Everybody needs a friend. Humans, animals, and even plants. In the end, they are living things too. In this article, I will give you companion planting 101, including a chart of 30 vegetables and fruits that you can grow together and examples of a few vegetables that I grow next to each other that you can grow too.
Most importantly, you can grow these vegetables, fruits and herbs with each other. Even when you have a small space like a balcony, patio, backyard, or terrace, or you are living in an urban city, etc.
Benefits of Companion Planting
Companion planting is all about growing different types of plants together so that different species can work and support each other’s growth and health. And there are many benefits of doing that.
Nutrient sharing: Many plants can extract and share their nutrients with each other. Using the same soil and environment. Best nitrogen plants like beans and peas can increase nitrogen levels for other plants that need it to grow.
In simple words, Beans and peas are the best sources of nitrogen for other plants that need these nutrients.
Pests deterrents: Many plants can naturally produce chemicals that repel common garden paste. So, if you plant them near the main plant, they can protect your main plant without the need for extra pesticides. For example, many people grow mints and marigolds near their main plant.
Pollination support: Flowers can also attract beneficial insects like bees, butterflies, etc. It does not just look good but also improves pollination rates for your vegetables and fruit gardens, which results in higher yields.
There are many more benefits of companion planting. For example, they can reduce your reliance on pesticides and fertilizer. Many companion plants are self-sustaining, so you don’t have to care much about them.
You might be surprised to know that many experienced gardeners, including myself, find that companion planting increases yield by up to 20% or more.
Companion Planting Chart
Here is the chart of companion plants, which includes 30 vegetables, fruits, and herbs. Most of them are those which we generally use in our kitchens:
| Plant | Companions | Avoid |
| Tomatoes | Basil, carrots, onions | Potatoes, Cabbage |
| Carrots | Tomatoes, onions, chives | Dill |
| Lettuce | Carrots, radishes, strawberries | None specific |
| Beans | Corn, cucumbers, cabbages | Onions, garlic |
| Cabbage | Dill, onions, potatoes | Tomatoes, beans |
| Cucumbers | Beans, corn, radishes | Potatoes, aromatic herbs |
| Peppers | Basil, onions, spinach | Fennel |
| Spinach | Peas, radishes, strawberries | Potatoes |
| Radishes | Carrots, beans, peas | Hyssop |
| Onions |
Carrots, tomatoes, lettuce | Beans, peas |
| Basil |
Tomatoes, peppers, asparagus |
Rue, sage |
| Zucchini |
Corn, beans, peas |
Potatoes |
| Garlic |
Roses, fruit trees, tomatoes | Peas, beans |
| Potatoes |
Beans, corn, cabbage |
Tomatoes, cucumbers |
| Strawberries |
Borage, lettuce, spinach |
Cabbage relatives |
| Asparagus |
Parsley, basil, tomatoes |
Garlic, onions |
| Corn |
Beans, peas, cucumbers | Tomatoes |
| Broccoli |
Celery, potatoes, onions |
Tomatoes, pole beans |
| Eggplant |
Beans, peppers, spinach | Fennel |
| Peas | Carrots, cucumbers, turnips |
Onions, garlic |
| Thyme | Cabbage, strawberries, tomatoes | None specific |
| Mint | Cabbage, tomatoes, peas | None specific |
| Dill |
Cabbage, onions, cucumbers |
Carrots, tomatoes |
| Sage |
Rosemary, carrots, cabbage |
Cucumbers |
| Rosemary | Sage, carrots, beans | None specific |
| Parsley | Tomatoes, corn, asparagus | Lettuce (can be stunted) |
| Kale | Beets, celery, onions | Beans, strawberries |
| Chives | Carrots, tomatoes, roses | Beans, peas |
| Marigold | Nearly all vegetables | None specific |
| Celery | Tomatoes, beans, cabbages | Carrots, parsley |
Tomato Companion Plants
The tomato plant is one of the most popular plants that we usually have in our home, even when I have it on my balcony.
Besides this, it is also a fruit which we use in cooking. So, if you are considering growing tomatoes, here are some companion plants you can consider having next to your tomato plant.
Basil: It is an aromatic herb and classic companion for tomatoes. It can help you get rid of pests like aphids and also improve the overall flavour of tomatoes.
