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If you’re wondering which vegetables and herbs to plant together in your container garden, you’re in the right place.
Companion planting, pairing plants that help each other grow, can make your small-space garden thrive.
It’s all about choosing plants that team up to repel pests, improve soil, or boost flavor, especially in the tight quarters of pots.
Below, I’ve laid out the best pairings for popular container-friendly plants, with a clear chart and simple how-to tips to get you started. Let’s dig in!
Why Pair Plants in Containers?
In containers, space, nutrients, and sunlight are limited, so picking the right plant partners is key.
Good companions can deter bugs, enrich the soil, or even make your veggies taste better, all without extra effort. I’ve seen my own pots flourish with the right pairings, and I want that for you too.
Companion Planting Chart: What Grows Together
This chart lists popular vegetables and herbs for containers, their best companions, and why they work. These pairings are practical, proven, and perfect for small spaces.
| Main Plant | Companions | Why They Work Together |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Basil, Parsley, Carrots, Onions | Basil and parsley keep pests like aphids away; carrots loosen soil; onions deter insects. |
| Peppers | Basil, Onions, Spinach | Basil repels flies and mosquitoes; onions ward off pests; spinach shades the soil. |
| Lettuce | Radishes, Carrots, Strawberries | Radishes and carrots break up soil for lettuce roots; strawberries mulch and retain moisture. |
| Spinach | Radishes, Carrots, Strawberries | Same as lettuce—radishes and carrots help roots; strawberries keep soil cool. |
| Beans | Corn, Cucumbers, Potatoes | Corn supports climbing beans; beans add nitrogen for cucumbers; potatoes improve soil texture. |
| Basil | Tomatoes, Peppers, Oregano | Boosts tomato and pepper flavor; repels pests like hornworms. |
| Parsley | Tomatoes, Asparagus, Roses | Attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs; helps tomato growth. |
| Cilantro | Spinach, Lettuce, Dill | Deters aphids; attracts pollinators for nearby plants. |
| Thyme | Cabbage, Eggplant, Strawberries | Repels cabbage worms; enhances eggplant flavor. |
| Rosemary | Beans, Carrots, Sage | Deters bean beetles; encourages carrot growth. |
| Mint | Peas, Cabbage, Tomatoes | Keeps pests like ants and fleas away; thrives in its own pot. |
Quick Note: Mint spreads fast, so plant it solo in its own container, but place it near companions for pest protection.
How to Plant These Pairs in Containers
Pairing plants is easy once you know what works. Check out how to avoid common mistakes in container gardening to keep your pots happy.
Here’s how to set them up for success in your pots:
General Tips
- Match Needs: Pick plants that like the same sun and water like how tomatoes and basil both love full sun (6–8 hours).
- Size Matters: Give each plant their own room to grow. Use bigger pots (5 gallons or more) for pairs like beans and corn, smaller ones (6–8 inches deep) for lettuce and radishes.
- Drainage: Ensure pots have holes; soggy roots ruin everything.
- Check In: Watch for pests or crowding, this is when containers need a little extra love.
Two Easy Pairings to Try
Tomatoes and Basil
- What You Need: 5-gallon pot, tomato seedling, 2–3 basil seedlings, well-draining soil.
- How To: Plant the tomato in the center, surround with basil. Place in full sun, water when the top inch of soil dries out, and feed with organic fertilizer monthly.
- Why It Works: Basil repels tomato pests like hornworms and flies.
Lettuce and Radishes
- What You Need: 6-inch deep pot, lettuce and radish seeds, loose soil.
- How To: Sow lettuce seeds, then sprinkle radish seeds 4 inches apart. Keep soil moist, give partial shade if it’s hot, and harvest radishes early to free up space.
- Why It Works: Radishes loosen soil for lettuce roots and grow fast.
Plants to Keep Apart
Some plants don’t play nice, so avoid these combos:
- Beans and Onions: Onions stunt bean growth.
- Tomatoes and Potatoes: They share diseases like blight.
- Mint with Others: Mint bullies its neighbors, keep it separate.
Bonus: Arrange Your Pots Smartly
Even in separate pots, companions can help each other:
- Put basil near tomatoes or peppers for pest control.
- Hang thyme above strawberries to save space and repel bugs.
- Group lettuce and cilantro pots together for a shady, pest-free zone. Pair it with budget-friendly DIY container ideas to make your setup even smarter.
Get Growing!
There you have it, clear, simple pairings to make your container garden pop.
Start with something easy like lettuce and radishes, or go classic with tomatoes and basil.
These combos work because they’re practical and proven, perfect for urban gardeners like us. Here’s to growing more, even in the smallest spaces!
