes and beverages. The aromatic scents of both plants work well when combined, creating a harmonious blend that evokes a Mediterranean feel. They grow well together, and sage’s flavour perfectly complements lavender’s delicate aromar, enhancing the overall garden experience.
ROSEMARY
Scientific name: Salvia rosmarinus
Zones: 8-10
Height: 1 to 5 feet tall, 1 to 6 feet wide
Exposure: Full sun
Soil: Sandy, loamy, well-drained
Pairing lavender with rosemary creates a stunning garden filled with complementary aromas. As a landscape designer, I’ve found that the strong scent of Rosmarinus officinalis not only enhances the fragrance of the garden but also serves as a natural pest repellent. Together, they help keep pests like aphids, whiteflies, and beetles at bay, which can often cause trouble for other plants.
Moreover, rosemary contributes to a stable microclimate in the garden by reducing soil moisture evaporation. This is crucial for maintaining healthy growth in both plants. Having lavender and rosemary together adds beauty and aroma to your space. It promotes a healthier growing environment, making it a smart choice for any gardener looking to create a thriving landscape.
OREGANO
Scientific name: Origanum spp.
Zones: 4-10
Height: 6 to 36 inches tall, 8 to 24 inches wide
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well-drained
Combining oregano with lavender creates a healthy and beautiful garden. These two uncomplicated plants thrive together, making them a perfect pair for any gardener. Oregano is an excellent spice in the kitchen. Still, it also attracts pollinators and other beneficial insects, which help keep the garden thriving. Planting oregano as a border plant around your lavender patch not only looks lovely but also enhances the overall health of your plants. These herbs are like magnets for good bugs, making care easier while adding beauty to your outdoor space.
ZINNIA
Scientific name: Zinnia elegans
Zones: 3-10
Exposure: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained
Zinnias are a fantastic annual plant to grow alongside lavender in your garden. They bring life to the garden every season with their full spectrum of colours and various looks. These cheerful flowers thrive in sunshine and require minimal watering, making them an easy choice for gardeners who prefer minimal drama in their plant care routine. Pairing lavender with zinnias creates a beautiful contrast, enhancing the overall appeal of your outdoor space.
By planting zinnias each year, you can enjoy their vibrant blooms alongside your lavender for an eye-catching display. As an experienced gardener, I’ve found that the bright colours of zinnias complement the soft hues of lavender and attract beneficial pollinators.
BLUE FESCUE
Scientific name: Festuca glauca
Zones: 4-8
Height: up to 12 inches
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well-drained, moist
Blue fescue is an excellent companion plant for lavender, adding a beautiful textured element to the garden. This ornamental grass features stunning silvery-blue blades that create an attractive contrast to the vibrant colours of lavender. Both plants have similar growing requirements, thriving in sunny spots and needing minimal water. By planting blue fescue alongside lavender, you can create an eye-catching display that enhances your outdoor space’s overall beauty without interruption.
YARROW
Scientific name: Achillea spp.
Zones: 3-9
Height: 6 to 48 inches feet tall, 6 to 36 inches wide
Exposure: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained, moist
Yarrow, also known as Achillea, is a tough perennial that makes an excellent companion for lavender in your garden. With its flat-topped flower clusters in various colours like white, yellow, pink, and even red, yarrow adds a beautiful contrast to the pastel flower spikes of lavender. This plant thrives in lean soil and well-draining conditions, making it perfect for those dry areas in the garden. Both lavender and yarrow enjoy full sun and are drought-tolerant, which means they can thrive together in water wise strips or a mixed border.
Adding yarrow to your garden enhances its visual appeal. It attracts bees and other pollinators, making your space lively and vibrant.
RED VALERIAN
Scientific name: Centranthus ruber
Zones: 5-8
Height: 60cm – 90cm
Exposure: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained, moist
Red valerian, or spur valerian, is an ideal companion plant for lavender, bringing vibrant beauty to your garden. This drought-tolerant perennial features stunning clusters of deep red flowers that bloom throughout the summer, perfectly complementing the soft hues of lavender. The long blooming season of red valerian ensures that your garden remains lively and colourful for months, attracting various wildlife, including butterflies, bees, and even hummingbirds. I’ve noticed how the rich nectar of these flowers draws in pollinators, creating a buzz of activity around my lavender plants.
Combining red valerian with lavender enhances the visual appeal of your garden and supports a healthy ecosystem. The striking contrast between lavender’s purple and valerian’s deep red creates a beautiful display that brightens any space.
