I love experimenting with companion planting in our garden and observing which plants thrive next to each other. I’ve discovered that companion planting is both an art and a science, requiring ongoing experimentation to perfect. In this guide, I’ll go into the best practices for companion planting with peppers, as well as which plants to avoid growing alongside them. Co-planting the best pepper companion plants can help boost the harvest for all the plants if your garden.
If you are new to companion planting or want an overview of companion planting – you can check out my companion planting chart and overview.
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How to Companion Plant Peppers
Peppers, known for their variety of flavors and heat levels, are versatile vegetables that can benefit from the right companion plants. They thrive alongside low-growing companions such as lettuce, radishes, nasturtiums, basil, dill, cilantro, marigolds, and garlic. These companions not only enhance the growth of peppers but also help deter pests and improve overall garden health. Many of these plants are excellent at supporting a diverse range of garden vegetables, making them valuable additions to your pepper patch.
Best Pepper Companion Plants
Basil: Basil improves the flavor of peppers and helps repel pests like aphids, mosquitoes, and flies.
Marigolds: Marigolds deter a variety of garden pests, including nematodes and aphids, while attracting beneficial insects.
Onions: Onions can repel aphids, spider mites, and other pests that may target peppers, and they don’t compete for space or nutrients.
Carrots: Carrots grow well with peppers as they have different root depths, minimizing competition for resources and helping to aerate the soil.
Dill: Dill attracts beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings, which prey on aphids and other pests that could affect peppers.
Cilantro: Cilantro attracts beneficial insects that help protect peppers from pests and provides some shade to help keep peppers cool during hot weather.
Nasturtiums: Nasturtiums attract beneficial insects and repel pests like aphids and whiteflies, offering protection for pepper plants.
Lettuce: Lettuce can be planted near peppers as it has similar growing needs and provides ground cover that helps retain soil moisture.
Worst Companion Plants for Peppers
Tomatoes: Tomatoes and peppers are both members of the nightshade family and can be susceptible to similar diseases and pests, such as blight and aphids, increasing the risk of these issues.
Potatoes: Potatoes, like tomatoes and peppers, are also nightshades and can compete with peppers for nutrients. They are also prone to similar pests and diseases.
Fennel: Fennel can inhibit the growth of peppers by releasing compounds that interfere with their development and can attract pests that might also target peppers.
Corn: Corn can shade peppers and compete for sunlight, which peppers need to thrive. Additionally, tall corn plants can attract pests like the corn earworm, which may also affect peppers.
Beans: Beans can attract pests such as aphids, which can also damage peppers. Their growth may also overshadow pepper plants, reducing their light exposure.
Cucumbers: Cucumbers can be susceptible to similar pests and diseases as peppers, and their sprawling growth can compete for space and resources.
Cabbage Family (Cabbage, Broccoli, Kale): Members of the cabbage family can attract pests like cabbage worms and aphids, which may also infest pepper plants. They also have different nutrient requirements that might not complement pepper growth.
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