A Simple Guide to Companion Planting
Last summer I planted carrot seeds - on the same day, in two different spots in my garden. Same seeds, same soil, same watering, same care.
One bed grew beautiful carrots. The other spot? Not so much.
Now, there were probably a few things going on, but one of them was almost certainly what was growing nearby. One of those little carrot patches grew between tomato plants and onions, the other group was planted in a raised bed without other plants.
Years ago, a similar situation is what got me paying closer attention to companion planting.
But when I started researching it, I kept finding these massive charts and lists. Rows and rows of plants, good companions, bad companions, arrows going everywhere. My eyes would glaze over before I even got to the third row.
Instead, I'm going to simplify companion planting for you. No charts, no complicated lists - just a simple way to understand companion planting, why it works, and a few easy combinations you can actually use this season.
What Is Companion Planting?
At its core, companion planting is simply growing certain plants near each other because they help each other in some way.
That’s really it. It’s not magic, and it’s not complicated science. It’s mostly based on observation: what gardeners have noticed over hundreds of years of growing things.
- This plant seems happier next to that one.
- These two together always seem to have fewer pest problems.
Over time, those observations got passed down, tested, and shared.
You don’t even have to understand all the reasons behind it to use it. You just have to know a few good combinations and put them to use.
This post contains affiliate links. Read my disclosure here.
Why Gardeners Use Companion Planting
There are a few practical reasons gardeners use companion planting:
Pest control - Some plants naturally repel insects. Others confuse pests, making it harder for them to find the plant they’re looking for.
If you’ve ever fought aphids on your tomatoes or flea beetles on your cabbage, you know how welcome a little natural help can be.
Attracting beneficial insects - Certain flowers and herbs bring in pollinators like bees. Others attract beneficial insects that actually prey on the pests you don’t want.
So you’re not just repelling the bad guys - you’re inviting in reinforcements.
Physical support and protection - Some plants provide shade, block the wind, or act as a living mulch to help hold moisture in the soil.
And sometimes, certain plants just seem to grow better together.
Now I’ll be honest, companion planting isn't the perfect solution to insect pests. You’re still going to see pests sometimes, but the goal is fewer of them, not zero.
And I’ve seen enough of a difference in my own garden to keep coming back to these combinations year after year.
How Close Should Companion Plants Be?
For companion planting to actually work, the plants need to be close enough to interact.
If your basil is on one side of the garden and your tomatoes are on the other, they’re not really companions; they’re just neighbors who've never met.
But you also don’t want to crowd your plants.
Good airflow matters, and plants that are too close together will compete for water, nutrients, and sunlight.
Here are simple ways to think about it:
- Plant companions in the same bed or container
- Keep them within a few inches to a foot or two apart, depending on plant size
- Plant herbs and flowers between vegetables, along edges, or throughout the bed
Close enough to share space, but not so close they’re elbowing each other out.
Container gardening tip
If you’re growing in containers:
- Place pots next to each other
- Or plant companions together in a larger container
- You can even set a pot of basil or another herb directly on the soil between plants in a raised bed.
One exception: beans and peas
Beans and peas enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen. For that benefit to help nearby plants, they need to share the same soil. So they work best in the ground or a raised bed, not in separate containers.
Easy Companion Planting Examples
Let’s look at a few simple, practical examples you can try.
Catnip - Yes, the same catnip used in cat toys. But in the garden, it earns its keep in a different way.
Catnip is a great companion for several vegetables, especially ones that attract insect pests.
Leafy crops like collards and young cabbage plants are very appealing to flea beetles, for instance, and catnip can help repel them.
It also works well near:
- Beets
- Squash
- Pumpkins
- Potatoes
A quick note:
Catnip is part of the mint family, so it spreads easily. You may want to grow it in a container.
And yes - it may attract cats.
Although interestingly, not all cats are affected by catnip. It’s genetic. I once had a dozen barn cats, and not one of them bothered my catnip plants. (Your results may vary.)
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is another useful companion plant. It grows well near:
- Tomatoes
- Melons
- Squash
- Onions
- Herbs like basil and sage
It may help discourage mosquitoes too, and it makes a calming herbal tea. (I love plants that pull double duty, and lemon balm definitely earns its place in the garden.)
Just like catnip, lemon balm can spread - so give it it's own space or grow it in a container.
Companion Planting Without Extra Plants
You don’t have to grow herbs or flowers to use companion planting. You can simply pair vegetables you’re already planning to grow.
Some easy combinations are:
Carrots + onions
Corn + beans
Lettuce + radishes
Why lettuce and radishes work well
Radishes help loosen the soil, and lettuce grows well in loose soil. Lettuce also has a shallow root system, so the two plants don’t compete. This pair doesn't have to do with insects, they just get along really well together.
If you’re growing lettuce this season, just plant some radish seeds in alongside it - an easy win.
If you’d like an easy way to try some of these combinations without overthinking it, a simple salad garden is a great place to start.
I put together a free guide that walks you through what to plant, how to space it, and how to keep it producing - even in a small space.
You can grab your free How to Grow a Mini Salad Garden guide here.
A simple garden trick
You can also plant lettuce in the shade of trellised tomato plants. Lettuce tends to bolt (go to seed) in warm weather. A little shade can help it last longer and stay productive.
Two plants you were already growing, helping each other out.
More Easy Combinations to Try
Here are a few more simple companion pairs:
Cabbage + dill or catnip
Strawberries + borage
Tomatoes + basil
What Not to Plant Together
Just as some plants make good neighbors, others don’t get along.
Peppers and eggplants should be kept away from brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale). Strawberries and pole beans don’t grow well near brassicas either.
Sunflowers release compounds into the soil that can affect nearby plants, especially beans. So instead of planting them in the middle of your garden, give them their own space along the edges.
A Simple Way to Get Started
If you’ve already planted things that aren’t ideal companions, don’t panic. Your garden isn’t doomed. Plants are resilient.
Instead, use this season as a learning opportunity:
- Pay attention to what works
- Notice what struggles
- Adjust next season
Your own observations will teach you more than any chart ever could.
How to Get Started
Companion planting doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need to memorize charts or overhaul your entire garden.
Just pick one or two combinations. Keep the plants close enough to interact. Give them room to grow, and pay attention to what happens
The results won’t always be dramatic, and they won’t always be instant.
But companion planting works in the background, over time. And a few simple planting choices can make your garden a little healthier, a little easier… and a little more enjoyable.
Next Step
If you’re starting to see how a few small planting choices can make a big difference, the next step is putting a simple plan in place for your whole garden.
That’s exactly why I created the Homegrown Garden Blueprint.
This workbook walks you through how to plan your garden from the ground up: where to plant, what to grow together, how to space things out, and how to set yourself up for a healthier, more productive garden from the very beginning.
No guesswork. Just a clear, step-by-step plan you can actually follow - the plan I wish I'd had when I planted my first garden.
You can take a closer look at the Homegrown Garden Blueprint here.
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Kathi Rodgers is the gardener and writer behind Oak Hill Homestead (est. 2006) and the host of HOMEGROWN: Your Backyard Garden Podcast. With over 30 years of gardening experience in a variety of climates and soils, she helps new and aspiring gardeners grow healthy, organic food right in their own backyards.
A passionate advocate for simple, self-reliant living, Kathi is the author of multiple ebooks, a published magazine contributor, and shares practical advice with readers who want real-life solutions they can trust.
Kathi lives in Oklahoma, where she grows more cherry tomatoes than she can count and keeps a watchful eye on tornado season. A proud grandma and great-grandma, she believes that wisdom - like a bountiful garden harvest - should be shared.
