Companion Planting Chart: Best Plant Pairings for Your Garden

Are you looking to grow a healthier, more productive garden naturally? Companion planting might be your answer. This age-old technique involves placing certain plants together to boost growth, repel pests, and improve flavor—all without harmful chemicals. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the benefits of companion planting, provide a detailed companion planting chart, and offer tips to optimize your garden layout. Let’s dig in!

In this companion planting chart, you’ll discover the best plant pairings for vegetables, herbs, and flowers—along with combinations to avoid. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, using these natural partnerships will help your garden thrive season after season.

What is Companion Planting?

Companion planting is the strategic placement of plants near each other to encourage mutual benefits. These benefits include:

Improved pest control
Enhanced growth and productivity
Natural support (e.g., trellising)
Better use of garden space
Soil enrichment and protection

Some plants work as natural repellents, others enrich the soil with nitrogen, and a few even help improve the flavor of their neighbors.

Benefits of Companion Planting

1. Natural Pest Control

Certain plants repel pests when grown near susceptible crops. For example, marigolds emit a scent that keeps aphids and nematodes away from tomatoes.

2. Enhanced Growth and Yield

Some pairings improve plant growth by enhancing nutrient uptake or providing shade. Beans and corn are a classic example—beans fix nitrogen in the soil, while corn offers a natural pole for the beans to climb.

3. Weed and Disease Suppression

Ground-covering companions like thyme or oregano reduce weeds and protect the soil from diseases by creating a barrier.

4. Soil Health and Nutrient Cycling

Legumes fix nitrogen into the soil, benefiting leafy greens like lettuce and spinach.

Companion Planting Chart (Vegetables and Herbs)

Below is a detailed companion planting chart that includes popular vegetables, their best companions, and what to avoid.

Plant	Best Companions	Avoid Planting With
Tomato	Basil, Marigold, Carrot, Onion, Garlic, Lettuce	Cabbage, Corn, Fennel, Potato
Carrot	Tomato, Lettuce, Chives, Peas, Leeks	Dill, Parsnip
Lettuce	Carrot, Radish, Strawberry, Onion, Basil	Parsley, Celery
Cucumber	Corn, Beans, Peas, Sunflower, Dill	Potato, Aromatic herbs like Sage
Corn	Beans, Peas, Pumpkin, Cucumber	Tomato, Celery
Potato	Beans, Corn, Cabbage, Marigold	Tomato, Cucumber, Sunflower
Peppers	Basil, Onion, Spinach, Carrot	Beans, Cabbage
Onion	Carrot, Beet, Lettuce, Strawberry	Peas, Beans
Spinach	Strawberry, Cabbage, Radish, Onion	Potato
Beans	Corn, Cucumber, Celery, Radish	Onion, Garlic, Fennel
Broccoli	Onion, Dill, Celery, Chamomile	Strawberry, Tomato
Cabbage	Onion, Garlic, Mint, Basil	Tomato, Strawberry

Flower and Herb Companion Planting Guide

Some herbs and flowers serve multiple purposes: attracting pollinators, repelling pests, or improving soil.

Herb/Flower	Benefits	Companion Plants
Basil	Repels mosquitoes, enhances tomato flavor	Tomato, Pepper, Lettuce
Marigold	Repels nematodes, beetles	Tomato, Beans, Potato
Chives	Deters aphids, improves carrot growth	Carrot, Tomato, Apple trees
Mint	Repels ants, aphids, flea beetles	Cabbage family (keep contained!)
Dill	Attracts ladybugs and pollinators	Broccoli, Cabbage, Corn
Nasturtium	Acts as a trap crop for aphids	Tomato, Beans, Cucumber
Thyme	Deters cabbage worms	Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower

The Three Sisters Method: Corn, Beans, and Squash

One of the oldest and most effective examples of companion planting comes from Native American agriculture. The Three Sisters method includes:

Corn: Grows tall and acts as a support.
Beans: Fix nitrogen in the soil and climb the corn stalk.
Squash: Sprawls across the ground, shading weeds and retaining moisture.

This trio not only supports each other physically and nutritionally but also maximizes space and yield.

Tips for Successful Companion Planting

1. Know Your Plant Families

Avoid planting crops from the same family in the same spot every year. This reduces the risk of soil-borne diseases and nutrient depletion.

2. Understand Growth Patterns

Combine tall, sun-loving plants with shade-tolerant, shorter varieties. Example: Grow spinach or lettuce under taller tomato plants.

3. Use Trap Crops

Trap crops like nasturtium attract pests away from your main plants. This organic pest control strategy protects your veggies.

4. Incorporate Flowers and Herbs

Add flowering plants to attract bees and beneficial insects like ladybugs. Herbs like thyme and mint repel harmful bugs.

5. Experiment and Record

What works in one climate may not in another. Keep a garden journal to track which combinations perform best in your conditions.

What Not to Do in Companion Planting

1. Avoid Planting Incompatible Crops

Some plants can stunt the growth of others or attract shared pests. For example, tomatoes and corn should not be grown together as they attract the same pests.

2. Don’t Overcrowd Your Garden

Even with companion planting, plants need space for air circulation and root growth.

3. Don’t Ignore Soil Health

Just because plants get along doesn’t mean they won’t deplete the soil. Rotate crops and use compost to keep the soil healthy.

Seasonal Companion Planting Guide

Here’s a seasonal planting suggestion to help you rotate and maximize your garden output:

Spring

Lettuce + Carrot + Onion
Spinach + Strawberry
Peas + Radish

Summer

Tomato + Basil + Marigold
Corn + Beans + Squash
Cucumber + Dill

Fall

Broccoli + Celery + Chamomile
Cabbage + Garlic + Mint

This rotation helps manage pests naturally and improves soil fertility.

Companion Planting in Small Spaces

Even if you have limited space, companion planting can still work. Use containers, raised beds, or vertical planters to combine compatible crops:

Container Idea: Tomato + Basil + Marigold
Vertical Garden: Cucumber vines + Dill at the base
Balcony Garden: Strawberries + Spinach + Chives

Maximize your productivity and beauty even on a balcony or small yard.

Conclusion

Companion planting is more than just a gardening trend—it’s a sustainable, proven method for improving plant health, controlling pests, and boosting yield. Whether you’re gardening in containers, raised beds, or a large backyard plot, knowing which plants support each other can transform your harvest.

Using this companion planting chart as your guide, start planning your next garden layout. Try different pairings, observe the results, and enjoy the benefits of a garden that thrives naturally.

FAQs About Companion Planting

Q1. Can companion planting really prevent pests?

Yes, many plants like marigold, basil, and mint emit natural oils or scents that repel pests like aphids and beetles.

Q2. Do I need to plant everything from seed for companion planting to work?

Not necessarily. You can mix transplants and direct seeding as long as their spacing and timing are compatible.

Q3. Is companion planting suitable for indoor or container gardens?

Absolutely! Container gardens benefit from companion planting, especially herbs like basil and thyme with vegetables like tomatoes or peppers.

Q4. How close should companion plants be?

They should be planted within 12–18 inches of each other for maximum benefit, depending on the plant size.

Q5. Can I use companion planting with flowers only?

Yes! Flowers like nasturtiums, marigolds, and sunflowers offer benefits such as attracting pollinators and repelling pests.