The companion planting guide
The trend of “companion planting” is all about growing plants together that are mutually beneficial to their health. We’ve spoken about why you should be companion planting in your garden so now here’s a guideline for which plants work well together and which don’t. Remember companion planting isn’t a cure-all solution and it’s not the same for everyone, everywhere. You will need to experiment to find what works best in your garden.
Asparagus
Good companions: Apricot, basil, chives, comfrey, lovage, Marjoram, parsley, tomatoes
Bad companions: Garlic, potatoes, onions
Why: Basil and parsley are believed to improve flavour. Onions and garlic release substances reducing growth.
Beans
Good companions: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, corn, lettuce, lovage, Majoram, Parsley
Bad companions: Beetroot, chives, garlic, gladiolus, onions, sunflower
Beetroot
Good companions: Beans (bush), broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kohl rabi, lettuce, lovage, Marjoram, onion, peas, potato, spinach, silverbeet
Bad companions: Beans (climbing), tomato
Why: The bad companions’ roots release substances reducing growth
Brassicas (including broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower)
Good companions: Beans, beetroot, carrots, chamomile, coriander, cucumber, dill, lettuce, lovage, Marjoram, Marigold (French), mint, nasturtium, onion, pea, potato, rosemary, sage, tansy, thyme, tomato, zinnias
Bad companions: Garlic, rue, strawberries,
Why: Thyme, nasturtiums, and onion showed good resistance to cabbageworm, weevil and cabbage looper.
Carrots
Good companions: Beans, chives, coriander, cucumber, leeks, lettuce, lovage, marjoram, onion, pea, radish, rosemary, sage, tomato
Bad companions: Dill, celery, parsnip, radish
Why: Beans provide the nitrogen carrots need more than some other vegetables. Aromatic companion plants repel carrot fly.
Celery
Good companions: Cabbage, chives, dill, dwarf beans, leek, lovage, majoram, onion, pea, sage, spinach, tomato
Bad companions: Carrots, parsnip, potato, corn
Why: Bad roots release substances reducing growth
Chives
Good companions: Apples, cucumbers, lettuce, peas
Bad companions: Beans, peas
Why: Prevents apple scab and it’s said to deter aphids
Cucumber
Good companions: Basil, bens, borage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, corn, dill kohl rabi, lettuce, lovage, marjoram, nasturtium, parsnip, pea, radish, sunflower, tansy
Bad companions: Potato, sage, aromatic herbs
Garlic
Good companions: Apricot, cherry, mulberry, parsnip, peach, pear, raspberry, rosemary, rose
Bad companions: Beans, cabbage, peas, strawberry
Why: Deters aphids, especially from roses and raspberry. Repels cabbage white butterfly
Lettuce
Good companions: Achillea, beans, beetroot, cabbage, carrot, chervil, coreopsis, cucumber, lovage, marjoram, marigold, onion, parsnip, pea, radish, strawberry, zinnia
Bad companions: Parsley, celery, cabbage
Why: Achillea, coreopsis and zinnia attract pollinators and offer shade for lettuce
Onion
Good companions: Beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, chamomile, leeks, lettuce, lovage, marjoram, parsley, parsnip, silverbeet, strawberry, summer savory, tomato
Bad companions: Asparagus, beans, gladioli, peas
Why: Smell of onion said to deter numerous pests.
Peas
Good companions: Beans, beetroot, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, lettuce, lovage, marjoram, parsnip, potato, radish, sage, squash, sweet corn
Bad companions: garlic, onion, shallots
Potato
Good companions: Beans, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, corn, eggplant, horseradish, lovage, marjoram, marigold (french), nasturtium, parsnip, peas, sweet alyssum, sweet corn, watermelon
Bad companions: Apple, celery, cherry, cucumber, pumpkin, raspberry, rosemary, squash, sunflower, tomato
Pumpkin
Good companions: Beans, cabbage, eggplant, peas, radish, sweet corn
Bad companions: Potato
Tomato
Good companions: Asparagus, basil, celery, borage, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chives, dill, gooseberry, grape, hyssop, lovage, mariglod, marjoram, mint, nasturtium, onion, parsley, parsnip, turnip
Bad companions: Apricots, beetroot, fennel, kohl rabi, potato, rosemary, sweet corn
Why: Marigolds said to repel white fly and root knot nematode.
Related links:
10 famous gardening quotes we love
5 natural fertilisers that can be found in your house
Over60 community gardeners’ top tips