Companion Planting Guide for Vegetables
Which vegetables grow well together and which to keep apart. A practical companion planting chart for backyard gardeners.
February 28, 2026
The idea: Some plants help their neighbors (repelling pests, improving soil, attracting pollinators). Others compete or attract the same problems. Plant accordingly.
Quick Reference Chart
| Plant | Good Companions | Keep Apart |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Basil, carrots, marigolds | Cabbage, fennel |
| Peppers | Basil, tomatoes, onions | Fennel, kohlrabi |
| Beans | Corn, squash, carrots | Onions, garlic |
| Carrots | Tomatoes, lettuce, onions | Mature dill |
| Cucumbers | Beans, corn, dill | Potatoes, sage |
| Lettuce | Carrots, radishes, strawberries | Celery |
| Squash | Corn, beans, marigolds | Potatoes |
| Potatoes | Beans, corn, cabbage | Tomatoes, squash |
| Onions | Carrots, lettuce, tomatoes | Beans, peas |
| Peas | Carrots, radishes, turnips | Onions, garlic |
The Three Sisters
The most proven companion planting combo: corn + beans + squash.
- Corn provides a pole for beans to climb
- Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, feeding everyone
- Squash shades the ground, suppressing weeds and holding moisture
Plant corn first, let it grow 6 inches. Then add beans at the base and squash between rows.
Flowers That Earn Their Space
| Flower | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Marigolds | Repel aphids, whiteflies, nematodes. Plant throughout and as borders. |
| Nasturtiums | Trap crop — aphids prefer them over your veggies. Edible. |
| Sunflowers | Attract pollinators, provide shade for heat-sensitive crops. |
| Borage | Attracts bees, deters tomato hornworms. Edible flowers. |
| Lavender | Repels fleas, moths, flies. Good near paths. |
Herbs as Pest Deterrents
- Basil near tomatoes → repels aphids, flies, mosquitoes
- Rosemary near beans/carrots → repels bean beetles and carrot fly
- Chives near carrots → deters aphids and carrot fly
- Dill near cucumbers → attracts beneficial wasps (keep mature dill away from carrots)
- Mint near cabbage → deters cabbage moths (plant in a pot — mint spreads aggressively)
How Close?
Companions don't need to be touching. Within the same raised bed or 2-3 feet is close enough. Pest-repelling flowers work best as bed borders or interspersed among plants.
Avoid overthinking it
The biggest wins: avoid known bad combos (tomatoes + brassicas, beans + onions), add marigolds and basil generously, and try the Three Sisters if you have space. The rest is refinement over seasons.
If you use a garden planner like Homestead Planner, companion and antagonist info is built into the crop database — it'll show you what plays well together when you're laying out beds.