Certain plants grow better together, offering benefits such as pest resistance, improved soil quality, and a striking visual contrast.

To discover plants that pair perfectly, read on to learn the plant combinations that master gardeners love to establish in their own gardens.

Russian Sage and Coneflower

One favorite set of plants that pairs perfectly for Laura Janney is Russian sage and coneflower.

“Russian sage has a soft texture with tall, spike-like blooms that work beautifully as a backdrop,” Janney says. Russian sage is drought-tolerant, as well.

“Coneflower gives you a more bold, upright structure with lots of color and long-lasting blooms,” she says.

Russian sage and coneflower both thrive in full sun and require minimal maintenance. Additionally, pollinators such as bees and butterflies are attracted to Russian sage and coneflower.

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Carrots and Basil

Though carrots and basil aren’t typically cooked together, they’re great partners in the vegetable garden.

“The aromatic scent of basil helps deter pests that can be common on carrot crops,” says Luke Hammond. “Additionally, carrots can help loosen the soil structure.”

Hammond cautions against planting carrots too close to the basil. Ensure 8- to 12-inch spacing around the basil plants, he says. That helps to protect the root structure of the basil when it’s time to harvest the carrots.

Lettuce and Mint

Lettuce is a delightful addition to the spring and summer vegetable garden. Crisp, cool lettuce forms the basis of salads and other dishes. Unfortunately, it’s also on the menus of many types of pests, such as slugs.

Getting rid of slugs in your garden is a multi-faceted project. You can kill existing slugs with salt spray or dehydrate them with diatomaceous earth (DE). But it’s best to avoid slugs in the first place. A simple way is to plant mint.

Slugs and some other pests tend to avoid strong odors emitted by mint plants. Studies show that mint plants alone won’t solve your slug problem—mint tends to be more effective in essential oil form.

However, alongside other methods, planting mint can help deter slugs from treating your lettuce garden like a buffet.

Coreopsis and Veronica

A plant combination that Laura Janney recommends and uses frequently is coreopsis and Veronica spicata (Spiked Speedwell). 

“Coreopsis brings a cheerful, soft, airy texture, while Veronica adds height and those spiky flowers I tend to gravitate toward,” Janney says.

It’s a nice contrast: the round and soft of coreopsis paired with upright and structured Veronica. They bloom around the same time and look balanced together in a raised bed or container.

Oregano and Basil

Oregano and basil are used together for many types of tomato-based sauces, pesto, and marinades. So, it’s natural to grow these herbs together. They’re perfect companion plants in many ways, Hammond says.

“Oregano thrives in a similar environment as basil and can provide a good ground cover to help retain moisture in the soil,” Hammond says.

Basil can also increase the strength of oregano’s essential oils, increasing its flavor. If you tend to kill plants, you’ll love oregano: It’s very hardy and requires little maintenance.

Hammond notes that oregano is in the mint family, so it’s prone to spread rapidly. Also, oregano can be toxic to pets.

Agastache and Coneflower

Agastache is a flowering plant related to catmint that develops brilliant colors, ranging from deep purple to light pink.

Coneflower is a simple, native perennial wildflower that comes in a vast number of varieties. Both are plants that pair perfectly, Janney says.

“Agastache and coneflower are two of my favorites for pairing because they thrive in the heat,” she says. 

She adds that both plants attract pollinators and provide a great mix of texture and color: “Coneflowers bring structure and bold blooms, while agastache adds height and fragrance.”

Yarrow and Bee Balm

“I love mixing textures,” Janney says.

So anything that combines structured, spiky elements with something soft and whimsical always feels like a win, she says.

“You can pair yarrow with just about anything,” Janney says. “I like how it looks with something bold like bee balm.”

Yarrow has a lacy texture and a feathery shape. Yarrow can grow to 3 feet high, with a roughly umbrella-like shape. In sharp contrast, bee balm is a spiky, colorful, and striking plant.