Companion Planting Desk: what to plant together and what to keep apart
Pick two crops to see if they are good neighbors, should be kept apart, or have no known effect on each other. Each pair is marked evidence-backed, some evidence, or traditional, so you know which advice has research behind it. The strongest reasons are physical support (the Three Sisters), trap crops such as nasturtium, flowers that feed beneficial insects, shared diseases, and black walnut. Most chart pairings are traditional. Saved on your device. No account needed.
Free companion planting chart and pair checker. See which vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow well together and which to keep apart, with each pairing marked evidence-backed or traditional.
Pairings with research behind them
- Corn, pole beans, and squash (Three Sisters): corn holds up the beans and squash leaves shade out weeds. Corn still needs its own fertilizer.
- Nasturtium with squash, cucumbers, and cabbage family crops: cut squash bug, cucumber beetle, and cabbage worm damage in trials.
- Flowering dill, cilantro, and parsley near vegetables: the flowers feed hover flies and parasitic wasps that eat aphids and caterpillars.
- Basil with tomatoes: some evidence of fewer thrips. No good evidence it changes flavor.
- Thyme, sage, and onions with cabbage family crops: some evidence of less cabbage worm and diamondback moth damage.
Keep these apart
- Strawberries and raspberries after tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, or eggplant: those crops carry verticillium wilt.
- Tomatoes and potatoes: same family, shared blights and beetles.
- Tomatoes and corn: corn earworm is the same insect as tomato fruitworm.
- Black walnut and tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, blueberries, or apples: walnut roots release juglone. Keep sensitive plants 50 to 60 feet from a mature tree.
- Blueberries and most vegetables: blueberries need acid soil, about pH 4.5 to 5.5.
How to read the labels
- Evidence-backed: Field research or extension guidance supports the reason.
- Some evidence: A few trials found an effect, often small or only in some conditions.
- Traditional: Common garden advice with little or no testing. Fine to try, not a rule.
Companion planting chart
Built from the Companion Plants and Avoid Planting Near lists on each plant page.
Vegetables
| Crop | Good with | Keep apart from |
|---|---|---|
| Arugula | Lettuce, Spinach, Radish, Nasturtium | None listed |
| Asparagus | Tomato, Parsley (evidence-backed), Basil, Marigold (some evidence) | Onion, Garlic, Potatoes |
| Bean | Carrot, Cucumber (some evidence), Squash (some evidence), Beet, Rosemary, Corn (evidence-backed) | Onion, Garlic, Fennel, Kohlrabi |
| Beet | Onion, Lettuce, Kale, Cabbage, Radish | Bean, Field Mustard, Mustard |
| Bok Choy | Spinach, Lettuce, Carrot, Onion (some evidence) | Strawberry |
| Broccoli | Onion (some evidence), Beet, Celery (some evidence), Dill (evidence-backed), Sage (some evidence) | Tomato, Pepper, Strawberry |
| Brussels Sprouts | Beet, Onion (some evidence), Carrot, Nasturtium (evidence-backed) | Tomato, Pepper, Strawberry, Kohlrabi |
| Cabbage | Beet, Onion (some evidence), Celery (some evidence), Dill (evidence-backed), Aromatic herbs (some evidence) | Tomato, Pepper, Strawberry, Garlic |
| Carrot | Onion (some evidence), Leek (some evidence), Rosemary (some evidence), Sage (some evidence) | Dill, Parsnip |
| Cauliflower | Onion (some evidence), Beet, Celery (some evidence), Sage (some evidence) | Tomato, Pepper, Strawberry |
| Celery | Tomato, Bean, Broccoli (some evidence), Cauliflower (some evidence), Brussels Sprouts (some evidence), Cabbage (some evidence), Kale (some evidence), Collard Greens (some evidence), Kohlrabi (some evidence), Bok Choy (some evidence), Leek | Parsley, Parsnip, Corn |
| Collard Greens | Beet, Aromatic herbs (some evidence), Garlic (some evidence) | Tomato, Pepper, Fennel |
| Corn | Bean (evidence-backed), Squash (evidence-backed), Pumpkin (evidence-backed), Cucumber | Tomato (evidence-backed) |
| Crimson Clover | Winter Rye (evidence-backed), Oats, Winter Peas | Beds reserved for immediate fall greens or garlic |
| Cucumber | Bean (some evidence), Corn, Pea, Radish, Dill (evidence-backed), Marigold (some evidence) | Potatoes, Aromatic herbs, Melon (some evidence), Watermelon (some evidence) |
| Eggplant | Basil (some evidence), Pepper, Marigold (some evidence), Thyme | Fennel, Corn |
