We have an olive tree in our backyard that is not doing so well overall. This led me to wonder which companion plants could benefit our tree instead of using unnatural methods. So, what are great companions for olive trees?
The best companion plants for olive trees include lavender, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and sage. Ideally, companion plants attract pollinators, build soil, repel pests, and are visually appealing. When planting them, choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil and allow ample space for both plants to grow and spread.
So, while these plants make good companion plants for olive trees, what exactly do they do to help, and what are some other plants we can use? Let’s take a closer look.
Benefits of Companion Planting
Companion planting is selecting specific plants to place together to achieve benefits, such as increasing pollination or repelling pests. Sometimes these benefits are one-sided, while others are mutual.
A famous example is The Three Sisters—planting corn, beans, and squash together. The corn provides a trellis for the beans to climb, the squash provides a ground cover, and the beans fix nitrogen in the soil. Plus, all of them provide food!
Here’s a list of the benefits that gardens gain from companion planting:
- Boost Pollination
- Repel Pests
- Prevent Weeds
- Fix Nitrogen
- Amend the Soil
- Cover the Soil
- Reduce Evaporation
- Provide a Living Trellis
- Maximize Space
- Produce More Food
For more about the benefits of companion planting, check out my other post: The Top 10 Benefits of Companion Planting.
1. Lavender
Lavender is a popular perennial herb known for its beautiful, fragrant purple flowers and silvery-green foliage. It is a fantastic companion plant for olive trees because of its numerous benefits.
- Similar Growing Conditions: Both lavender and olive trees have similar growing preferences, making them a great match. They both thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, and they are drought-tolerant plants, meaning they can withstand periods of low water availability.
- Attracting Pollinators: Lavender flowers are known for attracting a wide variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. These pollinators can improve the overall health of your garden and increase the fruiting of your olive tree by aiding in pollination.
- Pest Deterrent: The strong fragrance of lavender can help deter various pests that might otherwise attack your olive tree. Lavender’s scent can confuse and repel pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and other insects that can damage your plants.
- Soil Erosion Prevention: Lavender’s dense root system can help prevent soil erosion, particularly on slopes or in areas with loose soil. By planting lavender near your olive tree, you can help maintain a healthy soil structure and prevent nutrient loss through erosion.
When planting lavender as a companion to your olive tree, choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Space lavender plants about 2-3 feet apart and ensure that there is enough room between the lavender and the olive tree for both plants to grow and spread.
This spacing helps prevent competition for resources and allows for adequate air circulation, reducing the risk of disease.
2. Rosemary
Rosemary as a Companion Plant for Olive Trees:
Rosemary is a perennial herb with needle-like leaves and small, blue flowers. It is a great companion plant for olive trees due to its numerous benefits and shared growing preferences.
- Similar Growing Conditions: Rosemary and olive trees have similar growing requirements. Both plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil, and they are drought-tolerant, making them ideal for gardens with low water availability.
- Pest Deterrent: Rosemary’s strong, aromatic scent can help deter pests that might otherwise harm your olive tree. The fragrance of rosemary can confuse and repel pests such as cabbage moths, carrot flies, and other insects that can damage your plants.
- Attracting Pollinators and Beneficial Insects: Rosemary’s small, blue flowers are attractive to various pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. These insects can help improve the overall health of your garden by aiding in pollination and reducing pest populations.
- Windbreak and Erosion Control: Rosemary’s dense growth habit can help protect your olive tree from strong winds by acting as a windbreak. Additionally, its robust root system can help prevent soil erosion, particularly on slopes or in areas with loose soil.
When planting rosemary as a companion to your olive tree, make sure to provide enough space (at least 2-3 feet).
3. Thyme
Thyme is a perennial herb with small, aromatic leaves and tiny, tubular flowers. Here are some benefits it provides to olive trees:
- Similar Growing Conditions: Thyme and olive trees like full sun and well-drained soil, and they are drought-tolerant, allowing them to adapt to low water availability.
- Pest Deterrent: The strong scent of thyme can help deter pests that might otherwise harm your olive tree. Thyme’s fragrance can confuse and repel pests such as cabbage moths, whiteflies, and other insects that can damage your plants.
- Attracting Pollinators and Beneficial Insects: Thyme’s small, tubular flowers are attractive to a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. These insects can help improve the overall health of your garden by aiding in pollination and reducing pest populations.
