Can You Plant Mint and Basil Together? The Complete Guide
If you love using fresh mint and basil from your herb garden, you may be wondering if you can plant mint and basil together The short answer is yes! Mint and basil can thrive when planted side by side if done correctly
In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about successfully growing mint and basil together. We’ll look at their ideal growing conditions, benefits of planting them together, potential issues to watch for, and tips for harnessing their companion qualities.
Mint and Basil Growing Conditions
While mint and basil make great companion plants, they do have some differences in their ideal growing conditions that are important to keep in mind
Sunlight: Basil requires full sun while mint does best with partial shade or filtered sunlight. Mint can tolerate more shade than basil.
Moisture: Mint thrives on constant moisture and can even tolerate soggy soil. Basil prefers consistently moist but well-draining soil. It doesn’t like wet feet.
Soil: Rich loose soil with plenty of organic matter benefits both plants. However, mint is less fussy than basil about soil conditions.
Temperature Mint is hardy to cold weather but basil growth declines below 50°F Basil prefers warm conditions.
As long as you choose a spot that meets both plants’ needs, mint and basil can thrive side by side. Aim for an area with at least 6 hours of sun, loose fertile soil, and consistent moisture.
Why Plant Mint and Basil Together?
Companion planting mint and basil provides several benefits:
Pest Repellency: Mint contains menthol which helps repel pests like aphids, whiteflies, and mosquitos. This can protect neighboring basil plants.
Enhanced Flavor: When used together in recipes, mint and basil create a unique flavor profile. Mint provides a cool freshness while basil gives an aromatic sweetness.
Efficient Use of Space: Planting these fast-growing herbs together allows you to produce more with less space. Their bushy growth habits complement each other.
Soil Enrichment: The root exudates of mint promote healthy microbial soil activity which benefits basil’s growth.
Natural Pest Control: Mint helps mask the smell of basil to deter pests while basil attracts beneficial insects.
Best Ways to Plant Mint and Basil Together
You have a couple options for planting mint and basil together:
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Side by side in garden beds – Space at least 12 inches apart. Plant taller basils on the north side.
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Mixed containers – Use at least a 12-inch pot. Alternate placement around container.
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Adjacent separate pots – Gives more control over individual needs.
Tips for Success When Planting Mint and Basil
Here are some useful tips to ensure success when planting these two herbs together:
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Choose a spot with 6+ hours of sun but some afternoon shade.
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Amend soil with compost to improve drainage and nutrients.
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Allow at least 12 inches between plants for good air circulation.
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Set up consistent moisture through watering schedule.
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Pinch back mint regularly so it doesn’t overtake basil.
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Harvest frequently to encourage growth.
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Watch for pests like aphids and treat promptly.
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Mulch for moisture retention and weed suppression.
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Give basil more nitrogen fertilizer. Mint needs less.
Potential Issues and Solutions
While mint and basil complement each other well, here are some potential issues to watch for:
Mint’s Invasive Growth: Make sure to prune mint frequently so it doesn’t overwhelm nearby basils. Container planting also helps limit spread.
Different Water Needs: Basil doesn’t tolerate soggy soil like mint does. Adjust your watering schedule accordingly.
Pest Attraction to Basil: Check often for aphids, whiteflies or other pests. Isolate and treat affected plants promptly.
Cross-Pollination: If planting several varieties of mint or basil, allow more space between different types.
Leggy Growth: Basil can get lanky in shade. Make sure it gets enough sun if planting near mint.
With some careful attention to their care, mint and basil can be grown together very successfully. Keep each plant’s ideal conditions in mind and make adjustments as needed.
How to Maximize the Benefits of Planting Mint and Basil
Here are some tips for harnessing the many benefits of planting mint and basil together:
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Plant mint near basil starts to help deter early season pests. The strong mint smell masks basil’s attractiveness to insects.
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Trap beneficial insects like ladybugs early on by planting basil first. The fragrant basil flowers will lure them in before pests arrive.
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Blend mint and basil leaves together for a refreshing and flavorful tea. The mint’s menthol nicely complements basil’s peppery punch.
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Add freshly chopped mint and basil to salads, sandwiches, and sauces. Their flavors beautifully accent each other.
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Harvest frequently once plants are established. This encourages regrowth and abundant yields of both herbs.
With thoughtful care and smart companion planting tricks, a mint and basil duo can be a boon to any garden. You’ll enjoy their intermingling scents, pest repelling power, and harvest potential.
The Complete Conclusion on Planting Mint and Basil
When planted with care and attention to their ideal growing needs, mint and basil can be grown together quite successfully. Their aromatic qualities and growth habits make them natural partners.
Although mint and basil have a few differences in their requirements, these can be easily accommodated with smart companion planting strategies. By providing adequate sunlight, fertility, moisture, and pest monitoring, a thriving mint and basil garden can flourish.
So if you love using mint and basil in recipes or just enjoy their fragrance, go ahead and plant them side by side! Follow the tips above and you’ll be enjoying their benefits in your garden soon. Just be ready to use lots of both in your dishes once the bounty starts rolling in!
How to Grow TONS of Mint (And Not Let it Take Over)
FAQ
What should not be planted by mint?
Mint is not a lover of herbs. It hates herbs such as sage, rosemary and thyme. You should never grow them together, because it will hinder their growth.Oct 20, 2022
What shouldn’t you plant with basil?
(Bad companion plants for basil are beans, cabbage, and cucumber, so try to avoid planting these together.) For years I’ve tucked basil plants in between my pepper and tomato plants, where they will also supposedly act as a natural insect repellent.
Do mint and basil go together?
Mint and basil can actually complement each other quite well, despite their distinct flavors. Both herbs have fresh, aromatic qualities, but mint is sweeter and more cooling, while basil has a slightly peppery and savory taste. In culinary uses, they can be combined in salads, sauces, or beverages. For example:
Can mint & basil grow together?
Mint can quickly take over a pot as it spreads and grows new plants and stems on its roots. Plant both mint and basil together in pots in spring and both can be continually trimmed to keep them growing well together. At the end of summer your basil plant will turn black and die off and the mint can take over.
Can you plant Mint in a vegetable bed?
After the first summer season the mint will take over the space and the basil will have finished growing. When planting perennial basil, it is best to plant this in your vegetable bed instead and leave the mint in a pot on its own. Mint is generally though of as a plant that needs its own space.
How do you grow basil & mint in a pot?
Hanging pots are fantastic for basil and mint or a small pot on your kitchen window is also a great idea. Basil and mint both love soil rich in organic matter so use a good quality potting soil that is made for vegetable gardens. You can also use a basic premium potting soil which will have slow release fertilizer and will be free draining.
Can you grow mint with other herbs?
Absolutely! You can grow mint together with a range of other herbs, including cannabis, oregano, lavender, dill, basil, rosemary, and sage. All of these species have different constituents that make up their essential oils. Because of this, they attract and repel different insect species.
Can you plant Mint in a pot?
When planting perennial basil, it is best to plant this in your vegetable bed instead and leave the mint in a pot on its own. Mint is generally though of as a plant that needs its own space. You can be successful in growing mint with other annual herbs in the first year but it will take over the pot eventually.
Can Basil be planted next to other herbs?
Basil can be planted next to some flowering herbs, like chamomile, chives, and oregano, which increase the strength of the essential oils in their herb garden neighbors. This makes basil more flavorful in culinary applications and effective in the garden as a pest deterrent. Basil cannot be planted next to other herbs, like sage or rue. 4.