Companion planting: which plants grow better together
Some plants help each other by deterring pests or attracting pollinators. Here are the pairings that actually work.
Companion planting means growing plants next to each other for mutual benefit. Some claims are folklore, but several pairings have good practical reasons behind them.
Pairings with real benefits
- Marigolds with tomatoes: French marigolds attract hoverflies, whose larvae eat aphids.
- Nasturtiums near beans and brassicas: a "sacrificial" crop that draws blackfly and caterpillars away.
- Carrots with onions or leeks: the strong smell helps confuse carrot fly.
- Basil with tomatoes: both like the same warm, sunny conditions and are harvested together.
- Sweetcorn, beans and squash: the "three sisters". Corn supports the beans, beans add nitrogen, and squash leaves shade out weeds.
Plants that attract helpful insects
Flowers like calendula, borage, phacelia and yarrow bring in pollinators and pest predators. Plant a few at the end of every vegetable row.
Combinations to avoid
Fennel tends to stunt nearby plants, so give it its own spot. Don't plant potatoes next to tomatoes: they share diseases like blight.
The bigger principle
More important than any single pairing is diversity. A mix of vegetables, herbs and flowers supports more beneficial wildlife and makes it harder for pests to find their favourite plants.
