25 Best Lavender Companion Plants (And What Not to Grow Together)

After growing lavender in my Massachusetts garden for three decades, I've tried just about every plant combination you can think of. Some worked great, others... not so much. Today I want to share my favorite plants to grow alongside lavender, based on what's actually worked in my garden. I'm also sharing a list of what NOT to grow next to lavender - trust me, this will save you some headaches!

Growing lavender is pretty straightforward once you know what it likes. Over the years, I've learned that lavender is happiest when planted with other Mediterranean herbs and drought-tolerant plants that share its love of full sun and well-drained soil. I grow several types of lavender - English lavender, Spanish lavender, and a few different varieties - scattered throughout my herb garden, flower beds, and even my vegetable garden.

The best companions for lavender are plants that can handle dry conditions and don't need much fuss. I've found that many of these companion plants are just as useful as lavender - I use combinations of them in my homemade soaps, cooking, and dried arrangements. Nothing goes to waste in my garden!

Before we get into my list of the 25 best companion plants for lavender, here's a quick tip I wish someone had told me years ago: check a plant's water needs before putting it next to lavender. If it needs frequent watering, it's probably not going to work out. I learned this the hard way when I planted lavender next to my thirsty herbs - neither plant was happy with that arrangement.

Ready to learn what grows best with lavender? Let's dig in...

What's a Companion Plant?

Before we get into my list, let's talk about what companion planting really means. It's simply growing different plant species near each other in a way that helps both plants. In my garden, I use companion planting to save space, attract helpful insects, keep away unwanted pests, and create beautiful combinations. Not every plant makes a good neighbor - that's where experience comes in handy.

Why Plant Companions with Lavender?

I started growing companion plants with my lavender mainly because I wanted to make the most of my herb garden space. What I discovered was that the right companions actually help both plants grow better. My lavender attracts tons of beneficial insects that help my whole garden, and its strong scent keeps many unwanted pests away from my vegetable beds.

I group my recommended companions into five main categories based on how I use them in my garden. Some are other Mediterranean herbs that love the same growing conditions, others are drought-tolerant perennials that look beautiful with lavender's purple blooms, and some are practical partners for my kitchen garden.

Let me share my tried-and-true companion plants that have worked in my garden year after year. These plants not only grow well with lavender but also serve different purposes - from adding color to attracting pollinators to providing herbs for my kitchen.

Mediterranean Herbs: Your Best Bets

These herbs make perfect partners for lavender because they love the same growing conditions:

Rosemary

My favorite lavender companion - rosemary plants share that love of full sun and well-drained soil. I grow these two right next to each other in my herb garden, and they've been thriving for years. The dark green of rosemary really sets off lavender's purple blooms.

Thyme

Low-growing thyme makes a great ground cover around lavender. I use both regular and creeping varieties (Thymus vulgaris). They handle dry conditions like champs and spread to fill empty spaces. Plus, both herbs work great in my kitchen and soap making.

Sage

Sage plants are another natural fit. Their silvery leaves look beautiful next to lavender, and they both like the same poor soil conditions. I've found sage to be one of the most reliable companion plants in my garden.

Oregano

This is a hardy perennial that grows happily alongside lavender. Both plants attract beneficial insects to my garden, and oregano's spreading habit helps keep weeds down.

Winter Savory

Not as well known as the others, but it's been a reliable companion in my garden. It stays compact and loves those dry, sunny spots.

Drought-Tolerant Flowers That Work

Russian Sage

Don't let the name fool you - it's not really sage, but its purple blooms pair beautifully with lavender. They bloom at slightly different times in my garden, extending the show.

Yarrow

One of my go-to companion plants because it:

• Handles dry conditions beautifully
• Comes in lots of colors
• Attracts butterflies
• Makes great cut flowers

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

These native perennials are tough as nails and look stunning next to lavender. The pollinators in my garden can't resist them.

Black-Eyed Susans

These daisy-like blooms practically take care of themselves. I plant them behind my lavender since they grow a bit taller, and the yellow flowers make the purple lavender blooms really pop.

Sedum

These low-maintenance plants handle drought like a pro. I use them as ground covers around my lavender, and they fill in beautifully with their own late-season blooms.

Salvia

Different from culinary sage, ornamental salvia comes in tons of colors. They share lavender's love of dry conditions and attract lots of pollinators to my garden.

Smart Ground Covers

Creeping Thyme

This is my favorite ground cover for lavender. I started with a few small plants of creeping thyme between my lavender, and it's created this beautiful carpet that:

• Stays low and doesn't compete with lavender
• Handles dry, poor soil perfectly
• Adds extra fragrance to the garden
• Creates a pretty purple blanket when it blooms
• Helps keep weeds down

Ice Plant

This drought-tolerant plant spreads nicely between lavender plants. The succulent leaves and bright flowers add great texture to my garden beds.

Rock Cress

One of my favorite early bloomers. It creates a nice carpet of flowers at the base of my lavender plants in spring.

Ornamental Grasses That Work Well

Blue Fescue

I love how the blue-gray color matches lavender's foliage. It stays compact and never needs much care.

