Best 8 Bee Balm Companion Plants (+What to Avoid)

Although it can be a little invasive, bee balm is a lovely addition to any landscape. You won’t have any issues with this perennial if you put it in broad sunlight and give it lots of space to spread out. It is a fantastic option for anybody searching for something fresh and distinctive because it has several functions both within at home and outside! For this reason, it has many companion plants too. In this article we will look at the best bee balm companion plants!

Best Bee Balm Companion Plants

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, exploring the world of bee balm companion plants opens up a realm of possibilities for your garden’s success. Let’s delve into some fantastic companion plants that will complement your bee balm and elevate your gardening experience! In the following, we will have a look at the best bee balm companion plants.

Black-eyed Susan as Bee Balm Companion

The first member of the best bee balm companion plants is the Black-eyed Susan. Hardy perennial Black-eyed Susan can thrive in a range of environments. It is frequently used as an ornamental. The leaves and stems of this plant are purple-brown and have a pungent smell when crushed. The blooms are often visible from mid to late summer through October. They are orange or yellow with brown centers. Black-eyed Susan’s don’t require much upkeep.

On the other side, they do benefit from being planted in well-drained soil and fed once or twice throughout the growth season. You can do that with an organic fertilizer like composted manure.

Here are some tips to ensure successful planting and harmonious growth:

1. Choose the Right Location: Select a sunny location in your garden that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Both black-eyed Susans and bee balm thrive in full sun conditions.
2. Prepare the Soil: Ensure the soil is well-draining and rich in organic matter. Work compost or well-aged manure into the soil before planting to improve fertility and drainage.
3. Planting Distance: Space the black-eyed Susans and bee balm plants according to their mature size. Provide enough room for each plant to spread and grow without overcrowding. Typically, spacing them about 18-24 inches apart is ideal.
4. Planting Depth: Dig holes for the plants slightly larger than their root balls. Plant the black-eyed Susans and bee balm at the same depth as they were in their nursery containers.
5. Watering: Water the newly planted black-eyed Susans and bee balm thoroughly to help settle the soil and encourage root establishment. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during the plants’ initial growth period.
6. Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as shredded bark or straw, around the base of the plants to help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Leave a gap between the mulch and the plant stems to prevent moisture-related diseases.
7. Deadheading: Regularly deadhead faded flowers from both the black-eyed Susans and bee balm to encourage continuous blooming throughout the growing season. This also helps prevent self-seeding, especially with black-eyed Susans, which can become invasive if left to freely set seed.
8. Support: While bee balm generally doesn’t require staking, taller varieties may benefit from support in windy conditions. Consider providing stakes or cages to prevent bending or flopping of the plants.
9. Companion Planting: Surround your black-eyed Susans and bee balm with other compatible companion plants, such as coneflowers, coreopsis, or salvia, to create a diverse and visually appealing garden display while attracting a variety of pollinators.

Coneflower next to Bee Balm

Echinacea, commonly known as coneflower, is a perennial that thrives in the Midwest. It tolerates drought quite well and is a very simple plant to cultivate¹. This means your bee balm plants can take as much nutrients as it wants. Coneflower is a wonderful addition to any garden or landscape since it draws hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.

Tips for successful growth:

• Choose the Right Location: Select a sunny spot in your garden that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Both coneflowers and bee balm thrive in full sun conditions.
• Soil Preparation: Ensure the soil is well-draining and fertile. Work organic matter, such as compost or aged manure, into the soil before planting to improve soil structure and fertility.
• Planting Distance: Space the coneflowers and bee balm plants according to their mature size. Provide enough room for each plant to spread and grow without overcrowding, typically about 18-24 inches apart.
• Planting Depth: Dig holes for the plants slightly larger than their root balls. Plant the coneflowers and bee balm at the same depth as they were in their nursery containers.
• Watering: Water the newly planted coneflowers and bee balm thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil and encourage root establishment. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the plants’ first growing season.
• Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as shredded bark or straw, around the base of the plants to help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Leave a gap between the mulch and the plant stems to prevent moisture-related diseases.
• Deadheading: Remove faded flowers regularly from both the coneflowers and bee balm to promote continuous blooming and prevent self-seeding. Deadheading also helps maintain the plants’ appearance and encourages new growth.
• Companion Planting: Surround your coneflowers and bee balm with other compatible companion plants, such as ornamental grasses, salvias, or rudbeckias, to create a diverse and visually appealing garden display while attracting a variety of pollinators.
• Support: While coneflowers typically don’t require staking, taller varieties may benefit from support in windy conditions. Consider providing stakes or cages to prevent bending or flopping of the plants.

