Sage Companion Plants: Six Plants To Consider and 5 To Avoid

Discover the benefits of planting sage companion plants in your garden. Sage is a versatile herb that pairs well with many other plants, and can help repel pests and attract beneficial insects.

Learn how to choose the best sage companions and create a thriving garden ecosystem.

What is Companion Planting

There already exists a detailed written post section on what companion plants are in the article on companion plants for asparagus which can be read at What Grows Well With Asparagus? (CONSIDER These 10+ Plants)

But a summary of what companion planting is has been provided below.

Companion planting is basically planting two (2) or more different plants together in close proximity or near each other which are beneficial to one another.

This is to say that companion plants are mutually beneficial to each other. There are plants that do well when planted together with the sage plants.

Good Sage Companion Plants

If you are looking for companion plants to grow in your garden where you are growing sage, you should take a careful look at the vegetables or herbs that you introduce into your garden.

Below are lists of vegetables and or herbs that are good companion plants for sage.

1. Rosemary: Rosemary is a great companion plant for sage. Both plants require similar growing conditions, such as full sun and well-draining soil. Rosemary is known to repel several pests, including carrot flies and cabbage moths, which can be detrimental to other plants in your garden. It also attracts beneficial insects such as bees, butterflies, and hoverflies, which can help pollinate your plants and improve their productivity.
2. Thyme: Thyme is another excellent companion plant for sage. It is a low-growing herb that can help suppress weeds and improve soil health. Thyme is also known to repel pests such as whiteflies, spider mites, and cabbage worms. It attracts beneficial insects such as bees and hoverflies, which can help pollinate your plants and improve their productivity.
3. Lavender: Lavender is a beautiful and fragrant companion plant that can complement sage well. It has a similar growing habit and requires similar growing conditions. Lavender is known to repel several pests, including moths, fleas, and mosquitoes. It also attracts beneficial insects such as bees, butterflies, and hoverflies, which can help pollinate your plants and improve their productivity.
4. Tomatoes: Tomatoes are another excellent companion plant for sage. They require similar growing conditions and can benefit from each other’s presence. Tomatoes are known to repel pests such as aphids and whiteflies, while sage can help improve the flavor of tomatoes by repelling pests that can damage the fruit. Grow tomatoes and sage together as companion plants so they can benefit from each other
5. Beans: Beans are a great companion plant for sage because they can help improve soil health. Beans are nitrogen fixers, which means they can help improve the nitrogen levels in the soil. Sage can benefit from the increased nitrogen levels, which can help promote healthy growth and productivity.

Benefits of Sage Companion Planting

The Sage plant when planted with the companion plants listed above produced these benefits to the other plants.

Here are some benefits of sage companion planting:

1. Pest Repellent: Sage is a natural pest repellent that can help protect nearby plants from insects and pests. It contains volatile oils that are toxic to many insects, including mosquitoes, flies, and cabbage moths. By planting sage with other crops, you can help deter these pests from your garden.
2. Attract Beneficial Insects: Sage flowers are known to attract beneficial insects like bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. These insects help pollinate plants, which can increase crop yield and improve overall garden health.
3. Soil Enrichment: Sage is a great soil conditioner that can help improve the quality of the soil. It has deep roots that can break up hard soil and improve drainage. Sage also contains nutrients that are beneficial to other plants, such as calcium and magnesium.
4. Enhance Flavor: Sage companion planting can enhance the flavor of nearby crops. For example, planting sage with tomatoes can improve the taste of the tomatoes while also repelling pests that can damage the fruit.
5. Space Saving: Sage is a low-growing herb that doesn’t take up a lot of space. By planting it with other crops, you can make the most of the available garden space.
6. Aesthetic Appeal: Sage is a beautiful herb that adds color and texture to a garden. Its foliage and flowers can be used as an ornamental feature in a garden.

Vegetables or Herbs Not To Grow Together With Sage

While sage is a beneficial companion plant for many crops, there are a few vegetables and herbs that are not recommended to be grown together with sage. Here are some examples:

1. Cucumbers: Cucumbers are not recommended to be grown with sage as they are sensitive to the volatile oils in sage. These oils can inhibit the growth of cucumbers and cause them to wilt or develop yellow leaves.
2. Rue: Rue is an herb that is often used in herbal medicine, but it is not a good companion plant for sage. Rue contains a substance called rutin, which can be toxic to sage and inhibit its growth.
3. Basil: While basil and sage are both herbs that are commonly used in cooking, they are not ideal companions. Basil is sensitive to the volatile oils in sage, which can cause it to wilt or develop yellow leaves.
4. Brassicas: The brassica family of plants, such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, are not recommended to be grown with sage. Sage contains substances that can inhibit the growth of brassicas and reduce their yields.
5. Carrots: While carrots and sage are both excellent companion plants for many crops, they are not ideal companions for each other. Carrots require loose soil for optimal growth, while sage prefers well-draining soil. When grown together, the roots of sage can make the soil too compact for carrots to grow properly.

In general, it’s important to consider the growing conditions and needs of each plant when deciding which crops to companion plant with sage. While sage is a beneficial plant in many ways, it’s important to avoid planting it with crops that are sensitive to its volatile oils or that have conflicting growing conditions.

Conclusion

Sage is a versatile and beneficial herb that can be used in many different dishes. Companion planting, which involves planting different plants together that are beneficial to one another, is an effective way to maximize the benefits of sage in your garden.

There are several good sage companion plants, including rosemary, thyme, lavender, tomatoes, and beans, that can help repel pests, attract beneficial insects, enrich soil, enhance flavor, save space, and add aesthetic appeal.

However, there are also some vegetables and herbs that should not be grown together with sage, such as cucumbers, rue, basil, brassicas, and carrots. By being aware of these companion planting tips, you can grow a healthy and productive garden with sage and other beneficial plants.

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