Companion Planting

Companion Planting (Allelopathy) is based on the principle that certain plants can attract or repel insects or provide beneficial support to other plants. It can also work the other way around where one plant can be detrimental to anothers growth.

Scientists scoff at the the gardener that practises allelopathy and say that we are wasting our time. However they are quick to mention scientific marvels like the downwind tannin response in Acacia spp when grazed by herbivores.

Think of it a bit like plant body odour, either it's attractive or it's disgusting.... that in a nutshell is companion planting. Some plants have a good BO, others have a great BO and still others are downright disgusting!

This is not a bad thing, one must just learn to work with nature and use the plants to their best advantage.

Below is a comprehensive list of companion plants. Beneficial companions are Listed in Green and Detrimental are bracketed in Red

 

Apples                                 Chives, nasturtiums, Garlic, Onions (grasses and potatoes)

Apricots                                Basil, Tansy and garlic  (tomatoes)

Asparagus                           Parsley, basil, lettuce, peppers and tomato

Basil                                      All vegetables and herbs esp, tomatoes, and most fruit trees.

Beans (Runner)                  Potato, corn, lettuce, eggplant, cucumber, strawberry, celery, carrots, cauliflower, radish and spinach.

                                               (onions, garlic, leeks, chives, fennel)

Beans (Dwarf/Bush)          Swiss Chard, beetroot, potatoes (onions, garlic, leeks, chives, fennel)

Beans (Broad)                      Potatoes, Sweetcorn  (onions, garlic, leeks, chives, fennel)

Beetroot                               Dwarf beans, garlic, chives, onions, lettuce, spinach and swiss chard

Borage                                  Strawberries, tomatoes and lettuce

Brinjals/Eggplants              Beans (Runner and Bush), echinacea, peppers and lettuce

Broccoli                                 Onions, echinacea, nasturtiums, leeks and celery  (Rue, tomatoes, strawberries)

Brussells Sprouts              Potatoes, echinacea, nasturtiums (Rue, tomatoes, strawberries)

Cabbage                               Beans, beetroot, celery, echinacea, most herbs, onions and potatoes.

                                                (Rue, tomatoes, strawberries)

Carrot                                    Peas, leeks, lettuce, radish, onions, and chives

Cauliflower                          Celery, beans, echinacea, cabbage, onions and leeks (Rue, tomatoes, strawberries)

Celery                                    Tomato, cauliflower, cabbage, leeks, onions, garlic and beans.

Chamomile                           Everything, but does really well with Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts,

                                                broccoli, onions, leeks and chives.

Chervil                                   Dill, coriander, carrots and radish.

Chillies/Peppers                 Cucumber, echinacea, pumpkins, marrows, lovage, bush beans and lettuce

Chives                                    Parsley, Apples, Carrots, tomatoes, potatoes and brinjals 

Coriander                             Dill, Chervil, Cabbage, Carrots, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cauliflower. (Fennel)

Corn/mielies                        Lettuce, peppers, pumpkins, cucumber, runner beans and peas

Cucumber                             Radish, lettuce, beans, peas and artichokes 

Dill                                          Carrots, tomatoes, brinjals, peppers, cabbage, fennel and coriander.

Echinacea                            Peppers, brinjals, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts and cauliflower.

Fennel                                   Lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and cucumbers.

                                               (tomatoes, beans, coriander, dill)

Garlic                                     Apples, peaches, nectarines, apricots, almonds, tomatoes and swiss chard.

                                               (Peas, beans, cabbage, strawberries)

Grapes                                  Basil, hyssop, sage and tansy.

Hyssop                                 Cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower.

Kohlrabi                                Beetroot, swiss chard, leeks, chives and onions.

Leeks                                    Cabbage, celery, onion and celeriac

Lettuce                                 Beetroot, strawberry, radish and corn

Lovage                                  Most plants, but particularly peppers and all beans.

Marigolds                             Everything! 

Marrows (All)                       Parsley, tomato, swiss chard, spinach, squash, corn and capsicum 

Melons                                  Corn /mielies and nasturtiums

Mint                                        Cabbage and tomato  (parsley)

Nasturtiums                        Apples, Cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kohlrabi, turnips, cucumber,

                                               melons, marrows, pumpkins and radish.

Onion                                     Lettuce, cabbage and carrots

Oregano                               Strawberries, peppers, beans, cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kohlrabi and turnips.

Parsley                                 Tomato, asparagus, carrot, strawberries, beans and mint

Peaches                               Basil, tansy and garlic

Peas                                      Cucumber, radish, turnips, corn, carrots and beans (onions, garlic, leeks, chives)

Peppers/Chillies                 Cucumber, echinacea, pumpkins, marrows, lovage, bush beans and lettuce

Potatoes                               Cucumber, sunflower, beans (all), peas and nasturtiums (tomatoes, brinjals, pumpkins)

Pumpkins                             Corn/mielies and runner beans (potatoes, other pumpkins)

Radish                                    Peas, lettuce and nasturtium

Rue                                          Tomatoes. (Basil)

Sage                                       Carrots, strawberries, grapes, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kohlrabi and turnips

                                                 (basil, rue, wormwood)

Savory                                    Tomatoes, beans (all) onions, garlic, leeks, chives.

Shallots                                  Carrots, beetroot and mint

Spinach                                  Strawberry and most plants

Strawberry                            Borage, lettuce, spinach, swiss chard and bush beans

Swiss Chard                         Onions, beetroot, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kohlrabi, strawberries and turnips

Tansy                                       Peaches, apricots, almonds, nectarines, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kohlrabi and turnips

Thyme                                     Cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kohlrabi and turnips

Tomatoes                               Asparagus, celery, echinacea, parsley, basil, carrots, onions, garlic, chives and leeks.

                                                  (rosemary, potatoes, apricots, peaches, almonds and dill)

Turnips                                    Peas, broad beans and nasturtiums.