🌿 Companion Planting Guide

Companion Planting Guide – The Trend Vault Blog

Maximize garden health through strategic plant partnerships

The Power of Plant Partnerships

Companion planting is the practice of growing certain plants together for mutual benefit. Some plants help each other by repelling pests, improving soil, providing shade, or enhancing flavor. Understanding these relationships can significantly improve your garden’s productivity and health while reducing the need for pesticides and fertilizers.

Find Companion Plants

Select a plant to discover its best companions and plants to avoid:

Choose a plant:

Quick Reference Chart

Browse our comprehensive companion planting reference:

Plant	Good Companions	Avoid Planting With
🍅 Tomatoes	Basil Carrots Marigolds Parsley Asparagus	Cabbage Corn Potatoes Fennel
🥕 Carrots	Onions Leeks Rosemary Sage Tomatoes	Dill Parsnips
🥬 Lettuce	Radishes Carrots Strawberries Cucumbers Beets	Parsley
🫘 Beans	Corn Squash Cucumbers Carrots Beets	Onions Garlic Peppers
🧅 Onions	Carrots Beets Lettuce Tomatoes Peppers	Beans Peas Sage
🥒 Cucumbers	Beans Corn Radishes Sunflowers Peas	Potatoes Sage Melons

Companion Planting Principles

Understanding why companion planting works:

🐛 Pest Control

Certain plants repel pests naturally. Marigolds deter aphids, while basil repels flies and mosquitoes. Strong-scented herbs can mask the smell of vulnerable plants.

🦋 Beneficial Insects

Flowering companions attract pollinators and predatory insects that feed on pests. Dill and fennel attract ladybugs and parasitic wasps.

🌱 Nutrient Enhancement

Legumes (beans, peas) fix nitrogen in soil, benefiting nearby plants. Deep-rooted plants bring nutrients up from lower soil layers.

☀️ Shade & Support

Tall plants provide shade for heat-sensitive crops. Corn supports climbing beans, while squash shades the soil, reducing weeds.

🌿 Growth Enhancement

Some plants release chemicals that promote growth in neighbors. Basil is believed to improve tomato flavor and yield.

📏 Space Efficiency

Interplanting fast and slow-growing crops maximizes space. Radishes mature before lettuce needs full space.

Classic Companion Planting Combinations

Try these proven plant partnerships in your garden:

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Three Sisters

Traditional Native American planting method where corn, beans, and squash support each other.

Benefits: Corn provides structure for beans, beans fix nitrogen, squash shades soil and deters pests.

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Tomatoes & Basil

The ultimate garden duo – basil improves tomato flavor while repelling pests.

Benefits: Pest control, improved flavor, efficient space use, both love warm weather.

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Carrots & Onions

Onions repel carrot flies while carrots deter onion flies.

Benefits: Mutual pest protection, different root depths, complementary growth rates.

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Lettuce & Radishes

Fast-growing radishes mark rows and are harvested before lettuce needs space.

Benefits: Space efficiency, radishes break up soil for lettuce, succession planting.

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Marigolds Everywhere

Plant marigolds throughout your garden as a natural pest deterrent.

Benefits: Repels aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes. Attracts beneficial insects.

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Peppers & Herbs

Surround peppers with basil, oregano, and parsley for protection and flavor.

Benefits: Pest deterrence, space efficiency, herbs benefit from pepper support.