Due to its strong endurance regarding nutrients intake, coneflowers are very friendly plants and have many companion plants! We have prepared a full list of them:

Daisy and Bee Balm

Shasta daisies are a nice alternative for bee balm companion planting since they draw pollinators. They are also simple to grow and drought resistant as coneflowers. The borders of your garden can benefit from the height and color that daisies and other lovely flowers can bring.

Daisies have vivid golden yellow to orange-red blooms that bloom in the summer and fall on plants that may become up to three feet tall and broad. Depending on their environment, these perennials bloom from July to September. If they are planted outdoors in colder regions of the nation, they may require protection from the winter cold. They appreciate sites with full sun or light shade, well-drained soil, and no excessive foot traffic or other gardening activity that could disrupt them.

Have a look at these points before you plant them together:

• Choose the Right Location: Select a sunny or partially shaded spot in your garden that receives ample sunlight, as both daisies and bee balm thrive in these conditions.
• Soil Preparation: Ensure the soil is well-draining and fertile. Incorporate organic matter, such as compost or aged manure, into the soil before planting to improve soil structure and provide essential nutrients.
• Planting Distance: Space the daisies and bee balm plants according to their mature size, typically about 12-18 inches apart. Provide enough room for each plant to spread and grow without overcrowding.
• Planting Depth: Dig holes for the plants slightly larger than their root balls. Plant the daisies and bee balm at the same depth as they were in their nursery containers.
• Watering: Water the newly planted daisies and bee balm thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil and encourage root establishment. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry periods.
• Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as shredded bark or straw, around the base of the plants to help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Leave a gap between the mulch and the plant stems to prevent moisture-related diseases.
• Deadheading: Remove faded flowers regularly from both the daisies and bee balm to promote continuous blooming and prevent self-seeding. Deadheading also helps maintain the plants’ appearance and encourages new growth.
• Companion Planting: Surround your daisies and bee balm with other compatible companion plants, such as lavender, salvia, or coreopsis, to create a diverse and visually appealing garden display while attracting a variety of pollinators.
• Support: Daisies typically do not require staking, but taller varieties may benefit from support in windy conditions. Consider providing stakes or cages to prevent bending or flopping of the plants.

Liriope & Bee Balm

We continue our list of the best bee balm companion plants with liriope. Bee balm pairs well with liriope muscari, a perennial that likes shade and has lovely dark green leaves². In the late summer and early fall, it also produces tiny purple blooms. These add a lovely burst of color to your border.

Liriope requires little maintenance and can tolerate both sun and little shade. Although it barely grows to a height of 1′ (about 30 cm), it spreads out by horizontal stems. It roots at their nodes to form new plants all around it. This characteristic makes this species a great option for front-of-the-border highlights or edging.

Good to know before planting liriope and bee balm together:

• Choose the Right Location: Select a location in your garden that receives partial to full sunlight, as both liriope and bee balm can tolerate a range of light conditions. Ensure the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging.
• Soil Preparation: Prepare the soil by incorporating organic matter, such as compost or well-aged manure, to improve soil fertility and structure. Liriope and bee balm both prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil.
• Planting Distance: Space the liriope and bee balm plants according to their mature size, typically about 12-18 inches apart. Provide enough room for each plant to spread and grow without overcrowding.
• Planting Depth: Dig holes for the plants slightly larger than their root balls. Plant the liriope and bee balm at the same depth as they were in their nursery containers.
• Watering: Water the newly planted liriope and bee balm thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil and encourage root establishment. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the plants’ first growing season.
• Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as shredded bark or compost, around the base of the plants to help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
• Companion Planting: Surround your liriope and bee balm with other compatible companion plants, such as hostas, ferns, or astilbes, to create a diverse and visually appealing garden display.
• Pruning: Trim back any dead or damaged foliage from both the liriope and bee balm as needed to maintain their appearance and promote healthy growth.
• Dividing: Over time, liriope may become overcrowded and benefit from division. Divide the clumps in early spring or fall, and replant the divisions to rejuvenate the plants and prevent overcrowding.

Spirea with Bee Balm

Spirea are evergreen shrubs that reach a height of about three feet (about 90cm). They can endure dry circumstances but thrive most effectively in full sun or light shade³.

When picking partners for your spirea alongside other plants, take into account its height. The bee balm, for instance, is a suitable companion plant for spirea! It doesn’t grow as tall and will offer some shade. Like that, it prevents your spirea from overheating in direct sunshine. What a wonderful companionship this is!

