13 Rosemary Companion Plants to Grow in Your Garden

Rosemary (Rosmarinus) is a remarkably sturdy, lush, and hardy perennial shrub that is native to Mediterranean regions. Because of its native habitat, rosemary needs at least six to eight hours of full sun a day and well-draining, dry soil in order to thrive. Another way to ensure rosemary looks, smells, and tastes its best is by growing it alongside companion plants.

Companion planting is a cornerstone of successful gardening. It's the practice of pairing mutually beneficial plants together to help prevent pests, retain soil moisture, attract pollinators, boost flavor, and more. Rosemary itself is an amazing companion plant due to its potent fragrance that wards off pests. In turn, other plants offer benefits that boost the vitality of rosemary by improving soil quality, welcoming pollinators, and repelling unwanted bugs.

We asked gardening experts to share the best companion plants for rosemary, as well as some plants you should never grow next to this shrub.

Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of Park Seed's From Seed to Spoon app, an app that's designed to make planning a garden easier.
Linda Vater, plant expert for Southern Living Plant Collection, a plant collection designed to solve landscape challenges.

Best Companion Plants for Rosemary

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Pole Beans

Pole beans (Phaseolus coccineus) take nitrogen from the atmosphere and convert it into nitrogen compounds that enrich the soil, which helps fertilize rosemary. What's more, rosemary’s scent also repels bean beetles, an insect that can damage pole beans, says Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of Park Seed's From Seed to Spoon app, an app that's designed to make planning a garden easier.

Zones: 3 to 11
Size: 6 to 10 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

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Carrots

Carrots (Daucus carota sativus) are another natural pairing with rosemary, says Spoonemore. Rosemary’s intense fragrance helps protect carrots by deterring carrot flies, while carrots make it easier for rosemary's roots to take up nutrients.

Zones: 3 to 11
Size: 12 to 18 inches tall x 1 to 6 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; loose, well-draining soil

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Thyme

Round out your kitchen garden with another Mediterranean herb, thyme (Thymus vulgaris), which has similar care requirements to rosemary, making them great companion plants. Like rosemary, thyme is a hardy herb that thrives in full sun and well-draining soil.

Zones: 5 to 9
Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; sandy, well-draining soil

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Marigold

It’s hard to go wrong in any garden when you plant bright, sunny marigolds (Tagetes). This annual flower deters pests like aphids, making it ideal for rosemary companion planting, says Spoonemore.

Zones: 2 to 11
Size: 6 to 36 inches tall x 6 to 36 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

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Sage

A natural and nice-smelling herb, sage (Salvia officinalis) helps repel pests, making it a beneficial companion plant for rosemary, says Spoonemore.

Zones: 4 to 8
Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

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Chives

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are a hardy herb well suited to any kitchen garden. Like rosemary, chives prefer well-draining soil, full sun, and moderate watering, making them perfect companions, says Spoonemore.

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 12 to 18 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

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Tomatoes

Like a host of other vegetables, tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) grow well when planted near rosemary as they have similar care requirements. Additionally, the smell of rosemary can keep pests away from tomatoes.

Zones: 3 to 11
Size: 3 to 10 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

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Marjoram

Marjoram (Origanum majorana) has similar growing requirements to rosemary: well-drained soil, full sun, and minimal watering, making them ideal companion plants. It also acts as a pest repellent, protecting rosemary from potentially harmful insects.

Zones: 5 to 9
Size: 6 to 24 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

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Lavender

Lavender (Lavandula) has a strong scent that can keep pests away from rosemary. What's more, lavender attracts beneficial insects like bees and predatory insects that can help control pests, says Spoonemore. Plant lavender and rosemary together near pathways, porches, decks, and anywhere you can enjoy their luscious fragrance.

Zones: 9 to 10
Size: 2 feet tall x 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; sandy or loamy, well-draining soil

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Abelia

Like rosemary, abelia is a hardy shrub that is drought- and heat-tolerant, as well as deer-resistant, says Linda Vater, plant expert for Southern Living Plant Collection. Their mutual ability to resist unfavorable growing conditions makes them suitable companion plants.

Zones: 6 to 9
Size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 3 to 4 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil

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Oregano

Another hardy herb that makes a great companion to rosemary, oregano (Origanum vulgare) also thrives in full sun and with well-draining soil, says Spoonemore. Growing plants together that have similar care requirements is benefit to the plants and less work for you.

Zones: 4 to 10
Size: 12 to 24 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

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Zinnia

Bright and beautiful, zinnias (Zinnia elegans) are great companion plants to rosemary because they have similar care requirements. Plus, they attract all kinds of pollinators (hello, beautiful butterflies and hummingbirds!), which will help all your plants thrive.

Zones: 2 to 11
Size: 1 to 4 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

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Strawberries

strawberry bush — Credit:
Getty / romiri

The main perk of planting rosemary next to strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa) is that it will intensify the fruit's sweet flavor. Rosemary can also help repel pests, while strawberries will prevent weed growth. They are seriously a match made in heaven.

Zones: 4 to 9
Size: 1 to 4 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained, rich soil

Plants You Should Never Grow With Rosemary

Be aware of the mature size of anything you plant with rosemary to ensure nothing will shade out the plant and inhibit its growth, says Vater. Additionally, you should avoid growing the following plants next to rosemary.

Fennel: Fennel can inhibit the growth of rosemary, due to its release of chemicals into the soil, says Spoonemore.
Mint: An invasive grower, mint can compete with rosemary for space, water, and nutrients, says Spoonemore.
Cucumbers: Cucumbers require more moisture and can create a humid environment in which rosemary, which prefers drier conditions, does not thrive, says Spoonemore.
Potatoes: Rosemary can inhibit the growth of potatoes and may lead to a smaller yield, says Spoonemore.
Basil: Another tasty herb, basil requires a much more moist environment than rosemary prefers, so it's best not to plant the two next to each other.