When I first started gardening, I was all about finding organic methods to take care of my plants.
And guess what?
I stumbled upon something super cool called companion planting! It’s this awesome gardening technique where plants team up to boost growth, health, and productivity.
With companion planting, you can naturally keep pests away, attract helpful insects, and make the most of your garden space. Plus, it’s all sustainable and eco-friendly, which is a win-win!
But here’s the thing: not all plants get along perfectly. Some can be a bit finicky and cause trouble for their plant buddies. So, I did some research and put together this article to share my findings.
In it, I’ve listed over 60 commonly grown plants and their companion or not-so-friendly plants. It’s like a cheat sheet for your garden!
So, if you’re curious about this whole companion planting thing, join me on this journey, and let’s take a sneak peek into the wonderful world of plant partnerships!
What Is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is a gardening technique where different plants are grown in proximity to provide mutual benefits.
Companion planting helps in many ways such as repelling growth-hampering pests, attracting beneficial insects, modifying the soil structure, or enhancing nutrient uptake.
All these promote healthier growth, natural pest control, promotes pollination, and increased overall productivity in the garden.
Why Is Companion Planting Required?
Companion planting is employed for several reasons.
Pest Control:
Some companion plants help to deter growth-hampering pests naturally. Some plants emit strong scents that repel certain insects, acting as natural insecticides. For example, planting sage with carrots can deter nematodes.
Promotes Pollination:
Companion planting attracts beneficial insects like bees and ladybugs, which aid in pollination and control of harmful pests.
Utilization Of Limited Space:
It maximizes space utilization by utilizing vertical space or intercropping, where tall plants provide shade or support for smaller ones.
Improves Soil Quality:
Companion planting enhances soil fertility by utilizing plants that fix nitrogen or accumulate nutrients.
Eliminates Plant Disease:
Companion planting fosters biodiversity, creating a balanced ecosystem that reduces the risk of plant diseases and increases overall resilience in the garden.
Provides Mutual Support:
Companion planting helps the creepers to take advantage of tall plants to climb upwards. For example, if beans and corn are planted together, beans can take the support of corn to climb upwards, and corn can benefit from the nitrogen-fixing capacity of the soil provided by the beans.
Suppression Of Weeds:
Weeds are great competitors for garden plants, resulting in a lack of space and nutrients. Companion planting helps suppress weeds, thereby reducing the possibility of weed spreading.
Companion Plants For Vegetables
Here’s a list of companion plants for commonly grown vegetables in a small garden. Let’s take a look:
Carrots:
It is a root vegetable with a sweet crunchy texture and vibrant orange color.
Companion planting for carrots will help to protect the carrots from the attacks of flies and helps in providing healthy growing conditions.
Friends:
Onions: Deters carrot flies and helps improve the flavor of carrots.
Sage: Repels carrot flies and other pests.
Foes:
Dill: Both carrots and dills belong to the same family. This may create the risk of cross-pollination.
Potato: Requires too much nutrients. This may cause a lack of nutrients for both the carrot and potatoes.
Lettuce:
It is a leafy green plant with a crispy texture. Your salads and sandwiches remain incomplete in the absence of green, fresh lettuce.
As this leafy green is prone to attack by aphids, companion planting helps to deter the aphids.
Friends:
Chives: Deters aphids and attracts beneficial insects.
Garlic: Repels aphids and other pests that attack lettuce.
Foes:
Cabbage: Being a leafy green, cabbage requires the same nutrients as lettuce. This may cause a lack of nutrients for both plants.
Fennel: Anethole present in fennel can stunt the growth of the lettuce.
Beans:
It is a versatile legume, rich in protein and fiber.
Companion planting can help beans to grow upwards by giving support and protecting them from pest attacks.
Friends:
Corn: Provides support for climbing beans and helps fix nitrogen in the soil.
Marigold: Deters bean beetles and repels other pests.
Foes:
Garlic: Allium can hamper the growth of the beans.
Fennel: Anethole present in fennel can stunt the growth of the beans.
