Companion planting refers to the practice of planting certain plant species together for their benefit. The technical process is called allelopathy, which is when one organism produces biochemicals that benefit another organism. In terms of plants, companion planting is based on the principle that certain plants repel or attract bugs that benefit other plants.
Learning the ins and outs of companion planting makes it easier to work with nature and create a garden that is supremely healthy and fertile. This is the kind of wisdom that old-school gardeners nurtured; using their insights to feed families and enjoy the healthiest fruit, vegetables, berries and herbs.
Here are some common fruits, herbs and vegetables and their ideal matches for companion planting (as well as plants that would be detrimental to them):
| Your Plant | Good Companion | Bad Companion |
| Apples | Onions, chives, garlic, nasturtiums | Potatoes, any grass species |
| Apricots | Basil, garlic | Tomatoes |
| Asparagus | Tomato, basil, parsley | |
| Beetroot | Spinach, Swiss chard, onions, garlic, lettuce | Pole beans |
| Broccoli | Onions, celery, leeks, calendula | Tomatoes, strawberries |
| Cabbage | Most herbs, onions, celery, potatoes, beans | Tomatoes, strawberries |
| Carrots | Peas, radishes, lettuce, leeks, onions | Dill |
| Cauliflower | Celery, cabbage, onion, leeks | Tomatoes, strawberries |
| Celery | Cauliflower | |
| Chillies | Baby marrows, cucumbers, lettuce, pumpkins | |
| Coriander | Broccoli, Brussel’s sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower | Fennel |
| Cucumber | Lettuce, peas, radishes | Sage |
| Dill | Coriander, tomatoes, cabbage, carrots | Fennel |
| Eggplant (brinjals, aubergines) | Beans, marigolds, peas, spinach, thyme, peppers | Fennel, tomatoes, bush beans, kohlrabi |
| Fennel | Fennel is not a good companion plant! | |
| Leeks | Celery, cabbage, onions | |
| Lettuce | Radishes, corn, beetroot, strawberries | |
| Melons | Parsley, dill, fennel | |
| Onions | Carrots, lettuce, peppers, strawberries, tomatoes | Peas |
| Peaches | Basil, garlic | |
| Peas | Beans, carrots, cucumber, radishes | Leeks, onions, garlic, chives |
| Peppers | Baby marrows, cucumbers, lettuce, pumpkins | |
| Potatoes | Nasturtiums, cucumbers, sunflowers | Pumpkins, tomatoes, eggplants |
| Pumpkin | Corn, runner beans, corn, melon, squash | Potatoes, other pumpkins |
| Radishes | Carrots | |
| Spinach | Strawberries | |
| Strawberries | Lettuce, Swiss chard, spinach, chives, radishes, peas | Fennel, kohlrabi |
| Swiss chard | Broccoli, beetroot, cabbage, onions, strawberries, turnips, thyme | |
| Tomatoes | Celery, carrots, onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, parsley, basil, pepper | Peaches, apricots, dill, almonds, potatoes, rosemary |
| Turnips | Nasturtiums, peas, broad beans |
Just Berry Plants – Your One-Stop Plant Shop
Call us today on 074 144 5536 / 082 307 8241 or email info@justberryplants.co.za. Visit our online shop to view variety of fruit, vegetable or herb plants today. New stock of seedlings arrive every two weeks.
Also available are tree bags, beautiful wooden planters, trellises, organic soils and fertilisers.