Here's a study about how plants "talk" to each other. And Basil, in particular, is supposedly known for benefiting other nearby plants.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Hark-Are-the-plants-chatting-with-each-other/articleshow/19929229.cms?

I may try it in a few pots and see if i see any difference in fig development. :)

Oregano, Stevia, Silene inflata, and Rosemary seem to work well with companion planting for me.

jd_smith,

That was an interesting link but I don't fully understand their setup.
"In the experiments, chili seeds were planted surrounding a basil plant which was enclosed in a double walled box with vacuum between the two walls. The whole set of plants was further enclosed in a similar double walled vacuumed box to block any outside interference."

and the conclusion was

"According to the researchers this shows that the other methods of communication (light, touch or chemicals) play an important role but are not the exclusive means with which plants communicate. That is why they theorise that tiny sound waves might be doing the same job."

but... the sound does not travel through the vacuum. In a vacuum there are no molecules to propagate the vibrations of sound waves.

My grandma used to plant different vegetables together claiming they would grow better and they were like weeds.
 

That's great! Thank you. I've been wondering where to plant my basil.

Hi
if you love your figs dont do that. i lost a loquat tree after planting it with a herb.
the herbs took all the water and nutrients  with its fast growing roots and the loquat was dying slowly from it i think..
maybe figs can do beter but i would leave each in its own pot.

My  sweet basil plants I put in containers get pretty big and take up a lot of water.  I agree with Elin, best to keep them in separate pots.

Good to know.  Maybe i'll just put Basil pots next to my fig pots and let em chat it up..

I did grow basil in one of my fig pots (20 gal) last summer. Compared to the other pot of the same size which had rosemary and thyme it was much harder to keep watered. As much as I love basil I won't plant it in the fig pots this year. I will however keep the rosemary as it over winters nicely with the figs.

Thanks for sharing this, I usually plant basil and also marigolds in my pots with figs and veggies. I have also found that they both work well for keeping pest insects away. 

A bit related article that I read today:
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/study-shows-plants-communicate-other-via-underground-fungi-211754050.html

"A new study has demonstrated that plants can use an underground network of fungi to warn each other about incoming insect attacks..."