Most vegetable gardeners practice companion planting with the concept of planting combinations of specific vegetables for their mutual benefits while utilizing their limited garden space.
A horticulture educator for Penn State Extension Tom Maloney says, “The theory behind companion planting is that certain plants may help each other take up nutrients, improve pest management or attract pollinators.”
“Some research, such as how to attract beneficial insects like lacewings to the garden to fight pests, has been studied, so we know it’s effective. We’re still researching other aspects of companion planting.”
Companion planting might be overwhelming to new gardeners, but with the help of this guide, you will be relieved from the hassle of trial and error and enjoy utilizing your garden.
Companion Planting Table For Vegetables
Just as some plants are advantageous to each other when planted together, other plants are best to avoid.
Here are the lists of several companion plants found to be beneficial to each other when planted together, and some plants that are best to avoid.
Vegetable |
Best To Plant With |
Avoid Planting With |
| Asparagus | Tomatoes, Chives, Parsley, Basil, Comfrey, Dill, Coriander, Nasturtium | Onion, Potatoes, Gladiolas, Garlic |
| Basil | Chamomile, Anise, Tomatoes, Pepper, Oregano, Asparagus, Grape Vine, Petunias | Rue |
| Beans | Broccoli, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, Corn, Carrots, Cauliflower, Cucumber, Lettuce, Eggplant, Parsley, Peas, Marigold, Sage, Rosemary, Summer savory, Beet, Celery, Potatoes, Radish, Squash, Strawberries, Okra, Chard, Onions, Mint, Borage, Grape Vine, Dill, Spinach | Tomatoes, Pepper, Alliums |
| Broad Beans | Cabbage, Corn, Lettuce | Shallot, Chives, Fennel, Garlic, Pepper, Sunflower, Onions |
| Bush Beans | Celery, Strawberries, Cucumber, Soybeans, Grains, Beets, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Corn, Marigold, Potatoes, Savory | Soybeans, Alfalfa, Fennel, Garlic, Leek, Onions, Shallots |
| Climbing Beans | Cabbage, Corn, Radish, Marigold, Potatoes
|
Beets, Sunflower, Fennel, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Kohlrabi, Garlic, Onions, Shallots, Leek |
| Beet | Onions, Cauliflower, Lettuce, Cabbage, Corn, Broccoli, Bush Beans, Brussels Sprouts, Garlic, Kohlrabi, Shallots, Beans (bush), Swiss chard, Mint | Tomatoes, Climbing Beans, Mustard |
| Borage | Strawberries, Tomatoes, Squash, Beans (all), Cucumber, Cabbage | None |
| Bell Pepper | Onions, Parsley, Tomatoes, Carrots, Basil, Marigold | Fennel, Dill |
| Broccoli | Beans, Potatoes, Beet, Tomatoes, Marigold, Dill, Cucumber, Nasturtium, Lettuce, Turnip, Mustard, Onions, Chamomile, Carrots, Mint, Rosemary, Thyme, Sage | Strawberries, Rue, Pepper, Climbing Beans |
| Brussels Sprouts | Sage, Thyme, Beans (all), Beets, Carrots, Chamomile, Dill, Marigold, Mint, Onions, Nasturtium, Rosemary | Strawberries |
| Cabbage | Sage, Potatoes, Rosemary, Onions, Marigold, Peas, Nasturtium, Lettuce, Dill, Cucumber, Chamomile, Celery, Beans (all), Beet, Kale, Thyme, Spinach, Tomatoes, Coriander, Mint, Broccoli, Garlic, Brussels Sprouts, Swiss chard | Strawberries, Rue, Grape Vine |
| Carrots | Rosemary, Sage, Tomatoes, Radish, Nasturtium, Lettuce, Peas, Onions, Marigold, Coriander, Leek, Cucumber, Beans (all), Chives, Garlic, Shallots, Leek | Parsnip, Anise, Dill, Parsley, Radish |
| Cantaloupe | Chamomile, Savory, Corn | None |
| Chamomile | Cauliflower, Broccoli, Onions, Cabbage, Cucumber, Most Herbs | Mint |
| Celery | Leek, Peas, Tomatoes, Cabbage, Bush Beans, Cauliflower, Dill, Broccoli | Potatoes, Parsnip, Corn |
| Cauliflower | Spinach, Sunflower, Peas, Beans (all), Broccoli, Celery, Marigold, Cabbage, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Brussels Sprouts | Rue, Strawberries |
| Cherries | Alliums, Marigold, Spinach | Potatoes |
| Chervil | Broccoli, Lettuce, Radish | None |
| Chives | Apples, Carrots, Rose, Grape Vine, Tomatoes, Broccoli. Cabbage, Mustard, Cauliflower, Strawberries | Peas, Beans (all) |
| Coriander | Cabbage, Spinach, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Anise, Beans (all), Peas | Dill |
| Corn | Radish, Pumpkin, Zucchini, Squash, Rosemary, Marjoram, Cucumber, Beets, Lettuce, Melon, Peas, Potatoes, Sunflower, Climbing Beans, Soybeans, Dill, Parsley, Mustard, Pumpkin | Tomatoes, Celery |
| Cucumber | Basil, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Celery, Marigold, Onions, Radish, Peas, Corn, Nasturtium, Lettuce, Carrots, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Sunflower, Kohlrabi, Beans (all), Chamomile, Dill, Beets, Garlic, Spinach | Sage, Potatoes, Melon, Aromatic Herbs |
| Dill | Broccoli, Cabbage, Fennel, Beans (all), Corn, Radish, Sunflower, Lettuce, Onions, Eggplant, Cucumber | Coriander, Carrot, Tomatoes |
