This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. View our full disclosure here.Â
Lavender is a versatile and aromatic herb that not only enhances your garden with its fragrance and beauty but also attracts beneficial pollinators. T
o maximize its growth and create a visually stunning landscape, choosing the right companion plants is essential. The best companion plants for lavender share similar growing conditions—full sun, well-draining soil, and low water needs.
Whether you’re looking to complement lavender’s soft purple hues with vibrant flowers or improve pest resistance, the right pairings can help your garden thrive.
Choosing the Right Lavender for Your Garden
With over 40 species of lavender available, selecting the right one for your climate is crucial. Not all varieties can withstand extreme temperatures, so it’s important to know what you’re buying.
If you live in a colder region—anything below USDA Hardiness Zone 8—French and Spanish lavender are not the best options. These varieties struggle in freezing temperatures and won’t survive harsh winters.
Instead, opt for English lavender or a hardy hybrid like Lavandula x intermedia, both of which can tolerate colder climates.
For those in warmer regions, lavender is a low-maintenance choice that thrives in hot, dry conditions. To get the most out of your lavender plants, pair them with companions that share similar soil and watering needs.
A Quick Lavender Care Guide
Lavender is a tough perennial that thrives in less-than-ideal conditions. Most varieties flourish in USDA Zones 5–9, preferring warm, dry weather and full sun exposure. Shade is its worst enemy.
If you’re looking for an easy-care plant, lavender is a great choice. It requires well-draining, dry soil, which means minimal watering. Once established, it’s highly drought tolerant, needing only a light watering about once a week.
What Is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves growing certain plants together to improve growth, deter pests, and attract beneficial insects. Farmers and gardeners have used this method for centuries to protect their crops and create healthier gardens.
The Benefits of Companion Planting
Choosing the right companion plants for your garden can provide a range of benefits:
- Pest Control: Some plants naturally repel harmful insects like cabbage worms, cucumber beetles, and carrot flies. Flowers like marigolds, herbs like catnip, and plants like rue can help keep these pests away from your garden.
- Pollinator Attraction: Many companion plants, such as borage, help attract bees and ladybugs—essential pollinators that boost vegetable production.
- Improved Soil Health: Certain plants, including bush beans and pole beans, replenish nitrogen in the soil, reducing the need for fertilizers and keeping your garden beds nutrient-rich.
- Faster Growth & Better Flavor: Some herbs, like marjoram, chamomile, and summer savory, release natural compounds that encourage stronger growth and enhance the flavor of nearby plants.
- Ground Cover: Low-growing plants such as oregano act as a natural mulch, helping to retain soil moisture and regulate temperature for neighboring plants.
- Shade Protection: Taller plants like zucchini and asparagus can provide much-needed shade for sun-sensitive crops beneath them.
- Garden Markers: When growing slow-sprouting plants, it can be tricky to see where your rows will develop. Fast-growing plants like radishes can be interspersed to mark your planting areas while waiting for slower crops to emerge.
By strategically pairing your lavender with the right companion plants, you can create a thriving, well-balanced garden with fewer pests, healthier soil, and better overall plant growth.
Also Read: Does Artificial Light Help Plants To Grow?
The Best Companion Plants for Lavender
Echinacea: A Drought-Tolerant Powerhouse
Echinacea, commonly known as coneflower, is a perfect match for lavender—not just for its stunning appearance but also for its similar growing conditions. Both thrive in USDA Zones 3–9, requiring full sun and minimal water.
In fact, echinacea is even more drought-tolerant than lavender, meaning you won’t need to adjust your watering schedule.
Like lavender, echinacea prefers well-draining soil to support its vibrant blooms. When planted together, these two create a breathtaking display of lilac and purple hues in the summer garden. Plus, echinacea is a magnet for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and even birds, helping to boost biodiversity in your yard. Once established, it requires little maintenance, making it a stress-free companion plant.
Roses: A Classic Pairing
Few plant combinations are as timeless and elegant as lavender and roses. Both are fragrant, visually striking, and add a touch of romance to any garden. Lavender, with its soft purple tones, beautifully contrasts against the delicate pinks, reds, and whites of roses.
