2023 10 Best Mint Companion Plants And 3 Avoid: Expert Tips

1. Why Mint Companion Plants Are Essential for a Thriving Garden

Mint companion plants are necessary to keep mint from becoming invasive in the garden. Due to their vigorous growth habit, many mint varieties can quickly spread to overtake other plants if left unchecked. Companion planting allows gardeners to strategically combine certain plants to help regulate the growth of mint. Companion plants provide structure, nutrients, and other benefits that help balance mint.
More comprehensive information and care guidelines can be read here.

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2. The Benefits of Growing Mint with Other Plants

Growing mint companion plants provides numerous benefits to the health and productivity of mint. Companion plants help regulate the rampant growth of mint in several key ways:

Regulating root growth. The extensive root system of many mint varieties makes them aggressive colonizers. Plants with deep taproots like carrots can help absorb excess moisture and nutrients, slowing the spread of mint’s roots.

Providing structure and support. Taller companion plants like tomatoes and beans provide physical support for mint to climb. This helps utilize vertical space while reducing competition for ground real estate.

Improving soil conditions. Certain companion plants enrich the soil as they grow. Legumes fix nitrogen in the soil which benefits mint. Chamomile releases chemicals that deter nematodes, a common mint pest.

Reducing pest and disease pressure. The aromatic leaves of many companion plants help repel pests that target mint like aphids and Japanese beetles. Marigolds release chemicals that confuse insect pests and reduce their populations.

In summary, mint companion plants have synergistic rather than competitive relationships that enhance the health, productivity and flavor of mint. When carefully selected and combined, companion planting transforms a mint bed into a thriving, balanced ecosystem.

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3. Top 10 Mint Companion Plants and How They Enhance Each Other

There are many herbaceous and flowering plants that make excellent mint companion plants. Here are 10 of the best choices for pairing with mint based on how they complement and enhance each other:

Chives
– Chives have a similar growing habit as mint and their hollow leaves provide support.
– Their onion-flavor deters pests like aphids that plague mint.

Thyme
– Its woody stems help stabilize mint.
– Thyme repels the mint rust fungus through chemical defenses and competition for space.

Sage
– Sage emits chemicals that suppress nematodes in mint’s roots.
– Mint benefits from sage’s deep taproot that accesses water from lower soil layers.

Oregano
– Oregano and mint share similar aromas that enhance each other when their leaves brush together in the wind.
– Oregano’spresence disturbs pests that would otherwise damage mint.

Cucumbers
– The sprawling vines of cucumbers providestructure for mint to climb.
– Cucumbers have large leaves that shade mint’s roots, moderating soil temperatures.

Tomatoes
-Tomatoes provide sturdysupport for mint to climb and fill vertical space.
– Mint deters pests like hornworms that plague tomatoes.

Beans
– Bean plants twine around mint to give vertical access to sunlight.
– As legumes, beans fix nitrogen in the soil which benefits mint.

Carrots
– Carrots’ deep taproots break up compacted soil and make nutrients available to shallow-rooted mint.
– Their aromatic foliage synergizes with and complements mint.

Chamomile
– Chamomile flowers attract beneficial insects that control pests on mint.
– The plants compete for different resources with minimal interference.

Marigold
– Marigold’s strong smell masks mint’s aroma to attract pest-eating hover flies rather than pest moth and flies.
– Its foliage repels nematodes, whitefly, and other pests that damage mint.

mint companion plants, herbs, yellow and purple flowers on white textile — *Photo by* *Monika Ensenberger* / *Unsplash*

4. How to Successfully Pair Mint with Other Herbs and Vegetables

When preparing a garden bed with mint companion plants, careful planning and consideration of plant characteristics is crucial for balanced growth and productivity. These guidelines will help you successfully pair mint with other herbs and vegetables in your garden:

Select compatible plants. Consider growth habit,mature size, spread, and shape.Choose plants with similar light and moisture needs.

Space plants appropriately. Provide at least 12 to 24 inches between mint and companions depending on their size and spread. However,some plants like chives can be almost touching.

Place mint on the outside edges. Mint tends to be invasive so position it where it has room to spread outwards while companions have access to the center.

Add vertical elements. Grow vertical plants like beans,cucumbers and tomatoes near mint to utilize 3D space without interfering with each other.

Choose a variety of plant structures.Combine tall plants,creepers,spreaders and ground covers to createinteresting layering and framing.

