Tomato + Basil
Basil repels aphids, whiteflies, and tomato hornworms. May improve tomato flavor.
BeneficialContainer Friendly
Companion Planting: What Actually Works
tested in my own garden, not just pulled from a chart
I've tested a lot of companion planting combos over the years. Some are game-changers, some are honestly just garden myths. Here's what I've found actually makes a difference — especially in containers and raised beds.
What Works
These pairings have made a real difference in my garden.
Tomato + Carrot
Carrots loosen soil around tomato roots. Tomatoes provide shade for carrots in summer.
BeneficialContainer Friendly
Cucumber + Dill
Dill attracts beneficial insects that prey on cucumber pests.
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Corn + Beans (Green)
Classic Three Sisters: beans fix nitrogen, corn provides support for climbing beans.
Beneficial
Lettuce + Radish
Radishes mark rows and break up soil. Harvest radishes before lettuce needs the space.
BeneficialContainer Friendly
Carrot + Onion
Onion scent deters carrot fly. Carrots deter onion fly.
BeneficialContainer Friendly
Pepper (Bell) + Basil
Basil repels aphids and spider mites from pepper plants.
BeneficialContainer Friendly
Eggplant + Beans (Green)
Beans fix nitrogen which feeds heavy-feeding eggplant.
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Spinach + Peas
Peas fix nitrogen and provide light shade for heat-sensitive spinach.
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Zucchini + Corn
Part of Three Sisters planting. Squash leaves shade soil and deter weeds.
Beneficial
What to Avoid
Keep these apart — trust me, I learned some of these the hard way.
Tomato + CornAvoid
Both attract corn earworm/tomato fruitworm (same pest). Planting together increases pest pressure.
Tomato + PotatoAvoid
Same family (Solanaceae) — share diseases including blight. Never plant together or in rotation.
Beans (Green) + OnionAvoid
Onions and alliums stunt bean growth through allelopathic compounds.
Cucumber + PotatoAvoid
Potatoes increase cucumber susceptibility to blight. Both are heavy feeders competing for nutrients.
Dill + CarrotAvoid
Same family (Apiaceae) — can cross-pollinate and attract the same pests (carrot fly).
Container Relevant
growing together is always better