Companion planting is simply a method of planting a combination of plants that can benefit each other.
Companion planting not only takes nutrient uptake into consideration, but it also brings into account crop protection, pest management and positive hosting (aka. increasing the population of beneficial insects that will help manage your harmful pest population).
Use this companion planting chart as a guide so that you can design your garden in order to have better success!
- Peppers and Basil
Basil drives away pests from the pepper plant and gives it a pleasant flavor.
- The Three Sisters
The three sisters are beans, corn, and pumpkins. The beans climb on the corn, the corn fixes nitrogen into the soil, while pumpkin serves as mulching plants to prevent pest attacks.
- Cucumbers and Nasturtiums
Nasturtium aids in repelling beetles that attack cucumbers in the garden.
- Lettuce and Chives
The best way to control aphids is to plant chives as a companion with lettuce.
- Broccoli and Calendula
Calendula prevents aphids from getting attracted to the broccoli but attracts ladybugs which serve as natural enemies to aphids.
- Squash and Herbs
Flowering herbs attract insects that serve as pollinators to the squash plant, which enhances fruit production.
- Alyssum and Swiss Chard
Alyssum attracts hoverflies which serve as natural enemies to control aphids that may attack the garden.
- Tomatoes and Lettuce
Tomatoes provide shade for lettuce which can help extend the growing season of the crops.
- Carrots and Radishes
Carrot and radish can absorb their nutrients from different levels in the soil based on their taproots. So, they do not fight each other to get the nutrients for their growth.
- Eggplant and Lettuce
Lettuce performs well in a cool and shady environment, so it could be cultivated with eggplants to get its shade.
- Tomatoes and Basil
Basil gives tomatoes a strong flavor that repels pests but attracts pollinators that aid fruit production.
- Green Beans and Marigolds
Marigolds repel the bean’s pests and also aid the growth of the green beans.
- Pigweed and Peppers
We can plant pigweed with pepper plants to fight against weeds and pests.
- Lettuce and Garlic
Garlic has a smell that drives away aphids, and if planted near lettuce, it can keep pests away from attacking it.
- Green Beans and Summer Savory
The flavor and growth rate of the green beans are enhanced when planted with summer savory.
- Roses and Chives
Aphids hate plants with strong odors. But to avoid any destructiveness on your roses, you can plant some chives alongside the blooms.
- Carrots and Onions
When onions are planted with carrots, they help to repel carrot flies and aphids.
- Geraniums and Roses
Geranium serves as a repellant to aphids. So, geraniums can protect the roses from pest attacks.
- Cabbage and Chamomile
Chamomile helps to transport insects that are beneficial to cabbage and keep pests away from the garden.
- Spinach and Corn
Spinach performs well in a shady environment. When planted with corn, the corn provides shade for it.
- Radishes and Cucumbers
Radish and cucumber perform well when grown together because they do not compete for nutrients. Radish helps to repel pests that may attack cucumbers.
- Sage and Cabbage
Sage serves as a repellant to cabbage moths and keeps the cabbage in a good health condition.
- Mint and Cabbage
Cabbage moths can be kept away from cabbage by planting together with mint.
- Lavender and Apples
The best way to fight against pests that destroy apple trees is to plant apples with lavender.
- Marigolds and Lettuce
Marigold attracts ladybugs that fight against aphids that attack lettuce.
- Zinnias and Cauliflower
Zinnias, when planted near cauliflower, prevent cabbage flies from infesting the garden.
- Dill and Cabbage
Dill is a plant that attracts wasp insects that kill cabbage worms and other insects that attack the cabbage.
- Thyme and Broccoli
Thyme can prevent cabbage worms which is a pest of broccoli.
- Carrots and Tomatoes
These crops do not attract the same pests. Staying together in the garden helps to keep mosquitoes and flies away.