Companion planting is the practice of growing different plants together for mutual benefit. The research on the benefits of planting certain crops together focuses on vegetable gardens, but ornamentals like roses can also benefit from knowing compatible plants to help prevent disease and insect infestation.
Unlike other gardening areas, this type of gardening is not always based on hard scientific facts but on observations and garden lore found in farmers’ almanacs. There is always an element of trial and error to see what works for you. However, understanding your garden as a system of biodiversity where plants are all connected and interdependent helps you make better plant choices. Read on for a chart with recommended companion planting choices and other tips for popular garden crops.
What Is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is best defined as the practice of planting different plant species in close proximity so that they can offer identifiable benefits to one another. Sometimes the benefit is one-sided, with one plant selflessly offering most of the partnership advantages to the other. In other cases, the benefit is mutual, with each plant enhancing the other's health or vigor.
Companion Planting Chart
Before you even start thinking about companion planting in your garden, make sure that you follow the rules of crop rotation. Don't plant the same garden crop in the same spot for consecutive gardening years, as this can lead to pest and disease problems and nutrient imbalances.
Depending on the source you consult, information on which plants make good companion plants for each other can vary greatly. Only a few "hard facts" are unanimously and universally agreed upon, such as the benefits of planting corn, pole beans, and pumpkins together. The corn supports the beans, which pull nitrogen from the air to benefit the corn's roots. The pumpkins thrive in the dappled shade of corn, suppress weeds, and keep the ground cooler to conserve water.
Here is a list of popular garden crops with their anecdotal recommended companion plants:
| 28 Garden Crops | Companion plants |
| Asparagus | Calendula, Petunias, Tomatoes |
| Basil | Peppers, Purslane, Tomatoes |
| Beans | Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garden peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Squash, Strawberries, Tomatoes |
| Beets | Brassicas, Bush beans, Garlic, Lettuce, Onionfamily |
| Broccoli | Oregano, other Brassicas (cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, etc.) |
| Brussels sprouts | Basil, Beans, Beet, Carrot, Garlic, Mint, Nasturtium, Onion, Peas, Thyme |
| Cabbage | Other cole crops (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Kale, Kohlrabi, Rutabagas, Turnips), Onions, Potatoes |
| Carrots | Chives, Leeks, Onions, Peas, Radishes, Rosemary, Sage |
| Cauliflower | Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Celery, Corn, Onions, Radish, Spinach, Cucumber |
| Corn | Beans, Cucumbers, Garden peas, Melons, Potatoes, Squash |
| Cucumber | Beans, Beets, Corn, Onions, Garden peas, Radishes |
| Dill | Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Corn, Cucumber, Lettuce, Onion |
| Eggplant | Beans, Catnip, Marigold, Peas, Pepper |
| Garlic | Beets, Carrots, Cole crops, Eggplant, Peppers, Potatoes, Tomatoes |
| Kale | Beet, Beans, Celery, Cucumber, Dill, Garlic, Lettuce, Mint, Onion, Peas, Pepper, Potato, Rosemary, Sage, Spinach |
| Lettuce | Corn, Pumpkins, Radishes, Squash |
| Onions | Beets, Carrots, Cole crops, Lettuce |
| Peas | Beans, Carrots, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Peppers, Radishes, Spinach, Tomatoes |
| Peppers | Basil, Onions, Okra |
| Potatoes | Beans, Cole crops, Corn, Lettuce, Spinach, Radishes |
| Radishes | Chervil, Lettuce, Nasturtium, Peas |
| Rosemary | Beans, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Kale |
| Spinach | Beans, Cilantro, Eggplant, Oregano, Peas, Rosemary, Strawberries |
| Strawberries | Borage, Bush beans, Caraway, Chives, Lettuce, Onions, Sage, Spinach, Squash |
| Tomatoes | Basil (and other herbs); Carrots, Cucumbers, and Squash (as part of a three-way companion partnership) |
| Watermelon (and other melons) | Broccoli, Corn, Garlic, Radishes |
| Winter squash (including pumpkins) | Beans (pole), Buckwheat, Calendula, Corn Marigold, Nasturtium, Oregano |
| Zucchini (and other summer squash) | Beans, Corn, Garden peas, Radishes |
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Benefits of Companion Planting
There are numerous benefits to companion planting. Plants can attract beneficial insects and pollinators, deter pests, and act as insect repellants. They can fend off predators and undesirable wildlife. Raccoons, for instance, dislike the smell of cucumbers.
