Why Mint And Garlic Aren't Friendly Plants In The Garden

Companion planting is a gardening strategy that involves planting different species of plants near each other to enhance the growth and health of one or both crops. In this same vein, it's important to know which plants do not go well together to prevent issues and maintain a healthy, balanced garden. Two plants that aren't considered friendly to one another are mint and garlic because they compete for resources, have some opposing strengths, and have different environmental preferences.

When planted together, they will vigorously compete for water, nutrients, and root space because both are invasive and can quickly take over a garden area if not properly contained. The competition between these two can lead to crowding, reduced space for root development, and ultimately diminished growth and yield for both plants. Their strong smells also have different purposes. The pleasant aroma of the mint plant can attract certain pests like flea beetles and spider mites, while the strong odor of growing garlic is great at repelling them. This can reduce the capacity of the garlic plant to repel pests effectively.

In general, while mint and garlic shouldn't be placed near one another, these two plants are great companions to other species in your garden. Garlic keeps pests away and enhances soil quality, while mint encourages biodiversity and attracts pollinators. If you're considering having them in your garden, it's recommended to plant them in different garden areas and use physical barriers like pots or containers to separate them. This prevents them from sharing space and resources and allows them to grow independently. Since mint is especially known for choking out other plants, hoarding nutrients, and taking over backyards, this will go a long way to protecting your precious crops.

When they have the right conditions to thrive individually, you ensure their quality when ready for harvesting. You should also find friendly companion plants for them so you create an environment where your plants work together to attract the right pollinators, deter the right pests, and help each other thrive. Some companion plants for garlic are tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, and kale, while oregano, marigolds, beans, and peas are ideal to plant near mint.