Mix slow and fast growers. Pair aggressive growers like mint with slower-growing companions to allow the latter to establish before being crowded out.

Overlap flowering times. Select plants that bloom at different times to prolong visual interest and staggered harvesting.

Rotate plant positions annually.Swap plant positions each season to disrupt pest and disease cycles.Move mints to unused areas of the garden every 3 to 4 years.

In summary,following these guidelines when pairing mint with other plants will help create abalanced, biodiverse and beautiful garden that maximizes productivitywhile minimizing competition between plants. Start small and make adjustments in future years based on your observations.

mint companion plants, companion plants, green leafed plant — *Photo by* *AJ Garcia* / *Unsplash*

5. 3 Plants to Avoid Planting Near Mint – The Detrimental Effects

While most plants make for beneficial mint companion plants, there are a few that gardeners should avoid mixing with mint to prevent stunting its growth. Here are three of the worst companions for mint:

Basil
Basil and mint are closely related in the Lamiaceae family. However, basil grows more slowly while mint is highly aggressive. Mint’s robust growth tends to crowd out basil, reducing its yield by 60-70%.

Nasturtiums
Though often planted together for their complementary colors, nasturtiums suffer significantly when paired with mint.The vigorous spreading of mint inhibits nasturtium’s abilityto climb supports and flower properly.

Catnip
While catnip and mint share many characteristics, they compete negatively when grown in close proximity. The mint delivers powerful chemical suppresants through its roots that reduce catnip’s ability to set seed by 50-80%.

In general, mint tends to overwhelm plants with similar needs and habits that are unable to regulate its out-of-control http://growth.To|growth.To maximize productivity in the garden, it is best to:

Avoid planting mint with thin-leaved or shallow-rooted plants that can’t compete for nutrients and water.
Separate mint from plants it may chemically inhibit due to their close phylogenetic relationship.
Choose complementary companions that provide support and structure, stabilize the soil, and occupy different ecological niches from mint.

Following these guidelines will help curb mint’s tendency toward invasiveness while producing larger yields from the plants grown alongside it in the garden.

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6. Tips for Creating a Beautiful and Productive Mint Companion Garden

With the right plant combinations and garden design, you can create an attractive and productive mint companion garden that maximizes the benefits of planting mint with other plants. Here are some tips:

Select complementary shapes, sizes and foliage. Pair mid-sized mints with dwarf plants, mound-shaped plants with spreading plants, and plants with different leaf textures and colors.

Choose strategic layering. Grow tall plants with spires, cones or domes as an accent along the back and low-growing ground cover as a border in the front for depth and dimension.

Experiment with different flowering times. Mix early, mid and late season bloomers to provide continuous color throughout the growing period.Planter arrangements work well for this.

Experiment annually and take notes. Try something new each year, observe the results and make adjustments the following season based on your records.Over time you will develop a balanced composition.

Rotate plant placements. Swap the positions of companions annually to disrupt pest and disease cycles while ensuring equitable access to resources.

Control mint regularly. Prune mint plants back hard in early summer to promote bushier growth and reduce their tendency to invade neighboring plants.

Consider container plantings. If mint becomes too invasive,moving it to a pot will contain its spread while allowing you to still enjoy its aromas and companion plants.

Focus on function over form at first. Establish a foundation of plants that work well together before refining the aesthetic. This will lead to a lower maintenance, more productive garden over time.

By following these tips, you can create a mint companion garden that not only looks beautiful but also produces abundant harvests of high-quality herbs, leafy greens and flowers for many years. With patience,observation and a willingness to experiment, the best combinations will reveal themselves over time.

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More Helpful Guide

Frequently Asked Question

What are the different types of mint?

Spearmint, peppermint, apple mint, orange mint, ginger mint, chocolate mint, and pineapple mint are some types of mint.

How do you harvest mint?

To harvest mint, snip sprigs off stems just above a leaf node. Try to harvest before flowers appear. Cut mint in the morning after dew has dried for best flavor.

Is mint easy to grow?

Yes, mint is an easy herb to grow. It thrives in moist soil and partial shade. Mint grows vigorously and spreads rapidly.

What insects or pests affect mint?

Aphids, spider mites, whiteflies and mint rust are common mint pests. Good air circulation and prevention of overcrowding helps reduce pests. Neem oil or insecticidal soap can treat infestations.