Radishes:
A small, crisp, and peppery root vegetable with vibrant color and flavor.
Radish water-loving plant. Companion planting can help to retain the moisture of the soil and prevent pest attacks.
Friends:
Spinach: Provides shade to the soil and helps retain moisture.
Peas: Fixes nitrogen in the soil and helps deter pests.
Foes:
Hyssop: This flowering herb can prevent the growth of radishes.
Spinach:
It is a nutrient-rich leafy green vegetable. Spinach can combine great with salads.
Companion plants can add nutrients to the soil which is beneficial for the healthy growth of spinach. It can protect the spinach from the attacks of aphids too.
Friends:
Strawberries: Provides shade to the soil and creates a beneficial microclimate.
Celery: Repels pests that attack spinach, such as aphids.
Foes:
Fennel: Anethole present in fennel can stunt the growth of the spinach
Potato: Requires too much nutrients. This may residue a little of nutrients or none for spinach.
Kale:
Nutritious leafy green with a slightly bitter and robust flavor.
Companion planting can help in the growth of kale by deterring pests and flies.
Friends:
Beets: Helps deter pests like aphids and provide shade to the soil.
Catnip: Repels flea beetles and other pests.
Foes:
Broccoli & cauliflower: They may consume the same nutrients as kale from the soil causing a deficiency of nutrients for all of them.
Those plants attract the same pests and flies.
Broccoli:
Nutrient-packed cruciferous vegetable with dense florets and mild, earthy taste.
Companion planting helps in pollination and prevents broccoli from pest attacks.
Friends:
Chamomile: Improves flavor and health of broccoli.
Borage: Attracts bees for pollination and repels pests like cabbage worms.
Foes:
Tomatoes: Broccoli is a sun-loving plant. So long plants like tomatoes are not recommended to grow near broccoli.
Asparagus: Heavy feeder plants like asparagus can cause a deficiency of food for broccoli.
Cauliflower:
Versatile cruciferous vegetable with a mild flavor. It is perfect for roasting and making curry.
Cauliflower is prone to pest attacks. Companion planting is required for preventing the cauliflower from pest attacks and promoting the healthy growth of the plant.
Friends:
Nasturtium: Deters aphids and repels cabbage worms.
Dill: Attracts beneficial insects that prey on pests attacking cauliflower.
Foes:
Strawberry: Research states that strawberries may inhibit the growth of the plant of the Brassica family.
Tomatoes: being a heavy feeder and water-loving plant like cauliflower, it can cause a lack of food and water for both cauliflower and tomatoes.
Cabbage:
It is a leafy vegetable with dense layers, often used in slaws and sauerkraut.
Companion planting helps to prevent worm attacks.
Friends:
Thyme: Repels cabbage worms and enhances flavor.
Hyssop: Deters cabbage moths and attracts beneficial insects.
Foes:
Tomatoes: cabbage can inhibit the tomatoes to grow.
Strawberry: cabbage can be detrimental to the health of the strawberries.
Beets:
A colorful root vegetable with an earthy flavor. It is mainly used in salads and roasting.
Companion planting helps to keep the pests away from beets.
Friends:
Cabbage: Helps deter pests like aphids and provides shade to the soil.
Garlic: Repels pests that attack beets, such as leafminers.
Foes:
Pole Beans: The growth of both plants can be detrimental if pole beans and beets are planted nearly.
Mustard: It can inhibit the growth of beets.
Onions:
Pungent bulb vegetables are used as versatile flavoring ingredients worldwide.
Companion planting is required for deterring pests and promoting the flavor of onions.
Friends:
Lettuce: Deters pests that attack onions, such as onion flies.
Chamomile: Enhances the growth and flavor of onions.
Foes:
Peas: onions can inhibit the growth of peas if they are grown nearby.
Asparagus: Onions can adversely affect the flavor of asparagus.
Potatoes:
It is a starchy tuber with a wide range of culinary uses, comforting and versatile.
Companion planting is beneficial as it repels pests and nematodes.
Friends:
Horseradish: Repels pests like potato beetles.