Marigolds: Marigolds are flowering plants that produce chemicals and deter nematodes and other soil-borne pests that are often harmful to tomatoes.
Nostradium: It is a vibrant creeping plant which can attract many insects like ladybugs, which can prey on and eat common pests that usually stay on tomato plants.
Borage: It is an herb that can fight tomato hornworms. It can also attract bees and improve the pollination process. So, you won’t have to do it manually if you have this plant next to the tomato.
What do you avoid planting next to two tomatoes?
There are also some plants that you want to avoid planting next to tomatoes or in the same soil.
Potatoes: Tomatoes and potatoes are both susceptible to the same fungal disease. So, it’s better to keep them away from each other.
Fennel: It has a strong smell, which can stun the growth of tomato plants.
Walnut tree: Its roots release chemicals, which are toxic to tomatoes; that’s why you don’t want to have it.
Now you know the right companion plants for tomatoes and those plants that can be problematic neighbours.
Also read: How to Grow Tomatoes
Cucumber Companion Plants
Radish: It’s a fantastic companion plant that you can have next to cucumbers. They have a pungent aroma, which deters cucumber beetles and other common pests which are not good for cucumbers.
Besides this, radishes grow very quickly, and you can also consider having them in your kitchen. So, it’s good to have radish next to cucumbers.
Beans: You can also consider going with pole beans and bush beans, as they are excellent companions for cucumbers. They can provide nitrogen in the soil, which is good for cucumbers.
Besides this, pole beans also provide some natural shade and support for cucumbers.
Marigold: As I said, it’s a flowering plant that looks very beautiful, and because of its strong scent, it can repel cucumber beetles and different pests.
Dill: It’s another cucumber companion which attracts insects that eat cucumber paste. When you are planting it with cucumber, it also increases cucumber flavour.
Plant you should avoid next to cucumbers
Potatoes: You don’t want to have potatoes planted next to or closer to cucumbers because they will fight for nutrients, which can cause slow growth.
Aromatic herbs: You don’t want to have aromatic herbs like sage, rosemary, or basil because they can inhibit cucumber growth. So, it’s good if you keep them away.
Melons: Cucumbers and melons both belong to the same biotechnical family. That’s why they both will attract similar pests and diseases. That’s why you want to keep them away: if melons get any disease, they will also spread it with cucumbers.
Strawberry Companion Plants
Oh man, it’s one of my favourite fruits. It tastes sweet and slightly sour. Even if you don’t have one, I suggest you have one. Strawberry won’t take up too much space on your balcony, terrace, backyard, etc. Instead, when you eat it, it will taste really amazing.
However, you can consider having some companion plant because, just like me, nobody wants to have pests or any disease on this beautiful plant.
Borage: It won’t be wrong to say that it’s kind of a best friend because Borage helps repeal pests and insects and also attracts beneficial pollinators. And moreover, it provides some nutrients that help strawberries grow better and develop a little more flavour. That’s why I’m calling it best friend.
Spinach: It has shallow roots, which is why it will not compete with the strawberry plant. Being a leafy green, it will also suppress weeds or unwanted plant growth. Plus, it will retain moisture in the soil. That’s why you can consider keeping it or planting next to a strawberry plant.
Nostradamus: It’s a bright, fragrant flower plant. It does not just look beautiful alongside strawberries, but it also fights aphids and other pests, which are very harmful to your strawberry plant.
Chamomile: It’s a herb and a natural warrior that fights against pests and improves the flavour of strawberries if you plant them next to it.
What not to plant with strawberries?
Brassicas (like cabbage or broccoli): They can stun or slow down strawberry growth and make the fruit more susceptible to disease.
As I said before, Borage is kind of a best friend of strawberries; just like broccoli, cabbage is kind of an enemy of strawberries.
Black walnut trees: Black walnut trees’ roots release toxins, which are not good for strawberry plants.
Fennel: They have a strong smell, which impacts strawberry growth and flavour.
That’s why you should also avoid planting it next to strawberries. It is not a good companion plant.
Companion Plants That Deter Pests
Detering pests is one of the biggest reasons why people want to have companion plants in their gardens. However, here are a few of my favourite plants that you can consider having to fight paste.
Before, we have discussed strawberries, cucumbers, and tomato plants. And every time I said that you should consider having marigolds. But why did I mention it?
