Companion planting is one of the easiest ways to improve your garden’s productivity without spending extra money, time, or effort. By pairing certain vegetables, herbs, and flowers together, you can naturally:

• Reduce pests
• Improve growth
• Boost flavors
• Increase yields
• Maximize small spaces
• Encourage beneficial insects

And best of all? It’s simple once you understand the basic pairings.

This Companion Planting Chart is your complete, updated guide with easy-to-skim lists and practical examples so you can set up your garden for success. If you are looking for personalized companion planting advice and printable guides, join us over in the Zero the Homestead community.

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Why Companion Planting Works

Certain plants benefit each other through:

• Pest control: Basil deters hornworms. Marigolds deter nematodes.
• Nutrient sharing: Legumes add nitrogen to the soil.
• Shade + support: Tall plants protect shade-lovers and trellis-climbers.
• Improved growth: Some pairings help plants grow stronger and taste better.

A thoughtful layout creates a healthier, more resilient ecosystem.

The Complete Companion Planting Chart

Use this chart to design your raised beds, containers, and garden rows more effectively.

Tomatoes

Best Companions:

• Basil
• Parsley
• Carrots
• Marigolds
• Onions
• Garlic
• Lettuce

Avoid Planting With:

• Potatoes
• Cabbage family
• Corn

Cucumbers

Best Companions:

• Dill
• Nasturtium
• Beans
• Radishes
• Marigolds

Avoid:

• Sage
• Potatoes

Carrots

Best Companions:

• Tomatoes
• Onions
• Leeks
• Chives
• Lettuce
• Rosemary

Avoid:

• Dill
• Parsnips

Broccoli + Brassicas

(Includes cabbage, kale, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts)

Best Companions:

• Celery
• Onions
• Chamomile
• Mint
• Dill

Avoid:

• Strawberries
• Tomatoes

Peppers

Best Companions:

• Basil
• Carrots
• Onions
• Spinach
• Marigolds

Avoid:

• Fennel

Beans

Best Companions:

• Cucumbers
• Carrots
• Corn
• Potatoes
• Squash

Avoid:

• Onions
• Garlic

Onions

Best Companions:

• Carrots
• Beets
• Lettuce
• Tomatoes
• Strawberries
• Peppers

Avoid:

• Beans
• Peas

Potatoes

Best Companions:

• Beans
• Corn
• Cabbage family
• Marigolds

Avoid:

• Tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Squash

Lettuce

Best Companions:

• Carrots
• Radishes
• Strawberries
• Cucumbers
• Dill

Avoid:

• Cabbage family (can stunt growth)

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Squash + Zucchini

Best Companions:

• Nasturtium
• Marigolds
• Corn
• Beans
• Radishes

Avoid:

• Potatoes

Corn

Best Companions:

• Beans
• Squash
• Cucumbers
• Melons

Avoid:

• Tomatoes (share pests)

Melons

Best Companions:

• Marigolds
• Nasturtium
• Corn
• Radishes

Avoid:

• Potatoes

Garlic

Best Companions:

• Lettuce
• Carrots
• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Beets

Avoid:

• Beans
• Peas

Herb Companions List

Basil

Pairs well with tomatoes, peppers, lettuce.
Repels pests like aphids, hornworms, and mosquitos.

Dill

Pairs with cucumbers, lettuce, onions.
Avoid planting near carrots (cross-attraction of pests).

Mint

Helps cabbage family plants; grows aggressively (keep in pots).

Parsley

Great for tomatoes and peppers.

Rosemary + Sage

Excellent companions for carrots and beans
(though sage should not go near cucumbers).

Thyme

Pairs beautifully with strawberries and cabbage.

Flowers That Make Fantastic Garden Companions

Marigolds

Repel nematodes, aphids, beetles

Great with tomatoes, peppers, squash, potatoes.

Nasturtium

Acts as a “decoy plant,” attracting pests away.

Great with cucumbers, squash, tomatoes.

Sunflowers

Support climbing beans.

Create shade for lettuce and spinach.

Calendula

Repels pests and improves pollinator activity.

Companion Planting Layout Ideas

Below are simple layouts that blend the chart into practical use.

1. Tomato & Basil Bed (4×8 Layout)

• Back row: Tomatoes
• Middle: Basil + onions
• Front: Lettuce

Reduces pests + maximizes space.

2. Three Sisters Layout (Corn + Beans + Squash)

• Corn provides height
• Beans climb corn and fix nitrogen
• Squash shades soil to prevent weeds

A perfect low-maintenance trio.

3. Pest-Resistant Cucumber Bed

• Trellised cucumbers
• Underplant with radishes, nasturtium, and dill

Naturally deters cucumber beetles.

4. Pollinator-Friendly Mixed Bed

• Kale
• Carrots
• Calendula
• Marigolds
• Chives

Boosts yield and garden health.

Final Thoughts

Companion planting brings harmony to your garden: fewer pests, healthier plants, better harvests, and smarter use of space.

Use this complete chart to plan your raised beds, small gardens, or containers, and watch your garden thrive in ways you didn’t know were possible.