Marigold: Deters nematodes and repels insects that attack potatoes.
Foes:
Kohlrabi: This can restrict the growth of the potato.
Fennel: Anethole present in fennel can stunt the growth of the spinach
Garlic:
Aromatic bulb with pungent flavor, used to enhance various dishes.
Companion planting is beneficial as it deters aphids and repels pests.
Friends:
Roses: Deters aphids and repels pests that attack garlic.
Tomatoes: Repels pests and diseases that affect garlic.
Foes:
Beans & peas: Garlic can stunt the growth of beans and peas if they are planted nearby.
Companion Plants For Fruits
Here’s a list of companion plants for commonly grown fruits in a small garden, along with the benefits of each companion plant for the specific fruit:
Apples:
The crunchy sweet fruit of vibrant red or green color.
The sweet taste and vibrant color of apples attract insects and aphids. Companion planting can help to keep away those growth-hampering pests.
Friends
Chives: Repels pests like aphids and enhances apple flavor.
Marigold: Deters pests and adds color contrast.
Foes:
Black Walnut: A substance named ‘Juglone’ produced by black walnut trees can inhibit the growth of apple trees.
Peech: Peech trees are prone to the disease ‘Peech leaf curl’. The disease may contaminate the apple tree also if grown nearby.
Strawberries:
Juicy sweet berries with vibrant red color. Widely used as the perfect topping for juices etc.
Companion planting helps in pollination and repels pests.
Friends
Borage: Attracts pollinators and improves the strawberry flavor.
Thyme: Repels pests and adds a pleasant aroma.
Foes:
Potatoes: Can transmit diseases like Verticillium wilt to strawberries.
Tomatoes: Can transmit diseases like tomato wilt to strawberries.
Blueberries:
Antioxidant-rich fruit with a delightful balance of tartness and sweetness.
Blueberries like acidic soil. Companion planting can help to add acids to the soil for the healthy growth of the blueberries.
Friends
Azaleas: Provides shade and add acidity to the soil.
Cranberries: Enhances soil moisture retention and adds acidity.
Foes:
Potatoes: Can transmit diseases like Phytophthora root rot to blueberries.
Walnut tree: ‘Juglone’ produced by walnut can inhibit the growth of blueberries.
Raspberries:
Juicy, tangy berries on thorny canes, perfect for jams and desserts.
Companion planting helps to repel pests and promotes pollination.
Friends
Garlic: Repels pests like Japanese beetles and raspberry borers.
Nasturtium: Deters pests and attracts pollinators.
Foes:
Tomatoes: Can transmit diseases like tomato wilt to strawberries.
Blackberries: They may transfer soil-borne fungal disease.
Blackberries:
Sweet, juicy berries on thorny vines, perfect for snacking and desserts.
Companion planting benefits blackberries by improving soil fertility and keeping away growth-hampering pests.
Friends
Comfrey: Improves soil fertility and moisture retention.
Dill: Attracts beneficial insects and deters pests.
Foes:
Grapevines: Compete for resources and space, impacting Blackberry growth.
Walnut Trees: Produce juglone, which can negatively affect blackberries.
Cranberries:
Tart, vibrant berries associated with holidays, and refreshing beverages.
Companion planting helps to modify the soil structure and makes it suitable for the healthy growth of cra berries.
Friends
Blueberries: Enhances soil moisture retention and adds acidity.
Azaleas: Provides shade and add acidity to the soil.
Foes:
White Pine Trees: Can alter soil pH and affect cranberry growth.
Wild Cranberries: Can introduce pests or diseases to cultivated cranberries.
Tomatoes:
Juicy, versatile fruits with rich flavor. It is used in countless dishes as taste-enhancing ingredients.
Companion planting helps to improve its taste and keep away growth-hampering pests.
Friends
Basil: Improves tomato flavor and repels pests like aphids and whiteflies.
Marigold: Deters nematodes and repels insects that attack tomatoes.
Foes:
Corn: May shade tomatoes and compete for nutrients.
Strawberry: Can spread soil-borne diseases to tomatoes.
