Geraniums are popular plants in gardens across the world, with their stunning blooms and beautiful foliage.
As a gardening expert, I’m here to guide you through 15 of the best companion plants that will complement your geraniums and help them thrive.
So, let’s get started on building the most beautiful and harmonious geranium garden imaginable!
1. Marigolds
Marigolds and geraniums are like the dream team of colorful, pest-repellent garden buddies.
Both plants release compounds that repel pests like aphids and whiteflies, creating a more harmonious and pest-free environment.
Plus, their vibrant blooms make a stunning display together in the garden.
As a bonus, marigolds can also help to improve the soil structure, benefiting the overall health of your garden.
2. Petunias
Petunias are the garden’s all-star performers and a fantastic companion for geraniums.
Not only do they add visual interest with their trumpet-shaped blooms, but they also help repel pests such as aphids and beetles.
These two plants share similar growing conditions, which makes them great partners in the garden.
When grown together, they create a stunning, eye-catching display that is sure to impress any garden visitor.
3. Lavender
Lavender’s lovely scent and eye-catching purple blooms make it a perfect companion for geraniums.
Both plants prefer well-drained soil and full sun, making them ideal garden partners.
Lavender’s strong fragrance can also help deter pests like aphids, while attracting beneficial pollinators, such as bees and butterflies.
The contrast between geraniums and lavender creates a visually appealing combination that smells just as good as it looks.
4. Salvia
Salvia is another excellent companion plant for geraniums, as it attracts pollinators and repels pests.
The striking, tubular flowers of salvia create a beautiful contrast with geranium blooms, and their fragrances complement each other nicely.
Both plants share similar water and sunlight requirements, which makes them easy to grow together.
Plus, salvia’s pest-repellent properties will help protect your geraniums from potential infestations.
5. Thyme
Thyme is a versatile and low-growing herb that makes an excellent companion for geraniums.
Not only does it add a lovely fragrance to the garden, but it also repels pests and attracts beneficial insects.
Thyme’s creeping growth habit creates a beautiful, fragrant ground cover around geraniums and helps to suppress weeds.
Together, these plants create an aromatic and visually stunning display in any garden bed.
6. Rosemary
Rosemary’s tall, upright growth and striking blue flowers make it a striking partner for geraniums.
Both plants thrive in similar growing conditions, with a preference for well-draining soil and full sun.
Rosemary’s strong scent can help to deter pests like whiteflies, while also attracting pollinators such as bees.
The combination of geraniums and rosemary creates a beautiful and aromatic garden space that is as beneficial as it is lovely.
7. Basil
Basil is not only a delicious culinary herb, but it also makes an excellent companion for geraniums.
The strong fragrance of basil can help to repel pests like aphids and whiteflies, while its attractive flowers draw in pollinators.
Both plants enjoy similar growing conditions and can be grown together in a beautiful and productive edible garden.
The addition of basil provides a practical and flavorful twist to your geranium display.
8. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are colorful, edible flowers that make fantastic companions for geraniums.
Their bright blooms create a stunning contrast with geranium flowers, while their trailing habit adds an extra layer of visual interest.
Nasturtiums also have pest-repelling properties and can help deter aphids, whiteflies, and other pests from your geraniums.
With their shared preference for well-draining soil and similar watering needs, these plants make a vibrant and beneficial pairing in the garden.
9. Alyssum
Alyssum’s delicate, sweet-smelling flowers create a charming and fragrant ground cover around geraniums.
This low-growing plant attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies, which prey on common garden pests.
With similar sunlight and watering requirements, alyssum and geraniums make excellent companions, enhancing the overall beauty and health of your garden space.
10. Oregano
Oregano, another popular culinary herb, makes a lovely and practical companion for geraniums.
Its aromatic foliage helps to repel pests, while its small flowers attract pollinators.
Both oregano and geraniums enjoy well-draining soil and similar growing conditions, making them compatible garden partners.
Adding oregano to your geranium bed not only enhances the visual appeal but also offers a tasty and functional addition to your garden.
11. Calendula
Calendula, with its cheerful, daisy-like flowers, is a lovely companion plant for geraniums.
This versatile plant is known for its ability to attract pollinators and repel pests like aphids and whiteflies.
Calendula and geraniums share similar growing requirements and together create an attractive and beneficial combination in the garden.
12. Chives
Chives, a popular and flavorful herb, are another excellent companion for geraniums.
Their strong scent can help to repel certain pests like aphids and spider mites, while their attractive flowers draw in pollinators.
Chives and geraniums share similar growing conditions, making them great companions in any garden.
Their contrasting foliage and complementary blooms create an eye-catching and productive display.
13. Verbena
Verbena’s tall, slender stems and clusters of small flowers make a striking companion for geraniums.
This plant attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, which can help improve the overall health of your garden.
Verbena and geraniums both prefer well-drained soil and consistent moisture, making them compatible partners in the garden.
Together, they create a visually appealing and healthy garden bed.
14. Cosmos
Cosmos are colorful, easy-to-grow flowers that make fantastic companions for geraniums.
Their daisy-like blooms and feathery foliage create an eye-catching contrast with geranium flowers.
Cosmos attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, while also helping to deter pests.
With similar growing conditions, these plants make a beautiful and beneficial addition to your geranium garden.
15. Mint
Mint is a fragrant, fast-growing herb that can be a useful companion for geraniums.
Its strong scent can help to deter pests, while its flowers attract beneficial pollinators.
Both mint and geraniums enjoy well-draining soil and consistent moisture, making them great partners in the garden.
Just be sure to contain mint’s vigorous growth habit to prevent it from overtaking your geraniums.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right companion plants for your geraniums can significantly enhance the beauty, health, and productivity of your garden.
By pairing your geraniums with these 15 fantastic companion plants, you’ll be creating a thriving, harmonious garden that’s sure to impress both you and your garden visitors.
Happy gardening!