Companion Planting Guide
Master the art of companion planting with our scientifically-validated guide. Learn which plants help each other thrive, repel pests, improve flavor, and maximize your garden's potential.
Classic Companion Pairs
- ✓Beans fix nitrogen that corn needs
- ✓Corn provides natural trellis for climbing beans
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- ✓Squash leaves shade soil, reducing weeds by 50-75%
- ✓Prickly squash vines deter raccoons and other corn predators
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- ✓Beans contribute nitrogen for heavy-feeding squash
- ✓Squash shades bean roots keeping them cool
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- ✓Basil repels aphids, whiteflies, and mosquitoes
- ✓May repel tomato hornworm (anecdotal)
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- ✓Carrots loosen and aerate soil around tomato roots
- ✓Different root depths minimize competition
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- ✓Marigolds repel many tomato pests including whiteflies
- ✓Root exudates kill soil nematodes
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Tomato Companions
Tomatoes + Basil
Basil repels aphids, whiteflies, and mosquitoes
Tomatoes + Carrots
Carrots loosen and aerate soil around tomato roots
Tomatoes + Marigolds
Marigolds repel many tomato pests including whiteflies
Tomatoes + Parsley
Parsley attracts beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests
Tomatoes + Asparagus
Tomatoes repel asparagus beetles
Tomatoes + Lettuce
Lettuce uses space under tomato canopy efficiently
Tomatoes + Garlic
Garlic deters spider mites on tomatoes
Tomatoes + Chives
Chives deter aphids and mites
Brassica Companions
Cabbage + Onions
Onion scent masks cabbage from cabbage butterflies
Broccoli + Lettuce
Lettuce utilizes space under broccoli canopy
Cabbage + Celery
Celery strong scent may confuse cabbage pests
Cauliflower + Beans
Beans fix nitrogen for heavy-feeding cauliflower
Kale + Beets
Different root depths avoid competition
Brussels Sprouts + Thyme
Thyme repels cabbage worm and flea beetles
Sage + Cabbage
Sage repels cabbage moth and cabbage looper
Dill + Cabbage
Dill attracts parasitic wasps that control cabbage worms
Root Vegetable Companions
Tomatoes + Carrots
Carrots loosen and aerate soil around tomato roots
Kale + Beets
Different root depths avoid competition
Carrots + Onions
Onions strongly repel carrot rust fly
Carrots + Leeks
Leeks repel carrot fly very effectively
Radishes + Spinach
Radishes mark slow-germinating spinach rows
Radishes + Lettuce
Radishes break up soil for lettuce
Beets + Onions
Both crops have compatible needs
Potatoes + Horseradish
Horseradish said to repel potato bugs
Legume Companions
Corn + Beans
Beans fix nitrogen that corn needs
Beans + Squash
Beans contribute nitrogen for heavy-feeding squash
Cauliflower + Beans
Beans fix nitrogen for heavy-feeding cauliflower
Peas + Carrots
Peas fix nitrogen benefiting carrots
Peas + Spinach
Both thrive in cool weather
Beans + Potatoes
Beans documented to repel Colorado potato beetles
Beans + Beets
Beans fix nitrogen, beets are moderate feeders
Rosemary + Beans
Rosemary repels bean beetles
Cucurbit Companions
Corn + Squash
Squash leaves shade soil, reducing weeds by 50-75%
Beans + Squash
Beans contribute nitrogen for heavy-feeding squash
Cucumbers + Radishes
Radishes documented to repel cucumber beetles
Cucumbers + Dill
Dill attracts beneficial insects that eat cucumber pests
Cucumbers + Sunflowers
Sunflowers can serve as trellises for cucumbers
Squash + Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums act as trap crop for aphids and squash bugs
Melons + Corn
Corn provides windbreak for melons
Zucchini + Oregano
Oregano may repel squash bugs
Herb Companions
Tomatoes + Basil
Basil repels aphids, whiteflies, and mosquitoes
Tomatoes + Parsley
Parsley attracts beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests
Brussels Sprouts + Thyme
Thyme repels cabbage worm and flea beetles
Cucumbers + Dill
Dill attracts beneficial insects that eat cucumber pests
Zucchini + Oregano
Oregano may repel squash bugs
Rosemary + Beans
Rosemary repels bean beetles
Sage + Cabbage
Sage repels cabbage moth and cabbage looper
Dill + Cabbage
Dill attracts parasitic wasps that control cabbage worms
⛔ Plants to Keep Apart
These combinations can inhibit growth, spread disease, or attract shared pests
Tomatoes ✕ Brassicas
Tomatoes may inhibit brassica growth through allelopathy
Beans ✕ Onions
Onion exudates inhibit nitrogen-fixing bacteria in bean roots
Beans ✕ Garlic
Same mechanism as beans-onions
Fennel ✕ Most Vegetables
Fennel produces strong allelopathic compounds
Tomatoes ✕ Potatoes
Both susceptible to same diseases (late blight, early blight)
Tomatoes ✕ Corn
Both attract tomato hornworm/corn earworm (same insect)
Potatoes ✕ Cucumbers
Traditional reports of growth inhibition
Cabbage ✕ Strawberries
Brassicas may inhibit strawberry growth
Carrots ✕ Dill
Dill may inhibit carrot growth when mature
Peppers ✕ Fennel
Fennel allelopathy particularly affects peppers
The Science of Companion Planting
Pest Deterrence
Aromatic plants mask host plant scents or directly repel pest insects through volatile compounds.
Trap Cropping
Sacrificial plants attract pests away from valuable crops, concentrating them for easier management.
Beneficial Insects
Certain plants attract predatory insects and parasitic wasps that control pest populations naturally.
Nitrogen Fixation
Legumes host Rhizobium bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into plant-usable forms.
🌽 The Three Sisters 🫘 🎃
The most famous companion planting system, developed by Indigenous peoples of North America
Corn
Provides a natural trellis for beans to climb
Beans
Fixes nitrogen in the soil for corn and squash
Squash
Shades the soil, reducing weeds and retaining moisture