Companion Planting Guide

Did you know that planting certain plants alongside others in the garden can benefit your primary crops and help everything in your garden thrive? Some benefits of companion planting include:

• Mitigate pests and diseases

• Weed control

• Moisture conservation

• Improve soil health

• Provide natural support

• Attract pollinators and beneficial insects

• Maximize space

What Is Companion Planting?

Companion planting is the practice of placing plants together that provide mutual benefits. Some plants naturally deter harmful insects, while others attract beneficial predators like ladybugs. Certain crops even improve soil conditions or help neighboring plants grow more vigorously. The key is creating a diverse garden ecosystem instead of planting large blocks of a single crop.

• Mitigate pests and diseases – Some plants naturally repel harmful insects or confuse pests by masking the scent of nearby crops. Others attract beneficial insects that feed on common garden pests, helping reduce infestations without the need for chemical pesticides.

• Weed control – Low-growing companion plants act as living mulch, covering bare soil and limiting the space available for weeds to germinate and grow. This means less time spent pulling weeds and more time enjoying your garden.

• Moisture conservation – Ground-covering companions help shade the soil, reducing water evaporation and keeping roots cooler during the heat of summer. This can help your garden retain moisture longer between waterings.

• Improve soil health – Legumes such as beans and peas work with beneficial soil bacteria to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere into the soil. This natural process enriches the soil and provides nutrients that neighboring plants can use for healthy growth.

• Provide natural support – Tall, sturdy plants such as corn can serve as living trellises for climbing crops. This allows gardeners to make efficient use of vertical space while reducing the need for additional garden structures.

• Attract pollinators and beneficial insects – Flowers planted throughout the vegetable garden bring in bees, butterflies, and other pollinators that improve fruit and vegetable production. They also attract beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps that help keep pest populations under control.

• Maximize garden space – Companion planting allows gardeners to combine plants with different growth habits, root depths, and maturity dates. This efficient use of space can lead to higher yields, especially in smaller gardens or raised beds.

Classic Vegetable Companions

Below you'll find some common garden crops alongside some possible companion plant options. The lists below are not conclusive. In addition, your garden will benefit by planting even two or three of the companion plants mentioned. Also keep in mind that many of the plants serve multiple uses in the overall garden ecosystem you'll be creating. For example, the scent of marigolds may deter pests while simultaneously covering ground to prevent weeds and prevent water evaporation from the soil (moisture control). In addition, they'll attract pollinators, increase biodiversity, and maximize garden space, not to mention the flowers will bring a smile to your face and can be used in art projects such as natural dyeing (more on that later:)

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are one of the most popular garden crops and benefit from several companions.

Plant with:

• Basil

• Marigolds

• Nasturtiums

• Carrots

• Onions

• Garlic

Benefits: Basil may help repel certain insect pests while improving garden biodiversity. Marigolds and nasturtiums attract pollinators and can help distract aphids and whiteflies from tomatoes. Garlic and onions may help deter some pest species like rabbits and deer.

Avoid planting near:

• Corn (shares some pests)

• Potatoes (similar disease issues)

  
  

Cucumbers

Cucumbers can attract cucumber beetles and other pests, making companion plants especially valuable.

Plant with:

• Nasturtiums

• Radishes

• Dill

• Marigolds

• Beans

Benefits: Nasturtiums often act as a trap crop for aphids. Dill attracts beneficial insects, while beans help improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen.

Avoid planting near:

• Potatoes

Peppers

Peppers enjoy many of the same companions as tomatoes.

Plant with:

• Basil

• Marigolds

• Onions

• Carrots

Benefits: These companions help attract pollinators and may discourage certain pests while making efficient use of garden space.

Carrots

Carrots pair well with several vegetables and herbs.

Plant with:

• Onions

• Leeks

• Garlic

• Tomatoes

• Lettuce

Benefits: Members of the onion family can help mask the scent of carrots, making them harder for carrot flies to locate.

Beans

Beans are among the best companion plants because they add nitrogen to the soil.