OLEANDER
Scientific name: Nerium oleander
Zones: 8-11
Height: 4 to 20 feet tall, 3 to 15 feet wide
Exposure: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained, moist
Oleander is an excellent landscape plant to pair with lavender, especially in warmer climates. This hardy plant tolerates heat, drought, and even poor soil, making it an ideal companion for the low-maintenance lavender. With funnel-shaped flowers blooming year-round, oleander brings a showy display to your garden. The fragrant flowers create a pleasing effect when combined with the spiky blooms of lavender, extending the bloom season and adding visual interest.
When planting oleander alongside lavender, ensure plenty of room to avoid crowding. Both plants thrive in the sun and do well in a Water wise strip or for mass planting.
CATMINT
Scientific name: Nepeta spp.
Zones: 3-9
Height: 12 to 24 inches tall; width varies
Exposure: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained, moist
Catmint, also known as Nepeta, is a fantastic companion plant for lavender that offers numerous benefits to your garden. This lovely plant attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, which helps improve pollination rates and boosts flower production in lavender. Having catmint nearby enhances the beauty of your garden and promotes higher yields of lavender flowers, making your garden thrive. I’ve enjoyed watching both plants flourish together, creating a lively atmosphere filled with buzzing activity.
Additionally, catmint suppresses weeds and can help repel pests that might harm your lavender. Its deep roots support beneficial soil microbes, enhancing soil health and promoting growth.
ORNAMENTAL ONION
Scientific name: Allium.
Zones: 4-10
Height: 3 to 4 feet tall
Exposure: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained, moist
Ornamental onions, part of the allium family, are great garden lavender companions. These plants have pest-repelling properties that can help protect lavender from harmful insects. They contain sulfur compounds released when the bulbs are crushed, acting as a natural deterrent against pests and soil-borne pathogens. I’ve noticed that having alliums nearby not only keeps pests at bay but also promotes a healthier growing environment for my lavender.
Furthermore, ornamental onions have anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, which contribute to improving soil health and reducing the risk of disease. This means your lavender can grow more vital and more vibrant. While they offer all these benefits, they still attract beneficial pollinators, enhancing the overall health of your garden. Combining lavender with ornamental onions creates a beautiful and functional garden space that thrives through cooperation.
JASMINE
Scientific name: Jasminus
Zones: 4-11
Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
Soil: Well-drained, moist
Jasmine is an excellent companion for lavender, as their scents beautifully complement each other. Both plants thrive in full sun, creating a stunning display in your garden while enhancing lavender’s aromas. Jasmine’s fragrance mingles well with lavender, attracting beneficial insects while helping to repel pests like aphids and whiteflies.
STRAWBERRIES
Scientific name: Fragaria x ananassa
Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Full sun
Soil: Loamy, well-drained
Strawberries make a delightful companion for lavender in your garden. When planting strawberries alongside lavender, you can enjoy the beautiful scent while attracting beneficial pollinators. The lovely aroma of lavender helps improve fruit production in strawberries by drawing in bees and other helpful insects. I’ve noticed that having lavender nearby enhances the overall scent of my garden and leads to juicier, more flavorful strawberries.
Moreover, lavender repels common garden pests, such as slugs, rabbits, and even deer, that might want to munch on your strawberries.
BLACK-EYED SUSAN
Scientific name: Rudbeckia spp.
Zones: 3-9
Exposure: Full sun
Soil: Moist, well-drained
Black-eyed Susan is a fantastic perennial that pairs beautifully with lavender in any garden. These plants produce stunning golden, daisy-like flowers that bloom in late summer, providing a warm contrast to lavender’s blue and purple flowers. The cone-shaped blooms of black-eyed Susan create a vibrant display when grown together, making your garden visually striking. From my experience, the cheerful, sunny colouring of black-eyed Susan enhances the beauty of lavender, especially in mixed borders or mass plantings.
Moreover, planting black-eyed Susan alongside lavender helps establish a strong foundation for a lively garden.
ARTEMISIA
Scientific name: Artemisia spp.
Zones: 3-9
Height: 6 inches to 6 feet tall, 1 to 2 feet wide
Exposure: Full sun
Soil: Moist, well-drained
When paired with lavender, Artemisia brings a blend of cool hues that can transform any landscape. Artemisia, also known as mugwort, is a lovely companion for lavender that adds depth to your garden. With its silvery foliage and deeply lobed leaves, this plant provides background interest and a soft, feathery texture that beautifully complements the delicate foliage of lavender. The subdued colouring of Artemisia creates a nice contrast with the vibrant lavender flowers, enhancing the overall visual appeal. In my experience, having Artemisia in a curbside strip or water wise border looks great and helps create a calming atmosphere.
