Companion planting is a smart, natural way to boost your garden. Some plants just grow better together. They can attract good bugs, keep away bad ones, and even improve flavor or growth. No matter your gardening experience, these plant partnerships bring out the best in your garden. Ready to team up your tomatoes or buddy up your beans? Each of these garden duos is designed to help your plants flourish naturally, with every pair offering its own special boost to growth or pest control.
1. Tomatoes and Basil
Tomatoes and basil are best garden buddies. Basil helps repel pests like whiteflies and tomato hornworms. It may even improve tomato flavor. The basil’s strong scent confuses pests while attracting bees. Plus, these two thrive in the same warm, sunny conditions. Keep basil near the tomato base but not too close to crowd the roots. This combo is also a favorite among home chefs.
2. Carrots and Onions
This pair is a pest-fighting powerhouse. Onions repel carrot flies, while carrots help deter onion flies. Their root systems grow at different depths, so they don’t compete much. Carrots enjoy the shade onions provide, especially in warmer zones. Be sure to space them so each has room to grow. Together, they make a low-maintenance team. Gardeners love how they protect each other naturally.
3. Corn and Beans
This classic combo comes from Native American "Three Sisters" planting. Beans climb corn stalks like natural poles, saving space. In return, beans fix nitrogen in the soil, feeding the corn. Corn offers structure, and beans provide nutrients—a perfect partnership. Just don’t forget to add squash for full effect. But even on their own, corn and beans thrive together. It’s a smart, space-saving strategy.
4. Lettuce and Radishes
Lettuce grows slowly, while radishes grow fast. Planting them together saves space and boosts harvest. Radishes break up soil for tender lettuce roots. Their spicy leaves can even deter some pests. Once radishes are harvested, lettuce has more room to expand. It’s a great combo for early spring planting. Both are great for beginner gardeners.
5. Cucumbers and Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are cucumber’s bodyguards. Their flowers repel aphids, whiteflies, and squash bugs. They also act as a trap crop, drawing pests away. Meanwhile, they attract pollinators to help cucumbers fruit. Plus, their trailing vines offer ground cover to keep the soil moist. A beautiful and helpful pair. This combo adds color and protection to any garden.
6. Peppers and Marigolds
Marigolds are natural pest repellents. Their roots release a compound that wards off nematodes and soil pests. Above ground, they deter aphids and beetles. Peppers love the sunny, well-drained spots in marigolds thrive. Together, they make a colorful and protective duo. Bonus: both plants bloom over a long season. It’s a favorite for pest-free pepper patches.
7. Spinach and Strawberries
Spinach acts like living mulch for strawberries. It shades the soil, keeping roots cool and moist. Strawberries provide light shade back, helping spinach avoid bolting in spring. Both enjoy rich soil and similar watering needs. Together, they fight weeds and save space. It's a sweet and leafy win-win. This duo makes use of every inch.
8. Broccoli and Dill
Dill attracts beneficial bugs like ladybugs and parasitic wasps. These help keep broccoli pests in check. The dill also doesn’t compete much for nutrients. Broccoli gives partial shade that dill tolerates. Make sure to give each enough space to grow fully. This combo helps cut down on cabbage worms naturally. A must-try for organic gardeners.
9. Beets and Garlic
Garlic’s strong scent repels common beet pests. In return, beets help keep weeds down around garlic bulbs. They both grow underground but don’t fight for nutrients much. Planting them in alternating rows works best. Beets also enjoy the protection garlic offers from fungal issues. A simple but effective pairing. Great for boosting both flavor and yield.
10. Zucchini and Borage
Borage draws bees, which boosts zucchini pollination. It also repels pests like tomato hornworms and cabbage moths. The leaves of borage can even improve the soil when they decompose. Zucchini enjoys the extra pollinator activity borage brings. Just allow enough space—zucchini can sprawl. Together, they increase your chances of a big harvest. This combo brings beauty and bounty.
11. Cabbage and Thyme
Thyme helps repel cabbage moths with its strong scent. It also attracts hoverflies and ladybugs to eat aphids. Thyme doesn’t take up much space and grows low to the ground. This means it won’t compete with large cabbage heads. They enjoy similar conditions, especially well-drained soil. A flavorful and practical match. Plus, thyme is a great kitchen herb.
12. Celery and Leeks
Leeks mask celery’s scent, hiding it from pests. Both like rich, moist soil and partial shade. Celery’s shallow roots pair well with deeper-growing leeks. They don’t compete much and actually protect one another. Keep the rows close for pest control but not so close to the crowd. This pairing makes the most of tight spaces. Ideal for cooler climates.
13. Kale and Calendula
Calendula lures aphids away from kale as a trap crop. It also brings in pollinators and predator insects. Kale appreciates the pest control and doesn’t mind sharing space. Calendula’s bright blooms add beauty while protecting your greens. Both enjoy cool weather and thrive in early spring. This pair is both charming and practical. Calendula is also easy to grow from seed.
14. Potatoes and Horseradish
Horseradish repels potato beetles and other pests. It’s a natural defense that reduces chemical needs. Potatoes benefit from horseradish’s strong aroma underground. Just plant horseradish on the edge—it can spread aggressively. Both thrive in similar soil conditions. A spicy solution to common potato problems. This combo supports healthy tuber growth.