Peaches:
Fragrant, velvety fruits with sweet and juicy flesh.
Companion planting helps to repel pests.
Friends
Nasturtium: Repels pests and attracts beneficial insects.
Oregano: Deters pests and adds a pleasant aroma.
Foes:
Cherry Trees: May cross-pollinate and affect fruit quality.
Peach Leaf Curl-Prone Plants: Can spread disease to peaches.
Grapes:
Small, succulent fruits with diverse flavors, perfect for snacking. It is the heart of the winemaking industry.
Companion planting helps to deter pests and enhance the flavor of grapes.
Friends
Basil: Repels pests and enhances grape flavor.
Marigold: Deters pests and adds color contrast.
Foes:
Cabbage Family Plants: May attract pests like cabbage worms and aphids.
Walnut Trees: Produce juglone, which has adverse effects on grapevines.
Watermelons:
Refreshing, hydrating fruit with sweet, juicy flesh, ideal for summer.
Companion planting is beneficial to deter pests and promotes pollination.
Friends
Nasturtium: Deters pests and attracts pollinators.
Radishes: Provides shade to the soil and helps retain moisture.
Foes:
Cucumbers: May attract similar pests and diseases to watermelons.
Tall Trees: Can shade out watermelon plants, affecting fruit development.
Pears:
Sweet, juicy fruit with a smooth texture and distinct flavor.
Companion planting helps to keep away growth-hampering pests and attracts beneficial insects.
Friends
Chives: Repels pests and enhances pear flavor.
Calendula: Deters pests and attracts beneficial insects.
Foes:
Walnut Trees: Produce juglone, which can negatively affect pear trees.
Apple Trees: May cross-pollinate and affect fruit quality.
Plums:
Succulent fruit with a sweet and tart taste. Your snacks will be incomplete without the presence of plum.
Companion planting helps to deter pests.
Friends
Dill: Attracts beneficial insects that prey on pests attacking plums.
Marigold: Deters pests and adds color contrast.
Foes:
Walnut Trees: Produce juglone, which can negatively affect pear trees.
Apple Trees: May cross-pollinate and affect fruit quality.
Cherries:
Small, vibrant fruits with a sweet and tangy flavor.
Companion planting helps to deter pests.
Friends
Dill: Repels pests and attracts beneficial insects.
Marigold: Deters pests and adds color contrast.
Foes:
Peach Trees: May share diseases like brown rot with cherries.
Plum Trees: May cross-pollinate and affect fruit quality.
Apricots:
Fragrant, velvety fruit with a delicate balance of sweetness and tartness.
Companion planting helps to keep away growth-hampering pests and attracts beneficial insects.
Friends
Marigold: Deters pests and adds color contrast.
Nasturtium: Repels pests and attracts beneficial insects.
Foes:
Brambles: Can tangle with apricot branches and hinder maintenance.
Cabbage Family Plants: May attract pests like aphids or caterpillars.
Citrus (Oranges, Lemons, etc.):
Tangy, aromatic fruits with bright flavors. The main plus point of citrus fruit is that it is rich in vitamin C.
Companion planting will be beneficial to protect the fruits from pest attacks.
Friends
Marjoram: Repels pests and enhances the citrus flavor.
Basil: Repels pests and enhances citrus growth.
Foes:
Potatoes & Carrots: Root vegetable plants may prevent the citrus fruit plant from expanding its roots.
Walnut: Any type of nut tree can inhibit the growth of citrus fruit plants.
Kiwis:
Fuzzy, sweet-tart fruit with vibrant green flesh and edible seeds.
Companion planting helps in pollination and deters pests.
Friends
Lavender: Attracts pollinators and deters pests.
Chives: Repels pests and enhances kiwi flavor.
Foes:
Brambles: Can tangle with kiwi vines and hinder maintenance.
Cabbage Family Plants: May attract pests like aphids or caterpillars.
Pineapples:
Tropical, spiky fruits with sweet, tangy flavor and juicy flesh.
Companion planting is beneficial as it can deter pests and promotes the growth of pineapple.
