Companion Planting 101 + Get a Free Guide!

Boost your garden’s health with companion planting! Learn the best plant pairings to deter pests, enrich soil, and maximize harvests—no chemicals needed. Free guide included!

Are you looking to improve the health and productivity of your garden while reducing pests and diseases? Companion planting may be the answer you’re looking for.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need about companion planting, including its benefits, the best companion vegetables, flowers, and herbs, tips for success, and mistakes to avoid.

What is Companion Planting?

Companion planting is the art (and sometimes the science) of pairing plants that help each other thrive.

It’s been around for centuries—long before modern gardening books and soil tests—because it works. Some plants act as natural pest deterrents, some enrich the soil, and others offer shade or structural support.

Think of it as setting up good neighbors in your garden. Basil keeps tomato hornworms at bay; onions send carrot flies packing, and marigolds? They’re the nosy neighbor that drives pests out of the whole block.

I’ve relied on companion planting for years, and I swear by it. The only pest I’ve had trouble with? Potato beetles.

But that’s because I broke my own rule—planting too many rows of potatoes in one spot.

This year, I’m trying something new: interplanting potatoes with beans and other companions.

Benefits of Companion Planting

Beyond just making your garden look lush and diverse, companion planting brings some major perks:

• Natural Pest Control – Some plants repel bugs, while others attract beneficial insects (like ladybugs and lacewings) that keep pest populations in check.
• Stronger Soil – Legumes like peas and beans fix nitrogen, making the soil richer. Deep-rooted plants like comfrey and yarrow prevent erosion and pull up nutrients from below.
• Bigger Harvests – Plants that work well together don’t compete for space or nutrients, so they produce more.
• Fewer Diseases – Certain plants, like garlic and chives, can help prevent fungal infections and deter disease-spreading pests.
• More Pollinators – Flowers like nasturtiums, calendula, and zinnias bring in bees and butterflies to make sure your veggies get pollinated.
• Better Use of Space – Tall plants provide shade for heat-sensitive crops while quick-growing radishes loosen soil for slower crops like carrots.

Best Companion Plants

Choosing the right companion plants is crucial for a successful companion planting garden. Here are some of the best companion plants to consider:

• Tomatoes and basil: Basil is an excellent companion for tomatoes, as it can help repel pests and improve tomato flavor.
• Beans and peas with corn: (aka three sisters!) Beans and peas fix nitrogen in the soil, benefiting corn plants.
• Carrots and onions: Onions can help repel carrot flies, while carrots can help loosen the soil for onion growth.
• Peppers and oregano: Oregano can help repel pests that can damage pepper plants, such as spider mites and thrips. The strong scent of oregano can also mask the scent of the peppers, making them less attractive to pests.
• Marigolds and nasturtiums: These flowers are excellent at repelling pests and attracting beneficial insects. Plant these throughout your garden.
• Brassicas and nasturtiums: Nasturtiums can help repel squash bugs and other pests, while the sprawling squash vines can provide shade and ground cover for the flowers.
• Lettuce and chives: Chives can help repel aphids and other pests that can damage lettuce plants. They can also help improve soil quality by adding sulfur and other nutrients.
• Radishes and spinach: Radishes can help break up compacted soil and improve soil quality for spinach. They also have a shorter growing season, allowing them to be planted and harvested before the spinach needs space.
• Pumpkins and corn: Pumpkins and corn are both heavy feeders and require similar soil conditions. The corn can support the pumpkin vines, while the pumpkin leaves can provide shade and reduce soil moisture loss.
• Kale and garlic: Garlic can help repel pests that can damage kale plants, such as aphids and cabbage loopers. It can also help improve soil health by adding sulfur and other nutrients.

Companion Planting with Herbs

Herbs don’t just belong in the kitchen—they pull their weight in the garden, too. I tuck herbs into every bed, and I swear by the results!

• Basil: Not only does basil pair perfectly with tomatoes, it can also keep pesky flies, mosquitoes, and other tomato-loving pests away.
• Dill: This herb is a fantastic companion for plants like cabbage, lettuce, and onions. It can help repel harmful insects like aphids and spider mites while attracting helpful insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps to keep pest populations in check.
• Parsley: Not just a garnish, parsley is also a great companion for tomatoes, peppers, and asparagus. It helps repel pests like aphids and beetles and attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and hoverflies. Plus, it can even add nutrients to the soil and enhance the flavor of other plants.
• Oregano: Keep spider mites, aphids, and thrips at bay with oregano. It’s also an excellent herb for adding flavor to eggplants and peppers.
• Rosemary: This herb is a triple threat: it can repel pests, attract bees and other beneficial insects, and add a lovely aroma to your garden.
• Sage: Sage is a fantastic herb to plant alongside carrots. It helps repel pests while improving the flavor of other plants.
• Thyme: Plant thyme alongside cabbage to repel cabbage worms and add a savory kick to your veggies.
• Mint: Not only does mint repel pests, but it can also enhance the flavor of tomatoes and other plants.
• Chives: Add some chives to your garden to keep aphids, Japanese beetles, and other pests away from your carrots, tomatoes, and peppers. Plus, chives can also enrich the soil and add flavor to your other plants.
• Borage: This herb is a true all-star companion plant. Borage pairs well with tomatoes, strawberries, squash, and more. It can improve the flavor of other plants and attract helpful insects like bees, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps while repelling harmful insects like tomato hornworms.

