"A well-planned garden isn’t just about growing vegetables; it’s about creating a community where every plant supports each other" - I have been gardening since I was 14 and I noticed a significant role of companion plants for veggies. In this article, I will let you know the best companion plants for a vegetable garden.
I've tested nearly every plant type to see how they work with vegetable crops. I have this habit that I can't fully believe something in gardening until I’ve tested it myself. As a result, I met some harmful companion couples as well that you should never try.
Accumulating all my experiences, I have created an organized list of companion plants for vegetables.
Gardeners often struggle to find the exact type of companion plants. I personally love flowering companion plants for vegetables. My few relatives like to plant herbs as companion plants in their vegetable garden.
So I have categorized the companion plants for vegetables into the following categories:
- Flowers as companion plants.
- One vegetable/root with another.
- Herbs as companion plants.
- Berries with vegetables.
It's almost impossible to fit everything on a single webpage, so I have created a PDF eBook that you can keep with you. In this book, I've included an extensive list of companion plants along with the recommended distance to maintain between each companion plant and your vegetable crops. Organizing all this information took a lot of effort and time, so you won’t have to search the internet repeatedly for suitable companion plants for your vegetables. I have also added a list of harmful companion couple plants that you should never try.
If you are interested in getting the eBook Click the below buy button: ( I’ve priced it at just $7 to ensure it remains affordable for gardeners. During purchase you can set any fair price 😄)
Selling books online helps me a lot to make unique content like this. If you’re not satisfied with the book after reading it, I’ll give you a refund.
Now back to the article!
Flowering plants as companions for vegetable gardens
| Flower Name | Companion Benefits | Best For | Soil Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marigold | Repels nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies | Tomatoes, Peppers, Squash | Suppresses harmful nematodes in the soil |
| Nasturtium | Attracts beneficial insects, repels aphids and squash bugs | Cucumbers, Squash, Tomatoes | Improves soil moisture retention |
| Sunflower | Acts as a trap crop for aphids, attracts pollinators | Corn, Beans | Deep roots help break up compacted soil |
| Borage | Attracts pollinators, deters tomato hornworm | Tomatoes, Strawberries | Improves soil fertility by adding trace minerals |
| Lavender | Repels moths, fleas, and whiteflies | Brassicas (Broccoli, Cabbage), Lettuce | No significant soil benefits |
| Calendula | Attracts pollinators, repels aphids and whiteflies | Tomatoes, Carrots | Improves soil health by attracting beneficial microorganisms |
| Cosmos | Attracts beneficial insects, improves pollination | Squash, Beans | Improves soil structure with deep roots |
| Alyssum | Attracts beneficial insects, especially predatory wasps | Carrots, Lettuce, Brassicas | Prevents soil erosion and improves ground cover |
Now, you might be wondering what distance we should maintain between two flowering plants in a vegetable garden. To make it easier for you I have created another table that will show you the distance and other necessary information.
| Flower Name | Planting Distance (inches) | Planting Depth (inches) | Sunlight Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marigold | 10-12 inches | 1/4 inch | Full Sun |
| Nasturtium | 12 inches | 1/2 inch | Full Sun to Partial Shade |
| Sunflower | 12-18 inches | 1-2 inches | Full Sun |
| Borage | 12 inches | 1/4 inch | Full Sun |
| Lavender | 18-24 inches | 1/8 inch | Full Sun |
| Calendula | 8-12 inches | 1/4 inch | Full Sun to Partial Shade |
| Cosmos | 12-18 inches | 1/4 inch | Full Sun |
| Alyssum | 6 inches | 1/8 inch | Full Sun to Partial Shade |
Note: This is not the distance between a vegetable plant and a flowering plant. This is the distance between two flowering plants. You should maintain this distance.
One issue I faced with sunflowers is White spots - Powdery mildew on Sunflower Leaves
Companion plants should maintain a specific space with a vegetable plant and it depends on which vegetable it is. (And companion plant and vegetable growth rate is a major concern for us)
One famous quote will fit here:
A good neighbor increases the value of your property - Danish Proverb
So we need to pick the companion plant wisely.
