Is It Okay to Mix Cilantro, Basil, & Rosemary Plants in an Herb Garden?

The strong oils in herbs keep many garden pests from eating the plants.


Growing herbs in the garden is a good way to have fresh herbs on hand whenever they are needed. Herbs such as rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), which is perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10, can be grown in the same herb garden with annuals such as sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) and cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) as long as their water and light needs are balanced.

Not Too Strong

Cilantro, basil and rosemary need light, well-drained soil in order to grow well. The soil should have a moderate amount of organic material but should not be extremely rich. Herbs such as cilantro, basil and rosemary grown in very fertile soil or that are fertilized often do not develop the aromatic oils that produce flavor. Because those three herbs need the same kind of soil, they can be grown together.

Water Matters

Basil grows best in soil that is evenly moist while cilantro and rosemary need their soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions. The three herbs still can be grown in the same herb garden, however. None of the three grows well in very wet soil. So adding a slightly deeper layer of mulch around the basil will increase moisture retention in its soil, keeping it moister than the cilantro's and rosemary's soil. Unless the herb garden soil is allowed to dry completely for several days between watering events, the extra mulch will retain enough moisture for basil to be grown with cilantro and rosemary.

Sunny Days

Rosemary and basil need exposure to full sun for the best growth, and they develop more flavorful oils in strong sunlight than weak sunlight. Cilantro, however, needs some light shade to avoid sunscald in summer heat. Cilantro grows from 1 ½ to 2 feet tall and can be planted beneath rosemary, which grows from 2 to 6 feet tall. The two plants have similar moisture needs, and rosemary can provide cilantro the shade that it needs.

Winter Shelter

In cool climates, rosemary can be taken indoors for the cold months and taken outdoors for summer. The most convenient way to do that is to grow the rosemary in a pot rather than in the ground, which would require digging it up and transplanting it twice each year. It still can be grown with cilantro and basil if a pot large enough to accommodate the roots of all three plants is used. Cilantro usually goes to seed after being cut down twice, but taking basil indoors with the rosemary may extend its harvest time as long as it receives sufficient light. Basil needs 10 hours of direct sunlight daily. So if it is taken indoors with rosemary in the winter, the two plants should be placed where they will receive that much light.

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