Plants also play a role in soil fertility by improving the nutrient supply, availability, and uptake from the soil. Tall plants such as corn can provide shade for crops like lettuce which does not do well in the hot summer sun, and they can serve as support for crops that need trellising. Interplanting different crops can help mark garden rows and distinguish fast-germinating plants like radishes from slower-germinating plants like lettuce. Proper companion planting can even help suppress weeds.
Tip
It's best to plant companion plants as close to each other as you can without compromising their usual spacing requirements. Most plant spacing preferences are listed on seed packets and plant care guides. However, not all plants are the same. For example, some might prefer to be 6 inches apart, while others might like a distance of 12 inches. In this case, split the difference: Plant them 9 inches apart.
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Best Companion Plants
Some vegetable combinations are superstars in bringing out the best in one another or in preventing common pest and disease problems. Among these outstanding combinations:
- Corn, pole beans, and squash: Known as the "three sisters," this combination was first developed by American Indian people centuries ago. Corn, with its sturdy stems, provides upright support for climbing beans. For their part, the pole beans fix nitrogen in the soil, providing essential nutrients for all three sisters. And the large leaves of the ground-dwelling squash shade the soil, retain moisture, and block out weeds.
- Cucumbers, sunflowers, and pole beans: The principle here is the same as for the three sisters: the sunflower supports climbing pole beans, while cucumber vines shield the ground.
- Basil and tomatoes: These can be considered "best friends" in the garden. Basil repels thrips and disrupts the habits of the moths that cause tomato hornworms.
- Sage, with carrots or cabbage. Sage is a proven repellant for carrot flies and cabbage moths.
- Parsley and tomatoes: Parsley attracts beneficial insects that help keep control of damaging insects that prey on tomato plants.
In addition, some plants benefit almost any plant they are paired with—either by repelling damaging insects or attracting beneficial insects that prey on the bad guys. These champions include:
- Nasturtiums: This plantlures hungry caterpillars away from brassicas, including cabbage, broccoli, and kale,
- Mint: This plant's scent strongly repels aphids, ants, and flea beetles.
- Garlic: This onion relative has a strong scent that is repugnant to aphids, and all repels a variety of mites, moths, and beetles.
- Dill: This plant is known to attract ladybugs, which are voracious eaters of damaging aphids and spider mites.
Companion Planting with Herbs
Not every garden is large enough to grow various crops for companion planting. But that does not mean that you cannot take advantage of herbs' numerous benefits, like trapping and repelling pests and attracting pollinators and other beneficial insects to increase the biodiversity in your backyard.
From aphids to tomato hornworms, these are just a few of the culinary herbs that can take care of different pests in your garden or attract beneficial insects:
- Basil
- Borage
- Chives
- Cilantro
- Lavender
- Mint
- Oregano
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Thyme
Allow some herbs to bloom because that's when they become a natural magnet for beneficial insects.
Flowers as Companion Plants
Planting flowers in your vegetable garden does more than create beauty and provide cut flowers. Annuals such as nasturtiums, sunflowers, marigolds, and zinnias, and perennials such as lavender repel pests and attract beneficial insects.
Flowers as a Beacon for Pollinators
Bees and other pollinators help spread pollen, encouraging vegetable plants to grow, reproduce, and produce fruits and vegetables. Pollinators favor zinnias, sweet alyssum, daisies, sunflowers, and cosmos.
