With its fragrant blooms and soothing aroma, the lavender (Lavandula spp.) is a beloved addition to any garden.

However, not all plants are compatible companions for this Mediterranean native.

According to research, avoid using plants that require yearly soil disturbance and steer clear of both invasive non-native and aggressive native plants that might compete with lavender for resources like water and sunlight.¹

1. Hostas

Avoid These 15 Plants When Growing Lavender in Your Garden - hostas plant dp449389698 — Image Credit: Vladdon/Deposit Photos

Hostas and lavender have different water requirements. Lavenders thrive in well-draining soil, while hostas prefer moist soil, which can lead to root rot in your lavender plants.

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2. Impatiens

Avoid These 15 Plants When Growing Lavender in Your Garden - impatiens plant ss1744022435 — Image Credit: Veronica Prints/Shutterstock

Impatiens are thirsty plants, and their high water needs clash with lavender’s preference for drier conditions. This mismatch can result in overwatering your lavender and potential fungal issues.

3. Mint

Avoid These 15 Plants When Growing Lavender in Your Garden - mint leaves dp166832248 — Image Credit: qwartm/Deposit Photos

Mint is a vigorous spreader and can easily take over your lavender patch, competing for resources and space. Lavender prefers to be the star of the show, not overshadowed by a mint invasion.

4. Camellia

Middlemist Red (Middlemist camellia) flower — Image Credit: Eugenia Pankiv/Shutterstock

Camellias prefer acidic soil and partial shade, while lavenders prefer alkaline to neutral soil and full sun. This mismatch in soil and light requirements makes it difficult to keep both plants happy and healthy in the same space.

5. Sunflowers

Avoid These 15 Plants When Growing Lavender in Your Garden - sunflower ss1939531093 — Image Credit: love is so good/Shutterstock

Sunflowers are tall and can easily overshadow lavender, blocking its sunlight. Additionally, sunflowers are heavy feeders, competing with lavender for nutrients and water.

6. Rhododendrons

Avoid These 15 Plants When Growing Lavender in Your Garden - rhododendron plants ss2216124313 — Image Credit: KatMoys/Shutterstock

Rhododendrons prefer acidic soil, while lavender thrives in alkaline to neutral soil. Their conflicting soil pH preferences make them incompatible companions.

7. Ferns

Avoid These 15 Plants When Growing Lavender in Your Garden - fern plants ss2175028533 — Image Credit: Udiprakoso/Shutterstock

Ferns thrive in shade and moist conditions, the opposite of what lavender needs. Planting them together can lead to unhappy lavender and an unhealthy growing environment.

8. Hydrangeas

Avoid These 15 Plants When Growing Lavender in Your Garden - hydrangeas plant ss1937191357 — Image Credit: NAMTHIP THONGTHIP/Shutterstock

Hydrangeas require acidic soil, whereas lavender thrives in alkaline to neutral soil. Their conflicting soil needs can make it difficult to maintain a healthy environment for both plants.

9. Violets

Avoid These 15 Plants When Growing Lavender in Your Garden - African violets Streptocarpus sect. Saintpaulia ss1916716181 — Image Credit: Maritxu/Shutterstock

Violets prefer shade and moist soil, which is not ideal for lavender’s sunny and well-drained preferences. This difference in growing conditions can lead to unhealthy lavender plants.

10. Daffodils

Avoid These 15 Plants When Growing Lavender in Your Garden - daffodils dp39479543 — Image Credit: spcreative/Deposit Photos

Daffodils are spring bloomers and typically die back in summer. Planting them too close to lavender can result in overcrowding and competition for resources, especially during lavender’s peak growing season.

11. Fuchsia

Avoid These 15 Plants When Growing Lavender in Your Garden - fuchsia begonia ss2051292158 — Image Credit: Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock

Fuchsias prefer moist, well-draining soil and partial shade, while lavender thrives in dry, full sun conditions. Their differing needs make them incompatible companions.

12. Turmeric

Avoid These 15 Plants When Growing Lavender in Your Garden - turmeric herb dp538850770 — Image Credit: nilanka.aro@gmail.com/Deposit Photos

Turmeric is a tropical plant that requires warm temperatures and high humidity, which is not ideal for lavender’s Mediterranean preferences. Their contrasting climate needs would make it difficult to grow them together successfully.

13. Corn

Avoid These 15 Plants When Growing Lavender in Your Garden - CORN dp381327552 — Image Credit: DimaSobkoD/Deposit Photos

Corn is a tall, fast-growing plant that can easily overshadow lavender, blocking its sunlight and competing for nutrients. Lavender prefers to be the star of the show, not hidden behind towering corn stalks.

14. Fennel

Avoid These 15 Plants When Growing Lavender in Your Garden - fennel dp56344351 — Image Credit: Kassandra2/Deposit Photos

Fennel is known for its allelopathic properties, meaning it releases chemicals into the soil that can inhibit the growth of nearby plants, including lavender. It’s best to keep fennel away from your lavender patch to avoid any negative interactions.

15. Potatoes

Avoid These 15 Plants When Growing Lavender in Your Garden - potato plant ss2149415677 — Image Credit: Denis Shitikoff/Shutterstock

Potatoes are heavy feeders and require rich, moist soil, while lavender prefers well-draining, sandy soil. Their conflicting soil needs can lead to overwatering and potential root rot in your lavender plants.

Choosing the right companions for your lavender is as important as the lavender itself. By steering clear of the 15 plants discussed in this article, you’re not just avoiding potential conflicts; you’re fostering an environment where your lavender can thrive.

Source:

Chalker-Scott, L. (2023). Gardening with Companion Plants. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377491041_Gardening_with_Companion_Plants, p.10

Nancy Maffia

Author & Editor | + posts

Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.