About Basil
Basil is the quintessential tomato companion — shared warm-season needs plus scent that may confuse aphids and whitefly around fruiting crops.
North Island heat can scorch leaves — afternoon shade or regular picking helps.
Good companions
Plants that pair well with Basil — tap for their guides. Cited sources appear where research is linked in the matrix.
Basil's strong scent may help confuse aphids and whitefly around tomatoes; a classic kitchen-garden pairing in temperate and subtropical NZ beds.
Sweet Pepper Pest confusionBasil and peppers share warm-season needs; basil may reduce thrips and aphid pressure on pepper fruit.
AsparagusListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
OreganoListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
ParsleyListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
EggplantListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
MarigoldListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
Bird's Eye ChiliListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
Cape GooseberryListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
Cayenne PepperListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
CoconaListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
Dwarf TamarilloListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
Ethiopian EggplantListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
Ground CherryListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
HabaneroListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
JalapeñoListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
Naranjilla (Lulo)Listed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
OkraListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
Pepino MelonListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
RueListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
Serrano PepperListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
Tamarillo (Tree Tomato)Listed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
Thai ChiliListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
TomatilloListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
Turkey BerryListed as beneficial in the matrix — open the grid for full context.
Avoid planting together
Known poor neighbours — spacing apart or rotating beds reduces shared pest and disease pressure.
Growing tips
- Pinch flowers to extend leaf harvest; let one plant flower for bees.
- Needs more water and warmth than rosemary or thyme.
- Succession sow in spring; protect from cold nights early season.
Use the compatibility matrix
Filter to Basil to see green (beneficial), red (incompatible), and grey (neutral) for every pair among 162 plants. Desktop: hover cells. Mobile: tap for details.