Roses can grow in USDA Zones 2–11, depending on the variety, and prefer loamy, well-draining soil. They do require more water than lavender—typically twice a week—so be sure to plant them a little farther apart to accommodate their thirstier roots.
For the best results, opt for floribunda roses or shrub roses. These varieties are disease-resistant, incredibly hardy, and, like lavender, become more drought-tolerant once established. Their long blooming season ensures your garden remains colorful and fragrant for months.
Yarrow: A Low-Maintenance Pollinator Magnet
Yarrow is a rugged perennial that thrives in poor soil, making it an ideal partner for lavender. Its tiny, clustered flowers bloom in vibrant shades of yellow, white, pink, and peach, providing a striking contrast to lavender’s soft purple hues.
One of yarrow’s biggest advantages is its resilience. It flourishes in USDA Zones 3–9, requires little water, and thrives in full sun.
However, be mindful of its aggressive growth in nutrient-rich soil—it can spread rapidly if not kept in check. Planting yarrow in sandy, well-draining soil helps prevent it from taking over your garden.
Aside from its beauty, yarrow attracts pollinators while deterring deer and rabbits, making it a great choice for gardeners looking to support local wildlife while keeping pests at bay.
Sedum: A Year-Round Beauty
If you want a companion plant that complements lavender’s color and extends visual interest in your garden, look no further than sedum (also known as stonecrop). This hardy perennial is a showstopper, blooming in pink, white, and red, and staying attractive for over six months.
Growing in USDA Zones 3–10, sedum thrives in dry, sandy, or rocky soil and needs full sun to flourish. While it can tolerate some shade, it’s best placed in a bright location for optimal growth.
Sedum needs watering about once a week to keep the soil slightly moist, making it a good match for lavender’s drought-resistant nature.
One of sedum’s biggest perks is its long-lasting blooms, which appear in late summer and persist well into fall—long after lavender’s flowering season has ended. This makes it a fantastic option for maintaining color and texture in your garden year-round.
Alliums: A Striking Contrast in Height
If you love creating depth and variation in your garden, alliums are an excellent companion for lavender. Their tall, spherical blooms provide a striking contrast to lavender’s shorter, bushy growth, adding layers of visual interest to your landscape.
Like lavender, alliums thrive in USDA Zones 4–8, requiring full sun, minimal water, and well-draining, sandy soil. This makes them perfect for planting in the same garden beds or even in shared pots.
One major perk of alliums is their strong fragrance, which—like lavender—deters unwanted garden pests while attracting beneficial pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Whether planted along borders or mixed into flower beds, this pairing enhances both beauty and biodiversity.
African Daisy: Vibrant and Low Maintenance
For a burst of bright, cheerful color, African daisies are a fantastic choice. These flowers share many traits with common daisies but stand out with their vivid, almost hand-painted blooms, some of which are even bi-colored.
African daisies flourish in USDA Zones 9–11, needing full sun, well-draining soil, and minimal watering—just like lavender. They bloom from spring through fall, providing long-lasting color even after lavender’s flowering season ends.
This easy-care flower is perfect for adding continuous vibrancy to your garden without demanding much effort. Plant them alongside lavender for a simple yet eye-catching companion pairing.
Zinnias: A Heat-Loving Showstopper
Zinnias are a bold and colorful choice for lavender companions. With a wide range of hues—pink, white, red, orange, and even purple—they can complement or contrast with lavender’s soft, muted tones beautifully.
As a hardy annual, zinnias thrive in full sun, heat, and dry soil, making them an ideal partner for lavender. Unlike some other flowering plants, zinnias don’t mind humidity, so if you live in a warmer, more humid climate, they’re a great addition to your garden.
Beyond their beauty, zinnias are also fantastic pollinator magnets, encouraging bees and butterflies to visit and pollinate nearby plants. Their long bloom time throughout summer and early fall ensures a lively, colorful garden for months.
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower): A Burst of Warm Colors
If you’re looking for a companion plant that brings fiery, warm tones to contrast lavender’s cool purples, gaillardia—also known as the Blanket Flower—is an excellent choice. With burnt reds, oranges, and yellows, these daisy-like flowers create an eye-catching color spectrum when paired with lavender.
