45 Companion Plants for Roses

45 Top Rose Companion Plants

Roses are the pride and joy of many gardeners. From the incredible Mister Lincoln to miniature roses, you likely want to find some rose companion plants that will best complement their flowers and help prevent pests and diseases if possible.

Here’s a full list of companion plants for roses, along with a few plants to avoid growing near roses. I’ve focused mostly on flowers, since roses are typically planted in flower gardens and areas near your house. 

Basic Care Tips for Roses

Rose bushes love sun, and ideally receive full sun every day. They also prefer well-draining soil that’s filled with nutrients and kept consistently watered. They need plenty of space and many require regular pruning to help prevent fungal diseases, including black spot and powdery mildew. They suffer from several insects, including Japanese beetles and aphids most commonly, along with spider mites occasionally. 

Full List of Rose Companion Plants

Here are all the best companion plants for roses. I’ve noted zones for many perennials, and the “and up” just means they’re hardy through at least zone 7, which is the warmest zone in the northeast.

You can look beyond this list too and see what’s available at your favorite online gardening retailer or gardening catalog. When trying to decide if they’d be a good fit for each other, keep in mind the size of your roses and what color they are so they won’t compete for sunlight or clash in terms of looks. Any rose companion should also have similar water, soil, and light requirements to encourage healthier plants. If you’re feeling super artistic, you could even consult a color wheel to decide what color flowers would look nice with your rose.

When planting, remember that roses have a root system that shouldn’t be disturbed. Don’t plant anything other than seeds too close to the base, or you may cut into the rose while digging. Planting another bush too close may also crowd the rose and encourage disease as well, since roses need good air circulation to avoid disease. Always leave at least one foot between the rose and the companion, and check your seed packets or growing instructions for whether more space is needed.

Perennial Flower Companion Plants for Roses

Alchemilla – Alchemilla, or lady’s mantle, can be a good ground cover under tall rose varieties in zones 3 and up.

Alliums – These onion family flowers have a strong odor that can help repel aphids. They’re also thought to help prevent black spot, which is a fungal disease spread by water, making them some of the best plants for around roses. They’re hardy in zones 3 and up.

Bee Balm – Bee balm attracts many pollinators to your rose garden. It’s best to plant it a short distance away or even behind roses due to its large growth habit to avoid having them compete for space and visibility. Bee balm is hardy in zones 3 and up.

Butterfly Weed – This native perennial grows well around roses and attracts pollinators, but can spread easily if not checked. It’s hardy in zones 3 and up.

Clematis – Clematis is a climbing flower that appreciates similar conditions to roses, like moist soil. They can grow together on a trellis in zones 4 and up.

Coneflowers – These hardy perennials like similar growing conditions to roses and grow well when planted nearby. Keep in mind that they can spread if not maintained. They’re hardy in zones 3 and up.

Coral Bells – Coral bells, or heuchera, make a great companion plant for roses when planted so that the roses offer them shade. They’re hardy in zones 3 and up.

Coreopsis – Coreopsis has similar growing requirements to roses and makes a nice ground cover in zones 4 and up.

Cranesbill – Cranesbill, also known as hardy geraniums, are great companion plants for roses that help with disease and pest prevention. They grow in zones 3 and up.

Crocuses, Daffodils, Hyacinths, Snowdrops, Tulips, and Other Early Spring Favorites – As long as you’re careful not to disturb the root space of your rose, you can plant any number of early spring bulbs around the area to add some excitement to your rose bed before the roses bloom. Due to their early growing season, they’ll just be green or even back in dormancy by the time roses are out. The bonus is that these flowers also thrive in lots of sun, so your rose garden is already the perfect place for them.

Lamb’s Ear – Lamb’s ears are small perennials that work well as ground cover around roses in zones 4 and up.

Lilies – Lilies enjoy similar amounts of sun to roses, and grow well together when planted a short distance away in zones 4 and up.

Penstemon – Penstemons love sun and grow well when planted near roses, but not so close that they block the sun’s light. They’re hardy in zones 3 and up.

Peonies – Peonies and roses are good companions that both like well-drained soil, similar water conditions, and grow well near each other. They are hardy in zones 3 and up.

Phlox – Phlox attracts pollinators and is a great choice near roses if you plant a mildew-resistant variety, like David. It’s hardy in zones 3 and up.

