It has long been known that planting herbs in certain combinations with other plants can improve crop size, quality or flavour and improve general plant health and vigour. This is particularly true for planting within the vegetable garden, where the fragrant chives, hyssop, marjoram, parsley, sage and thyme are beneficial in maintaining the health of the crops. Although their benefits have not been scientifically analysed, many gardeners have reported improvements in the general health of their vegetables when inter-planting with these herbs.

One of the best-known and traditional plant combinations is planting garlic in between roses; this tends to increase the perfume of the roses, with the added bonus of repelling aphids. Tarragon is also thought to be generally therapeutic in the vegetable garden, whilst coriander planted with anise seems to improve the flavour of the anise.

The table below shows some of the most beneficial combinations of herbs with other plants, along with some of the ones to avoid ...