| Fennel | Dill, Eggplant, Basil | Tomatoes, Coriander, Beans (most) |
| Eggplant | Beans, Potatoes, Marjoram | Dill |
| Garlic | Cucumber, Rose, Tomatoes, Broccoli, Beets, Cabbage, Lettuce, Tarragon, Celery, Potatoes | Grape Vine, Beans (all) |
| Grape Vine | Basil, Beans (all), Peas, Chives, Mustard, Oregano, Geraniums, Blackberries
|
Cabbage, Garlic, Radish |
| Hot Pepper | Basil, Eggplant, Bell Peppers, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Squash, Cucumber, Tomatoes | Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, Dill, Cabbage, Beans |
| Kale | Beets, Celery, Spinach, Marigold, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Nasturtium, Aromatic Herbs | Grape Vine, Beans (all), Strawberry |
| Kohlrabi | Cucumber, Thyme, Sage, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Beet, Onion, Aromatic Herbs
|
Climbing Beans, Pepper, Tomatoes, Fennel |
| Lettuce | Beans (Bush and Climbing), Cucumber, Marigold, Carrots, Parsnip, Peas, Onions, Radish, Asparagus, Brussels Sprouts, Beets, Corn, Eggplant, Potatoes, Spinach, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Sunflower, Broccoli, Kohlrabi, Dill, Thyme, Coriander, Nasturtium | Parsley, Cabbage, Celery |
| Marigold | Tomatoes, Pepper, Apricot, Beans (all), Rose, Cucumber, Squash, Potatoes, Zucchini, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Onions, Garlic, Chives, Shallots | None |
| Marjoram | Squash, Beans (all), Eggplant
|
None |
| Mustard | Mulberry, Grape Vine, Beans (all), Broccoli, Cabbage, Radish, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Turnip, Alfalfa | None |
| Nasturtium | Beans (all), Cabbage, Squash, Tomatoes, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Radish, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Potatoes | Cauliflower |
| Onion | Cabbage, Carrots, Lettuce, Parsley, Parsnip, Tomatoes, Leek, Beets, Broccoli, Pepper, Potatoes, Spinach, Strawberries, Chamomile, Cauliflower, Cucumber, Dill, Marigold, Savory | Peas, Beans, Sage, Asparagus |
| Oregano | Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucumber | None |
| Parsley | Asparagus, Rose, Tomatoes, Corn | Onions, Garlic, Chives, Shallots, Lettuce, Mint |
| Parsnip | Bush Beans, Pepper, Potatoes, Radish | Carrots, Celery |
| Peas | Beans, Cabbage, Carrots, Corn, Lettuce, Parsnip, Sage, Cucumber, Celery, Eggplant, Turnip, Cauliflower, Garlic, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Mint, Beans (all) | Onions, Shallots, Chives, Potatoes |
| Pepper | Basil, Coriander, Onions, Spinach, Tomatoes, Sunflower, Carrots, Eggplant, Parsley, Okra, Marjoram, Mustard, Geraniums, Petunias | Beans (all), Kohlrabi, Kale Apricot, Fennel, Brussels Sprouts |
| Potatoes | Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Corn, Nasturtiums, Peas, Beans(all), Cauliflower, Marigold, Horseradish, Thyme, Basil, Eggplant, Onions, Garlic, Clover | Cucumber, Pumpkin, Dill, Rosemary, Tomatoes, Celery, Carrots, Sunflower, Squash, Cherry, Raspberries |
| Pumpkin | Corn, Marjoram, Squash, Nasturtium, Beans (all), Oregano, Radish | Potatoes |
| Radish | Coriander, Onions, Spinach, Tomatoes, Basil, Chervil, Lettuce, Nasturtium, Squash, Eggplant, Cucumber, Peas, Beans(all), Melon | Kohlrabi, Grape Vine, Brussels Sprouts, Turnip |
| Rosemary | Cabbage, Beans (all), Sage, Carrots, Broccoli | Tomatoes |
| Rue | Carrots | Basil, Broccoli, Cabbage |
| Sage | Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots, Rosemary, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, Tomatoes, Strawberries, Marjoram, Beans (all) | Cucumber, Onions, Rue |
| Savory | Beans (all), Onions, Melon | None |
| Silverbeet | Beets, Cherries, Lavender | Basil |
| Soybeans | Corn, Sunflower, Asparagus, Potatoes
|
Beans (all), Onions, Garlic |
| Spinach | Marjoram, Strawberries, Peas, Beans (all), Celery, Cauliflower, Eggplant, Broccoli | None |
| Squash | Beans (all), Cucumbers, Marigold, Onions, Nasturtium, Pumpkin, Spinach, Sunflower, Corn, Peas, Okra, Radish, Borage | Potatoes |
| Strawberries | Borage, Spinach, Bush Beans, Onions, Lettuce, Sage, Thyme | Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Tomatoes, Potatoes, Eggplant, Pepper, Melon, Mint, Okra |
| Swiss Chard | Bush Beans, Kohlrabi, Onions, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, Radish, Turnip, Cabbage
|
Climbing Beans |
| Thyme | Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, Eggplant, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Potatoes, | None |
| Tomatoes | Asparagus, Carrots, Celery, Dill, Lettuce, Marigold, Nasturtium, Onions, Parsley, Parsnip, Chives, Basil, Peppers, Spinach, Radish, Beans (all), Borage, Melon, Thyme, Garlic, Oregano, Broccoli, Cabbage, Coriander, Carrots, Eggplant, Sage, Mint, Mustard, Rosemary | Beets, Rue, Cauliflower, Fennel, Potatoes, Corn, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Kale, Dill, Kohlrabi |
