Mint Companion Plants: Benefits and What to Avoid Nearby (2023)

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You’re gardening in your backyard on a lovely July afternoon when you notice your mint plants are getting out of control. Hmm, maybe I should plant something next to these to keep them in check, you think.

As you lean down to pull a weed, a butterfly flutters by and lands on your shoulder.

You decide to do some research on the best and worst companion plants for mint. With your new knowledge in hand, you can create a vibrant and healthy garden where your plants help each other thrive. Some combinations will boost growth, deter pests, or improve flavor. Other pairings can stunt or kill your mint.

Careful planting will give you a lush, abundant harvest and help you avoid future mint invasions.

What is Mint?

Don’t spray that neem oil on the mint you’ve planted because it’ll harm the flavor.

As a versatile herb, mint has been valued across cultures for centuries. Its sharp, invigorating scent comes from the compound menthol, which is extracted through distillation methods perfected over generations.

Beyond culinary uses, mint has a rich historical significance and diverse medicinal properties.

When growing mint, be mindful of plant pairs. Strong herbs like mint can inhibit marigolds and carrots.

Energizing, soothing, restorative – mint’s gifts are potent. Approach good pairings with care, and you’ll reap healthy rewards.

What is Companion Planting?

Try planting your mint with companion plants for an enchanting garden! Allusion to the magical properties of this herb will bring a special energy and flavor to your space.

When companion planting, consider natural predators like ladybugs that feast on aphids, harmful bugs that damage tender mint leaves. Intersperse soil amendments like compost to balance nutrients and invite beneficial bacteria to your soil.

Practice crop rotation, moving your mint patch periodically to prevent the buildup of pests in one area. Allow proper plant spacing so your mint can thrive without crowding other herbs. Some choices like thyme, bee balm, and marigolds make excellent neighbors. They help conserve water, prevent soil erosion, and repel undesirable insects.

Just as Native Americans did thousands of years ago, choose peppermint or spearmint varieties that grow well in your region. Then integrate companion plants wisely. With time and care, your mint will flourish alongside its garden mates – contributing to a healthy ecosystem where flowers and herbs coexist in harmony.

Benefits of Companion Planting

You’ll reap bountiful harvests when companion planting your garden.

• Improve soil health by rotating crops and adding organic matter like compost or mulch.
• Increase pollinator diversity by planting flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other helpful insects. They’ll pollinate your vegetables and herbs for better fruit and seed production.
• Promote nutrient cycling between complementary plants. For example, planting bean plants near corn provides the corn with nitrogen.
• Use proper plant spacing and choose companion plants like marigolds that deter pests with aromatic scents.

Mint’s spreading nature means it should be planted where it has space. But pair it with plants like thyme, bee balm, and nasturtiums that thrive alongside it, attract pollinators, or repel pests. Your plants will mutually benefit from the neighborly support, creating an abundant, healthy ecosystem.

Common Problems & Pests That Impact Mint

If you’re looking to plant mint in your garden, there are some plants that should be avoided for optimal growth. Spider mites can cause damage to the leaves of mint, while rust and powdery mildew can also affect its health.

Avoid planting beans, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, eggplant, kale, marigolds, onions, peas, bell peppers, strawberries (kind of), or tomatoes alongside your mint; these plants may compete with it for resources like nutrients and water.

Consider planting companion flowers such as nasturtiums, which attract pollinators but won’t harm the growth of other nearby plants.

Spider Mites

The itsy-bitsy arachnids spin silken traps across mint’s verdant leaves, siphoning life’s essence while evading detection.

Type: Two-spotted spider mite
Appearance: Tiny, pale yellow or green dots on undersides of leaves
Treatment: Introduce predatory mites, apply neem oil spray

Type: Lewis mite
Appearance: Bright red mites on upper leaf surfaces
Treatment: Improve air circulation, hose down foliage

Type: Broad mite
Appearance: Invisible to the naked eye, causes distorted foliage
Treatment: Apply sulfur sprays every 1-2 weeks

Prevent buildup by improving airflow and reducing foliage density. Explore companion options like nasturtiums or flea beetle-attracting radishes for pest control. Target infestations immediately with predatory insects or organic neem oil sprays to nip problems before they spin out of control.

Mint Rust and Powdery Mildew

Protect your mint from rust and powdery mildew by introducing predatory insects or spraying with organic neem oil to keep pests in check. Spot rusty leaves and powdery patches early. Deter mint pests while attracting beneficials.