Little Bluestem

This native grass handles dry conditions beautifully. I plant it behind my lavender for some height variation.

For the Vegetable Garden

When I plant lavender near my vegetables, these companions work great:

• Onions and garlic
• Strawberries (lavender helps keep pests away)
• Bell peppers (they share similar sun needs)
• Tomatoes (lavender attracts pollinators they need)

More Sun-Loving Companions

Catmint

One of my all-time favorites to pair with lavender. Catmint (Nepeta) gives me waves of purple-blue flowers all summer long. It's tough, drought-resistant, and the bees love it just as much as lavender.

Artemisia 'Silver Mound'

The silvery foliage of this plant looks stunning next to lavender. I use it as a border plant in my herb garden, and it handles hot, dry conditions like a champ. Plus, deer and rabbits leave it alone.

Dianthus

These low-growing perennials add a pop of pink to my lavender beds. They love the same well-drained soil and full sun conditions. The spicy scent of their flowers is a nice bonus when I'm working in the garden.

Lamb's Ears

The soft, silvery leaves make a beautiful contrast with lavender. It's another plant that thrives in poor soil and dry conditions. I use it as a front-of-the-border plant since it stays low and spreads slowly.

Butterfly Weed

This native plant is a pollinator magnet in my garden. The bright orange flowers really stand out against the purple lavender blooms, and it's just as drought-tolerant as lavender.

Globe Thistle

The round, blue flower heads of globe thistle create an interesting texture next to lavender's spiky blooms. It's tough as nails, drought-resistant, and the pollinators can't resist it.

What NOT to Plant with Lavender

I've learned some hard lessons about what doesn't work with lavender, usually after watching plants struggle or die. Here's what to keep away from your lavender beds:

Plants That Need Lots of Water

• Hostas - These shade-lovers need consistent moisture and rich soil, exactly the opposite of what lavender wants
• Mint - Don't be fooled because it's an herb! Mint needs regular watering and will quickly take over your garden
• Hydrangeas - These beautiful shrubs are water hogs and will compete with your lavender for resources
• Astilbe - Another moisture-loving plant that will struggle in lavender's dry conditions

Plants That Need Different Soil

• Camellias - These acid-loving plants clash with lavender's preference for alkaline soil
• Azaleas - Like camellias, they need acidic soil to thrive
• Blueberries - Another acid-loving plant that won't be happy next to lavender

Shade Lovers

• Ferns - Need both shade and constant moisture
• Impatiens - These popular bedding plants wilt in the full sun lavender requires
• Bleeding Heart - Another shade-lover that can't handle lavender's sunny spots

Remember, lavender grows naturally in hot, dry, sunny areas with poor soil. Any plant that needs rich soil, lots of water, or prefers shade will either struggle next to lavender or make your lavender unhappy. I've found it's best to group lavender with other Mediterranean and drought-tolerant plants that share its growing needs.

Quick Tip: If you're unsure about a companion plant, check its water needs first. That's usually the biggest deal-breaker when it comes to planting next to lavender.

When planning your garden, remember that lavender needs:

• At least 6 hours of full sun
• Well-draining soil
• Space for good air flow
• Drought-tolerant neighbors

What to Make With Your Lavender Harvest

Want some ideas for using all these herbs together? Check out these "lavender-centric" posts. Here's what I love creating with lavender from my garden:

Sweet Treats & Kitchen Goodies

• Lavender-infused honey drizzled over biscuits - simply warm raw honey with dried buds, strain, and enjoy that sweet summer flavor
• Herb-infused whipped butter with lavender and other garden herbs - perfect on fresh bread
• Fresh blossom butter that makes breakfast feel fancy (amazing on scones!)
• Crisp rosemary-lavender cookies that my family begs for all year
• Garden-fresh tea mixing lavender with mint for the perfect afternoon drink

Home & Gift Ideas

• Melt-and-pour lavender soap - my go-to gift that keeps its scent for months
• Natural lavender candles - made with dried buds and essential oil (these make great gifts!)
• Pretty layered herb gift jars with lavender as the star ingredient
• Simple sachets for drawers and closets - these smell incredible
• Simmer pot blends that make the whole house smell amazing

Time to Get Growing!

After 30 years of growing lavender and its companion plants, I can tell you that picking the right neighbors makes all the difference in your garden beds. When you pair lavender with other aromatic herbs and perennial plants that love similar conditions, you'll create flower gardens that look beautiful and practically take care of themselves.

Ready to start growing? Here's what to do next:

First, make sure your soil is right - check out my guide to lavender soil needs where I break down exactly how to prepare your garden for success. Remember, good drainage is key for both lavender and its excellent companion plants.

New to growing lavender varieties? My post about growing lavender in zone 6 will help you pick the perfect types for your climate. Those purple flowers can be tougher than they look when you choose the right variety!

Once your plants are in the ground, keep them happy with my tips on lavender fertilizer (spoiler: less is more!) And for everything from watering to winter care, my complete lavender care guide has you covered.

These companion plants have become some of my favorite garden combinations. Give them a try - they're a great choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners. And don't forget to let me know in the comments what you're growing alongside your lavender!

Keep growing friends!