A companion planting chart shows which plants grow well side by side and which ones are better kept apart. Gardeners have used these pairings for generations to save space, welcome pollinators, and cut down on pests. This companion planting chart covers vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruit trees in one place.
Here is the honest part. Some pairings are backed by research, and others are garden tradition. We mark the difference so you can plan your beds with confidence instead of guesswork.
Quick Answer: What to Plant Together
The simplest rule is to group plants that want the same sun, water, and space. From there, classic pairings include tomatoes with basil, carrots with onions, and beans with corn. Keep fennel on its own, and avoid planting tomatoes next to potatoes, because they can share some of the same diseases.
What Is Companion Planting?
Companion planting means growing different plants close together so they help each other. The help can be practical. A tall plant gives shade to a leafy green, a flowering herb draws pollinators, or a shallow-rooted crop fills the gap between deep-rooted ones.
Think of a garden companion planting chart as a planning shortcut. Instead of researching every plant one at a time, you can scan a table and design a bed in minutes.
Vegetable Companion Planting Chart
Use this vegetable companion planting chart as a starting point. Most pairings come from long-standing gardener experience, so treat them as helpful suggestions, not strict rules.
| Plant | Good companions | Better kept apart |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Basil, carrots, onions, chives, marigolds | Fennel, potatoes, cabbage family, corn |
| Cucumbers | Beans, radishes, nasturtiums, dill, corn | Potatoes, strong herbs like sage |
| Peppers | Basil, onions, carrots, marigolds | Fennel, cabbage family |
| Lettuce | Carrots, radishes, onions, strawberries | Few known conflicts |
| Carrots | Onions, leeks, lettuce, chives, rosemary | Dill |
| Beans | Corn, squash, carrots, cucumbers | Onions, garlic, chives, fennel |
| Peas | Carrots, radishes, turnips, cucumbers | Onions, garlic |
| Squash and zucchini | Corn, beans, nasturtiums, marigolds | Potatoes |
| Corn | Beans, squash, cucumbers, peas | Tomatoes |
| Onions and garlic | Carrots, beets, lettuce, tomatoes | Beans, peas |
| Cabbage, broccoli, and kale | Onions, dill, beets, celery | Tomatoes, strawberries |
| Potatoes | Beans, marigolds, horseradish | Tomatoes, cucumbers, squash |
Planning a new bed? Learn how to build a raised garden bed for beginners, then fill it with the right raised garden bed soil mix.
Herbs Companion Planting Chart
Herbs are some of the easiest companions because they are small, aromatic, and easy to tuck between vegetables. This herbs companion planting chart shows where each one fits best.
| Herb | Good companions | Better kept apart |
|---|---|---|
| Basil | Tomatoes, peppers, oregano | Rue, sage |
| Dill | Cabbage family, onions, lettuce, cucumbers | Carrots, fennel |
| Chives | Carrots, tomatoes, lettuce | Beans, peas |
| Parsley | Tomatoes, carrots, asparagus | Mint in the same bed |
| Rosemary | Beans, carrots, cabbage family | Moisture lovers like basil and cucumbers |
| Thyme and oregano | Tomatoes, eggplant, cabbage family | Moisture lovers like mint |
| Mint | Cabbage family, in a pot nearby | Anything in the same bed, since it spreads fast |
A practical tip: plant mint in its own container. It spreads quickly and will crowd out its neighbors if you let it. Rosemary, thyme, and oregano like drier soil than basil or parsley, so give them their own corner.
Companion Planting Chart for Popular Crops
Gardeners search for specific crops all the time, so here are the most common ones in a bit more detail.
Tomatoes Companion Planting Chart
Tomatoes pair well with basil, carrots, onions, chives, and marigolds. Basil is a favorite because it likes the same sun and watering routine. Keep tomatoes away from fennel, potatoes, and the cabbage family. If you plan to grow your own plants, learn how to start seeds indoors first.
Cucumber Companion Planting Chart
Cucumbers grow well near beans, radishes, nasturtiums, and dill. Beans and corn can offer a trellis for vines. Keep cucumbers away from potatoes and from strong herbs like sage. Cucumbers are thirsty, so see how often garden plants should be watered before you set up your bed.
Pepper Companion Planting Chart
Peppers do well with basil, onions, carrots, and marigolds. This pepper companion planting chart tip is the same as for tomatoes: group them with plants that like similar sun and water. Keep them away from fennel.
More Crops at a Glance
- Zucchini: Nasturtiums, corn, and beans. Keep it away from potatoes.
- Beets: Onions, lettuce, and kale. Keep them away from pole beans.
- Onions: Carrots, beets, and lettuce. Keep them away from beans and peas.
- Kale and broccoli: Onions, dill, and beets. Keep them away from strawberries.
- Strawberries: Spinach, lettuce, and chives. Keep them away from the cabbage family.
Companion Planting Chart for Flowers and Fruit Trees
Flowers earn their place in a vegetable bed by drawing pollinators. This companion planting chart for flowers keeps it simple:
- Marigolds: Planted near tomatoes, peppers, and squash.
- Nasturtiums: Planted near cucumbers, squash, and zucchini.
- Zinnias and sunflowers: Planted at the edge of the bed for pollinators.
- Borage and calendula: Planted among vegetables for pollinators and color.
For a fruit tree companion planting chart, the traditional pairings are chives, garlic, nasturtiums, and clover around the base of the tree. These ideas have limited research behind them, so use them as an optional extra, not a plan to rely on.