Beans

You’d best not interplant beans among mint, as they don’t thrive together. Competition occurs for nutrients and space when mingling beans and mint.

Cabbage & Broccoli

Keep cabbage and broccoli apart from mint, or they’ll struggle to thrive with mint hogging all the nutrients and elbow room. Mint’s aggressive roots crowd out cabbage-y crops, stunting their growth. For pungent mint, robust brassicas, and no pest problems, plant them separately.

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts don’t mesh with mint either, so keep them apart for the healthiest crops you can muster.

• Mint monopolizes soil nutrients
• Sprouts get stunted and taste less savory
• Pests like cabbage worms love mint but shun sprouts

Mint’s sprawling roots and thirst for nutrients create microclimates that hinder sprouts from developing their full flavor and beneficial compounds. Let mint dominate its own space so your Brussels sprouts can reach their full growth potential unmolested by cabbage pests.

Carrots

Carrots and mint don’t mix well, so keep them apart for the best harvest you can get.

Issue	Mint Impact	Prevention
Beetles	Attracts	Root barriers
Growth	Stunts	Organic pest control
Nutrients	Competes	Address fertilizer needs
Aphids	Breeds	Disease organisms
Rust	Invites	Crop rotation

Growing mint near carrots causes problems. Beetles and aphids love mint but attack carrot roots and leaves. Mint competes for soil nutrients, stunting carrot growth. And its roots spread rust disease. Use root barriers, pest control, and proper fertilization. Rotate plant locations.

Cauliflower

You’d be wise to give cauliflower plenty of space from mint. Its roots stunt growth, compete for nutrients, and invite pests to feed.

Eggplant

Avoid planting eggplant near mint to keep your plants healthy and pest-free. The herb stunts growth and yields the poorest quality, bitter eggplants. Seeking water and nutrients, mint robs eggplant of both. For the best flavor and yields, separate eggplant from mint.

Kale

Keep kale far from mint or its growth and flavor will disappoint. The aromatic herb stunts leafy green kale, leaching vital nutrients like potassium from the soil. Kale needs ample space for maximum pest control and proper harvesting techniques to yield the most vitamins.

Separate kale beds from all mint varieties, including spearmint and peppermint. Though both herbs, mint’s aggressive spreading roots steal water and nutrients kale requires for the best growth, yield, and flavor.

Give kale its own tailored care and space in the garden for the healthiest, tastiest harvest.

Marigolds

Growing marigolds near mint plants can help to repel harmful pests like aphids and spider mites, as research shows that the intense aroma of the flowers deters a whopping 85% of these insects. Companion planting marigolds with mint works well. The flowers repel pests, and mint thrives when planted near marigolds.

Marigolds also attract pollinators and enhance mint’s flavor. They are good companion plants.

Onions

You’d best not put onions near your mint, as they’ll stunt each other’s growth. Onions and mint compete for space, nutrients, and water. Their proximity hinders robust spearmint or peppermint terminal spikes and onion bulbs.

Peas

Oh honey, planting peas too close squeezes that mint’s appetite something fierce.

• Dampens peppermint oil potency
• Stunts spearmint terminal spikes
• Attracts mint beetles

Peas and peppermint or spearmint don’t play nice as companion plants. Give mint its space to prevent fungal diseases and maximize essential oil production. Explore alternative mint uses like ornamental flowers or natural pesticides. Know the difference between invigorating peppermint and sweet spearmint before planting this perennial herb.

Bell Peppers

Y’all pinch back that mint when planting peppers nearby, or else it’ll take over quick as a whip.

Mint Impact	Early Growth	Late Season
Oils hamper	Stunts germination	Spreads roots
Repels pollinators	Attracts beetles	Chokes out vines
Blocks sunlight	Reduces yield	Ruins harvest

Pinch, prune, and patrol. Let mint spread in its own patch, keeping distance from peppers and other short veggies. Tame invasive mints through persistence and smart garden design. Embrace this powerful plant’s purpose – not dominance over peppers.

Strawberries (Kind Of)

Let strawberries spread a bit if planting mint nearby, though watch it creep not.

• Fence off strawberry rows.
• Give strawberry roots space to roam.
• Prune runners invading mint mass.

Strawberries get along okay with mint – in moderation. Give berry vines room to spread naturally. Monitor mint’s wandering roots, keeping it from overwhelming your patch. With wise boundaries and care, both fruits flourish.

Tomatoes

Keep tomatoes at a distance when planting mint, friend, or its vigorous roots will hog all nutrients. Indulge not mint’s thirst near tomatoes, lest vines shrivel up waterless. With space between, both prosper in a natural balance, if diligently monitored and contained.

