9 Plants You Should Always Grow Next to Parsley to Boost Growth, Deter Pests, and More

Tomatoes

Parsley and tomatoes are excellent garden companions. “They thrive in similar conditions without competing too much, and [they] help each other out,” says Mary Jane Duford, a certified master gardener.

Parsley’s leafy, low-growing habit helps shade the soil at the base of tomato plants, reducing moisture loss and suppressing weeds. It’s even easy to tuck parsley inside the base of a tomato cage, she adds.

Plus, overwintered parsley will flower in its second year, attracting beneficial insects, like parasitic wasps, that prey on tomato hornworms.

• Zones: 3 to 11
• Mature Size: 3 to 5 feet tall, 2 to 4 feet spread
• Care Requirements: Full sun; loamy, well-drained soil

Peppers

Like tomatoes, peppers benefit from parsley’s ability to retain moisture and deter pests.

“Parsley grows low to the ground and helps shade the soil beneath pepper plants, keeping the moisture in and the weeds out,” says Duford. When parsley flowers, it can attract lacewings and other helpful insects. Their larvae will feed on aphids and thrips.

• Zones: 9 to 11
• Mature Size: 18 inches to 3 feet tall
• Care Requirements: Full sun; loamy, rich, well-drained soil

Asparagus

Asparagus and parsley make for great companions. Parsley repels asparagus beetles and makes good use of the space between asparagus rows. The two also support each other’s growth throughout the season.

• Zones: 3 to 8
• Mature Size: 4-5 feet tall, 1.5 to 2 feet spread
• Care Requirements: Full sun; rich, well-drained soil

Chives

These two herbs enjoy the same growing conditions: sunny spots with rich, moist soil.

“Parsley is bushy while chives grow in upright clumps,” Duford adds. Their different growth habits mean they won’t compete for space, and parsley can help keep the soil cool and moist for chives.

• Zones: 3 to 9
• Mature Size: Up to 12 inches tall
• Care Requirements: Full sun, partial shade; loamy, sandy soil

Basil

Another excellent herb partner for parsley is basil. “They like the same conditions and don't compete much,” Duford says. Both are leafy, similarly sized herbs that benefit from full sun and steady moisture. Plus, planting them together makes harvesting a breeze.

• Zones: 3 to 11
• Mature Size: 6to 8 inches tall
• Care Requirements: Full to partial sun; rich, well-drained soil

Cilantro

According to Claire Orner, owner of Quiet Creek Herb Farm, parsley and cilantro are a natural match in a regenerative garden.

“Planting herbs that have similar growing habits is ideal,” she says. Cilantro shares parsley’s biennial seeding habits, allowing gardeners to maintain undisturbed soil.

Also, both attract butterflies, which lay eggs on the plants, feeding caterpillars and supporting pollinators.

• Zones: 2 to 11
• Mature Size: 1 to 2 feet tall, 6 to 12 inch spread
• Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained, fertile soil

Anise

Like cilantro, anise complements parsley in both growth and ecological function. “All of these plants are host plants for many butterflies,” says Orner. By planting parsley with annuals like anise, gardeners encourage a natural life cycle of pollinators and predators. 

• Zones: 4 to 9
• Mature Size: 2 to 3 feet tall, 1 to 2 feet spread
• Care Requirements: Full sun; light, well-drained soil with moderate moisture

Lettuce

Quick-growing lettuce is a perfect partner for slower-growing parsley.

“Parsley is compatible with fast-growing plants like lettuce that can be harvested before it needs space,” Duford says. It’s a smart pairing for gardeners looking to maximize real estate early in the season.

• Zones: 2a-11b
• Mature Size: 6–12 in. tall and wide
• Care Requirements: Full to partial sun; loamy, rich, well-drained soil

Apples

Looking to protect your fruit trees naturally? Parsley can help.

“Parsley’s flowers (that typically appear in year two) can attract predatory insects that help control pests,” Duford says. So codling moths—common apple pests—can be kept at bay by planting parsley around the tree’s base.

• Zone: 3-8
• Mature Size: 10–30 ft. tall, 10–30 ft. spread
• Care Requirements: Full sun; moist, well-drained soil