Choosing sun-loving flowers? Check how much sunlight garden plants need so every plant gets what it needs.
Does Companion Planting Really Work?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no, and sometimes it depends. Mississippi State University Extension notes that some principles have been proven and others lack any scientific support. A companion planting chart is useful, but it is not a guarantee.
Here is a fair way to sort the claims:
- Backed by science: Mixing tall taproot crops like carrots with shallow-rooted ones like lettuce and onions, and spacing plants of the same kind apart so pests cannot move easily through a whole crop. Washington State University Extension describes these strategies.
- Mixed results: Marigolds are famous for repelling pests, but extension experts warn they may not protect plants as much as people believe.
- Mostly tradition: Flavor boosts, such as basil making tomatoes taste better, and the Three Sisters combination of corn, beans, and squash. WSU suggests the Three Sisters is mainly of historic and cultural interest, and that it is unlikely to boost productivity.
The University of Arizona Extension says the same thing in a friendlier way. If a pairing works for you, keep doing it, but do not put too much faith in the claims.
Sample 4×8 Raised Bed Layout
Not sure how to put pairings into a real bed? Here is a simple layout you can copy for a 4 by 8 foot bed. It keeps tall plants on the north side so they do not shade shorter ones.
- Back row (north side): Tomatoes on stakes or cages, with basil planted between them.
- Middle row: Peppers with a few onions tucked in between.
- Front row: Lettuce and carrots, with radishes sown in the gaps.
- Corners and edges: Marigolds and nasturtiums for color and pollinators.
Leave a little walking space and follow the spacing on each seed packet. Tall plants like tomatoes cast shade, so put sun-loving crops where they will still get plenty of light. If you start your own plants, harden them off before moving them into this layout, then water deeply but not too often.
How to Use a Companion Planting Chart in Your Garden
A chart is only a starting point. These habits get better results than any single pairing.
Match sun and water first. Plants that need the same conditions are easier to care for. Our guide on how much sunlight garden plants need can help.
Use the chart in raised beds. A companion planting chart for raised beds works well because you control the soil and spacing. Mix tall and short plants so nothing is shaded out.
Try it in containers. A container companion planting chart is simple: one main plant, one herb, and one flower. For example, a pepper plant with basil and marigolds.
Use square foot gardening. Many gardeners sketch pairings onto a square foot grid. Print the chart and mark off each square as you plant.
Plan for pest control. A companion planting chart for pest control works best as one tool among several. Mix plant types, check leaves often, and remove problem insects by hand.
Do not forget fall. A fall companion planting chart looks similar. Onions, kale, beets, and lettuce all fit well. See what to plant in October by zone for timing.
New to growing food? Start with vegetable garden for beginners, then use this chart to arrange your beds.
Common Companion Planting Mistakes
- Overcrowding. Even great partners compete if they are too close. Follow the spacing on the seed packet.
- Ignoring watering needs. A thirsty cucumber next to a dry-loving rosemary plant will upset one of them.
- Planting mint in the bed. It takes over fast. Keep it in a pot.
- Expecting a cure-all. Companion planting will not replace good soil, watering, and pest checks.
- Following every chart literally. Charts often disagree, so check a few and use common sense.
Is a Companion Planting Chart Right for You?
A chart is a great fit if you like planning your garden layout, grow in small spaces, or want to use herbs and flowers among your vegetables. It is also a helpful way to avoid obvious mistakes, like putting fennel next to everything.
It may be less useful if you grow only one or two crops, or if you expect big yield jumps from pairings alone. Results depend on your climate, soil, and care, so treat your first season as an experiment. For basic ground rules, read our gardening tips for beginners.
Conclusion
A good companion planting chart saves time and helps you build healthier, more varied beds. Start with a few simple pairings, such as tomatoes with basil or carrots with onions. Match sun and water needs, keep fennel and mint to themselves, and notice what works in your own garden.
Download the free printable companion planting chart (PDF) to keep your plan handy, and keep your plants thriving with these simple tips for healthy plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a companion planting chart?
A companion planting chart is a quick reference that lists which plants grow well together and which ones are better kept apart. It helps you plan garden beds, containers, and raised beds. Many pairings come from gardener experience, while some are supported by research, so use it as a guide.
What should you not plant together?
Common pairs to avoid include tomatoes with potatoes, beans with onions or garlic, and anything planted right next to fennel. Mint also causes trouble because it spreads fast. Many of these warnings are traditional, so use them as cautious guidance rather than strict rules.
What grows well with tomatoes?
Basil, carrots, onions, chives, and marigolds are the most common tomato companions. Basil is a favorite because it likes similar sun and water. Keep tomatoes away from fennel, potatoes, and the cabbage family. Spacing and airflow matter just as much as the pairing.
Can you plant herbs with vegetables?
Yes, and it is a smart way to use space. Basil suits tomatoes and peppers, dill fits with cabbage and cucumbers, and chives work with carrots. Keep mint in a pot, and give dry-loving herbs like rosemary and thyme their own drier spot in the garden.
Does companion planting work for pest control?
It can help a little, but it is not a guaranteed fix. Extension experts say some claims have strong support and others have little. Mixing plant types and spacing crops apart can make it harder for pests to spread. Check plants regularly and treat problems early.
Where can I get a free printable companion planting chart?
You can download the free printable companion planting chart (PDF) from this page. It includes the vegetable and herb tables, so you can print it and keep it with your garden notes. Print it at home or save it on your phone for planting day.