15. Melons and Tansy
Tansy repels ants, beetles, and aphids that often plague melon plants. Its small flowers also attract ladybugs and predatory wasps. Melons enjoy the extra pollination support that Tansy provides. Keep tansy slightly apart to avoid crowding vines. Both thrive in sunny conditions with good drainage. Tansy can spread, so monitor it closely. This combo helps produce sweeter, healthier melons.
16. Eggplant and Beans
Beans enrich the soil with nitrogen, which eggplants love. The bean plants also help shade the soil, keeping roots cool. Eggplants repel certain beetles that might bother beans. These two also enjoy similar watering needs and growing temps. Space them so beans don’t block light from eggplants. This combo supports balanced growth. It’s a space-saving win for small gardens.
17. Turnips and Peas
Peas fix nitrogen in the soil, giving turnips a nutrient boost. Turnips help shade the soil for peas in warmer climates. Their roots grow at different depths, so they don’t compete much. Both enjoy cool weather and mature quickly. This makes them great for early-season planting. A compact and compatible duo. Perfect for garden beds and containers.
18. Chard and Beans
Beans feed the soil, which leafy chard thrives on. In return, chard’s large leaves shade the soil and protect bean roots. Both grow well with moderate water and sun. Chard doesn’t mind the vertical growth of pole beans nearby. You can stagger their planting to extend harvest times. It’s a colorful, productive combo. Great for adding variety to your garden.
19. Squash and Corn
Squash leaves act as living mulch for corn. They shade the ground, reduce weeds, and keep the soil moist. Corn, in turn, provides light shade and wind protection. Their roots don’t clash, and both like rich soil. Add beans for the full "Three Sisters" effect. These two alone, though, work wonders. It’s a classic mix for big harvests.
20. Rosemary and Cabbage
Rosemary’s scent confuses cabbage pests like moths and loopers. It also attracts pollinators and beneficial insects. Rosemary enjoys dry soil and full sun, just like cabbage. Keep rosemary near but not too close—it can get woody. This combo is especially helpful in warmer zones. Both plants benefit from each other’s strengths. Rosemary makes a great kitchen herb, too.
21. Peas and Carrots
Peas grow upward and leave space for carrots below. Their nitrogen-fixing roots help feed carrot plants. Carrots enjoy the dappled light peas provided. They mature at different times, extending your harvest window. Space them well for easy thinning. This classic combo grows great in spring. It’s a beginner-friendly planting pair.
22. Radishes and Cucumbers
Radishes help loosen soil for cucumber roots. Their scent can repel cucumber beetles early in the season. They grow fast and are harvested before cucumbers spread. Plant radishes around cucumber mounds as a protective ring. Both enjoy similar light and water needs. This combo makes early-season pest control easy and boosts cucumber yields.
23. Parsley and Tomatoes
Parsley attracts hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control tomato pests. It also improves tomato health by attracting pollinators. Their roots don’t compete, and both love full sun. Parsley grows well in tomato shade. Plant parsley around the tomato bed edges. This pair also looks lovely together. Great for herb and veggie combos.
24. Beans and Savory
Savory repels bean beetles with its strong aroma and improves the flavor of beans when grown nearby. These two need similar soil and light conditions. Savory is low-growing, so it won’t shade the beans. It also attracts pollinators and beneficial insects. It's a great addition to any bean patch. This combo keeps bugs away and flavors in.
25. Pumpkins and Marigolds
Marigolds keep pumpkin pests like squash bugs and nematodes at bay. Their roots release natural insect-fighting compounds. Pumpkins enjoy the extra pollinator traffic marigolds attract. Plant marigolds around the patch edges to save space. Both enjoy full sun and rich soil. This combo keeps pests away while looking pretty. It’s a festive and functional pairing.
26. Garlic and Roses
Garlic repels aphids and other pests that love roses. Its scent confuses insects and keeps leaves clean. Garlic bulbs also improve soil health with natural sulfur. Plant garlic around rose bushes without crowding roots. Both enjoy well-drained soil and lots of sun. It’s a gardener’s trick for healthy, blooming roses. A floral and fragrant match.
27. Blueberries and Thyme
Thyme helps repel pests that target blueberries. It also attracts bees for better berry pollination. Both enjoy slightly acidic soil and full sun. Thyme forms a ground cover that holds in moisture. Their root systems don’t compete, so they grow well together. This pair is great for raised beds. Plus, thyme keeps weeds down naturally.
28. Asparagus and Tomatoes
Tomatoes repel asparagus beetles, while asparagus repels root nematodes. They benefit from each other’s root systems. Asparagus is perennial, and tomato is annual, so they don’t overlap in timing. Space them carefully so they don’t block each other’s growth. They enjoy similar watering and feeding needs. This combo cuts down on pests naturally. A smart setup for a long-term bed.
29. Dill and Cucumbers
Dill attract predatory insects that eat cucumber pests. Its scent also deters aphids and mites. Cucumbers benefit from the extra pollination dill encourages. Be sure to let the dill flower for full effect. Both plants like sun and well-drained soil. It’s a fragrant, productive combo. Perfect for pickling fans.
Boost Growth, Cut Pests, Grow Naturally
These companion plant combos aren’t just old wives’ tales—they really work. From pest control to better flavor and faster growth, these pairs make gardening easier and more rewarding. You don’t need chemicals when your plants help each other thrive. Try a few of these combinations and see what works best in your space. Whether you have a big garden or a small raised bed, smart pairings make a big difference. Keep experimenting and adjusting to the seasons. Companion planting is nature’s own garden cheat code.