Avoid Growing These Two Popular Herbs Next To Each Other In Your Garden

Whether you're growing in containers or in the ground, a variety of beautiful garden herbs can look gorgeous together — at least at first. But although a mix of aromatic plants may start off growing nicely, sometimes gardeners pick combinations that are ill-suited to life together, such as sage and basil. Within weeks, a pairing of these two will have one of the herbs flourishing and the other either wilting or rotting, making it clear that such a combination would be better off avoided.

Although both basil and sage are kitchen herbs that prefer full sun and well-draining soil, their water needs aren't quite the same, and this is due to their different backgrounds. Basil's origins lie in the tropics where rain is plentiful, whereas sage comes from the Mediterranean, where drought is frequent. When growing these two incompatible herbs together, you'll either end up committing one of the mistakes everyone makes when growing sage — overwatering it. Or you will unintentionally underwater the basil plant, which requires more consistent moisture than sage. Luckily, with so many compelling aromatic plants for gardeners to choose from, we can avoid growing basil and sage together, and instead choose from better herbal companion plants.

Considering its lower water needs and preference for soil that dries out between waterings, gardeners should grow sage with herbs that have similar needs and avoid plants that prefer moist soil. Common thyme makes a better choice, since like sage, this low-growing herb doesn't grow well in moist soils, preferring instead extremely well-draining substrates that dry quickly. Another easy-to-grow herb you'll want to plant next to sage in the garden is oregano, since these two also have the same moisture and sunlight preferences.

Basil, on the other hand, prefers moist soil. To ensure a bountiful basil harvest, gardeners should avoid planting it in containers or beds with more drought-tolerant herbs such as sage. Parsley is one choice that makes a better herb garden companion plant for basil since parsley thrives in moist soil. Another option, if you can keep it contained, is mint, which also likes growing conditions on the moist side.