Verbena is a low maintenance and versatile plant. It thrives in full sun and adds some color throughout the growing season.
However, not every plant gets along well with verbena. Some plants will compete for nutrients, attract harmful pests or just create unfavorable growing conditions.
So if you’re planting verbena make sure you avoid pairing it with these plants. Take a look at which ones to steer clear of and why.
Why Plant Compatibility Matters
When designing your garden choosing plants that grow well together can mean the difference between success and disappointment. Some plants are happy to share resources, will keep pests away and even help each other’s growth.
But there are some plants that hinder growth, steal nutrients or even invite destructive pests. That’s why knowing which plants clash can save you time, effort and resources.
So the following are the plants to keep away from your verbena.
1. Mint
Mint’s invasive growth makes it a poor neighbor for verbena.
- Rapidly spreads and overtakes garden space.
- Crowds out verbena, leaving it with insufficient sunlight.
- Aggressive root system monopolizes water and nutrients.
- Releases chemicals that can stunt verbena’s growth.
- Attracts pests like aphids and spider mites.
- Requires moist soil, contrasting with verbena’s preference for drier conditions.
- Makes weeding and maintenance difficult due to its sprawling nature.
- Dense foliage blocks air circulation, increasing fungal risks.
- Can cause competition for pollinators.
- Better suited for containers to contain its spread.
2. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are nutrient-demanding plants that don’t get along with verbena.
- Require significant nitrogen and phosphorus, depleting soil resources.
- Attract pests like whiteflies and aphids that can spread to verbena.
- Spread fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew.
- Tall growth habit casts shade on verbena.
- Prefer consistent watering, which differs from verbena’s tolerance for drier conditions.
- Overcrowding leads to poor air circulation.
- Tomato roots can outcompete verbena for space.
- Prone to blight, which may infect nearby plants.
- Fruit drop can litter garden beds, creating extra maintenance.
- They demand heavy mulching, which doesn’t suit verbena’s needs.
3. Fennel
Fennel’s allelopathic properties make it incompatible with most plants, including verbena.
- Releases chemicals that inhibit the growth of nearby plants.
- Draws away beneficial insects that verbena might attract.
- Large size overshadows smaller plants like verbena.
- Root system competes for nutrients and water.
- Doesn’t pair well with verbena’s compact growth habit.
- Favors cooler conditions, conflicting with verbena’s sun-loving nature.
- Competes for pollinator activity.
- Fennel seeds can spread easily, leading to unwanted plants.
- Attracts pests like aphids and caterpillars.
- Creates dense, impenetrable patches if unchecked.
4. Zucchini
Zucchini is another heavy feeder that can outcompete verbena.
- Requires rich, moist soil unsuitable for verbena.
- Large leaves block sunlight from reaching verbena.
- Spreads diseases like powdery mildew.
- Attracts pests such as squash bugs and cucumber beetles.
- Rapid growth overtakes limited garden space.
- Competes for pollinators, reducing fruit production.
- Requires frequent watering, while verbena prefers dry spells.
- Dense foliage makes air circulation difficult.
- Crowding leads to reduced flowering in verbena.
- Harvesting zucchini disturbs nearby plants.
5. Roses
Roses may look beautiful near verbena, but they create challenging conditions.
- Demand high nutrients, leaving little for verbena.
- Attract aphids, spider mites, and Japanese beetles.
- Susceptible to black spot and mildew, which can spread to verbena.
- Require frequent fertilization and watering.
- Deep root systems dominate surrounding soil.
- Dense foliage blocks sunlight and airflow.
- Thorns can make tending verbena hazardous.
- Attracts pollinators away from verbena.
- Requires regular pruning, disturbing nearby plants.
- Competes for garden bed space and nutrients.
6. Peppers
Peppers are demanding neighbors that compete directly with verbena.
- Deplete soil of potassium and nitrogen, stunting verbena.
- Attract pests like aphids and spider mites.
- Prone to diseases such as leaf spot, which can spread to verbena.
- Require high temperatures and humidity.
- Crowding leads to reduced airflow.
- Dense foliage creates excessive shade.
- Pollinator activity may focus on pepper blooms.
- Require regular watering, unlike drought-tolerant verbena.
- High nutrient demands leave soil depleted.
- Pests on peppers may use verbena as a refuge.
7. Geraniums
Geraniums, despite their charm, don’t make great companions for verbena.
- Can release chemicals that inhibit verbena growth.
- Compete for limited soil nutrients.
- Attract pests like spider mites and whiteflies.
- Dense foliage creates shading issues.
- Thrive in different soil pH than verbena.
- Require more frequent watering.
- Compete for pollinator attraction.
- Risk spreading fungal infections like leaf spot.
- Overcrowding can cause stress in verbena.
- Maintenance becomes difficult due to overlapping growth.
8. Potatoes
Potatoes can harm verbena due to their nutrient needs and pest problems.
- Attract pests like potato beetles and aphids.
- Deplete soil of nitrogen and potassium.
- Prefer loose, rich soil unsuitable for verbena.
- Can spread fungal diseases.
- Harvesting disturbs surrounding plants.
- Dense foliage blocks sunlight.
- Require frequent watering, conflicting with verbena’s needs.
- Overcrowding leads to reduced airflow.
- Roots compete directly with verbena.
- Excessive foliage reduces pollinator activity.
9. Corn
Corn grows tall and monopolizes resources, making it a poor companion.
- Creates excessive shade over smaller plants like verbena.
- Requires heavy feeding, depleting soil nutrients.
- Roots dominate nearby soil, limiting space for verbena.
- Attracts pests such as corn earworms and aphids.
- Tall stalks block airflow, promoting fungal diseases.
- Requires high soil moisture.
- Pollination activity focuses on corn, not verbena.
- Can cause overcrowding in garden beds.
- Needs frequent fertilization, conflicting with verbena care.
- Leaves litter garden beds, increasing cleanup.
10. Dahlias
Dahlias are stunning but challenging neighbors for verbena.
- Demand high nutrients, leaving little for other plants.
- Grow tall, overshadowing verbena.
- Attract pests like aphids and slugs.
- Dense foliage restricts airflow.
- Compete for pollinator attention.
- Prefer slightly acidic soil.
- Susceptible to fungal diseases.
- Require frequent watering, unlike verbena.
- Roots spread aggressively in confined spaces.
- High-maintenance requirements disrupt garden harmony.
Good Companions for Verbena
Plants like lavender, echinacea and yarrow are great companions for verbena. These drought-tolerant, sun-loving plants won’t compete for resources as well as having similar care needs.
Tips for a Thriving Garden
- Match plants with similar water and sunlight needs.
- Rotate crops annually to prevent nutrient depletion.
- Encourage natural pest control with companion plants.