15 Best Sage Companion Plants & What To Avoid

Sage aromatic plant is a type of herb that people often grow in their gardens. It's known for its strong, pleasant smell and taste. Sage has soft, grayish-green leaves that are a bit fuzzy to the touch. The plant can produce small purple, pink, or white flowers.

People usually use sage leaves in cooking to add flavor to dishes like meats, soups, and sauces. Sage can also be used as tea. This herb is not only tasty but also healthy. It can help with digestion, reduce inflammation, and have antioxidants that are good for your overall health.

Here are 15 companion plants, which, when grown alongside sage, can help attract helpful insects and improve the soil.

Rosemary is an excellent companion for sage because they share similar growing conditions, thriving in dry, well-drained soil and lots of sunlight. This aromatic plant has woody stems that provide some structure in the garden, which can be beneficial for supporting other plants.

When planted near sage, rosemary helps enhance the flavor of both herbs due to their complementary aromatic oils. Additionally, rosemary's strong scent can act as a natural pest repellent, deterring insects that might otherwise harm sage.

This mutual benefit extends to rosemary-attracting pollinators like bees, which are crucial for the health of many garden plants.

Another of the best companion plants for sage is thyme, which thrives in similar conditions. Thyme, an aromatic plant, grows low to the ground, creating a natural mulch that helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds, which is beneficial for both thyme and sage.

The tiny, delicate flowers of thyme attract beneficial insects, such as bees and ladybugs, which help with pollination and pest control. Thyme and sage not only thrive together in the garden but also complement each other in the kitchen.

Both herbs are staples in Mediterranean cuisine and can be used together to enhance the flavor of a variety of dishes. They pair well with seasonings for meat, poultry, and vegetables.

Lavender is one of the best Sage garden companions due to several complementary characteristics. Both lavender and sage thrive in similar growing conditions, such as full sun and well-drained soil, making them ideal partners in the garden.

Lavender's strong, pleasant aroma acts as a natural pest repellent, helping to protect sage from common garden pests like aphids and moths. Moreover, lavender’s slightly sweet and floral flavor pairs well with sage’s earthy and peppery taste, making them a delightful combination in recipes for roasted meats, herbal teas, and baked goods.

In sage companion planting, oregano plays a crucial role by enhancing the health and growth of sage through its dense ground cover, which helps suppress weeds and retain soil moisture.

This ground cover reduces competition for resources, allowing both plants to flourish. Oregano’s flowers attract beneficial insects such as bees and ladybugs, which help with pollination and pest control, creating a healthier garden ecosystem.

To plant oregano and sage together for added benefit, start by selecting a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Space the plants about 12 to 18 inches apart to ensure they have enough room to grow without crowding each other.

To plant parsley and sage together, choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Plant sage at the edges of the garden bed and parsley in the middle. Make sure to leave enough space, about 12 to 18 inches apart, so they don't crowd each other.

This way, they can grow strong and healthy, giving you plenty of fresh herbs to use in your cooking. Sage's strong smell keeps pests away from parsley, protecting it from bugs like aphids. In return, parsley attracts good insects like ladybugs that eat pests.

Marjoram is an herb that belongs to the mint family, known for its sweet and citrusy flavor. It complements sage plants well due to their shared preferences for sunny, well-drained soil.

Marjoram's aromatic leaves and delicate flowers enhance the overall fragrance and flavor profile of a garden where it's planted alongside sage. Herbs to plant with sage, like marjoram, benefit from each other's pest-repelling properties and can attract beneficial insects.

To plant marjoram with sage for optimal results, ensure they have ample space to grow, about 12 to 18 inches apart, and provide regular pruning to maintain their health and vigor.

Strawberries are tasty, red fruits that grow on low plants with runners, making them a great match for sage in the garden. Sage pest control plants, like strawberries, benefit from sage's natural ability to repel pests without changing the pattern.

Sage emits a strong scent that deters pests such as slugs and beetles, helping to protect strawberries from harm. Planting strawberries near sage creates a beneficial environment where both plants thrive.

This arrangement not only promotes garden health but also ensures a bountiful supply of fresh herbs and delicious berries for culinary use.

Sage and carrots have a mutually beneficial relationship in the garden. Sage's strong scent deters pests that can harm carrots, such as carrot rust flies, which can significantly impact carrot crops.

Additionally, carrots and sage do not compete for the same soil nutrients, making them excellent companions. This combination also promotes healthy root development in carrots, which is essential for their growth and productivity.

The pest-repelling properties of sage, along with its flavor-enhancing effects, make it a great choice to grow alongside your carrot crop.

Planting cabbage with sage can help deter pests that commonly attack cabbage, such as cabbage moths. Sage emits a strong scent that repels these pests, reducing the likelihood of damage to cabbage leaves.

To plant cabbage and sage together, choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. Space the plants adequately, giving them about 18 to 24 inches apart, to allow for proper growth and airflow.

