Basil Companion Planting
Ocimum basilicum
Mint (Lamiaceae) -- warm season
Good Companions for Basil
Basil volatiles (linalool, 1,8-cineole) reduce whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) oviposition on neighboring tomato plants. Field trials show 20-40% reduction in whitefly populations when basil is interplanted with tomato.
Interplant basil every 3-4 tomato plants. Allow some basil to flower for maximum volatile emission.
- Companion planting -- do aromatic plants disrupt host-plant finding by the tomato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) in a tomato crop? -- International Journal of Pest Management (2010)
- Aromatic Plants as a Tool in Pest Management -- University of Florida IFAS Extension (2018)
Basil volatile emissions reduce populations of thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) and aphids on adjacent pepper plants. The mechanism is olfactory disruption of host-finding behavior.
Interplant basil freely among pepper plants. Similar spacing benefit as tomato-basil pairing.
- Effect of intercropping on thrips populations in pepper -- Journal of Applied Entomology (2014)
- Managing Thrips in Pepper and Tomato -- NC State Extension (2020)
Basil volatile emissions (linalool, eugenol) repel aphids. Basil's taller growth provides light shade that extends lettuce harvest in warm weather by delaying bolting.
Plant basil among lettuce rows in summer. The shade benefit is particularly valuable for heat-sensitive lettuce varieties.
- Aromatic Plants as a Tool in Pest Management -- University of Florida IFAS Extension (2018)
- Intercropping basil with leafy vegetables for pest management -- HortTechnology (2014)
Basil volatiles deter asparagus beetle through olfactory disruption. Basil planted among asparagus ferns after spring harvest provides season-long pest deterrent.
Plant basil in asparagus bed during summer after harvest season ends.
- Aromatic Plants as a Tool in Pest Management -- University of Florida IFAS Extension (2018)
Basil volatiles deter aphids and flea beetles that affect okra. Both are warm-season crops requiring similar conditions. Basil flowers attract pollinators that improve okra fruit set.
Interplant basil among okra rows. Both need warm soil -- do not rush spring planting.
- Aromatic Plants as a Tool in Pest Management -- University of Florida IFAS Extension (2018)
Ground cherry (Physalis pruinosa) is in the Solanaceae family and benefits from basil volatile pest suppression just like tomato. Basil deters whiteflies and aphids on adjacent ground cherry plants.
Ground cherry shares pest profiles with tomato -- same companion strategies apply.
- Companion planting -- do aromatic plants disrupt host-plant finding by the tomato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) in a tomato crop? -- International Journal of Pest Management (2010)