Companion planting guide

Companion Planting

Companion planting makes use of specific plants as insect repellant and growth stimulators. The chemical make-up of some plants simply is unattractive to various insects and attractive to certain plant growth.

Planting beans near or among potatoes will limit the amount of Colorado potato beetles present. The potatoes, in turn, discourage Mexican bean beetles. Chives planted among lettuce and peas limit aphids. Radishes contain and often stop striped cucumber beetles. Geraniums deter Japanese beetles. Other flowers, such as marigolds, chrysanthemums, cosmos, and nasturtiums, add color while acting as a general insect repellent in your garden.

The following table will help you plan your companion garden to aid in deterring the harmful insects as well as providing natural growth stimulators for your plants.

  Companion Plants

Garden Plants	Companion To	Do Not Plant Next To
Anise	All plants for bug control
Asparagus	Tomatoes, Parsley, Nasturtiums
Basil	Tomatoes
Beans	Strawberries, Petunias, Rosemary, Savory, potatoes, Carrots, Corn, Parsnips	Onions, Beets, Chives
Beets	Onions	Beans
Borage	Tomatoes, Squash, Berries
Broccoli	Chamomile, Zinnias, Mint, nasturtiums, Chives	Strawberries
Brussel Sprouts	Chamomile, Zinnias, Mint	Strawberries
Cabbage	Rosemary, Sage, thyme, Nasturtiums, Chamomile, Zinnias, mint, Tomatoes
Carrots	Chives, Tomatoes, Peas, Lettuce, Beans, most Herbs	Dill
Cauliflower	Chamomile, Zinnias, mint	Strawberries
Celery	Leeks
Chamomile	Onions, Cabbage, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts
Chard	Onions
Chives	Carrots, Broccoli, Lettuce, Peas	Beans
Chrysanthemum	All plants for bug control
Corn	Beans, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Squash, Lamb’s Quarters, Potatoes, Radishes, Berries
Cucumbers	Corn, Radishes
Dead Nettle	Potatoes
Flax	Carrots, Potatoes
Garlic	Berries, most Flowers, Lettuce, Peas	Legumes
Geraniums	Grapes, Radishes, Squash
Horseradish	Potatoes
Lamb’s Quarters	Corn
Leeks	Celery
Lettuce	Carrots, Chives, Garlic, Radishes, Strawberries, Zinnias, tall plants for shade
Marigold	All plants, especially Potatoes
Mint	Cabbage, Tomatoes, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts
Nasturtiums	Radishes, Cabbage, Broccoli, Asparagus
Onions	Radishes, Chamomile, Savory, Beets, Berries, Tomatoes, Chard	Peas, Beans
Parsley	Tomatoes, Asparagus
Parsnips	Beans, Peppers, Potatoes, Peas	Carrots, celery, Caraway
Peas	Carrots, Chives, Radishes, Garlic	Onions
Petunia	Beans
Potatoes	Beans, Corn, Horseradish, Dead nettle, Flax	Squash, Tomatoes, Sunflowers
Pumpkin	Corn	Potatoes
Radishes	Corn, peas, lettuce, Geraniums, Nasturtiums, Onions, Chervil, Cucumbers	Potatoes
Rosemary	Cabbage, Beans, Carrots
Sage	Cabbage, Carrots
Savory	Beans, Onions
Squash	Nasturtiums, Geraniums, Corn, Borage
Strawberries	Beans, Lettuce	Cabbage, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cauliflower
Soybeans	Corn
Sunflowers	Cucumbers	Potatoes
Tarragon	All Plants
Thyme	Cabbage
Tomatoes	Most Herbs, Flowers, Onions, Asparagus, Cabbage, Carrots	Potatoes, Cabbage
Wild Morning Glory	Corn
Yarrow	Most Herbs
Zinnias	Lettuce, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage