Algoplus Garden Blog

Plants that Make Terrible Neighbors

Sometimes plants that don’t like each other are responding to different environmental needs. You've likely taken this into consideration during your planning stage... making sure the water, light and height requirements will be similar for the plants near each other.

They could also be competing for resources, like food or water. Another reason could be that one plant may attract insects that harm the other.

 

 

But sometimes, no matter what you do, some plants just make bad neighbors. In this case, one plant may have allelopathic properties that affect the other. Allelopathy is a biological phenomenon by which an organism produces one or more biochemicals that influence the germination, growth, survival, and reproduction of other organisms.

Double check your plans to make sure you haven't situated any garden nemeses next to each other.

asparagus

Mint, onion, garlic, and potatoes inhibit the growth of asparagus.

Friendly garden neighbors: basil, parsley, marigold (pot), and tomatoes.

beans

Cauliflower, broccoli, kale, chives, garlic, leeks, onions, peppers, beets or any member or the onion family.

Friendly garden neighbors: Carrots, celery, chard, corn, cucumber, eggplant, parsnip, peas, potatoes, radish, and strawberries.

broccoli/cauliflower

Broccoli and cauliflower dislike cabbage, cauliflower, peppers, squash, strawberries and tomatoes.

Friendly garden neighbors: chamomile, celery, dill, lettuce, potatoes, mint, onions, rosemary, sage, spinach and radish.

carrots

Dill, parsnips and anise.

Friendly garden neighbors: beans, lettuce, onions, peppers and tomatoes.

cucumbers

Cucumbers do not do well with aromatic herbs or potatoes.

Friendly garden neighbors: asparagus, beans, brassicas, celery, corn, kohlrabi, lettuce, onion, peas, radish, tomatoes, nasturtium(improve flavor/growth), chives, and dill (attract beneficial bugs).

cabbage

Strawberries do not do well with any member of the cabbage family. Neither does basil or tomato.

Friendly garden neighbors: Beets, celery, onion, potatoes, peas, lettuce, herbs (other than basil, of course), and marigolds.

kale

Kale doesn't do well with tomato, strawberries and especially basil.

Friendly garden neighbors: beets, celery, cucumbers, dill, garlic, lettuce, nasturtium, onions, potatoes, spinach, swiss chard, sage, thyme and rosemary.

lettuce

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and basically anything in the cabbage family should be avoided. Fennel should also be avoided.

Friendly garden neighbors: asparagus, beans, beets, carrots, chives, corn, coriander, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, parsnips, radishes, onions, peas, spinach, strawberries, sunflowers, and tomatoes.

onions

Avoid planting asparagus, beans, peas, and sage next to onions.

Friendly garden neighbors: beets, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, lettuce, pepper, kale, radishes, squash, strawberries and tomatoes.

peas

Peas find garlic, onion, leeks and chives intolerable.

Friendly garden neighbors: beans, cucumbers, and cabbage.

peppers

Keep peppers distanced far from apricot trees, beans, members of the brassica family (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli or Brussels sprouts), and kale.

Friendly garden neighbors: Carrots, marigolds, onions, and tomatoes.

potatoes

Celery, cucumber, melons, pumpkin, radish, sunflower, squash, tomatoes, or turnips can interfere with potatoes.

Friendly garden neighbors: beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, chinese cabbage, corn, eggplants, kale, kohlrabi, marigold, and peas.

tomatoes

Cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi , potatoes will stunt tomatoes. Corn attracts tomato-loving pests. Tomatoes are not good neighbors for beans, broccoli, kale, eggplants, peppers or dill.

Friendly garden neighbors: Asparagus, basil, carrot, chives, mint, nasturtium, parsnip, onion, corn, parsley, marigold, and celery.

These tips are general recommendations for USDA Hardiness Zones 4-10.

Be sure to check North America's USDA plant hardiness zones map for your specific zone when planning your gardening and selecting plants.