Vegetable companion plants for vegetables
I have made this long list of companion plants that you can plant in between the given vegetable/root plants.
Bonus tip (I got from my father and witnessed the benefits): If you are growing pepper plants then just before the end of the harvesting season, plant bitter guards under the pepper plants. Once the pepper plants die, they will work as natural support and training for the pepper plants. It may look ugly but I believe in organic methods when possible.
| Companion Plant | Best Vegetable/Root Companion | Soil Benefits | Other Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrot | Onion, Leek, Tomato | Loosens soil, improves aeration | Deters pests like onion flies and aphids |
| Beans | Corn, Cucumber, Radish | Fixes nitrogen in the soil and enriches fertility | Acts as a natural trellis for climbing plants like cucumber |
| Radish | Carrot, Spinach, Cucumber | Loosens compacted soil | Acts as a trap crop for flea beetles |
| Onion | Carrot, Lettuce, Beet | No significant soil benefits | Repels carrot flies, aphids, and other pests |
| Beets | Onion, Lettuce, Broccoli | Improves soil structure with deep roots | Repels pests like aphids and mites |
| Tomato | Basil, Onion, Carrot | Prevents soil depletion by pairing with nitrogen-fixing plants | Repels pests and improves tomato flavor when paired with basil |
| Squash | Corn, Beans, Radish | Shades the soil, reducing moisture loss | Suppresses weeds with large leaves |
| Potato | Beans, Corn, Peas | Breaks up compacted soil with deep tuber growth | Repels harmful insects like the Colorado potato beetle |
| Corn | Beans, Squash, Cucumber | Improves soil aeration with deep roots | Provides natural support for climbing beans |
| Peas | Carrot, Radish, Beans | Fixes nitrogen in the soil, improving fertility | Acts as a ground cover to reduce soil erosion |
| Garlic | Tomato, Cabbage, Beet | Helps suppress soil-borne diseases | Repels aphids and spider mites |
| Lettuce | Carrot, Radish, Beet | No significant soil benefits | Grows quickly, providing shade to other plants |
| Spinach | Strawberry, Pea, Radish | No significant soil benefits | Improves soil structure with shallow roots |
| Cucumber | Beans, Corn, Radish | No significant soil benefits | Repels pests like beetles when grown with radish |
| Broccoli | Onion, Beets, Garlic | No significant soil benefits | Repels cabbage worms and other pests |
| Bell Pepper | Basil, Onion, Carrot | No significant soil benefits | Enhances flavor and growth when planted with basil |
| Cauliflower | Celery, Beets, Garlic | No significant soil benefits | Repels pests and enhances growth |
| Eggplant | Basil, Marigold, Peppers | No significant soil benefits | Repels pests and enhances flavor |
| Chard | Onion, Garlic, Beans | Improves soil structure with deep roots | Attracts beneficial insects |
| Swiss Chard | Brassicas, Carrots, Onions | Improves soil aeration | Repels pests |
| Fennel | None (incompatible with many veggies) | No significant soil benefits | Attracts beneficial insects but can inhibit growth of other plants |
I never noticed any significant benefits from Fennel as a companion plant. If you know any do let me know in the comment section of this article.
Are you laughing at seeing Marigold on the edible list? Don't worry it's safe to consume marigolds and it's edible. A lot of gardeners still grow Marigold only as a flowering plant and they don't know it's an edible flower.
Herbs as companion plants for vegetables and roots
If you are planning to plant herbs inside your vegetable garden, then you must be aware of this: Most of the herbs are perennial, so your herbs will remain there even after the veggies harvesting is over. Some of us can consider this as a positive one but others not.
I have faced a few issues, for example, once I had planted mint and the growth rate was so high that I had to prune on a regular basis. You can also face overcrowding issues.
