Companion Planting: Which Plants Help Each Other
In nature, nothing grows alone. The right plant combinations promote growth, keep pests away, and improve the soil.
The Three Sisters
The world's best-known companion planting comes from North America: corn + beans + squash.
- Corn grows tall and gives the beans something to climb
- Beans fix nitrogen from the air and fertilize the soil
- Squash shades the soil with its large leaves, retains moisture, and suppresses weeds
More Proven Combinations
| Plant | Good Neighbors | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Basil, carrot, parsley | Fennel, kohlrabi |
| Carrot | Onions, leeks, lettuce | Large amounts of dill |
| Cabbage | Celery, dill, chamomile | Tomato, strawberry |
| Cucumber | Dill, bush beans | Tomato, sage |
Marigolds – the Universal Companion
Plant marigolds (Tagetes) next to almost anything: they repel nematodes, whitefly, and many aphids. Especially valuable next to tomatoes in the greenhouse.