Friends
Marigold: Deters pests and adds color contrast.
Oregano: Repels pests and enhances pineapple growth.
Foes:
Broadleaf Weeds: Compete for resources and can harbor pests or diseases.
Banana Plants: May compete for nutrients and space.
Melons:
Sweet, juicy fruit with refreshing flavor and high water content.
Melons are shade-loving plants. Companion planting helps to provide shade and control pests from attacking melons.
Friends
Corn: Provides shade and support for climbing melons.
Marigold: Deters pests and adds color contrast.
Foes:
Squash Family Plants: Can cross-pollinate and affect fruit quality.
Tomato Plants: Can attract pests and diseases that affect melons.
Cucumbers:
Crunchy, refreshing vegetable with a mild flavor, perfect for salads and pickling.
Companion planting attracts beneficial insects and deters cucumber beetles.
Friends
Nasturtium: Attracts beneficial insects and repels aphids and cucumber beetles.
Radishes: Helps deter cucumber beetles and provide shade to the soil.
Foes:
Fennel: Can inhibit tomato growth and attract pests.
Dill: Can attract tomato hornworms and compete for resources.
Peppers:
Vibrant, spicy fruits with a range of flavors and heat levels. Widely used as aromatic compounds to make food delicious.
Companion planting helps to enhance the flavor and modify soil structure to make it suitable for the healthy growth of pepper.
Friends
Oregano: Enhances pepper flavor and repels pests like aphids and spider mites.
Spinach: Provides shade to the soil and helps retain moisture.
Foes:
Broccoli: May attract aphids and compete for nutrients.
Strawberry Plants: Can spread soil-borne diseases to peppers.
Zucchini:
Versatile summer squash with a mild flavor, ideal for various culinary uses.
Companion planting is required to attract beneficial insects and repel growth-hampering pests.
Friends
Dill: Attracts beneficial insects that prey on pests attacking zucchini.
Mint: Repels aphids and other pests.
Foes:
Cucumbers: May attract similar pests and diseases to zucchini.
Squash Family Plants: Can cross-pollinate and affect fruit quality.
Peas:
Sweet, tender legumes with a delicate flavor. You can eat it raw. It is also perfect for salads and stir-fries.
Companion planting helps by providing support for climbing peas and repelling pests.
Friends
Carrots: Deters pests and provides support for climbing peas.
Mint: Repels aphids and other pests.
Foes:
Onions: May stunt pea growth due to competition for resources.
Alliums (e.g., garlic, leeks): May repel pests but hinder pea growth.
Corn:
Tall cereal crop with sweet kernels, versatile for cooking and consumption.
Companion planting promotes the growth of corn by modifying the soil structure and giving protection against the attacks of pets.
Friends
Beans: Fixes nitrogen in the soil and provides support for climbing beans.
Sunflowers: Provides shade and wind protection for corn.
Foes:
Sunflowers: Can shade out or hinder corn development.
Tomatoes: May compete for nutrients and space, affecting corn productivity.
Pumpkins:
Large, orange gourds with sweet flesh.
Companion planting helps in pollination and improves growth by adding nutrients to the soil.
Friends
Borage: Attracts bees for pollination and deters pests like squash bugs.
Radishes: Deter pests and provides shade to the soil.
Foes:
Cucumbers: May attract similar pests and diseases to pumpkins.
Squash Family Plants: Can cross-pollinate and affect fruit quality.
Companion Plants For Flowers
Here’s a list of companion plants for commonly grown flowers in a small garden, along with the benefits of each companion plant for the specific flower:
Roses:
Elegant, fragrant flowers with a wide range of colors and varieties.
Companion planting promotes pollination and keeps away harmful pests.
Friends:
Lavender: Attracts pollinators and repels pests like aphids.
Garlic: Deters pests that attack roses, such as black spots and Japanese beetles.
Foes:
Ivy: Can smother or climb on rose bushes, hindering growth.
Tall Trees: Can shade out roses, affecting flowering.