CONEFLOWER
Scientific name: Echinacea spp.
Zones: 3-9
Height: 1 to 5 feet tall, 1 to 2 feet wide
Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
Soil: well-drained
Purple coneflower, known scientifically as Echinacea purpurea, is a stunning companion for lavender that brings beauty and vibrancy to your garden. These ornamental plants come in various colours and forms, creating a lovely display when planted together. With their characteristic flower shape, the bold blooms of coneflowers perfectly complement the delicate purple hues of lavender. In my experience, this pairing not only looks beautiful in flower beds but also attracts beneficial pollinators, enhancing the overall health of your garden.
Coneflowers are a popular variety for many gardeners, as they are easy to care for and thrive in similar conditions to lavender. Their long blooming period adds to the charm of your garden, ensuring you have colourful flowers from summer into fall. The combination of lavender and coneflowers creates a stunning visual effect while promoting a lively ecosystem in your outdoor space.
SEDUM
Scientific name: Sedum spp.
Zones: 3-11
Height: 3 to 36 inches tall, 12 to 24 inches wide
Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
Soil: Sandy, loamy, well-drained
Sedum, also known as stonecrop, is an excellent companion for lavender that adds charm to your
garden. This succulent plant features fleshy foliage and produces lovely star-shaped flowers in various colours during the summer and fall. The bloom season of sedum often follows the lavender’s finished blooming, ensuring your garden remains vibrant and colourful throughout the warmer months. In my experience, pairing lavender with sedum creates a beautiful contrast, as the soft purple hues of lavender complement the bright and diverse colours of sedum flowers.
Planting sedums alongside lavender enhances your garden’s visual appeal and provides low-maintenance options. Both plants thrive in sunny spots and require minimal water, making them perfect for a rock garden.
RED HOT POKER
Scientific name: Kniphofia spp.
Zones: 5-9
Height: 2 to 6 feet tall, 1 to 3 feet wide
Exposure: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained
Red hot poker, known for its show-stopping flower spikes, makes a striking companion for lavender in the garden. With its bright red, orange, and yellow hues, this plant creates a beautiful contrast against the cool-toned flowers of lavender. The combination of lavender and red hot poker adds a stunning visual element to any outdoor space. From my experience, these plants work well together, as their unique colours and textures create a harmonious balance that enhances the beauty of your garden.
Both red hot poker and lavender thrive in heat and sunlight, making them ideal for sunny spots in the garden.
AFRICAN DAISY
Scientific name: Osteospermum spp.
Zones: 10-11
Height: 1 to 3 feet tall, 1 to 2 feet wide
Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
Soil: Moist, well-drained
African daisy is a lovely companion for lavender that brings a cheerful touch to your garden. This tender perennial produces daisy-like flowers in an array of colors, providing a beautiful contrast to lavender’s soft purple. The oval green foliage of African daisy adds richness to the landscape, while its vibrant blooms create an inviting atmosphere. From my experience, these plants work well together as they complement each other beautifully in a garden bed or as filler plants.
In addition to their visual appeal, African daisies can serve as a ground cover or be grown in containers alongside lavender. Their spiky wands of flowers stand tall, adding height and interest to the arrangement.
ROSES
Scientific name: Rosa spp.
Zones: 2-11
Height: 6 inches to 30 feet tall, 1 to 15 feet wide
Exposure: Full sun
Soil: Loamy, well-drained
Roses and lavender make a classic garden pairing that many gardeners love. The fragrant flowers of both plants not only enhance the beauty of your garden but also create a delightful aroma in the air. Both roses and lavender are sun-loving plants that grow well in similar conditions, making them an excellent choice for sunny spots in your garden. From my experience, planting lavender near roses can help create a vibrant display, with lavender’s purple contrasting beautifully with the variety of rose colours.
Additionally, lavender can benefit roses by helping to deter unwanted pests like aphids. While aphids often feast on roses, lavender attracts ladybugs, which love to munch on these pests.
MARIGOLD
Scientific name: Tagetes spp.
