Companion gardening is the process of growing two or more plants together that are mutually beneficial to each other. Nature has a way of meeting its every need and by implementing these combinations, we can maximise the crop output, prevent pest outbreaks and promote self-pollination.
Companion planting works in many different ways. For example, one plant may deter certain pests that will likely eat the leaves of the other. Some will help to attract pollinators and some may help with pollination and to fight disease.
However, just as some plants grow well together, there are some that should not be planted together. Incompatible planting can lead to a poor crop yield and can be detrimental to growth.
Some companion plants can be planted together in the same bed, some will benefit from being close by or bordering the bed.
Of course, companion planting is not limited to vegetables, fruit and herbs. Flowers too, offer their benefits as well as colour and pollination.
Are you new to allotment growing? Would you like to learn more about companion planting? Our companion planting guide is here to do just that. It will help you save space in your garden and maximise success.
You may also be interested in our Container Growing and Vertical Growing for other space-saving ideas.
Asparagus and Tomatoes
Brassicas and Sage
Beans and Sweetcorn
Beetroot and Chard, Spinach, Lettuce and Brassicas
Broad beans and Summer Savory
Broccoli and Brassicas, Beetroot, Celery, Cucumber, Onions (Alliums)
Brussels Sprouts and Brassicas, Beetroot, Celery, Cucumber, Onions (Alliums)
Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kale and Mint, Nasturtium
Carrots and Leeks, Mint or Spring Onions
Celeriac and Onions, Radishes, Lettuce, Leeks
Chard and Beetroot, Lettuce, Onions, Brassicas, Beans, Celery
Chives and Chrysanthemums
Courgette and Calendula
Cucumbers and Tomatoes, Lettuce, Beans, Peas
Garlic and Roses
Kale and Beetroot, Lettuce, Brassicas, Onions, Celery
Lettuce and Radishes, Brassicas, Onions
Onion and Mint
Parsnips and other Root Veg and Onions
Radish and Mint
Roses and Chives, Garlic, Mint, Thyme
Runner beans and Nasturtium or Sweet Peas
Squash and Sweetcorn, Beans, Radishes
Sunflowers and Chives
Tomatoes and Basil, Chives, Marigolds, Mint
Beans and Onions (Alliums)
Beetroot and Runner Beans
Broccoli and Tomatoes, Peppers, Squashes, Courgettes
Brussels Sprouts and Tomatoes, Peppers, Squashes, Courgettes
Cabbage and Tomatoes, Peppers, Squashes, Courgettes
Carrots and Potatoes
Cauliflower and Tomatoes, Peppers, Squashes, Courgettes
Celeriac and Celery (not immediately close)
Celery and Celeriac (not immediately close)
Chard and Potatoes, Sweetcorn, Cucumbers, Courgettes, Squashes
Garlic and Legumes
Kale and Tomatoes, Peppers, Squashes, Courgettes
Leeks and Legumes
Onions and Legumes
Parsnips and Potatoes, Carrots
Peas and Onions
Peppers and Brassicas, Potatoes
Potatoes and Brassicas, Parsnips, Tomatoes, Peppers, Courgettes, Squashes, Carrots
Spinach and Potatoes
Sweetcorn and Tomatoes
Tomatoes and Brassicas, Potatoes, Sweetcorn
Basil improves peppers' productivity and enhances flavour with tomatoes, lettuce and peppers
Beans release nitrogen into the soil
Chives, Onions, Lavender will attract pollinators
Garlic deters pests with its pungent aroma
Herbs deter pests as well as attract pollinators - See details for individual varieties
Lettuces provide ground cover and water retention
Mint deters pests with its strong aroma
Nasturtiums deter blackfly, Cabbage white butterfly and other pests
Onions, Allium family deter carrot fly and pests due to their pungent smell
Peas release nitrogen into the soil
Radishes deter pests and aphids
Sweetcorn and tall plants can provide shade
Let’s look into some popular vegetables to grow together as companion plants.
Vegetables to grow alongside tomatoes include basil, onions, carrots, marigolds and chives. Basil, for example, helps to repel aphids and enhance the flavour profile of tomatoes. It’s best to avoid vegetables like potatoes, fennel or cabbage, as they attract pests and require similar soil nutrients.
Carrots are a popular vegetable grown in allotments and kitchen gardens. You can plant onions, leeks, radishes and peas as companion plants with carrots, as they help to deter flies while loosening the soil for carrot roots. We recommend avoiding dill and parsnips.
It’s a good idea to grow beans alongside sweetcorn, squash and cucumber, while avoiding onions and garlic, as they are detrimental to the beans' growth.
Cabbage, peas, horseradish and marigolds are great companion plants for potatoes that are susceptible to pest and disease outbreaks. Cabbage helps to repel potato beetles, while horseradish improves pest resistance. It’s best to avoid growing tomatoes and pumpkins with potatoes.
Vegetables to grow together include spinach with strawberries, onions and peas. These plants provide adequate shade to spinach plants, which are often prone to bolting.
Let’s look into some popular fruit to grow together as companion plants.
Growing strawberries at your allotment or from your kitchen garden? Plant spinach, lettuce, onions, garlic or thyme alongside them as companion plants. These companion plants help to repel slugs and aphids that can destroy strawberry plants, helping you get a good produce.
Blueberries are popularly grown with companion plants such as rhododendrons, azaleas and heathers. They grow in similar soil conditions and aid in crop production. Tomatoes shouldn’t be planted along with blueberries, as it’s a heavy feeder and can consume the essential soil nutrients needed for bearing fruit.
Apple trees grow well near daffodils and chives, which help to repel aphids and apple maggots. Nasturtiums prevent codling moths from impacting apple plants while attracting beneficial insects to help with pollination.
Pears are often susceptible to pests, such as fire blight bacteria, which can be deterred by beneficial insects such as ladybirds and hoverflies. Companion planting with marigolds, lavender and thyme can be an excellent solution for this problem.
Do you want to grow juicy plums in your allotment? Plant clover to fix nitrogen and improve soil fertility. Walnut trees should not be planted along with plum trees.
Let’s look at some popular herbs to plant together as companion plants.
Oregano, parsley and basil are great herbs to plant together, along with tomatoes and peppers. Sage and rosemary should be avoided as they need dry soil while basil requires moisture-rich soil.
Cabbage, broccoli and kale are compatible with mint as they attract beneficial insects like hoverflies, while deterring cabbage moths and aphids.
Chives and basil are great companion plants for parsley. Mint should be avoided alongside parsley, as it can dominate the flavour profile.
Lettuce, dill and basil are great companion plants for corriander. They shouldn’t be planted with fennel, which can inhibit the growth of corriander.
Rosemary, lavender and strawberries should be grown together with thyme as they thrive in similar conditions. Dill shouldn’t be grown with thyme, as their growth patterns and soil type differ completely.