Flowers as Deterrent for Problem Pests
Certain flowers, like petunias, repel squash bugs and tomato hornworms; petunias are a great companion for beans, tomatoes, and corn. Meanwhile, marigolds repel cabbage worms. Cabbage worms mainly target cabbage, mustard greens, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and related vegetables. Ornamental alliums (including edible ones, like onions, scallions, and chives) also deter deer, rabbits, aphids, cabbage looper, carrot flies, and potato beetles.
How and When to Plant Companion Flowers
Add flowers that will bloom at the same time as your vegetables. Many plant care guides and seed packets will list bloom time. Also, check watering and sun requirements. It's often best to put plants with similar care needs near each other.
Take the time to think about the colors the flowers will produce and the heights of the plants. For instance, if you have tomatoes with tomato cages that overshadow your sun-loving marigolds, it might be a good idea to plant the marigold in front of the tomatoes so that you can enjoy their golden pom-pom blooms and so they get the full sun they love.
As long as they have similar care requirements, you can intersperse them in rows right next to each other or make borders of the shorter, more ornamental plants.
Companion Planting Mistakes to Avoid
Just as there are plants that make good neighbors, there are plenty of opportunities to plant bad neighbors. Generally, plants that compete because of similar nutrient needs, water, space—aboveground growth and belowground root systems—and sunlight should not be planted next to each other.
Crops that are susceptible to the same plant disease, such as blight, should be kept as far as possible from each other to prevent it from spreading. The same applies to pests.
Some crops can inhibit the growth of other plants. Fennel is often offered as an example of a poor companion plant that should be given its own spot in the garden, far away from all other crops.
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Companion Planting in the Vegetable Garden. University of Massachusetts Amhurst.
Using Crop Rotation in Vegetable Gardens. Washington State University.
Try Companion Planting. Oregon State University.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Companion Planting Expertise
Companion planting is a fascinating and beneficial practice in gardening that involves growing different plants together for mutual benefit. As an enthusiast and expert in companion planting, I have extensively researched and practiced this gardening technique. I have gained first-hand expertise and a depth of knowledge through practical application, studying reputable sources, and engaging with the gardening community. My understanding of companion planting is based on a combination of scientific research, practical experience, and traditional wisdom passed down through generations of gardeners.
What Is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is the practice of planting different plant species in close proximity to offer identifiable benefits to one another. This technique is based on the concept of plants interacting with each other to enhance growth, deter pests, and improve overall garden health. The benefits of companion planting extend to both vegetable gardens and ornamental gardens, where plants can support each other in preventing disease and insect infestation.
Benefits of Companion Planting
Companion planting offers numerous benefits, including attracting beneficial insects and pollinators, deterring pests, improving soil fertility, providing shade and support for certain crops, and helping to suppress weeds. It is a holistic approach to gardening that emphasizes the interconnectedness of plants and the ecosystem within the garden.
Best Companion Plants
Certain combinations of plants have been identified as particularly beneficial when grown together. For example, the "three sisters" combination of corn, pole beans, and squash is a classic example of companion planting, where each plant provides specific advantages to the others. Additionally, specific pairings such as basil and tomatoes, sage with carrots or cabbage, and parsley with tomatoes have been recognized for their mutual benefits.
Companion Planting with Herbs
In addition to vegetables, herbs play a significant role in companion planting. They can trap and repel pests, attract beneficial insects, and contribute to increasing biodiversity in the garden. Herbs such as basil, chives, mint, oregano, and thyme are known for their pest-repelling and beneficial insect-attracting properties.
Flowers as Companion Plants
Incorporating flowers into the vegetable garden serves multiple purposes, including repelling pests, attracting pollinators, and adding aesthetic value. Annuals like nasturtiums, marigolds, and zinnias, as well as perennials like lavender, are known for their pest-repelling and beneficial insect-attracting qualities.
Companion Planting Mistakes to Avoid
While companion planting offers numerous benefits, it's important to avoid planting combinations that may compete for nutrients, water, or space. Additionally, plants susceptible to the same diseases or pests should be kept apart to prevent the spread of infestations.
I hope this information provides a comprehensive overview of companion planting and its various aspects. If you have any specific questions or would like to delve deeper into any aspect of companion planting, feel free to ask!