Marigold is the most famous pest-deterring plant. They have a strong, pungent aroma, which repeals different types of insects, including aphids, beetles, and nematodes in the soil.
That’s why you can consider planting marigolds in your garden. It’ll create a barrier against unwanted critters.
Chives and garlic. They are two aromatic components, and they can also drive away many pests, just like marigolds. They release a sulfurous compound.
Which makes them unappealing to spider mites, aphids, and even rabbits, even though rabbits are big animals. As compared to insects and pests. So you can interplant chives and garlic with your vegetable crops.
Herbs: You can also consider going with herbs like basil, rosemary, and mint. They have a strong scent, which will repeal many different types of garden pests.
Their fragrance in your vegetable, fruit, and flower garden can keep many pests away from you.
How to design a pest-repealing garden?
It’s pretty simple to design a peace-repealing garden. You just want to create diversity and density by incorporating different companion plants.
For example, you do gardening in the backyard, where you grow potatoes, tomatoes, strawberries, cucumbers, etc. So, along with them, wherever you find a little space, there you can plant marigolds or any other plant.
Best Companion plants to attract pollinators
Pollinators are very important for a thriving garden. That’s why everybody should attract them.
But what are pollinators? Well, like bees, butterflies, and human birds.
They help transfer pollen between plants, which is important for fruit and seed production. Without vegetables and flowers, yield can suffer dramatically.
Here are some of my favourite pollinator-attracting plants that you can consider going with.
- Lavender: It’s a purple flower. And it’s kind of a magnet for bees and butterflies. If you are designing a backyard just to sit there and enjoy nature, you would love having lavender.
- Sunflowers: They are cheerful blooms which provide nectar and pollen.
- Marigolds: They have a strong scent. Which repels bees and attracts pollinators.
- Cosmos: They are another delicate and colourful flower that blooms for months. And they attract pollinators, too.
- Borage: They are small blue-purple flowers. Typically attract bees.
In simple words, mostly flower plants that are good in appearance and have good smell attract pollinators. That’s what I noticed.
Common mistakes to avoid in companion planting
Here are some common mistakes that people usually make when planting Companion Plants:
Overcrowding Plants
One of the biggest mistakes that people make while planting companions is growing plants too close, which causes overcrowding.
Yeah, that’s true. Pairing companion plants is good, but it doesn’t mean you have to grow them too close.
If you do so, they will fight for nutrients, light, water, and many other sources. Besides this, if one gets a disease, another one will also be affected by that. So, it’s an unhealthy practice. You must avoid it.
Mismatching Your Companion Plant
Another mistake is mismatching your companion plant. You should not pair those species which can conflict with each other. In simple words, they have different growth habits.
For example, you cannot plant corn next to lettuce. Do you know why? It’s because crops like corn are fast-growing and heavy-feeding. On the other hand, lettuce is a shallow-rooted plant. That’s the reason corn would quickly overcome and overshadow your lettuce.
That’s why you have to look for companion plants that complement each other, such as deep-rooted plants with shallow-rooted plants.
You should also not use plants that are susceptible to the same disease or pests. For example, cucumbers and melons. If you are growing them together and the cucumber gets disease, chances are high melons will also get affected by that.
In simple words, growing plants that are susceptible to some diseases is like keeping all your eggs in the same basket.
Advanced Companion Planting Techniques (Three Sisters)
Many other gardeners, including myself, follow the “Three Sisters” planting method. It’s a simple method in which we grow corn, beans, and squash together, which you can grow too.
But how does it work?
The corn provides the structure for the climbing beans, and the beans fix nitrogen in the soil to nourish other plants. And on the other hand, sprawling squash-like leaves help retain moisture and block weeds. Isn’t it nice?
It’s a nice example of how different plants can work together in harmony to create a self-sustaining mini-ecosystem in your garden. Plus, it’s a good way to maximize yield and produce more food in your small backyard, even a balcony or small patio, if you don’t have a large space.
Another good thing is that it can be applied to all sorts of crops. It’s not just about Three Sisters.
Crop Rotation System
Another advanced technique is incorporating companion plants with your overall crop rotation system.
For example, you can plant nitrogen-fixing legumes in season. Then heavy-feeding crops like tomatoes or berries on next season.
It will help replenish nutrients in the soil, and it’s also good to get rid of pests and diseases because you are rotating plants and crops.
