3 Ways to Companion Plant (2024)

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Co-authored byLauren Kurtz

Last Updated: December 9, 2022References

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   Decide on your gardening goals. Different companion plants will offer different advantages to your favorite crops. Decide how you want to boost your plants and choose a companion plant from there. The main advantages offered by companion plants are:^[1]

   • Nitrogen fixation – some plants (e.g., peas) will feed nitrogen into the soil, which benefits other plants around them and makes fertilizer unnecessary.
   • Pest control – some plants may discourage pests (e.g., marigolds) or protect plants that are normally attractive to these pests. Alternatively, these plants can attract beneficial insects that keep pests at bay.
   • Pollination increase – some plants (e.g., sunflowers) attract pollinators, which can benefit other plants in their vicinity.
   • Shelter or support – companion plants can serve to shelter or support other plants (e.g., by providing cover from the wind). Corn, for example, both shelters and supports other crops around it.
   • Flavor improvement – some plants can improve the flavor of other plants simply by being in close proximity with one another. For instance, plating basil will improve the flavor of nearby tomatoes.
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   Research your favorite crops. Read more about your favorite crops for insight or clues about what companion plants would benefit them. If you have friends or neighbors who garden, ask them for advice about companion planting and note any experiences they may tell you about. For other ideas, consult gardening resources such as:

   • Gardening books or magazines
   • The Farmer's Almanac^[2]
   • Companion gardening apps (e.g.,Gardening Companion, a free app available for Android and iPhone)
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   Take note of incompatible plants. While companion plants may share a mutually beneficial relationship with other plants, there are also a number of "antagonist plants" that will hinder the growth of other specific crops. For instance, potatoes and asparagus do not grow well together because they compete for the same nutrients in the soil. Research your crops well and avoid any combination of antagonist plants in your garden.^[3]

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   Plant marigolds to ward off pests. To keep nematodes, beetles, and other garden pests, plant marigold flowers with your other crops. Purchase marigold seeds from a garden center or online and sow them directly into the soil, about an inch apart from each other and your other plants. The flowers will be begin to bloom after a few weeks, and should be watered at the base of the plant, when the soil begins to get dry or in high heat.^[4]

   See Also

   Companion Planting: Your Guide to Knowing What Plants Grow Well TogetherWhat Is Companion Planting?Companion Planting - 60+ Plants and How to Use ThemCompanion Planting 101 (w/ Garden Companion Planting Chart)

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   Plant carrots, dill, parsley, or parsnips to attract pest-eating insects. If you want to get rid of garden pests, plant carrots, dill, parsley, and parsnips with your other crops. These plants will attract bugs like spiders, praying mantises, and ladybugs that will feed off of garden pests.^[5]

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   Plant nasturtiums to lure away harmful insects. Nasturtiums are favored by plant-destroying aphids, so growing them as companion plants will protect your other crops. Plant nasturtium seeds half an inch (approximately 1.25 cm) into the soil, and about 10 inches (approximately 25.5 cm) apart from each other and other plants.Water nasturtiums whenever the soil starts to get dry.^[6]

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   Plant chamomile to help ailing plants. If you have plants that are sick or having trouble growing, plant chamomile to help them. Chamomile seeds should be scattered on the ground and only lightly covered with soil, as they require sunlight to germinate. After germination, replant the seedlings about 10 inches (approximately 25.5 cm) apart.^[7]

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   Plant chives to improve the flavor of other plants. In addition to deterring aphids from destroying your crops, chives are said to improve the flavor of nearby herbs and vegetables. Plant chive seeds about a quarter of an inch (approximately 0.7 cm) into the soil and cover them lightly with soil. After they germinate, plant the chive seedling between six and eight inches apart (approximately 15 to 20 cm) and water them whenever the soil gets dry.^[8]

   • Chives are great companion plants to broccoli, carrots, cabbage, parsley, eggplant, mustard, peppers, potatoes, rhubarb, roses, squash, or tomatoes. Just be sure to monitor your chives carefully, as they can take over the garden.
   • Avoid planting chives near asparagus, beans, peas and spinach, as these combinations are the exceptions to the rule.

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   Germinate seeds. Fill planter trays with all-purpose compost, mist the compost with water, then drop seeds from your companion plants onto the surface. Add another layer of compost on top and cover the trays with cling wrap or polythene to keep them moist and warm. Monitor the trays daily until seedlings emerge.^[9]

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   Choose strategic spots in the garden for your companion seedlings. Before planting your companion plant seedlings in the garden, plan where to position them for optimal growth. Plant tall plants in front of low, sun-sensitive plants to block them from the sunlight. Plant pest-repellent plants next to other plants that are frequently ravaged by such pests (e.g. planting garlic near roses to ward off rose pests).^[10]

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   Transplant the seedlings. Dig holes large enough to accommodate the seedlings and rake a handful of compost into the base of the holes. Gently push the seedlings out of their trays from the bottom, leaving as much compost around the root as possible. Insert them into the holes and fill the space around them with an even mixture of soil and compost.

   • Seedlings should be transplanted after they develop their second set of true leaves.^[11]
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   Monitor the companion growth. Observe how your companion plants grow together and how they complement each other. Record your companion plant combinations in a journal and note how well they grew together. Keep track of how long it took for your plants to grow, what yields you had, and how long the crops lasted during their growth season.^[12]

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