One Of The Best Basil Companion Plants Is A Common, Fast-Growing Flowering Stunner

There are lots of reasons to plant basil in your garden. In addition to warding off bothersome flies, this flowering herb can draw bees that pollinate flowering vegetables such as zucchini. To help basil (Ocimum basilicum) thrive, consider growing plants that support its health nearby. Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) are one good option. These colorful and adaptable flowers deter an assortment of problem-causing insects, including several pests that bother basil plants.

Insect control isn't the only factor that makes marigolds excellent companions for basil. Marigolds are also easy to cultivate and establish themselves quickly in a range of growing conditions . They perform well in most parts of North America since they're content in USDA hardiness zones 2 through 11. Like basil, marigolds appreciate full sun and damp soil that drains excess water effectively. These shared preferences make the two plants a breeze to grow side by side.

As a bonus, marigolds and basil are a perfect pair for container gardens. If you live in zone 10, you can grow basil as a perennial and may find that your marigolds reseed themselves, which helps them come back year after year. Marigolds and basil are considered annuals elsewhere. Alternatively, you can bring them inside when frosty weather is headed your way. Treat them as houseplants until it's safe to bring them outside again.

Marigolds can help fight several insects that feed on basil and complicate gardeners' plant-care efforts. They're especially useful for deterring aphids. These sap-sucking pests tend to strike before basil releases its signature scent, which many bugs find unbearable. Planting marigolds near your basil infuses the area with another fragrance many insects, including aphids, find offensive. This aroma comes from the plant's flowers, so encouraging pollination and blooming is key. Deadheading your marigold plants tells them to produce as many flowers as possible.

You can also use marigolds to lure certain pests away from your basil. For instance, slugs and Japanese beetles are less likely to munch on your basil plants' leaves if they can snack on French marigolds instead. The marigolds' tough foliage can handle more nibbling than the tender leaves of basil plants. If you see slugs in action, pluck them off of your marigolds so they don't do too much damage over time.

Want to keep stinging insects out of your basil patch? Use marigolds to repel wasps and mosquitos. Pyrethrum, a substance the flowers and foliage emit through their scent, weakens mosquitos' ability to find you. When the buzzing bloodsuckers don't know where you are, they're less likely to bite you. French marigolds (Tagetes patula) have the most potent aroma, so they're thought to offer the best mosquito protection. Wasps and yellowjackets detest marigolds' smell, too, so choose extra-fragrant varieties to keep these pests away.