If you are an experienced gardener, here are a few more examples that you want to try and grow together:
- Basil and Tomatoes
- Marigolds and Vegetables Crops
- Borage and Strawberries
- Beans and Cabbage Family Plants
Companion Planting for Raised Beds and Small Spaces
As a gardener, you have to be strategic when working in a limited space. So, having companion plants is a good choice for that. However, there are many things you need to know about companion planting for raised containers:
Choose compact space-saving varieties
If you have a small space, like a raised bed, backyard, or containers, you have to look for things like bush beans, dwarf, tomatoes, baby carrots, etc.
They are perfect for raised beds and containers. So you can consider growing them together. They will provide you with a bountiful harvest without taking up too much space.
Mix in herbs and flowers
You can also grow herbs and vegetables like rosemary and marigold together. They are good companions. They will deter pests and attract beneficial insects. Moreover, flowers will also attract pollinators, and they appear good too.
Utilize Vertical Space
It doesn’t matter if your garden is bad. You would like to utilize the space. So you can grow veining crops like cucumbers or pole beans up trellis or cages to maximize your ground-level real estate.
Staggered planting times
You can sow crops with different maturity rates. And keep harvesting throughout the season without overcrowding.
Pay attention to sun exposure
Sun is very important for plants, whether big or small. They need sunlight to make food through photosynthesis. That’s why you want to organize your plants. Keep the taller plants where they don’t shed out shorter plants. As shorter also need the sunlight.
Conclusion
Companion planting is all about taking advantage of the natural relations between different plants and creating a thriving, self-sustaining ecosystem in your garden. By doing so, you also maximize yield, and you don’t have to care a lot about the garden.
Even if you are a beginner, I suggest you grow some companion plants in your garden. They won’t just maximize your yield, but they will also deter pests and attract natural pollinators. It’s not rocket science; everybody should do that.
FAQs
Here are some really important questions that come to mind whenever people try to grow compliant plants.
What vegetables should not be planted next to each other?
There are many vegetables that have adverse effects on each other’s growth. For example, you cannot plant onion and garlic near beans or peas. It can affect growth due to different nutrient needs.
Similarly, you also don’t want to plant dill along with carrots because dill can suppress the carrot’s growth.
Barricas like broccoli and cabbage should also not be planted next to strawberries as they both will fight for nutrients and compete with each other.
In simple words, you should not plant vegetables that compete for nutrients or are prone to some diseases and pests with each other. Most importantly, competing for natural resources. Even for one time, we can handle diseases, but we can’t stop them from competing for nutrients.
What should I not plant next to peppers?
Pepper thrives pretty well with many companions that enhance their growth. But there are also some plants that you should not plant next to peppers, such as you cannot plant them with fennels or kohlrabi, as they can slow down peppers’ growth.
Besides this, you also want to avoid peppers near cabbage as cabbage is a heavy feeder and can deplete nutrients peppers need. On the other hand, it is good if you plant pepper next to basil as it can enhance flavour and reveal its taste; you can also try carrots.
Can I practice companion planting in a small garden or container?
Of course, you can have companion plants and containers in your garden. You just have to carefully select a plant that pairs and benefits each other.
In limited space, you can consider using vertical-growing plants alongside low-growing ones to maximize their space. For example, you can plant tomatoes vertically with lettuce, which is a slow-growing plant, in the same containers.
On the other hand, you can have herbs like basil or marigolds among vegetables to improve growth and fight pests.
How do companion plants deter pests naturally?
There are many ways in which companion plants deter pests naturally. The first is their strong scent. For example, marigolds and onions have strong smells, which can repel or confuse insects and prevent them from locating their main target plants.
Besides this, certain plants, such as nasturtiums, act like trap crops. They also keep pests away from the main vegetables.
Some companion plants also attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and predatory wasps, which prey on harmful pests and reduce the need for chemical pest control, like neem oil or soap.
What plants attract the most beneficial pollinators?
Most plants that are rich in nectar and pollen attract the most beneficial pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. For example, flowers like lavenders, sunflowers, and echinacea are excellent choices for that.
They have good appearance and abundant nectar, which is good for pollinators.
There are also herbs that you can try to attract beneficial pollinators, such as borage and mint. They can attract bees. Moreover, you can also incorporate flowers and herbs together to attract all types of pollinators and increase yield.
