Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves growing certain plants together to improve growth, deter pests, and increase yields.
Some plants provide shade, pest protection, or nutrients that benefit their neighbors, creating a natural symbiosis that leads to a healthier and more productive garden.
Knowing which plants thrive when grown side-by-side can make all the difference in your gardening success.
Here’s a list of 26 plants that should always be grown together, along with the reasons why they make great companions.
What Is Companion Planting?
Companion planting leverages the natural properties of plants to enhance growth, improve soil health, and reduce pest problems.
By carefully pairing plants with complementary needs and benefits, you can create a balanced and thriving garden ecosystem.
26 Plants You Should Always Grow Side-By-Side
1. Tomatoes and Basil
Why They Work Together:
- Basil improves the flavor of tomatoes and repels pests like aphids, whiteflies, and mosquitoes.
- Tomatoes provide a bit of shade for basil, which helps prevent it from bolting in the heat.
2. Carrots and Onions
Why They Work Together:
- Onions repel carrot flies, which can damage carrot roots.
- Carrots help loosen the soil around onions, promoting better growth.
3. Corn and Beans
Why They Work Together:
- Corn provides a natural trellis for climbing beans.
- Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which benefits corn’s growth.
4. Cucumber and Nasturtium
Why They Work Together:
- Nasturtiums attract aphids, acting as a sacrificial plant to protect cucumbers.
- They also repel cucumber beetles.
5. Lettuce and Radishes
Why They Work Together:
- Radishes grow quickly and loosen the soil, creating space for lettuce roots to expand.
- Lettuce provides shade, helping radishes stay cool and tender.
6. Peppers and Marigolds
Why They Work Together:
- Marigolds repel nematodes and other soil-borne pests that can harm pepper plants.
- The vibrant flowers attract beneficial pollinators.
7. Potatoes and Beans
Why They Work Together:
- Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which potatoes use for healthy growth.
- They also repel Colorado potato beetles.
8. Strawberries and Borage
Why They Work Together:
- Borage attracts pollinators and repels pests like aphids and Japanese beetles.
- It also improves the flavor and yield of strawberries.
9. Spinach and Strawberries
Why They Work Together:
- Spinach grows quickly and provides ground cover that helps retain soil moisture for strawberries.
10. Broccoli and Dill
Why They Work Together:
- Dill attracts beneficial insects like wasps and ladybugs, which prey on broccoli pests.
- Broccoli provides some shade for dill, which prevents it from bolting.
11. Garlic and Roses
Why They Work Together:
- Garlic repels pests like aphids, spider mites, and Japanese beetles that commonly attack roses.
12. Beets and Onions
Why They Work Together:
- Onions deter pests like aphids and beetles that can damage beet foliage.
- Beets don’t compete for the same nutrients as onions, making them ideal neighbors.
13. Cucumbers and Sunflowers
Why They Work Together:
- Sunflowers provide a sturdy trellis for climbing cucumber vines.
- Their height also offers shade to cucumbers in the heat of summer.
14. Peas and Carrots
Why They Work Together:
- Peas fix nitrogen in the soil, which benefits carrot growth.
- Carrots grow underground, leaving space for peas to thrive above ground.
15. Cabbage and Thyme
Why They Work Together:
- Thyme repels cabbage moths and other pests that target cabbage.
- Thyme’s low growth habit doesn’t compete with cabbage’s space needs.
16. Squash and Beans
Why They Work Together:
- Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, boosting squash growth.
- Squash’s large leaves provide shade, helping beans retain soil moisture.
17. Lettuce and Chives
Why They Work Together:
- Chives repel aphids and slugs that often target lettuce.
18. Kale and Mint
Why They Work Together:
- Mint deters cabbage moths and flea beetles that attack kale.
- It also enhances kale’s growth by improving soil conditions.
19. Zucchini and Nasturtium
Why They Work Together:
- Nasturtiums attract pollinators and repel pests like squash bugs.
- They also act as a ground cover, helping zucchini retain soil moisture.
20. Celery and Leeks
Why They Work Together:
- Leeks repel pests like carrot flies and aphids that can harm celery.
21. Basil and Peppers
Why They Work Together:
- Basil repels pests like aphids and spider mites that attack peppers.
- It also enhances the flavor of peppers.
22. Radishes and Cucumbers
Why They Work Together:
- Radishes deter cucumber beetles and serve as a trap crop for pests.
23. Eggplants and Marigolds
Why They Work Together:
- Marigolds repel pests like nematodes and flea beetles that attack eggplants.
- They also attract pollinators to the garden.
24. Tomatoes and Carrots
Why They Work Together:
- Carrots loosen the soil, making it easier for tomato roots to spread.
- Tomatoes provide shade that prevents carrots from overheating.
25. Asparagus and Parsley
Why They Work Together:
- Parsley repels asparagus beetles, which can damage asparagus plants.
- Asparagus’s tall stalks provide partial shade for parsley.
26. Pumpkins and Corn
Why They Work Together:
- Corn provides a natural trellis for pumpkin vines.
- Pumpkins act as a living mulch, suppressing weeds and retaining soil moisture.
Benefits of Companion Planting
- Improved Growth: Some plants boost each other’s growth through nutrient sharing or pest control.
- Natural Pest Control: Certain plants repel pests or attract beneficial insects that prey on harmful bugs.
- Efficient Space Use: Companion planting maximizes space by pairing plants with different growth habits.
- Healthier Soil: Nitrogen-fixing plants like beans enrich the soil, benefiting their neighbors.
Tips for Successful Companion Planting
- Know Your Plants: Research the needs and habits of your plants to ensure compatibility.
- Avoid Negative Pairings: Some plants, like tomatoes and corn, don’t grow well together due to competition for resources or shared pests.
- Rotate Crops: Rotate companion plantings each season to prevent nutrient depletion and reduce pest problems.
- Observe Your Garden: Pay attention to how plants interact and adjust pairings as needed.
Companion planting is a natural and effective way to improve your garden’s productivity and health.
By growing these 26 plants side-by-side, you’ll create a harmonious garden ecosystem that supports abundant growth, minimizes pests, and enhances the flavor of your harvest.