Companion Planting with Flowers

Flowers do so much more than look pretty—they attract pollinators, deter pests, and even improve soil health.

• Marigolds: Not only do marigolds add a pop of bright color to your garden, but they also have the added benefit of repelling pests like nematodes, whiteflies, and aphids. And as a bonus, they attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings.
• Nasturtiums: Nasturtiums are not only pretty to look at but also great at repelling pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and squash bugs. Plus, they attract helpful insects like bees and hoverflies to your garden.
• Calendula: If you’re looking for a plant that can do it all, look no further than calendula. This versatile flower can repel pests, attract beneficial insects, and even improve soil health. And with its cheerful yellow or orange blooms, it’s a lovely addition to any garden.
• Sweet Alyssum: These delicate little flowers may be small. Still, they pack a big punch when attracting beneficial insects like hoverflies and lacewings, which can help control pests like aphids and caterpillars.
• Sunflowers: Who doesn’t love sunflowers? Not only are they beautiful and cheerful, but they can also provide shade and support for other plants. And let’s not forget about their ability to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.
• Zinnias: These stunning blooms are a true delight for your eyes and your taste buds! Not only do they brighten up your garden, but they also attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds that help improve the flavor of tomatoes. Talk about a win-win situation!
• Bachelor’s Buttons: These charming little flowers may be small, but they significantly impact your garden. Their delicate petals attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings, which can help control pesky pests like aphids and caterpillars. Who knew such a tiny flower could be such a hero?
• Chrysanthemums: These bold and vibrant flowers pack a powerful punch for pest control. Their scent is known to repel pests like Japanese beetles, roaches, and fleas and attract helpful insects like hoverflies and tachinid flies. Not to mention, they look stunning in any garden!
• Cosmos: These stunning flowers are not just pretty faces! They also attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, which can help pollinate and keep your garden thriving. Plus, they can help improve soil health, making them an all-around great choice for any garden.
• Lavender: This fragrant and beautiful plant is a true multitasker in the garden. Not only does it add a lovely scent to your outdoor space, but it also has a host of benefits as a companion plant. It can help repel pests like moths and fleas, attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, and even improve the health of your soil. Who wouldn’t want a little bit of lavender in their garden?

Companion Planting: Do’s & Don’ts

Like any gardening method, companion planting works best when done right. Here are some tried-and-true tips to help you avoid common pitfalls and get the most out of your garden.

DO: Work with Nature

• Research Plant Pairings – Not all plants get along. Some support each other, while others compete for nutrients or even stunt each other’s growth. A little research goes a long way!
• Rotate Crops Every Season – Planting the same crops in the same spot year after year depletes the soil and attracts pests. Rotate crops to keep your garden healthy.
• Use Herbs & Flowers as Natural Pest Control – Herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme deter pests, while flowers like marigolds and nasturtiums attract pollinators and beneficial insects.
• Think About Plant Heights – Tall plants like corn and sunflowers provide natural shade for heat-sensitive crops like lettuce. Give your plants a thoughtful layout so they don’t compete for sunlight.
• Consider Root Depths – Pair deep-rooted plants like tomatoes with shallow-rooted crops like lettuce to make the most of your soil space.
• Experiment & Take Notes – Every garden is different. What works for me might not work for you—so try new combinations and keep track of what thrives!

DON’T: Work Against Nature

• Overcrowd Your Plants – Jammed-in plants compete for water, nutrients, and airflow, making them more susceptible to disease and pests. Give them space to thrive.
• Ignore Sun & Water Needs – Just because two plants make good companions doesn’t mean they share the same growing requirements. Pair plants with similar sun, water, and soil preferences.
• Let Invasive Plants Take Over – Some companion plants (I’m looking at you, mint!) spread aggressively and can smother neighboring crops. Keep them in pots or confined areas.
• Skip the Research on Bad Pairings – Some plants just don’t get along. For example, onions stunt the growth of beans and peas, and potatoes don’t do well next to tomatoes or squash.
• Plant the Same Crops in the Same Spot Every Year – This invites pests and drains the soil of essential nutrients. Keep things moving!
• Expect Immediate Results – Companion planting is a long-term strategy. It might take a season or two to see the full benefits, so be patient and keep learning.

Free Companion Planting Guide

To help you get started with companion planting, we created a free 4-page companion planting guide, which covers 40 plants, their friends, foes, pest control properties, and beneficial plants.

Final Tip: Keep it Simple!

Companion planting isn’t about memorizing endless plant charts—it’s about working with your garden’s natural rhythms. Start with a few easy pairings, take notes on what works, and adjust as you go.