Gaillardia is an incredibly low-maintenance perennial that thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. It’s highly drought-tolerant, making it a stress-free addition to your lavender beds.
The best part? Gaillardia blooms all summer and into the fall, ensuring that your garden remains colorful even when lavender’s flowering season comes to an end.
Rosemary: A Mediterranean Match Made in Heaven
Few plants pair as naturally with lavender as rosemary. Both herbs originate from the rocky Mediterranean hillsides and share a love for warm, sunny climates with dry, well-draining soil. If you already have lavender in your herb garden, adding rosemary is a no-brainer.
Rosemary thrives in USDA Zones 9–11 and grows as a shrubby, evergreen perennial with deep green, needle-like foliage that provides a striking contrast to lavender’s soft, silvery-green leaves. When in bloom, rosemary produces delicate blue or white flowers that attract a variety of pollinators.
Like lavender, rosemary deters rabbits and deer, making it a great natural pest repellent. However, keep in mind that rosemary is less cold-hardy than lavender—if you live in a cooler climate (Zones 7 and below), you’ll need to grow it in a container and bring it indoors during winter.
Together, lavender and rosemary create an aromatic, visually appealing, and beneficial pairing that enhances the beauty and function of any herb garden.
Thyme: A Low-Growing, Cold-Hardy Companion
If you’re looking for a cold-hardy option, thyme is an excellent choice. Like lavender and rosemary, thyme originates from the Mediterranean, meaning it thrives in sandy, dry soil and hot climates.
However, it is more tolerant of colder temperatures, growing well in USDA Zones 5–9.
This low-growing perennial herb is a great ground cover plant that complements lavender visually. Its pale purple, pink, or white flowers look beautiful next to lavender’s soft lilac hues, creating a harmonious color palette in your garden. Plus, thyme is a pollinator magnet, attracting bees and butterflies.
Thyme goes dormant with the first frost but can survive winter with protection. If cold weather isn’t a concern, it will thrive when planted near lavender, enjoying full sun and only needing occasional watering.
Sage: A Hardy Perennial with Stunning Blooms
Sage is another heat-loving, drought-tolerant herb that makes an excellent companion for lavender. Regardless of the variety, sage will thrive in well-draining, sandy soil and require very little maintenance.
As a hardy perennial, sage grows well in USDA Zones 5–11, making it a versatile addition to any garden. It has fragrant leaves that you can use in the kitchen well into late fall, but it also offers gorgeous pink or purple flowers in early summer, which pollinators love.
For a perfect herb garden trio, plant sage alongside thyme and lavender. They complement each other both visually and functionally, working well together in pots, containers, or garden beds.
Oregano: A Fragrant, Edible Ground Cover
For a multipurpose plant, oregano is a fantastic option. While commonly grown for its delicious culinary uses, oregano also serves as an excellent ground cover and companion plant for lavender.
Like lavender, oregano loves full sun and thrives in dry, well-draining soil. It does well in USDA Zones 4–9, making it a hardy choice for many gardens. While it can tolerate some shade, it prefers warm, sunny conditions.
One of the biggest benefits of pairing oregano with lavender is that it attracts even more bees and pollinators. If you’re looking to increase biodiversity in your garden while growing useful herbs, this is a winning combination.
Black-Eyed Susan: A Cheerful, Heat-Tolerant Bloomer
For a burst of warm yellow, consider planting Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) alongside your lavender. These bright daisy-like perennials feature golden petals and chocolate-colored centers, creating a striking contrast with lavender’s cool purple hues.
Black-Eyed Susans are heat and drought-tolerant, making them a low-maintenance choice that thrives in full sun. They bloom for up to three months, providing long-lasting color and interest in your garden.
Pairing these two plants will give your garden a classic country feel, with vibrant colors, pollinator-friendly blooms, and an easy-care routine.
Lavender Companion Plant Care: Tips for Success
Lavender thrives in dry, well-draining soil and grows best in USDA Hardiness Zones 5–9, although some varieties can handle colder climates.
To ensure your companion plants flourish alongside your lavender, follow these key care tips:
- Space Matters: Allow each plant plenty of room to grow. Whether planting in the ground or a container, ensure there’s ample space to prevent overcrowding and competition for nutrients.
