Companion Plants for Lilies

Are you looking to add some color and beauty to your garden? Lilies are a popular choice for many gardeners due to their stunning blooms and easy care. However, did you know that planting lilies alongside certain companion plants can improve their growth and overall health?

In this blog post, we'll explore some of the best companion plants for lilies. We'll cover everything from herbs to vegetables and flowers, and provide tips on how to plant them together for optimal results. So, let's get ed!

Why Companion Planting is Important?

Companion planting is an age-old gardening practice that involves planting different crops together in a way that maximizes their potential benefits to each other. This technique offers various advantages like:

- Pest Control: Certain companion plants can repel pests or attract beneficial insects that help control pests and diseases.
- Fertility: Some plants can fix nitrogen in the soil, making it more fertile for other plants.
- Space Optimization: By growing plants of different heights and shapes together, we can optimize the use of available space.
- Improved Growth: Companion plants can also provide shade, moisture retention or shelter which enhances growth.

Now that we understand why companion planting is important, let's explore some of the best companion plants for lilies.

Best Companion Plants for Lilies

1. Astilbe

Astilbe is a shade-loving perennial that produces feathery plumes of white, pink, or red flowers. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil and can be planted alongside lilies to provide a contrasting color and texture. Astilbe also prefers partial shade, which makes it an excellent companion for lilies that need some shade during the hot summer months.

How to Plant:

Plant astilbe in the same bed as your lilies, but make sure to leave enough space between them so they don't compete for nutrients. Choose a spot with partial shade and moist soil. You can plant them in early spring or fall.

2. Bee Balm

Bee balm is a fragrant herb that attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden. Its vibrant red or pink flowers bloom in mid-summer, making it an excellent companion plant for lilies that bloom earlier in the season. Bee balm also repels pests like aphids, which can damage lilies.

How to Plant:

Plant bee balm in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. Space them about 18 inches apart from your lilies. You can plant them in early spring or fall.

3. Chives

Chives are a versatile herb that complements the beauty of lilies while also repelling pests like aphids and Japanese beetles. They produce purple-pink blooms in late spring to early summer and grow well in containers or garden beds.

How to Plant:

Plant chives around the edges of your lily bed, spacing them about 6 inches apart. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil. You can plant them in early spring or fall.

4. Dianthus

Dianthus, also known as pinks, is a low-growing perennial that produces fragrant pink, red, or white blooms in early summer. It's an excellent companion plant for lilies as it attracts beneficial insects and repels pesky aphids.

How to Plant:

Plant dianthus in full sun and well-drained soil. Space them about 12 inches apart from your lilies. You can plant them in early spring or fall.

5. Garlic

Garlic is a natural pest repellent that can help keep pests like aphids and spider mites away from your lilies. It also provides a tasty harvest that you can use in your cooking.

How to Plant:

Plant garlic around the edges of your lily bed, spacing them about 6 inches apart. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil. You can plant them in the fall for harvest in the following summer.

6. Marigold

Marigolds are a popular annual flower that produces bright blooms in shades of yellow, orange, and red. They're an excellent companion plant for lilies as they repel pests like nematodes and attract beneficial insects like ladybugs.

How to Plant:

Plant marigolds in full sun and well-drained soil, spacing them about 12 inches apart from your lilies. You can plant them in early spring or fall.

7. Nasturtium

Nasturtium is a trailing annual that produces vibrant flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red. It's an excellent companion plant for lilies as it attracts pollinators and repels pests like aphids and whiteflies.

How to Plant:

Plant nasturtiums in full sun and well-drained soil, spacing them about 12 inches apart from your lilies. You can plant them in early spring or fall.

8. Parsley

Parsley is an herb that complements the beauty of lilies while also repelling pests like carrot flies and asparagus beetles. It's easy to grow and provides a tasty addition to your meals.

How to Plant:

Plant parsley around the edges of your lily bed, spacing them about 6 inches apart. They prefer full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil. You can plant them in early spring or fall.

9. Peonies

Peonies are a beautiful perennial that produces large, fragrant blooms in shades of pink, red, and white. They're an excellent companion plant for lilies as they provide a contrasting color and texture.

How to Plant:

Plant peonies in the same bed as your lilies, but make sure to leave enough space between them so they don't compete for nutrients. Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and moist soil. You can plant them in early spring or fall.

10. Salvia

Salvia is a herbaceous perennial that produces spikes of blue, purple, or pink flowers in mid-summer. It's an excellent companion plant for lilies as it attracts pollinators and repels pests like thrips.

How to Plant:

Plant salvia in full sun and well-drained soil, spacing them about 18 inches apart from your lilies. You can plant them in early spring or fall.

11. Sweet Alyssum

Sweet alyssum is a low-growing annual that produces clusters of small, fragrant flowers in shades of white, pink, or purple. It's an excellent companion plant for lilies as it attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings.

How to Plant:

Plant sweet alyssum in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, spacing them about 6 inches apart from your lilies. You can plant them in early spring or fall.

12. Thyme

Thyme is a fragrant herb that complements the beauty of lilies while also repelling pests like cabbage worms and slugs. It's easy to grow and provides a tasty addition to your meals.

How to Plant:

Plant thyme around the edges of your lily bed, spacing them about 6 inches apart. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil. You can plant them in early spring or fall.

13. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a popular vegetable that can be grown alongside lilies as they both benefit from similar growing conditions. Tomatoes also repel pests like aphids and whiteflies, which can damage lilies.

How to Plant:

Plant tomatoes in full sun and well-drained soil, spacing them about 18 inches apart from your lilies. You can plant them in late spring after the danger of frost has passed.

14. Yarrow

Yarrow is a perennial that produces clusters of small flowers in shades of white, pink, or yellow. It's an excellent companion plant for lilies as it attracts beneficial insects like bees and butterflies.

How to Plant:

Plant yarrow in full sun and well-drained soil, spacing them about 12 inches apart from your lilies. You can plant them in early spring or fall.

15. Zinnia

Zinnias are an annual flower that produces bright blooms in shades of pink, red, orange, and yellow. They're an excellent companion plant for lilies as they attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies.

How to Plant:

Plant zinnias in full sun and well-drained soil, spacing them about 12 inches apart from your lilies. You can plant them in early spring or fall.



Companion planting is a great way to improve the health and productivity of your garden. By planting lilies alongside certain companion plants, you can enhance their growth and beauty while also repelling pests and attracting beneficial insects. Some of the best companion plants for lilies are astilbe, bee balm, chives, dianthus, garlic, marigold, nasturtium, parsley, peonies, salvia, sweet alyssum, thyme, tomatoes, yarrow, and zinnia.

FAQs

1. Can I plant lilies and roses together?

Yes, you can plant lilies and roses together as they both benefit from similar growing conditions. However, make sure to leave enough space between them so they don't compete for nutrients.

2. Can I plant lilies in pots?

Yes, you can plant lilies in pots as long as the pot is at least 12 inches deep and has good drainage. Make sure to use a high-quality potting mix and water regularly.

3. How often should I water my lilies?

Lilies prefer moist, well-drained soil, so water them regularly but avoid overwatering. Aim to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.

4. Do lilies need fertilizer?

Yes, lilies benefit from regular fertilization with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Apply the fertilizer in early spring and again after the lilies have finished blooming.

5. How do I prevent lily beetles?

Lily beetles are a common pest that can damage lilies. To prevent them, inspect your plants regularly and remove any beetles or larvae you find. You can also use insecticidal soap or neem oil to control infestations.