Zones: 2-11
Height: 6 to 36 inches tall x 6 to 24 inches wide
Exposure: Full sun
Soil: well-drained
Marigolds, scientifically known as Tagetes, are an excellent companion for lavender in your garden. These bright flowers add colour and have a lovely fragrance that complements the scent of lavender. One of the best features of marigolds is their ability to repel pests. They effectively suppress nematodes, which are harmful underground threats and can deter various above-ground threats that might harm your lavender plants. From my experience, having marigolds planted near lavender creates a protective barrier, ensuring both plants thrive together.
In addition to pest control, marigold flowers attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies, which also help lavender by increasing its bloom potential.
BLANKET FLOWER
Scientific name: Gaillardia spp.
Zones: 3-10
Height: 1 to 3 feet tall, 1 to 2 feet wide
Exposure: Full sun
Soil: well-drained
Blanket flower is a vibrant companion for lavender, bringing a burst of colour to your garden. With its daisy-like flowers in bold red, orange, and yellow hues, the blanket flower creates a beautiful contrast against the cool tones of lavender. The spiky lavender wands pair nicely with the rounded blooms of blanket flowers, creating a compelling effect that enhances the overall beauty of your landscape. From my experience, this combination is especially eye-catching in mixed borders, where their colours can truly shine.
These flowers bloom throughout the summer, providing a long-lasting display that attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.
GLOBE THISTLE
Scientific name: Echinops spp.
Zones: 3-9
Height: 2 to 5 feet tall, 1 to 3 feet wide
Exposure: Full sun
Soil: well-drained
Globe thistle is a striking companion for lavender, known for its steely blue, globe-shaped flowers that bloom from mid-summer to early fall. These thistle-like flowers contrast the soft purple hues of lavender, making them an excellent addition to any garden. The grey-green foliage of the globe thistle adds a unique texture and structure to your landscape, enhancing the visual appeal of beds, borders, or a curbside strip. Both plants thrive in sunny locations and are suitable for waterwise borders, making them ideal for gardeners looking for low-maintenance options.
BELL PEPPER
Scientific name: Capsicum annuum
Zones: 9-11
Exposure: Full sun
Soil: well-drained
Bell peppers make a great companion for lavender in the garden, as they are self-fertile and benefit from the presence of pollinators like bees. When you plant lavender alongside bell peppers, the fragrant lavender can attract these helpful insects, improving the fruit set and potentially increasing the size of your pepper harvest.
Related article: Rhubarb Companion Planting
Key Rules of Companion Planting with Lavender
Following a few golden rules can help you avoid mishaps when planting lavender. Choosing companion crops that are sun-loving plants and have similar water needs is essential, so you should cross out any thirsty plants from your companion plant list. For example, pairing lavender with less bushy crops and flowers can improve air circulation and reduce competition for nutrients. Additionally, be cautious of invasive or aggressive species, as they can overpower lavender and hinder its growth.
Plants Not to Pair with Lavender
Knowing which plants should not be included is essential when planning your lavender garden. Lavender thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, but many plants prefer different conditions. For instance, shade-loving plants like hosta, fern, and astilbe will not do well near lavender. These plants typically need more moisture and thrive in rich soil, which can lead to unhealthy competition for nutrients and water.
Additionally, you should avoid pairing lavender with water-loving plants such as bleeding heart, heuchera, and mint. These plants prefer acidic soil, which is unsuitable for lavender, and like slightly alkaline or neutral soil. Plants like begonias, fuchsias, and impatiens can also create problems, as they may thrive in rich, moist conditions that could harm lavender. Even common vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and squash might not be the best neighbours since they require more water and nutrients from the soil.
Acid-loving plants, including rhododendrons, azaleas, blueberries, camellias, and gardenias, can also disrupt the delicate balance for healthy lavender growth. These plants thrive in more acidic pH levels, which could hinder lavender’s ability to grow well. In my experience, avoiding these combinations helps maintain a thriving lavender garden, allowing it to flourish alongside more suitable companions.
Final Observations
Companion planting with lavender opens a world of possibilities for creating a garden that is not only visually stunning but also functional and low-maintenance. By pairing lavender with plants that share similar growing requirements, such as full sun and well-drained soil, you can cultivate a thriving, harmonious ecosystem. From aromatic herbs like thyme and sage to vibrant blooms like zinnias and red valerian, these companion plants offer aesthetic appeal, pest control, and pollinator attraction. Whether designing a fragrant herb garden or a colorful flower bed, these lavender pairings ensure your outdoor space is as beautiful as beneficial.
