Discover the best plant companions for your garden
Plant Your Garden Strategically
Companion planting is an ancient gardening technique where certain plants are grown together for mutual benefit. Some plants enhance growth, repel pests, improve flavor, or help each other in various ways. This tool helps you find the perfect companions for any plant in your garden.
π Find Companion Plants
π Complete Companion Planting Guide
Here’s a comprehensive table showing all companion planting combinations:
| Main Plant | Good Companions | Benefits | Avoid Planting With |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Basil, carrots, onions, parsley | Pest control, flavor enhancement | Brassicas, fennel |
| Basil | Tomatoes, peppers, oregano | Repels flies, improves flavor | Rue, sage |
| Carrots | Lettuce, onions, peas, tomatoes | Space efficiency, pest control | Dill |
| Lettuce | Carrots, beets, strawberries, radishes | Shade tolerance, space use | Cabbage, parsnips |
| Cucumbers | Beans, corn, peas, radishes | Vertical growing, pest control | Aromatic herbs, potatoes |
| Squash | Beans, corn, peas, cucumber | Three Sisters method, ground cover | Potatoes, aromatic herbs |
| Beans | Corn, squash, cucumber, carrot | Nitrogen fixation, vertical structure | Onions, garlic |
| Corn | Beans, squash, peas, cucumber | Three Sisters method, structure | Brassicas, tomatoes |
| Peas | Carrots, corn, beans, radish | Nitrogen fixation, early crop | Onions, garlic |
| Peppers | Basil, onions, spinach, tomatoes | Pest control, space efficiency | Fennel, kohlrabi |
| Onions | Tomatoes, carrots, beets, lettuce | Pest repellent, disease control | Beans, peas |
| Garlic | Tomatoes, roses, strawberries, beets | Pest deterrent, disease control | Beans, peas |
| Cabbage | Onions, beets, spinach, chamomile | Pest control, pest deterrent | Tomatoes, corn |
| Broccoli | Onions, beets, chamomile, mint | Pest deterrent, flavor | Tomatoes, strawberries |
| Spinach | Carrots, radishes, strawberries, chard | Shade tolerance, ground cover | Potatoes |
| Radishes | Lettuce, spinach, carrots, beans | Quick harvest, pest control | Hyssop |
| Beets | Onions, lettuce, spinach, cabbage | Space efficiency, nutrient use | Pole beans |
| Melons | Corn, beans, nasturtiums | Pest control, vertical growing | Potatoes |
| Pumpkins | Beans, corn, peas, nasturtiums | Ground cover, pest control | Potatoes |
π± Why Companion Planting Works
Pest Control
Some plants naturally repel harmful insects or attract beneficial ones. For example, basil repels flies and mosquitoes, while marigolds attract predatory insects that eat garden pests.
Nutrient Sharing
Legumes (beans, peas) fix nitrogen from the air and enrich the soil, benefiting neighboring plants. Deep-rooted plants bring up nutrients for shallow-rooted companions.
Space Efficiency
Tall plants (corn, trellised beans) provide shade for shade-loving plants. Fast-maturing plants (radishes) are harvested before slower plants need more space.
Flavor Enhancement
Growing basil near tomatoes is said to improve both flavor and growth. Aromatic herbs enhance the flavor of nearby vegetables.
The Three Sisters Method
Native Americans planted corn, beans, and squash together. Corn provides structure for beans to climb, beans fix nitrogen for all three, and squash shades soil to retain moisture and prevent weeds.
π Companion Planting Planning Tips
Spacing Considerations
- Plant tall companions on north side so they don’t shade shorter plants
- Consider mature size, not seedling size when planning
- Allow adequate space for air circulation to prevent disease
- Group plants by water and nutrient needs
Seasonal Combinations
- Spring: Plant cool-season greens with legumes for nitrogen
- Summer: Use shade from tall crops to protect sensitive plants
- Fall: Succession plant fast-maturing companions with slower crops
- Succession plant faster-maturing companions for continuous harvest
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcrowding plants – they need air circulation
- Planting incompatible varieties too close together
- Ignoring water and nutrient requirements
- Not considering mature plant size
- Forgetting about harvest timing