| Garlic | Roses, Tomato, Pepper, Broccoli (some evidence), Cauliflower (some evidence), Brussels Sprouts (some evidence), Cabbage (some evidence), Kale (some evidence), Collard Greens (some evidence), Kohlrabi (some evidence), Bok Choy (some evidence), Fruit Tree | Bean, Pea, Asparagus |
| Hairy Vetch | Winter Rye (evidence-backed), Oats, Winter Peas | Last-minute sowings with only a few weeks before hard freeze in cold zones |
| Kale | Beet, Celery (some evidence), Aromatic herbs (some evidence), Nasturtium (evidence-backed) | Tomato, Pepper, Strawberry |
| Kohlrabi | Onion (some evidence), Beet, Cucumber, Aromatic herbs (some evidence) | Tomato, Pepper, Strawberry, Brussels Sprouts |
| Leek | Carrot (some evidence), Celery, Onion | Bean, Pea |
| Lettuce | Carrot, Radish, Strawberry, Cucumber, Chives, Mint | Parsley, Celery |
| Melon | Nasturtium (evidence-backed), Bean, Corn | Potatoes, Fennel |
| Oats | Winter Peas, Crimson Clover, Hairy Vetch | Very late sowings in cold zones with little establish time left |
| Okra | Basil, Pepper, Melon, Watermelon, Eggplant | Squash |
| Onion | Carrot (some evidence), Lettuce, Beet, Tomato, Chamomile | Bean, Pea, Asparagus |
| Parsnip | Pea, Garlic, Rosemary | Carrot, Celery |
| Pea | Carrot, Radish, Turnip, Lettuce, Mint | Onion, Garlic, Leek |
| Pepper | Basil (some evidence), Onion, Spinach, Tomato, Carrot, Marigold (some evidence) | Fennel, Kohlrabi, Apricots |
| Pumpkin | Corn (evidence-backed), Bean (some evidence), Nasturtium (evidence-backed), Borage (some evidence) | Potatoes, Fennel |
| Radish | Carrot, Beet, Lettuce, Cucumber, Nasturtium | Hyssop |
| Spinach | Strawberry, Radish, Pea, Bean | Potatoes |
| Squash | Corn (evidence-backed), Bean (some evidence), Nasturtium (evidence-backed), Borage (some evidence), Marigold (some evidence), Radish | Potatoes, Fennel |
| Sweet Potato | Bean, Beet, Thyme | Squash, Tomato |
| Swiss Chard | Onion, Kale, Lettuce, Beet | Corn |
| Tomato | Basil (some evidence), Carrot, Onion, Parsley (evidence-backed), Marigold (some evidence), Garlic, Borage (some evidence) | Cabbage, Corn (evidence-backed), Potatoes (evidence-backed), Fennel |
| Turnip | Pea, Bean, Hairy Vetch | None listed |
| Watermelon | Nasturtium (evidence-backed), Bean, Corn, Sunflower (some evidence) | Potatoes, Fennel, Cucumber (some evidence) |
| Winter Peas | Oats, Winter Rye (evidence-backed), Crimson Clover | Waterlogged beds that stay saturated through winter |
| Winter Rye | Hairy Vetch (evidence-backed), Crimson Clover (evidence-backed), Winter Peas (evidence-backed) | Beds you will plant to garlic within two weeks |
Herbs
| Crop | Good with | Keep apart from |
|---|---|---|
| Basil | Tomato (some evidence), Pepper (some evidence), Oregano, Eggplant (some evidence) | Rue, Sage |
| Chervil | Radish (evidence-backed), Carrot, Lettuce (evidence-backed) | None listed |
| Chives | Carrot, Tomato, Roses, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Kale, Collard Greens, Kohlrabi, Bok Choy | Bean, Pea |
| Cilantro | Tomato (evidence-backed), Spinach (evidence-backed), Bean (evidence-backed) | Fennel |
| Dill | Cucumber (evidence-backed), Broccoli (evidence-backed), Cauliflower (evidence-backed), Brussels Sprouts (evidence-backed), Cabbage (evidence-backed), Kale (evidence-backed), Collard Greens (evidence-backed), Kohlrabi (evidence-backed), Bok Choy (evidence-backed), Onion (evidence-backed) | Tomato, Fennel, Carrot |
| Lemon Balm | Tomato, Squash, Bean | None listed |
| Marjoram | Pepper, Vegetables generally | None listed |
| Mint | Tomato, Broccoli (some evidence), Cauliflower (some evidence), Brussels Sprouts (some evidence), Cabbage (some evidence), Kale (some evidence), Collard Greens (some evidence), Kohlrabi (some evidence), Bok Choy (some evidence), Bean, Pea | Chamomile, Parsley, Open garden beds without containment (evidence-backed) |
| Oregano | Pepper, Tomato, Squash | None listed |
| Parsley | Tomato (evidence-backed), Asparagus (evidence-backed), Roses, Carrot, Chives, Pepper (evidence-backed) | Lettuce, Celery, Onion, Mint |
| Rosemary | Bean, Broccoli (some evidence), Cauliflower (some evidence), Brussels Sprouts (some evidence), Cabbage (some evidence), Kale (some evidence), Collard Greens (some evidence), Kohlrabi (some evidence), Bok Choy (some evidence), Sage, Carrot (some evidence) | Mint, Basil |