Sunflowers:
Tall, cheerful flowers with large, vibrant yellow petals and seeds.
Companion planting repels pests and attracts beneficial insects promoting pollination.
Friends:
Marigold: Repels pests like aphids and nematodes.
Nasturtium: Deters insects and attracts pollinators.
Foes:
Corn: May shade or compete with sunflowers for nutrients.
Tomato Plants: May attract pests and diseases that affect sunflowers.
Marigolds:
Colorful, hardy flowers known for pest-repelling properties and vibrant blooms.
Companion planting helps to repel pests and keeps away aphids.
Friends
Tomatoes: Repels nematodes and pests like whiteflies and aphids.
Roses: Repels pests like aphids and black spots.
Foes:
Being low-maintenance, easy-growing plants, marigolds can be the companion of varieties of other plants without making any harm to themselves.
Zinnias:
Bright, cheerful flowers with a wide range of vibrant colors.
Companion planting helps in pollination and deters pest attacks.
Friends
Cosmos: Attracts beneficial insects that prey on pests.
Nasturtium: Deters pests like aphids and attracts pollinators.
Foes:
Usually zinnias don’t have any negative effects on the other plants.
Cosmos:
Graceful, daisy-like flowers with delicate petals and vibrant colors.
Companion planting is required to attract beneficial pests for promoting pollination.
Friends
Sweet Alyssum: Attracts beneficial insects and pollinators.
Cilantro: Attracts hoverflies that prey on aphids.
Foes:
Cabbage Family Plants: May attract pests like aphids or caterpillars.
Tomato Plants: Can attract pests and diseases that affect the cosmos.
Sweet Peas:
Fragrant, climbing flowers with vibrant colors, perfect for bouquets and trellises.
Companion planting deters growth-hampering pests and attracts beneficial pests for pollination.
Friends
Nasturtium: Deters pests like aphids and attracts beneficial insects.
Dianthus: Helps deter pests and adds color contrast.
Foes:
Broadleaf Weeds: Compete for resources and may shade sweet peas.
Tomato Plants: Can attract pests and diseases that affect sweet peas.
Pansies:
Colorful, delicate flowers with “faces,” adding charm to garden landscapes.
Companion planting is required for promoting pollination and deterring harmful pests like aphids.
Friends
Chives: Repels aphids and attracts pollinators.
Nasturtium: Deters pests like aphids and adds color contrast.
Foes:
It doesn’t have any negative effects on other plants.
Petunias:
Showy, trumpet-shaped flowers with vibrant colors, perfect for garden borders.
Companion planting is required to repel pests and attract beneficial insects for pollination.
Friends
Basil: Repels pests like aphids and adds fragrance.
Calendula: Attracts beneficial insects and repels pests.
Foes:
Pigweed: Competes for nutrients and water, impacting petunia productivity.
Weeds with Spreading Habit: May crowd or compete with petunias.
Geraniums:
Colorful, resilient flowers with aromatic leaves, perfect for garden borders.
Companion planting is beneficial to repel pests and attract the beneficial pests for pollination.
Friends
Lavender: Repels pests like whiteflies and attracts pollinators.
Marjoram: Deters pests and adds fragrance.
Foes:
Geraniums don’t have any negative effects on other plants.
Lilies:
Elegant, fragrant flowers with vibrant colors and graceful blooms.
Companion planting helps to repel pests like aphids and nematodes.
Friends
Ferns: Provides shade and adds a contrasting texture.
Marigold: Repels pests like aphids and nematodes.
Foes:
Pigweed: Competes for nutrients and water, impacting lily productivity.
Weeds with Spreading Habit: May crowd or compete with lilies.
Irises:
Graceful, showy flowers with striking colors and distinctive petal patterns.
Companion planting helps in pollination.
Friends
Catmint: Deters pests and attracts beneficial insects.
Yarrow: Attracts pollinators and adds color contrast.
Foes:
Irises don’t have any negative effects on other plants.
Daisies:
Simple, cheerful flowers with a central disk and white petals.
Companion planting attracts beneficial insects and pollinators.
