Companion planting
"Good fences make good neighbors". The notion that beings need to be separated from one another to get along may hold true for many beings of human variety, but not for plants. Many plants not only tolerate each other's presence, but do better as a result of living in close proximity. Here's a quick guide to neighborly plants and plantings.
|
Plant |
Good Companions |
Bad Companions |
|
Asparagus |
Tomato, Basil, Parsley |
Potatoes |
|
Beans |
Carrots, Cabbage, Cucumber, Cauliflower |
Leeks, Chives, Garlic, Onions |
|
Broad Beans |
Potatoes, Lettuce |
Fennel |
|
Bush Beans |
Strawberries, Grapes |
Garlic, Onions |
|
Dwarf Beans |
Beetroot, Kohlrabi |
|
|
Beetroot |
Kohlrabi, Dwarf Beans, Onions, Chives |
Runner/Climbing Beans, Lettuce, Silverbeet, Cabbage, Leaf Mustard |
|
Broccoli |
Dill, Celery, Chamomile, Sage, Rosemary |
Tomatoes, Strawberries, Oregano |
|
Brussel Sprouts |
Potatoes, Sage, Hyssop, Thyme |
Strawberries, Rosemary |
|
Cabbage |
Beetroot, Potatoes, Beans, Onions, Sage |
Tomatoes, Garlic, Strawberries, Celery, Dill, Mint, Thyme, Oregano |
|
Capsicum |
Basil |
|
|
Carrots |
Leeks, Lettuce, Onions, Peas, Tomatoes |
Dill, Parsnip, Chives, Sage, Rosemary, Radish |
|
Cauliflower |
Celery, Celeriac, Beans, Oregano |
Strawberries, Rue, Peas, Potato, Nasturtium |
|
Celery |
Leeks, Beans, Cabbage, Tomatoes |
Parsnip, Potato, Wheat |
|
Corn |
Melons, Squash, Pumpkins, Cucumbers, Potatoes, Parsnips, Artichokes, Jerusalem Artichokes |
|
|
Cucumber |
Beans, Peas, Radish, Celery, Carrots |
Potatoes, Sage, Cauliflower, Basil |
|
Chives |
Carrots, Tomatoes, Parsley, Parsnips, Fruit Trees |
|
|
Eggplant (Aubergine) |
Beans, Potato, Marjoram |
|
|
Horseradish |
Potatoes, Fruit Trees |
|
|
Kohlrabi |
Beetroot, Onion, Dwarf Beans |
Pole Beans, Tomatoes, Cucumber |
|
Leeks |
Carrots, Celery, Celeriac, Strawberries |
|
|
Lettuce |
Strawberries, Cabbage, Carrots, Onions |
Parsley, Beans, Beetroot, Parsnip |
|
Nasturtium |
Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucumber |
Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Potato, Radish, Fruit Trees |
|
Onions |
Cabbage, Carrots, Beetroot, Lettuce |
Beans, Peas, Parsnip, Parsley, Leeks |
|
Potato |
Beans, Corn, Cabbage, Horseradish |
Pumpkin, Squash, Cucumber, Dill, Tomatoes, Raspberries |
|
Peas |
Carrot, Corn, Cucumber, Beans, Radish |
Onions, Garlic, Shallot |
|
Pumpkin |
Sweet corn, Marjoram |
Potato |
|
Radish |
Cucumber, Lettuce, Kohlrabi, Melon |
Hyssop, Squash, Peas, Nasturtium |
|
Spinach |
Broad Beans, Strawberries, Fruit Trees |
|
|
Tomato |
Asparagus, Basil, Lima Beans, Cabbage |
Beetroot, Fennel, Kohlrabi, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cauliflower, Potato, Rosemary, Chives, Dill, Onions, Parsley, Parsnip, Nasturtium |
|
Zucchini |
Corn, Marjoram, Nasturtium |
|
Comments
A question: these charts never seem to include peppers -- why? Are peppers bad neighbors?
Posted by: Lisa Bashert | April 24, 2006 4:00 PM
This is a fabulous list! Do you know of any good resources that explain in greater detail the chemistry of companion planting? I planted my spinach next to my strawberries, having heard they do well next to each other. But why is it? I'd like to learn more...
Thanks!
Posted by: Christa | April 24, 2006 7:17 PM
Peppers are nightshade family like tomatoes and peppers. they keep the same neighbors!
I dont know much about the deeper whys of companions, but ATTRA has a great papers for more reading: http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/complant.html
http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/PDF/farmscaping.pdf
Posted by: Kelli Ann Ploeger | April 27, 2006 12:07 AM
Eggplant indicates potato is a good neighbor. Potato indicates eggplant is a bad neighbor. Please explain.
Posted by: Elizabeth Hood | June 10, 2006 12:24 AM
Good eyes, Elizabeth.
I've doublechecked in Ed Smith's book and he lists them as good neighbors, so I'll make the change.
Posted by: Roger (of KGI) | June 10, 2006 9:24 AM