Every time I see a struggling lavender plant, I can usually trace the problem back to one thing – bad neighbors. After years of growing these gorgeous purple beauties (and killing quite a few along the way), I’ve learned that lavender can be pretty picky about its garden companions.
The following are the plants you should keep far away from your precious purple flowers if you want them to flourish.
Understanding Lavender: The Diva of the Garden
The thing about lavender is that it evolved in rocky, poor-quality soil with minimal water. It basically thrives on neglect! Most other plants want rich soil and regular watering – completely opposite growing conditions. When you try to make everyone happy, nobody wins.
Lavender needs:
- Full sun (at least 6-8 hours daily)
- Excellent drainage
- Low-nutrient, sandy or gravelly soil
- Minimal water once established
- Good air circulation
When you plant moisture-loving plants nearby, you’re creating a battlefield where someone’s going to lose. Usually it’s the lavender that suffers with root rot or fungal issues when its neighbors demand frequent watering.
And don’t get me started on how lavender hates fertilizer that other plants crave! Last summer I accidentally included my lavender bed in my regular feeding routine – the plants got so leggy with way too much foliage and hardly any flowers.
13 Plants You Should Never Plant With Lavender
1. Mint (All Varieties)
I once thought mint and lavender would make perfect companions since they’re both herbs. Not clever of me. Mint is basically the garden bully – it spreads aggressively underground and will quickly overtake your lavender.
Plus, mint loves rich, moist soil – exactly what lavender hates. The constant moisture that mint demands will rot lavender roots faster than you can say “mojito.”
2. Hostas
Hostas are shade-lovers that need constant moisture and rich soil. My lavender planted near hostas struggled for two reasons: the hostas created too much shade as they grew, and the water I gave the hostas made the soil too wet for lavender’s liking.
3. Camellias
Camellias are acid-loving plants that need rich, organic soil and consistent moisture. Lavender, on the other hand, prefers alkaline conditions and dry soil.
4. Impatiens
These popular bedding plants need constant moisture and partial shade – the exact opposite of what lavender needs. When I planted impatiens near my lavender border, I had to water so frequently that my lavender developed a fungal issue and lost half its foliage.
5. Azaleas
Like camellias, azaleas demand acidic soil that would make lavender miserable. They also need consistent moisture that would rot lavender roots. I’ve seen this combo fail in numerous gardens.
6. Ferns
Ferns evolved in forest floors with high humidity, shade, and rich organic matter – essentially lavender’s worst nightmare. The soil conditions and water needs are so different that they’re completely incompatible. The ferns will make the area too shady and damp for lavender to thrive.
7. Hydrangeas
These gorgeous flowering shrubs are water hogs that need rich, fertile soil. When I planted hydrangeas within 3 feet of my lavender, I had to choose which plant to keep happy. Either the lavender would suffer from too much water, or the hydrangeas would wilt from too little. There was no middle ground.
8. Basil
It seems logical to plant herbs together, but basil needs rich soil and frequent watering – exactly what lavender hates. My kitchen herb garden taught me this lesson when my basil thrived but the neighboring lavender developed root rot from the constant moisture.
9. Most Vegetable Plants
Vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and leafy greens need regular watering and nutrient-rich soil. The conditions that make vegetables happy will make lavender miserable.
10. Tropical Plants
This probably goes without saying, but tropical plants need humidity and moisture – exactly what lavender hates. When I created a mixed container with lavender and a small tropical plant, the lavender stems started rotting within weeks.
11. Sunflowers
Sunflowers are heavy feeders that deplete soil nutrients rapidly. They also grow tall enough to shade out lavender. The feeding and watering schedule that sunflowers need will stress lavender plants.
12. Japanese Beetles Attracting Plants
Plants like roses, hibiscus, and grapes attract Japanese beetles, which can then move over to feast on your lavender. While lavender generally repels many pests, Japanese beetles don’t seem to mind its scent. Keeping these plants separated helps control pest problems.
13. Phlox
Garden phlox is prone to powdery mildew, which can spread to nearby plants. Lavender’s fuzzy leaves can trap these fungal spores, leading to disease issues. The phlox also creates too much shade and competition for the lavender.
What Actually Works With Lavender
Not all is lost though. Lavender can play nicely with certain plants. Here are some companions that share similar growing conditions:
- Rosemary – Another Mediterranean herb that likes it hot and dry
- Sage – Has similar water and soil requirements
- Thyme – A low-growing herb that won’t compete for space
- Oregano – Another drought-tolerant herb
- Ornamental grasses – Many varieties prefer dry conditions
- Echinacea (Coneflower) – Drought-tolerant once established
- Russian sage – Loves the same growing conditions
- Santolina – Another gray-leaved plant that thrives in poor soil
Tips for Successful Companion Planting with Lavender
If you’re determined to make lavender work in your garden here are some tips I’ve picked up over the years:
- Create raised beds for lavender to ensure proper drainage
- Use gravel mulch around lavender to reduce humidity around the plants
- Group plants with similar water needs together in irrigation zones
- Plant taller companions on the north side of lavender so they don’t shade it
- Space plants properly to allow for good air circulation
- Amend soil with sand or gravel before planting to improve drainage
- Consider growing lavender in containers if your garden soil is too rich or poorly drained
One trick I’ve used successfully is creating “islands” of lavender and its Mediterranean companions within the larger garden, with distinct soil preparation and separate irrigation. This allows you to have the best of both worlds.
Final Thoughts
I’ve killed enough lavender plants to know that fighting their natural tendencies is a losing battle. Instead of trying to make lavender adapt to your existing garden conditions, it’s better to create the environment it needs.
Lavender evolved in the hot, dry Mediterranean region in poor, rocky soil. It’s essentially programmed to thrive in conditions that many other plants would hate. When you try to make it comfortable by providing rich soil and lots of water, you’re actually killing it with kindness.
My best advice? Create a dedicated lavender area where you can control the soil composition and watering schedule. Your lavender will reward you with beautiful blooms, intoxicating fragrance, and very little maintenance once established.
And if you’ve been struggling with sickly lavender plants, take a look at what’s planted nearby. The solution might be as simple as relocating your lavender away from water-loving neighbors.