- Soil Erosion Prevention and Groundcover: Thyme’s dense growth habit and low-growing nature make it an effective groundcover that can help prevent soil erosion, particularly on slopes or in areas with loose soil. Additionally, thyme’s dense foliage can help suppress weed growth, reducing competition for resources and the need for manual weed control.
Space thyme plants about 1-2 feet apart from each other and from the olive tree.
4. Oregano
Oregano is a perennial herb with aromatic leaves and clusters of small, tubular flowers. It’s a companion to olive trees for many reasons.
- Similar Growing Conditions: Oregano and olive trees have similar growing requirements, making them an ideal pairing. Both plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil, and they are drought-tolerant, allowing them to adapt to low water availability.
- Pest Deterrent: The strong scent of oregano can help deter pests that might otherwise harm your olive tree. Oregano’s fragrance can confuse and repel pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and other insects that can damage your plants.
- Attracting Pollinators and Beneficial Insects: Oregano’s small, tubular flowers are attractive to a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. These insects can help improve the overall health of your garden by aiding in pollination and reducing pest populations.
- Soil Improvement: Oregano’s roots can help improve soil structure by breaking up compacted soil, allowing for better water infiltration and root penetration. Additionally, as oregano decomposes, it can add valuable nutrients back into the soil, promoting healthier plant growth.
Space oregano plants about 2-3 feet apart from each other and from the olive tree.
5. Sage
Sage, also known as Salvia officinalis, is a perennial herb that belongs to the mint family. It is known for its grayish-green leaves, which have a distinct aroma and flavor. Sage is a fantastic companion plant for olive trees due to its multiple benefits such as:
- Similar Growing Conditions: Both sage and olive trees do best in full sun and well-drained soil. They are also drought-tolerant, meaning that they can both adapt to less frequent watering, making it easier to manage their care.
- Pest Deterrent: Sage’s strong scent is a natural pest deterrent, helping to protect your olive trees from various pests. The aromatic compounds in sage can confuse and repel pests such as cabbage moths and whiteflies, reducing the likelihood of infestations.
- Attracting Pollinators and Beneficial Insects: The flowers of sage plants are attractive to pollinators like bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. These insects can help improve the overall health of your garden by aiding in pollination and reducing pest populations. Planting sage near your olive trees can enhance the biodiversity of your garden, promoting a balanced ecosystem.
Space sage plants about 2-3 feet apart from each other and from the olive tree.
5 More Bonus Companion Plants
6. Marjoram
Marjoram is a valuable companion plant for olive trees, as it provides multiple benefits to your garden ecosystem. Its pleasant scent attracts pollinators and other beneficial insects, while its aromatic properties can help deter pests like aphids and whiteflies.
Like olive trees, marjoram thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Plant marjoram near your olive tree, allowing enough room for both plants to grow.
7. Fennel
Fennel’s feathery foliage and tall growth habit make it an attractive companion plant for olive trees. Its flowers draw beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps, which can help control pest populations in your garden.
However, fennel can be allopathic to some plants, so it’s essential to give it enough space when planting near your olive tree to avoid any negative effects on growth.
8. Artichoke
Artichoke is a useful companion plant for olive trees due to its similar growing requirements. Artichoke plants prefer well-drained soil and full sun, just like olive trees.
Their large, showy flowers draw pollinators and other beneficial insects, enhancing the overall health of your garden.
Plant artichoke near your olive tree, leaving enough space for both plants to grow.
9. Calendula
Calendula is a colorful and beneficial companion plant for olive trees. Its vibrant flowers not only add visual interest to your garden but also attract pollinators and beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies. These insects can help control pests that might otherwise harm your olive tree.
Calendula is also known for its ability to improve soil quality by accumulating nutrients and releasing them back into the soil as the plant decomposes.
Plant calendula near your olive tree, ensuring enough space for both plants to grow.
10. Yarrow
Lastly, yarrow is an excellent companion plant for olive trees. Yarrow’s feathery leaves and clusters of small, flat-topped flowers create a striking contrast in the garden, while its strong scent can help deter pests. Additionally, yarrow attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps that can help control pests in your garden.
It’s a drought-tolerant plant that thrives in well-drained soil and full sun, making it well-suited to growing alongside olive trees.
Plant yarrow near your olive tree, allowing enough room for both plants to grow and spread.