| Turnip | Broccoli, Peas, Cabbage | Potatoes, Carrots, Mustard, Radish |
| Zucchini | Corn, Marjoram, Parsnip, Nasturtium | Potatoes |
7 Reasons Why Companion Planting Is Beneficial To Your Garden
At first, companion planting for vegetables seems like a strange idea. However, utilizing your garden with companion planting will give your garden many benefits it can enjoy.
The mix of plant species is more advantageous for ecological functions, and the interactions between plants provide various beneficial relationships to each other.
The easiest way to mimic the natural ecosystem and enjoy its benefits in your garden is through the practice of companion planting.
The list below contains the reasons why companion planting is beneficial to you and some easy ways to achieve them in your garden.
1) It Helps Utilize Your Garden Space
Companion planting is a perfect way for gardeners with limited space to make the most of their gardens. Growing a vining plant under taller plants is a common way to conserve space.
Planting fast-growing vegetables over slow-growing ones is another method gardeners use.
For example, radishes and green onions easily tuck in just about anywhere around the garden. You may enjoy its harvest just before other vegetables start to fill the garden space.
2) It Prevents Soil Erosion While Keeping Its Moisture
Limited garden space won’t prevent you from growing more vegetables with companion planting. Aside from conserving garden space, it helps to keep the soil and prevent erosion while retaining its moisture.
Cucumbers and other vining plants are useful for shading the soil and are best used to hold the soil moisture in times of droughts.
3) It Keeps Weeds Out
Aside from keeping the soil into place and helping retain its moisture, planting vegetables that are beneficial to each other also helps block weed growth.
One of the most significant purposes of companion planting is to prevent weeds from growing.
4) It Decreases Pest Issues
Growing varieties of vegetables will make it hard for pests to destroy your plants.
While bugs and insects start to pick their favorite food, companion plants also begin to repel these pests.
For example, wormwood planted along with cabbage can deter cabbage-moths while parsley repels asparagus beetles.
5) It Prevents The Spread of Disease
Just like with humans, diseases spread more quickly in plants with the same type compacted into one big group. Adding different species of plants can help break or slow the spread of plant disease.
As mentioned earlier, plant interaction can make companion plants healthier, making them resistant to plant diseases.
One good example of this is the beans in the three sisters garden method, where it provides enough nitrogen in the soil, while making corn and tomatoes healthier.
6) It Attracts Pollinators and Beneficial Insects
Companion planting does not only manage pests in the garden. It also attracts pollinators. So you see, it’s always good to grow varieties of vegetables with a more prolonged bloom period.
7) It Eliminates The Need for Trellises
In a three sisters garden method, usually, corn stands as trellises where pole beans can climb up conveniently.
Aside from corn, other plants can be an excellent replacement for stick trellises, such as sunflowers, artichokes, and amaranth.
How Close Do Companion Vegetables Need To Be From Each Other?
Growing close to each other makes companion plants benefit each other. They do their job together by attracting beneficial insects and repelling destructive ones. They support each other by providing nutrients, and in some cases, natural shade to a friend that needs it.
But how close should companion plants grow together? The average spacing between varieties should be 9 to 12-inches apart. Just be mindful of the heights of your vegetables for right shading. Partly shade for your shorter herbs and veggies is good enough as they need sunlight too.
Growing incompatible vegetables on the opposite side of your garden is okay if you have bigger beds. However, it is best to grow them in different gardens or keep them apart if you plant them in container pots.
Final Thoughts on Growing Your Veggies with Companion Planting!
Knowing various plant relationships is a great advantage to help you achieve a productive garden.
Companion planting is the simplest way to deter pests without resorting to conventional methods. Furthermore, its natural benefits make it an excellent choice for gardeners looking to make the most of their small garden.
Have you tried companion planting? If you have, you can share your experience in the comment section below, and we’ll be happy to read it!