What NOT to Plant Near Mint

You shouldn’t plant tomatoes near your mint because they will compete for nutrients and water, potentially stunting the growth of both plants. Consider interplanting mint with nasturtiums instead, as their roots occupy different soil depths.

Mint’s spreading rhizomes allow it to aggressively invade garden beds, so planting it near delicate veggies like tomatoes is a bad idea. Choose companion plants like nasturtiums that attract pollinators but won’t compete with mint’s water and nutrient needs.

Mint’s invasiveness doesn’t make it a nuisance, though – its aromatic leaves provide many benefits. The refreshing scent of peppermint and spearmint soothes your senses and promotes relaxation. Mint has long been valued for its medicinal properties, easing digestive issues and relieving headaches.

Both the leaves and essential oils have a wide range of culinary uses, enhancing the flavor of everything from teas and cocktails to sauces and desserts.

Plant mint in your garden to create a healthy environment for you and local pollinators. With some careful companion planting, you can keep its growth contained while enjoying all that this fragrant herb has to offer.

What Are the Benefits of Companion Planting?

You can enhance your garden’s health and productivity through strategic companion planting with mint. Intercropping mint with certain plants like nasturtiums allows you to practice organic pest control, attract beneficial insects, and positively impact the flavors of your harvest.

Carefully choosing mint’s neighbors results in a vibrant and sustainable garden ecosystem that benefits both you and local pollinators.

Organic Pest Control

Spritz Plantonix’s neem oil spray over your mint to deter pests without chemicals.

1. Invite beneficial bugs as natural predators.
2. Apply compost tea to boost plant health.
3. Rotate crops to disrupt pest cycles.
4. Mulch to prevent weeds.
5. Cover crop to improve soil.

Your mint will thrive with this natural pest control, ensuring a great harvest.

Attracting Beneficial Insects

Buzz about blooming borage, bumblebees bounce between bouquets beckoned by blue blossoms. Invite lady beetles for lacewing larvae lunches by letting lavender linger nearby. Plant pole beans and marigolds mingled with mint to attract hoverflies, deter Japanese beetles, and repel cabbage worms.

Beetle browsing blooms benefit the whole garden. Mints make marvelous companion plantings when thoughtfully tended.

Impacting Flavors

Basil’s strong scent helps mask nearby veggies’ flavors, so keep it at arm’s length from mellow crops you want tasting mild. Thyme thrives when planted apart from stinky mints. Their potent oils permeate produce planted too near.

Space strongly scented herbs wisely to let each veggie’s flavor shine. Pick planting partners selectively, knowing aromatic herbs impact adjacent edibles’ taste.

Companion Planting With Mint

Keep your beans jumpin’ while intercroppin’ mint with nasturtiums for organic pest control to prevent aphids from buggin’ your garden.

• Plant mint in partial shade to limit its aggressive spreading. Choose a container at least 12 inches deep and wide.
• For backyard crop production, companion plant mint with cabbage, tomatoes, or beans.
• Harvest mint in the morning after the dew has evaporated for optimal flavor. Always cut above leaf nodes to encourage regrowth.
• Site mint in an area that can be easily maintained since it spreads rapidly. Watch for light and moisture needs of nearby plants.

Strategically planting mint near specific plants like nasturtiums creates an environment where both plants mutually benefit. The trick to controlling mint’s growth is paying attention to its preferred light and moisture conditions.

With smart companion planting and harvest tips, your mint and other plants will thrive.

Neem Oil Spray for Plants

After discussing companion planting strategies for mint, let’s shift our attention to using neem oil spray as an all-natural pesticide and fungicide. This concentrated, cold-pressed neem oil is a superb option for organic pest control in your vegetable patch or flower beds.

Derived from the nuts of the neem tree, this brown, earthy oil has potent insecticidal and antifungal properties to protect plants without toxic chemicals. Simply mix the neem oil concentrate with water and a bit of mild soap to create a ready-to-use foliar spray.

The oil’s active ingredient, azadirachtin, works systemically to deter common garden pests like aphids, mites, and fungus gnats.

With proper dilution, neem oil can be safely applied to coat all above-ground plant parts, even fruits and veggies up to harvest. The oil also makes an excellent soil drench to eliminate soil-dwelling pests. For best results, reapply every 2-4 weeks during the growing season.

Neem oil concentrate stores well at room temperature for up to two years when sealed.

Harness the power of neem oil’s natural pest-fighting properties in your home garden!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)