Cilantro or dill has a very strong flavor and sometimes they can alter the flavor of the neighbor veggies.
| Herb | Best Companion Vegetables | Soil Benefits | Other Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant | Improves soil health by attracting beneficial insects | Repels aphids and whiteflies; enhances tomato flavor |
| Cilantro | Tomato, Spinach, Cabbage | Improves soil structure | Attracts beneficial insects, including ladybugs |
| Parsley | Tomato, Asparagus, Carrot | Helps improve soil drainage | Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects |
| Chives | Carrot, Tomato, Cabbage | No significant soil benefits | Repels aphids and other pests |
| Thyme | Tomato, Cabbage, Eggplant | No significant soil benefits | Attracts beneficial insects and repels pests |
| Oregano | Tomato, Peppers, Eggplant | No significant soil benefits | Repels pests and attracts pollinators |
| Mint | Cabbage, Carrots, Peas | Improves soil moisture retention | Repels pests like aphids and ants |
| Rosemary | Beans, Cabbage, Carrots | No significant soil benefits | Repels pests and attracts pollinators |
| Sage | Brassicas, Carrots, Beans | No significant soil benefits | Repels cabbage moths and other pests |
| Tarragon | Tomato, Lettuce, Cabbage | No significant soil benefits | Improves flavor of neighboring plants |
| Fennel | None (incompatible with many veggies) | No significant soil benefits | Attracts beneficial insects but can inhibit growth of other plants |
| Lovage | Tomato, Asparagus, Celery | Improves soil structure | Repels aphids and attracts beneficial insects |
Berries as companion plants for vegetables
We can grow berries alongside vegetables as companion plants. I have tested a few combinations that you can follow through the below list:
| Berry | Best Companion Plants | Soil Benefits | Other Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strawberry | Spinach, Lettuce, Borage | Improves soil structure with shallow roots | Attracts beneficial insects and improves flavor |
| Blueberry | Cranberry, Azalea, Huckleberry | Acidifies soil, improving nutrient availability | Repels certain pests; enhances pollination |
| Raspberry | Marigold, Beans, Garlic | Helps break up compacted soil | Repels aphids and enhances pollinator attraction |
| Blackberry | Beans, Cabbage, Marigold | Improves soil fertility with deep roots | Repels pests and enhances biodiversity |
| Cranberry | Blueberry, Pitcher Plant, Sphagnum Moss | Helps retain moisture in the soil | Attracts beneficial insects and improves soil health |
| Gooseberry | Currant, Marigold, Chives | Improves soil structure | Repels aphids and encourages pollinators |
| Currant | Gooseberry, Chives, Garlic | No significant soil benefits | Repels pests and attracts beneficial insects |
| Mulberry | Blackberry, Raspberry, Marigold | Improves soil structure with deep roots | Attracts birds and beneficial insects |
| Boysenberry | Raspberry, Marigold, Garlic | No significant soil benefits | Repels pests and enhances flavor |
| Huckleberry | Blueberry, Cranberry, Pine | Improves soil acidity | Increases flavor and attracts pollinators |
| Serviceberry | Raspberry, Blackberry, Clover | Improves soil fertility | Attracts beneficial insects and provides food for wildlife |
| Sea Buckthorn | Berry-producing plants, Comfrey, Clover | Improves soil stability | Good for biodiversity and provides habitat for wildlife |
I love gardening and I like sharing those with other gardeners. I love it when someone subscribes to my site (It's Free!).
Most of my family members and relatives are doing gardening for a better and healthy life. They are spread all over the US and a few of them are in different countries. I try to gather information from all of them before writing every guide just to be sure I am not providing anything inaccurate here. My grandpa(85) is located in North Texas and I am growing veggies, herbs, and flowers in South Florida.
If you are from North Texas you can go check out my Full Year Planting Calendar Guide for North Texas and if you are from Florida, don't forget to check Full Year Planting Calendar Guide for Florida.