- Well-Draining Soil: Lavender hates wet feet, so its soil must drain well. If pairing with another plant, make sure it also tolerates dry conditions to prevent root rot.
- Watering Needs: Water generously until plants are established, then reduce watering. Lavender is drought-tolerant, so any companion plants should have similar watering needs.
- Fertilizer-Free Zone: Lavender does not need fertilizer and actually thrives in nutrient-poor soil. Choose plants that can also grow without heavy feeding to maintain balance.
- Sun-Loving Plants Only: Lavender needs full sun (at least six hours daily). Any companion plants should thrive in bright, direct sunlight for a successful pairing.
Related: Bermuda vs St. Augustine grass – what’s better for your yard?
What Not to Plant With Lavender
Mint
While mint is a popular and versatile herb, it is not a good companion for lavender. Mint thrives in rich, moist soil, which is the complete opposite of what lavender needs.
Although mint dislikes soggy soil, it is extremely thirsty and requires frequent watering—far more than lavender can tolerate.
Additionally, mint has an aggressive spreading habit and can quickly take over a garden, competing with lavender for space and nutrients. If you want to grow both, it is best to keep mint in a separate container.
Read More: Does Peppermint Oil Repel Roaches?
Camellias
Camellias are beautiful flowering shrubs that can complement lavender in an arrangement, but they are not suited to grow alongside it. While camellias and lavender share similar hardiness zones, their growing conditions are vastly different.
Camellias require partial shade and consistently moist soil, whereas lavender needs full sun and dry, well-draining soil.
The intense sunlight that lavender thrives in can be too harsh for camellias, causing them to struggle.
Hostas
Hostas are known for their lush foliage and adaptability to various climates, but they do not pair well with lavender. These shade-loving perennials prefer dappled light or full shade, while lavender requires at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
Hostas also prefer richer soil with moderate moisture, which conflicts with lavender’s preference for dry, sandy conditions.
While their foliage may contrast nicely with lavender’s flowers, the two plants simply have different needs that make them incompatible.
Impatiens
Impatiens are prized for their vibrant flowers and easy-care nature, but they are not suited to grow alongside lavender.
While both plants prefer well-draining soil, that is where their similarities end. Impatiens require shade to partial shade and are highly sensitive to heat, needing frequent watering to stay healthy.
Lavender, on the other hand, thrives in dry, sunny conditions with minimal water. Planting them together would result in one struggling to survive while the other flourishes.
FAQ: Companion Plants for Lavender
The best companion plants for lavender are those that thrive in full sun, well-draining soil, and dry conditions. Some great options include echinacea, roses, yarrow, sedum, and rosemary. These plants not only share similar growing requirements but also enhance the beauty and health of your garden.
Most vegetables require richer, more consistently moist soil than lavender prefers, making them poor companions. However, lavender can be beneficial when planted near vegetables like tomatoes and peppers, as its strong scent helps repel pests. Avoid pairing it with moisture-loving vegetables like lettuce or cucumbers.
Lavender and its companion plants should have enough space to allow for airflow and prevent overcrowding. Depending on the variety, spacing of 12 to 24 inches is ideal. This helps prevent fungal diseases and ensures each plant receives adequate sunlight.
Avoid planting lavender with flowers that require shade or consistently moist soil, such as hostas, impatiens, camellias, and hydrangeas. These plants have different water and light needs, making them incompatible with lavender’s growing conditions.
Yes, lavender’s strong fragrance naturally repels pests like mosquitoes, moths, and aphids. Companion plants such as rosemary, thyme, and alliums can further enhance pest control while attracting beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Conclusion
Selecting the right companion plants for lavender can enhance both the health and aesthetics of your garden. Drought-tolerant flowers like echinacea and yarrow, fragrant herbs such as rosemary and thyme, and colorful blooms like roses and zinnias all make excellent choices.
Just as important as knowing what to plant alongside lavender is understanding which plants to avoid—those that require shade or consistently moist soil.
With the right plant combinations, you can create a low-maintenance, visually appealing garden that flourishes throughout the seasons.