3 Herbs You Should Avoid Planting Near Cucumber Plants And Why

An herb-filled vegetable patch should be part of every gardener's goals for flavorful homegrown meals, so it's not surprising if you're looking for seasonings to grow alongside cucumbers (Cucumis sativus). While there are some aromatic plants that grow side by side beautifully with cukes, there are also some you should shun as companions. Lavender (Lavandula), for one, is a popular herb you should avoid growing near your cucumbers. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) are two others that you should grow elsewhere — all three of these delicious members of the garden have care requirements that are incompatible with those of cukes.

It may be surprising to know that there are aromatic plants you should avoid growing near your cucumbers in the garden, but it makes sense: These herbs and veggies come from different climates. Cucumbers are a staple of the summer vegetable patch that are native to tropical rainforests in Asia. On the other hand, rosemary, thyme, and lavender all come from Mediterranean regions that experience dry summers quite unlike those found in a rainforest. A healthy garden depends on providing the ideal growing conditions for your plants — and when the ideal growing conditions aren't the same, they aren't going to play well together.

Because of their tropical origins, cukes need soil that is moist and rich in organic matter to produce a healthy crop. Depending on your location, you may need to water them regularly to keep these garden veggies healthy. On the other hand, rosemary, lavender, and thyme don't do so well in wet soil. They grow nicely in sandy or rocky soils with excellent drainage, and flourish in poor, as opposed to rich, soil conditions. So don't make the mistake of planting your cucumbers near herbs that love to dry out between waterings.

Instead, choose herbs more amenable to moist soils to grow near your garden cukes, such as dill (Anethum graveolens), basil (Ocimum basilicum), or lovage (Levisticum officinale). To get your Mediterranean herb fix, consider adding lavender, rosemary, and thyme to a drier part of your vegetable patch. Alternatively, you could consider growing these aromatic plants in containers in closer proximity to your cukes. That way, they can each get the exact moisture levels they need.