Russian Sage – Russian sage attracts pollinators when planted in the same vicinity as roses. Keep in mind it grows quite large. It’s hardy in zones 4 and up.

Spirea – Small spirea varieties also love sun and can be planted near roses in zones 4 and up.

Verbascum – Verbascum flowers also love full sun, but since they can grow tall, be careful not to plant them in a way that they shade your rose. They are hardy in zones 5 and up. 

Viburnum – Small varieties of viburnum enjoy similar growing conditions to roses and won’t steal their sun and nutrients. Depending on the type, they can be grown in zones 3 and up.

Violets – Violets produce beautiful little purple flowers that grow well around roses and offer ground cover in zones 3 and up.

Annual Flower Companion Plants for Roses

Alyssum – Alyssum is an easy plant to grow that makes a great ground cover around your roses.

Calibrachoa – Calibrachoas are wonderful rose companions that grow well as ground cover.

Geraniums – Annual geraniums can help prevent diseases and some beetle and aphid pests, just like cranesbill, which is a hardy geranium.

Lantana – Lantana makes a good ground cover around the base of your roses.

Marigolds – Marigolds can help repel various rose pests when planted around the base of the roses. 

Salvia – Salvias attract pollinators and may help prevent rose diseases.

Verbena – Verbena grows well around the base of roses.

Herbs to Plant Near Roses

Anise Hyssop – Anise hyssop attracts pollinators to your roses. Get a low-growing variety for the most success.

Catmint – Catmint grows well with and looks great next to roses. It may also help prevent pests and draw in pollinators. It’s considered a perfect rose companion for many gardeners and is hardy in zones 3 and up. 

Chives – Companion planting chives with roses can help repel pests like aphids as well as issues like rose black spot. Chives are fairly low-growing herbs that are perennial in all northeast zones.

Feverfew – This unusual herb helps repel aphids, but it can take over spaces if not kept pruned.

Lavender – Lavender plants may help prevent pests like aphids. They’re perennial plants in zones 5 and up.

Oregano – Oregano’s strong scent can help repel pests. 

Parsley – Parsley can help prevent common rose pests.

Rue – Rue may help prevent pests like Japanese beetles.

Sage – Sage can help repel aphids, Japanese beetles, and more.

Thyme – The strong scent of thyme may help repel rose pests.

Yarrow – Yarrow attracts ladybugs and other beneficial insects that will help keep aphids in check. As an added benefit, it may also help with soil quality. Keep in mind that they can take over spaces if not kept in control.

Other Rose Companion Plants

Boxwood – Small varieties of boxwood make great ground cover around roses and provide low maintenance greenery. They’re perennial in zones 5 and up.

Tomatoes – Planting tomatoes in an area near your roses may help prevent black spot.

Various Onion Family Members – Flowers like ornamental alliums and chives are both members of the onion family and are helpful for preventing black spot and discouraging pests, but so are the other onion family members! You can plant garlic or regular onions around your roses, along with many other types of alliums, provided you leave enough space that the roots don’t interfere with those of the rose.

What Not to Plant with Roses 

Large Shrubs – Any plant that grows too large may take up too much space around your rose and prevent it from getting the light, water, and nutrients that it needs.

Sunflowers – Sunflowers grow too large and attract aphids.

FAQs About Rose Companion Plants

What should you not plant around roses?

Roses shouldn’t be planted near large shrubs, trees, or other plants that will steal space and sun from them. 

What is the best companion plant for roses?

The best companion plants for roses include catmint and allium family members.

What vegetables can be planted near roses?

Vegetables you can plant near roses include onions, tomatoes, and garlic.

What ground cover to plant with roses?

Alyssum, calibrachoa, catmint, coreopsis, and lamb’s ear all make excellent ground cover around roses.

What evergreens go well with roses?

Boxwood is a common evergreen to plant with roses.

How do roses interact with other plants?

Roses generally interact well with many other plants provided they have complementary sun and soil needs.

Can you plant hydrangeas and roses together?

Yes, provided they’re planted in such a way that the rose shades the hydrangea, and neither one intrudes on the other’s growing space.

Can I plant lavender with roses?

Yes, lavender grows well with roses.

Enjoy Your Roses!

With these tips, you should now have a good idea of the right companions to plant around your roses. Try a few and see what works best with your variety!

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