This spacing also ensures that sage's pest-repelling properties can effectively protect the cabbage. By pairing cabbage with sage, gardeners can enjoy healthier cabbage plants and a more robust garden ecosystem overall.

Broccoli is an excellent companion plant for sage in the garden because sage helps repel pests that commonly affect broccoli, such as cabbage worms. Sage's strong aroma acts as a natural deterrent, protecting broccoli plants from pests and reducing the need for chemical pesticides.

In cooking, broccoli and sage complement each other well. Sage's earthy and savory flavor enhances the taste of broccoli dishes, such as stir-fries, soups, and pasta. Together, they create a delicious blend of flavors that makes any meal more flavorful and nutritious.

Sage, with its strong aroma, acts as a natural pest deterrent, helping to repel insects like aphids and beetles that can damage tomato plants. This pest control benefit reduces the need for chemical interventions, promoting a healthier garden environment overall.

Tomatoes, on the other hand, benefit from sage's ability to conserve moisture in the soil and improve its texture. Sage's deep roots help aerate the soil, making it more conducive to tomato plant growth. This combination of pest protection and soil improvement can lead to higher yields and healthier tomato plants.

To maximize their companionship, plant tomatoes and sage in a sunny location with well-drained soil.

Sage's earthy and slightly peppery taste complements the hearty flavor of beans in soups, stews, and casseroles. Besides cooking, these plants are beneficial companions in the garden.

Sage's aromatic properties help repel pests that commonly affect beans, such as bean beetles and aphids. Moreover, beans can fix nitrogen in the soil, enriching it for sage and other plants.

Beans can climb, so provide trellises or stakes for them to grow vertically, leaving enough space between plants to facilitate air circulation and prevent diseases. Sage can be interspersed among the beans or planted around the perimeter of the bean patch to maximize pest protection benefits.

Like beans, peas are legumes that can fix nitrogen from the air into the soil through nodules on their roots. This nitrogen fixation process enriches the soil with this essential nutrient, which is crucial for healthy plant growth, including sage.

When planted together, peas and sage can create a mutually beneficial relationship. The enriched soil from nitrogen-fixing peas can support the growth of sage, promoting stronger and more vigorous plants.

Additionally, sage's aromatic properties can help deter pests that might affect peas, such as aphids and beetles, thus reducing the need for chemical pesticides and fostering a healthier garden environment overall.

Chives and sage both like similar growing conditions—lots of sunlight and well-drained soil. Chives have pretty purple flowers that attract good insects like bees, which help pollinate plants, including sage.

Chives also repel pests that might bother sage, like aphids. Planting chives near sage can create a healthier garden because they work together to keep pests away and support each other's growth.

Plus, chives add a nice flavor to dishes when you use them in cooking with sage. It's a win-win for both the garden and the kitchen.

Nasturtiums are colorful, trailing flowers that not only add beauty to the garden but also serve as companion plants for sage. They are known for their ability to attract pests away from other plants—a concept called "trap cropping."

Nasturtiums attract pests like aphids and caterpillars, drawing them away from sage and other vegetables. This helps protect sage from insect damage without needing chemicals.

Additionally, nasturtiums' bright flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, which can benefit nearby plants like sage by enhancing pollination.

There are some plants with which sage may not grow as well due to competition for resources like nutrients, water, or space. These plants may not necessarily destroy sage, but they can hamper its growth or affect its health in various ways:

1. Cucumbers: Cucumbers are known to have expansive root systems and high water needs. When planted near sage, cucumbers can compete for water and nutrients in the soil, potentially causing stress for sage plants.
2. Potatoes: Potatoes also require a lot of nutrients from the soil. When planted close to sage, potatoes may outcompete sage for nutrients, leading to stunted growth or reduced vigor in sage plants.
3. Pumpkins and squash: Similar to cucumbers, pumpkins, and squash have extensive root systems and can spread over large areas. They may overshadow or compete with sage for sunlight and space.
4. Onions: Onions prefer moist soil conditions, which are not ideal for sage, as sage thrives in well-drained soil and drier conditions. Additionally, onions and their relatives, like garlic and shallots, can compete with sage for nutrients and space in the garden, potentially affecting the growth and health of sage plants.
5. Tansy: Tansy releases substances that inhibit the growth of nearby plants, including sage. This can adversely affect sage's growth and health, making tansy a poor companion for sage
6. Certain Herbs: Some herbs, like basil or mint, can be vigorous growers with strong root systems. When planted near sage, these herbs may compete for resources and space, potentially affecting the growth of sage.

To mitigate these challenges, it's advisable to give sage adequate space to grow and consider planting it with companions that have similar growing requirements.

Proper spacing, regular watering, and occasionally pruning or harvesting surrounding plants can help maintain a balanced garden where sage and its companions can thrive harmoniously.