Ethan BrooksBy Ethan Brooks

Updated November 2026

A printable herb companion planting chart gives you a one-page reference for which herbs grow well together, how far apart to space them, and which neighbors to keep separate. This guide shows you how to build a chart that fits your garden, how to read the pairings, and how to use it when you plan beds and containers. By the end, you will have a usable chart you can print and pin near your planting area.

Step 1: Gather Your Herb List and Growing Conditions

Start with the herbs you actually plan to grow, not a generic list of every herb you have heard of. Group them by their needs, because companion pairings only work when the plants share similar light, water and soil preferences. A rosemary that wants dry, lean soil will struggle beside basil that expects steady moisture.

Shopping for one? See our guide: 6 Best Garden Layout Free Printable Printable Companion Planting Charts (2026): Our Picks.

  • List 8 to 12 herbs you plan to grow this season.
  • Note whether each one is an annual (basil, cilantro, dill) or a perennial (rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano).
  • Record your sun exposure: most culinary herbs need six or more hours of direct sun.
  • Check your soil drainage. Mediterranean herbs like thyme and lavender need fast-draining soil.

Step 2: Build the Chart Layout

Once you have your list, set up a simple grid. Put herb names down the left column and across the top row, then fill each cell with one of three marks: good partner, neutral, or keep apart. Mark the same pair in both directions so the chart reads consistently. A table works well for this, and you can print it at a readable size on letter paper.

Herb Good partners Keep apart Spacing
Basil Tomato, pepper, oregano Rue, sage 8–12 in.
Rosemary Sage, thyme, cabbage Basil, cucumber 18–24 in.
Dill Cabbage, cucumber, lettuce Carrot, tomato 12–18 in.
Thyme Cabbage, strawberry Basil (crowding) 12 in.
Mint Cabbage, tomato (in pots) Parsley, chamomile 18 in. or container only

Spacing numbers are typical starting points from extension and seed-packet guidance. Adjust them for your variety, since a compact basil and a large Genovese basil differ a lot. If you want a broader vegetable-and-herb layout to pair with this, the Companion Planting Herbs and Vegetables: A Step-by-Step Guide article covers how to combine the two.

Step 3: Read the Pairings Before You Plant

The chart is only as good as your reading of it. A “good partner” mark usually means the plants tolerate each other or have a complementary root depth or growth habit, not that one makes the other dramatically more productive. Treat pairings as a planning tool, not a guarantee. Mint is the classic example of a herb to contain, because it spreads aggressively, so plant it in its own pot even if the chart says it is a good neighbor.

Keep the spacing column in mind when you lay out beds. A raised bed that is 4 feet by 4 feet can hold roughly four to six herbs with healthy room between them. For a deeper look at bed sizing and soil, see Companion Planting Square Foot Gardening Chart: A Practical Guide (2026).

Step 4: Customize and Print Your Chart

Add a column for planting dates based on your last frost date, and a note for sun-exposure needs. Keep the final chart to one page, using a font size of at least 11 points so you can read it from a few feet away while kneeling in the bed. Laminate it or slip it into a plastic sheet protector to protect it from soil and water. Refresh it each season as you change which herbs you grow.

  • Print on heavier paper or cardstock for durability.
  • Keep a digital copy so you can edit spacing as you learn your garden.
  • Note which pairings worked and which did not, then update the chart next year.

Common Mistakes

  • Trusting the chart without checking your own sun, soil and drainage conditions.
  • Planting spreaders like mint directly in the bed instead of in containers.
  • Ignoring mature plant size and crowding herbs that will fill out later.
  • Pairing herbs with very different water needs, such as thyme and basil.
  • Printing a chart with tiny text that becomes unreadable once it is outdoors.

A sturdy clipboard with a weather cover makes it easy to keep your chart in the garden without it getting soaked. View on Amazon

Plastic sheet protectors help the printed chart survive soil, splashes and handling. View on Amazon

Plant markers let you label each herb so you can match the chart to the bed. View on Amazon

FAQ

Do I need a specific printable herb companion planting chart from a particular source?

No. Any chart that lists pairings, spacing and sun needs will work, and building your own lets you tailor it to the herbs you grow. Extension office publications are a reliable starting point for checking pairings.

How far apart should I plant herbs in a raised bed?

Most culinary herbs need 8 to 18 inches of space depending on mature size, with larger shrubby herbs like rosemary needing the most room. Check each seed packet or plant tag for the specific variety.

Are companion planting charts based on scientific evidence?

Some pairings have research support, such as differences in pest deterrence or root interaction, while others rest mainly on gardening experience. Use the chart as a practical guide and watch your own results over a few seasons.

Conclusion

A printable herb companion planting chart is most useful when you build it around your own herbs, sun and soil. Work through the herb list, layout and spacing steps, then print and laminate the result. Update it each season as you learn what thrives in your garden.

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Ethan Brooks

About Ethan Brooks

Ethan Brooks is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our vegetable & edible gardening guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.