Planting tips to consider:

• Choose the Right Location: Select a sunny to partially shaded spot in your garden that receives at least 4-6 hours of sunlight per day. Spirea prefers full sun, while bee balm can tolerate partial shade. Ensure the soil is well-draining.
• Soil Preparation: Prepare the soil by incorporating organic matter, such as compost or well-aged manure, to improve soil fertility and structure. Spirea and bee balm both prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil.
• Planting Distance: Space the spirea and bee balm plants according to their mature size, typically about 18-24 inches apart. Provide enough room for each plant to spread and grow without overcrowding.
• Planting Depth: Dig holes for the plants slightly larger than their root balls. Plant the spirea and bee balm at the same depth as they were in their nursery containers.
• Watering: Water the newly planted spirea and bee balm thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil and encourage root establishment. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the plants’ first growing season.
• Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as shredded bark or compost, around the base of the plants to help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
• Companion Planting: Surround your spirea and bee balm with other compatible companion plants, such as asters, daylilies, or sedums, to create a diverse and visually appealing garden display.
• Pruning: Prune the spirea in late winter or early spring to remove dead or damaged branches and shape the plant as desired. Bee balm can be deadheaded regularly to promote continuous blooming and prevent self-seeding.
• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer to the spirea and bee balm in early spring, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowering.

Cucumber – Pepper – Tomato as Bee Balm Companion Plants

The last three members of the best bee balm companion plants are cucumber, pepper, and tomato. This is great news for gardeners because everyone loves growing tasty vegetables in their gardens. The addition of bee balm makes your garden look a lot better. Another cool thing is that these vegetables and bee balm help each other grow. Now how does this work? Bees and butterflies are drawn to the bee balm’s tiny yellow blossoms. This improves the growth of cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes by improving the soil’s nutritional content or facilitating pollination.

Consider the following tips before planting together:

• Choose the Right Location: Select a sunny location in your garden that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers all thrive in full sun conditions, while bee balm can tolerate partial shade.
• Soil Preparation: Ensure the soil is well-draining and rich in organic matter. Work compost or well-aged manure into the soil before planting to improve soil fertility and structure.
• Planting Distance: Space the tomato, cucumber, and pepper plants according to their mature size. Provide enough room for each plant to spread and grow without overcrowding, typically about 18-24 inches apart.
• Planting Depth: Dig holes for the plants slightly larger than their root balls. Plant the tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and bee balm at the same depth as they were in their nursery containers.
• Watering: Water the newly planted tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and bee balm thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil and encourage root establishment. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry periods.
• Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves, around the base of the plants to help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
• Companion Planting: Surround your tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers with bee balm to attract pollinators and beneficial insects to your garden. Bee balm also adds color and beauty to the garden bed.
• Support: Provide support for the tomato and cucumber plants using stakes, cages, or trellises to keep them off the ground and prevent disease and pest issues. Peppers typically do not require support.
• Pruning: Prune the tomato plants regularly to remove suckers and improve airflow around the plant. Cucumbers and peppers may benefit from pruning to remove overcrowded or damaged foliage.
• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer to the tomato, cucumber, and pepper plants according to their specific needs and growth stage. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of fruit production.

Another great news is that we also listed companion plants for all three vegetables. Check them out in the articles below:

• Cucumber Companion Plants – Great Idea?
• Best Pepper Companion Plants – Top 10 & Flop 2
• 8 Helpful Tomato Companion Plants (+4 to Avoid)

What Not to Plant with Bee Balm

While bee balm is a versatile and beneficial plant, there are certain companions that may not thrive when planted nearby. Understanding which plants to avoid can help you create a harmonious and thriving garden ecosystem. Here are five plants you should avoid planting with bee balm:

Lavender

Lavender and bee balm have different soil and watering requirements. Lavender prefers dry, well-drained soil, while bee balm thrives in moist conditions. Planting them together can lead to competition for resources and potential root rot for one or both plants.

Mint

Mint is known for its aggressive growth habit and can quickly overtake surrounding plants, including bee balm. Planting them together may result in the mint dominating the area and outcompeting the bee balm for space, sunlight, and nutrients.

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums produce allelopathic chemicals that can inhibit the growth of neighboring plants, including bee balm. Planting them together may stunt the growth of the bee balm and compromise its overall health.

Peonies

Peonies have shallow root systems and may struggle to compete with the vigorous growth of bee balm. Planting them together can lead to overcrowding and hinder the peonies’ ability to establish and thrive.

References

1. Estill, L. (2018). Beneficial Insects in Native Perennial and Pasture Borders in Franklin County, Kentucky.
2. Fumagalli, N., Maccarini, M., Rovelli, R., Berto, R., & Senes, G. (2020). An Exploratory Study of Users’ Preference for Different Planting Combinations along Rural Greenways. Sustainability, 12(5), 2120.
3. Aksyanova, T. Y., Livak, N. S., Kondrashova, E. V., Parfenova, A. G., & Yuldasheva, E. P. (2020). Tactile landscape compositional solutions for creating an accessible environment. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science(Vol. 421, No. 7, p. 072001). IOP Publishing.