| Sage | Carrot (some evidence), Broccoli (some evidence), Cauliflower (some evidence), Brussels Sprouts (some evidence), Cabbage (some evidence), Kale (some evidence), Collard Greens (some evidence), Kohlrabi (some evidence), Bok Choy (some evidence), Tomato, Rosemary | Cucumber, Onion |
| Tarragon | Tomato, Eggplant, Pepper | None listed |
| Thyme | Broccoli (some evidence), Cauliflower (some evidence), Brussels Sprouts (some evidence), Cabbage (some evidence), Kale (some evidence), Collard Greens (some evidence), Kohlrabi (some evidence), Bok Choy (some evidence), Eggplant, Potatoes, Strawberry | None listed |
Flowers
| Crop | Good with | Keep apart from |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Button | Poppy, Larkspur | None listed |
| Black-Eyed Susan | Coneflower, Ornamental Grasses, Salvia | None listed |
| Columbine | Hostas, Ferns, Bellflowers | None listed |
| Coneflower | Black-Eyed Susan, Ornamental Grasses, Bee Balm | None listed |
| Cosmos | Marigold, Zinnia, Tomato (some evidence) | None listed |
| Dianthus | Snapdragon, Salvia, Dusty Miller | None listed |
| Hollyhock | Roses, Foxglove, Delphinium | None listed |
| Lupine | Black-Eyed Susan, Coneflower, Ornamental Grasses | None listed |
| Marigold | Tomato (some evidence), Cucumber (some evidence), Squash (some evidence), Melon (some evidence), Watermelon (some evidence) | Bean |
| Morning Glory | Corn, Fence structures, Climbing vegetables | None listed |
| Nasturtium | Tomato, Cucumber (evidence-backed), Squash (evidence-backed), Broccoli (evidence-backed), Cauliflower (evidence-backed), Brussels Sprouts (evidence-backed), Cabbage (evidence-backed), Kale (evidence-backed), Collard Greens (evidence-backed), Kohlrabi (evidence-backed), Bok Choy (evidence-backed) | None listed |
| Pansy | Snapdragon, Lettuce, Viola | None listed |
| Poppy | Bachelor's Button, Larkspur | None listed |
| Snapdragon | Marigold, Pansy, Larkspur | None listed |
| Sunflower | Corn (some evidence), Cucumber (some evidence), Squash (some evidence), Nasturtium | Potatoes (some evidence), Low-light crops nearby (some evidence) |
| Sweet Pea | Larkspur, Salvia, Climbing Roses | None listed |
| Zinnia | Tomato (some evidence), Pepper (some evidence), Cucumber (some evidence), Basil (some evidence), Cosmos | Crowded damp plantings |
Fruits
| Crop | Good with | Keep apart from |
|---|---|---|
| Blackberry | Tansy, Garlic, Chives, Clover | Raspberry, Tomato (evidence-backed), Potatoes (evidence-backed), Wild brambles |
| Blueberry | Strawberry, Azaleas (evidence-backed), Rhododendrons (evidence-backed), Thyme, Cranberry (evidence-backed), Lingonberry (evidence-backed), Pine needle mulch (evidence-backed), Heather (evidence-backed), Pine bark mulch (evidence-backed) | Broccoli (evidence-backed), Cauliflower (evidence-backed), Brussels Sprouts (evidence-backed), Cabbage (evidence-backed), Kale (evidence-backed), Collard Greens (evidence-backed), Kohlrabi (evidence-backed), Bok Choy (evidence-backed), High-pH soil plants (evidence-backed), Black Walnut (evidence-backed), Lavender (evidence-backed) |
| Fruit Tree | Comfrey, Chives, Nasturtium, Clover, Strawberry, Oregano, Thyme, Garlic, White Clover | Juniper, Black Walnut (evidence-backed), Grass crowded against trunk (evidence-backed), Waterlogged soil (evidence-backed), Aggressive root competition (evidence-backed) |
| Grape Vine | Hyssop, Chives, Clover, Oregano | Black Walnut (evidence-backed), Dense shade (evidence-backed), Poor air circulation (evidence-backed) |
| Raspberry | Garlic, Chives, Borage, Marigold | Tomato (evidence-backed), Potatoes (evidence-backed), Eggplant (evidence-backed), Blackberry |
| Strawberry | Borage (some evidence), Thyme, Lettuce, Spinach, Chives | Tomato (evidence-backed), Potatoes (evidence-backed), Eggplant (evidence-backed), Pepper (evidence-backed) |
Guides
Related desks
Shop companion seed
- Shop Seeds Now: Basil seed
- Shop Seeds Now: Nasturtium seed
- Shop Seeds Now: Marigold seed
- Shop Seeds Now: Dill seed
- Shop Seeds Now: Pole bean seed
- Shop Seeds Now: Sweet corn seed
- Shop Seeds Now: Winter squash seed
Some outbound seed-house links may be affiliate links.
Sources
- University of Minnesota Extension, Companion planting in home gardens
- Mississippi State University Extension, Companion Planting: Myth or Truth?
- Cornell Cooperative Extension, Creating a Three Sisters Garden
- Penn State Extension, Allelopathy in the Home Garden
- University of Wisconsin Extension, Black Walnut Toxicity
- University of Illinois Extension, Growing Strawberries
- University of Florida IFAS, Marigolds for Nematode Management