Friends
Chamomile: Attracts beneficial insects and adds fragrance.
Coreopsis: Attracts pollinators and adds color contrast.
Foes:
Pigweed: Competes for nutrients and water, impacting daisy productivity.
Weeds with Spreading Habit: May crowd or compete with daisies.
Hydrangeas:
Beautiful, showy flowers with clusters of colorful blooms and large leaves.
Being a shade-loving flowering plant, companion planting provides shade and also helps in pollination by attracting beneficial insects.
Friends
Hostas: Provides shade and adds contrasting foliage.
Ferns: Provides shade and adds a lush backdrop.
Foes:
Cabbage Family Plants: May attract pests like aphids or caterpillars.
Tomato Plants: Can attract pests and diseases that affect hydrangeas.
Daffodils:
Cheerful, trumpet-shaped flowers with vibrant colors. It is found in the early spring.
Companion planting helps to deter growth-hampering pests.
Friends
Tulips: Deters pests and adds color contrast.
Alliums: Deters pests and adds height and color contrast.
Foes:
Daffodils require low maintenance. It doesn’t have any enemy plants.
Dahlias:
Bold, vibrant flowers with intricate blooms, adding drama to gardens.
Companion planting is required to promote pollination and other positive effects.
Friends
Gladiolus: Adds height and color contrast.
Larkspur: Attracts pollinators and adds color contrast.
Foes:
Tall Trees: Can shade out dahlias, reducing their growth.
Vines with Dense Foliage: Can climb and compete with dahlias.
Hollyhocks:
Tall, showy flowers with vibrant blooms, reminiscent of cottage gardens.
Companion planting is helpful to deter harmful pests and attract beneficial pests for the healthy growth of the plant.
Friends
Lavender: Deters pests and adds fragrance.
Nasturtium: Deters pests and attracts beneficial insects.
Foes:
Broadleaf Weeds: Compete for resources and may shade hollyhocks.
Cabbage Family Plants: May attract pests like aphids or caterpillars.
Snapdragons:
Colorful, vertical flowers with a “snapping” shape, adding charm to gardens.
Companion planting is beneficial for pollination.
Friends
Alyssum: Attracts beneficial insects and adds fragrance.
Lobelia: Adds color contrast and attracts pollinators.
Foes:
Tomato Plants: Can attract pests and diseases that affect snapdragons.
Tall Trees: Can shade out snapdragons, reducing their growth.
Companion Plants For Herbs
Here’s a list of companion plants for commonly grown herbs in a small garden, along with the benefits of each companion plant for the specific herb:
Basil:
Aromatic herb with bright green leaves, used in various cuisines and medical purposes too.
Some companion plants help to improve the flavor of basil and deter pests.
Friends
Tomatoes: Improves flavor and growth of basil.
Marigold: Deters pests like aphids and whiteflies.
Foes:
Mint: Can crowd or overpower basil, affecting growth.
Fennel: May inhibit basil growth and attract pests.
Rosemary:
Fragrant herb with needle-like leaves, used in savory dishes.
Companion plants help to repel pests and attract beneficial insects.
Friends
Sage: Repels pests and enhances the taste of rosemary.
Thyme: Deters pests and attracts beneficial insects.
Foes:
Fennel: May inhibit rosemary growth and attract pests.
Dill: Can attract pests like aphids and compete for resources.
Mint:
Aromatic herb with refreshing flavor, commonly used in beverages, juice, etc.
Companion planting helps to repel pests and attract beneficial insects.
Friends
Chives: Deters aphids and repels pests that attack mint.
Nasturtium: Deters pests like aphids and attracts beneficial insects.
Foes:
Mint is a quick-growing plant and can occupy the entire ground if not checked in time. That is why it is recommended to cultivate mint in a single pot or raised bed so that it can’t be a competitor of other plants.
Parsley:
Herb with vibrant green leaves, used for culinary garnishing and flavoring.
Companion plants help to promote the growth of parsley and deter growth-hampering pests.
Friends
Tomatoes: Improves flavor and growth of parsley.
