Here in Germany, eggplants are rarely planted because the climatic conditions are not the best for them to thrive. If you have found a suitable location, you may want to plant the eggplants in a mixed culture with basil. But does it work?
Are eggplants and basil good neighbors?
Aubergines arewell suited as neighbors for basil. The culinary herb feels very comfortable in the environment of heat-loving plants, such as eggplants, and prefers temperatures of at least 15 °C and loose soil.
How can I plant eggplant and basil in mixed culture?
There are three options for mixing eggplants and basil, which belong to the nightshade family:
- Growing inGreenhouse
- Cultivation inOutdoors
- Growing inRaised bed
In all three variants, the delicate basil plants can use the unneeded space under the eggplants. A big advantage of this is that significantly fewer weeds grow. If eggplants and basil are planted together, it is important to ensure that there is a minimum distance of around 50 cm between the individual eggplant plants in the bed so that all the roots have enough space.
How to water eggplant and basil together?
Both eggplant and basil require a lot of water and definitely need to be watered daily in hot temperatures. The best option iswatering from below so that the delicate leaves of the basil do not get wet. In this case, they could easily be affected by fungal diseases. And the eggplant plants may only be watered from below, as too much water, which the plant urgently needs, would evaporate through wet leaves.
What is the right location for mixed culture?
Both basil and aubergines like itsufficiently warmThe temperatures should not fall below 15 °C, otherwise basil will die and the growth of the aubergines will be inhibited or completely stopped. If it is possible to grow them in a greenhouse, eggplants and basil can thrive optimally as neighbors at around 25 °C.
Thesoil for both plants must be loose and permeable, so that waterlogging is effectively avoided. Humus is recommended as a fertilizer as both require sufficient nutrients.
What is the advantage of this mixed culture?
Basil attracts pollinating insects with its intense scent andpromotes the fruit set of eggplants.
Which vegetables are suitable as neighbors for eggplants?
If you want to cultivate several varieties together, the following vegetables are particularly suitable as neighbors for eggplants:
- Kohlrabi
- Beans
- Radishes
- Salad
Tip
Do not combine with other nightshades
While basil is a good neighbor for eggplants, things are completely different with tomatoes, potatoes and peppers. They are unsuitable for growing in a bed together with eggplants and it is important to ensure that there is sufficient distance between these vegetables in the greenhouse.