Plant with:

• Corn

• Cucumbers

• Squash

• Carrots

Benefits: Beans enrich soil fertility and support heavy-feeding crops.

Avoid planting near:

• Onions

• Garlic

Corn

The famous Native American “Three Sisters” planting method combines:

• Corn

• Pole beans

• Winter squash

Corn provides support for climbing beans, beans add nitrogen to the soil, and squash shades the ground, helping retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Lettuce

Lettuce benefits from taller plants that provide partial shade. They are also perfect for utilizing empty space between rows of taller crops like tomatoes and peppers and can be sown multiple times throughout the season.

Plant with:

• Carrots

• Radishes

• Peppers

• Tomatoes

  
  

Benefits: Companion plants can help keep lettuce cooler during hot summer weather, slowing bolting.

Brassicas (Cabbage, Broccoli, Kale, Brussels Sprouts)

These crops often attract cabbage worms and other pests.

Plant with:

• Dill

• Thyme

• Rosemary

• Onions

• Marigolds

Benefits: Strong-smelling herbs can confuse insect pests and attract beneficial predators.

Flowers That Belong in Every Vegetable Garden

Flowers do much more than add beauty. Many attract pollinators and beneficial insects while helping deter common garden pests.

Marigolds

Marigolds are perhaps the most famous companion flower.

Benefits:

• Attract pollinators

• May suppress certain soil nematodes

• Help diversify the garden ecosystem

• Easy to grow

Plant throughout vegetable beds rather than in a single area.

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are often called a “trap crop.”

Benefits:

• Attract aphids away from vegetables

• Draw pollinators

• Edible flowers and leaves

• Excellent near cucumbers, squash, and tomatoes

  
  

Calendula

Calendula produces cheerful orange and yellow blooms.

Benefits:

• Attracts bees and beneficial insects

• Long blooming season

• Easy to grow from seed

• Can be used in herbal medicine and DIY skincare

Sweet Alyssum

This low-growing flower is a powerhouse for beneficial insects.

Benefits:

• Attracts hoverflies

• Supports parasitic wasps

• Excellent border plant

  
  

Sunflowers

Sunflowers provide much more than beauty.

Benefits:

• Attract pollinators

• Provide support for climbing plants like peas and beans

• Feed birds later in the season

Herbs That Help the Garden

Many culinary herbs are excellent companion plants.

Basil

• Great near tomatoes and peppers

• Attracts pollinators

• Easy to harvest for the kitchen

  
  

Dill

• Attracts beneficial insects

• Excellent near cucumbers and brassicas

• Supports butterflies

Thyme

• Helps attract pollinators

• Useful around cabbage family crops

Chives

• Good near carrots and tomatoes

• Attractive flowers for pollinators

• Strong scent can deter pests

Rosemary

• Strong scent may help confuse pests

• Useful near brassicas and beans

Companion Planting for Pest Management

The most effective companion gardens combine vegetables, herbs, and flowers together.

A simple example:

Tomato Bed

• Tomatoes down the center

• Basil between plants

• Marigolds along the border

• Sweet alyssum around the edges

This combination attracts pollinators, supports beneficial insects, and creates a diverse environment that is less attractive to pests.

Tips for Success

1. Mix flowers throughout the garden rather than isolating them.

2. Grow a variety of crops to increase biodiversity.

3. Include herbs wherever space allows.

4. Avoid large monocultures of a single vegetable.

5. Observe what works in your specific garden and climate.

6. Focus on healthy soil first—companion planting works best when plants are already thriving.

Companion planting isn’t about finding perfect plant pairings. It’s about creating a thriving garden ecosystem where vegetables, flowers, herbs, pollinators, and beneficial insects all work together. By mixing crops with flowers like marigolds and nasturtiums, incorporating herbs such as basil and dill, and using classic pairings like the Three Sisters method, gardeners can naturally improve plant health, reduce pest pressure, and enjoy a more productive harvest.

The best companion-planted gardens are not only productive—they’re beautiful, buzzing with life, and a joy to spend time in all season long.