Marigold: Deters pests and adds color contrast.
Foes:
Parsley can be grown up with any other plants without making any significant damage to others.
Thyme:
Aromatic herb with small leaves, used for culinary seasoning.
Some companion plants enhance the flavor of thyme and deter bad pests from damaging the herb.
Friends
Lavender: Attracts beneficial insects and repels pests.
Rosemary: Enhances flavor and deters pests that attack thyme.
Foes:
Thyme can be grown up with any other plants without making any significant damage to others.
Cilantro/Coriander:
Herb with pungent leaves and seeds, used in various cuisines to make it delicious.
Some companion plants enhance the flavor of coriander and deter bad pests from damaging the herb
Friends
Dill: Attracts beneficial insects and repels pests.
Chervil: Enhances flavor and attracts beneficial insects.
Foes:
Rosemary: Coriander like moist soil whereas rosemary likes well-drained sandy soil.
Fennel: Can inhibit the growth of coriander.
Dill:
Herb with feathery leaves and seeds, used for flavoring dishes.
Companion plants can deter pests and attract beneficial insects promoting pollination.
Friends
Cabbage: Deters pests that attack dill, such as cabbage worms.
Cilantro/Coriander: Enhances flavor and attracts beneficial insects.
Foes:
Fennel: May inhibit dill growth and attract pests.
Parsley: May attract similar pests and diseases.
Chives:
Herb with slender leaves, used for onion-like flavoring in cooking.
Companion plants keep away pests from the chives.
Friends
Carrots: Deters pests that attack chives, such as onion flies.
Mint: Deters aphids and repels pests.
Foes:
Asparagus and Beans: Both can stunt the growth of chives.
Oregano:
Aromatic herb with bold flavor, commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine like pizza.
Some companion plants promote the healthy growth of oregano and enhance its aroma.
Friends
Beans: Enhances growth and flavor of oregano.
Basil: Repels pests and enhances the flavor.
Foes:
Mint: Both mint and oregano are quick-growing herbs. Planting together can result in a scarcity of places.
Chives: Both chives and oregano have swallow roots. As a result, they may have to compete for nutrients if planted together.
Lemon Balm:
Citrus-scented herb with soothing properties, used in teas and aromatherapy.
Companion planting helps to deter pests and attract beneficial insects.
Friends
Cabbage: Deters pests that attack lemon balm, such as cabbage worms.
Catnip: Repels pests and attracts beneficial insects.
Foes:
Lavender: Lemon balm likes moist soil whereas, lavender likes dry soil. Planting together may cause to die any one of them.
Fennel: Toxin produced by fennel may inhibit the growth of lemon balm.
Conclusion and Take Away!
I hope you enjoyed the above discussion on various aspects companion planting. If you have any questions let me know in the comment section below.
So what are you waiting for? Bookmark this page for future use and share it with your gardening buddies now!
If you’re curious about other cool farming methods or the best veggies and herbs for your home garden, check out my other articles in the “Related” posts section below and the “Recent Posts” section.
Oh, and if you’re loving this article, then please “Subscribe” to my Email list at the bottom-right of the page. So that you’ll be in the loop when I post more awesome articles like this. Stay tuned!
Reference: Visit Link.
Misty S is the founder and lead writer at GrowOrganicGreens.com, a comprehensive gardening resource dedicated to helping people cultivate beautiful and sustainable gardens. She has a Master’s degree in Economics and specialized studies in agricultural economics, horticulture, and soil science. Drawing from her extensive knowledge and experience, Misty shares practical gardening tips on soil preparation, organic manure composting, fertilizers, plant care, and indoor gardening, making her advice accessible and helpful to gardeners of all levels.
Despite having an high-demanding 9-5 job, Misty dedicates her personal time to researching and exploring various gardening topics. Her keen interest in gardening has grown into a passion, driving her to help new gardeners and anyone interested in starting their gardening journey.
Follow Misty’s work and the latest gardening insights and updates on Pinterest. You can reach out to Misty at mistysblogging@gmail.com.