If you want to guarantee a successful garden this season, consider growing flowers for companion planting! Keep reading to learn more about companion planting flowers and vegetables.
When I first started my gardening journey, I was exceptionally focused on only growing plants that were edible. I even bragged about the fact that I would not grow anything that was strictly ornamental so flowers were pretty much off the table! I was so naive! As I grew in gardening knowledge I came to realize that not only were there many edible flowers, but they make a great choice for protection from many garden pests in the organic garden!
So, last year, I dived headfirst into all things flower gardens and ended up with a cut flower space and flowers throughout my kitchen garden! In this episode, we’ll finish our companion planting series with my top picks for companion planting flowers and vegetables.
Welcome to the ‘Garden Things with Friends Podcast’! We’re here to show that building a thriving garden is possible for everyone, even those with busy schedules and long to-do lists. I’m Ashley, your host, and two years ago, I turned my garden dreams into reality in my suburban backyard. Through trial and error over the next two seasons, I’ve created a thriving garden that I absolutely love. My goal is to inspire you to create your dream garden too! So let’s grow together!
Hey ya’ll! Welcome to the last part of our companion planting series! This has been a fun series for me, because the concept of companion planting is one that I think is often overcomplicated, but so important! As always, I want to keep the information bite sized, so today, we’ll breeze over some of the benefits of planting flowers in your vegetable garden, and then jump right into flowers that make the best companion plants for your vegetables! I’ll close with a few tips for successful flower growing in your garden! So, jump right in!
Top reasons for companion planting flowers and vegetables
My hope by now, is that you are as sold on companion planting as I am! It’s such a beneficial part of limiting chemical use in our gardens and a great way to make gardening more successful and sustainable!
As far as incorporating flowers into your vegetable garden there are three main benefits that I want to discuss quickly, and similar to herbs as companions, these benefits are going to hit the main pain points of beginners, and that’s pest damage and successful harvests!
Flowers attract beneficial pollinators improving harvest yields
When we plant flowers in our garden we attract beneficial insects like hoverflies, carpenter bees, and honey bees which increases pollination of our fruiting vegetables like squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers!
Flowers aid in pest management
Flowers help us with pest control in many ways! They attract beneficial predatory insects that can control or clear a pest infestation in days! Highly fragrant flowers can repel insect pests from your garden by masking the scent of your vegetables. Flowers can also act as a trap crop which becomes a mini buffet for predatory insects or distract pest populations from your main crops long enough to remove the affected plant and the pests from your property!
Flowers add beauty and health to the garden
Now this may seem like a stretch for some, but there is so much benefit to adding beauty and diversity to your vegetable garden! By adding flowers to your garden, you are creating a healthier ecosystem which in turn leads to healthier plants and better harvests! Plus, who doesn’t love the pop of color that flowers bring to a garden?
Flowers act as a living mulch
Many flower plants have shallow roots, with wide above ground reach! This means that they will not take up much space and can be tucked in between crops along the border of your garden. Additionally, their wide reach above ground means weed control and soil protection!
Best Flowers for companion planting
As a quick reminder, my simple formula for companion planting is pairing each of your main crops with a flower and an herb! But what flower are actually good companion plants for our vegetables (If you are just joining us, I’ll link Ep. 1 in the comments below)!
While there are hundreds of combinations for flowers to plant in your garden, here are my top 10 recommendations!
Chamomile
Chamomile may seem like a stretch and an unlikely first choice! But this flowering herb is absolutely amazing for attracting predatory insects such as ladybugs and green lacewings! We know chamomile for the affects of it’s tea form for humans, but the tea is also an excellent protection against damping off in seedlings!
In the garden:Chamomile’s strong odor helps repel many cucurbit family pests such as cucumber beetles and squash bugs as well as many pests of brassica crops!
Plant Chamomile near:
- Cucumbers
- Squash
- Brassica plants
Marigold
Marigolds are probably the most common flower to companion plant in the garden! With their vibrat color and their ease to grow, marigolds are an easy choice for the garden! When choosing marigolds for the garden, however, remember there are two types with very different growing patterns! French marigolds are more compact plants and better suited for companion planting with shorter crops! African marigolds on the other hand can grow to be upwards of 5 feet, and can be quite surprising as they overshadow your vegetables!
In the garden:The strong scent of marigold deters many pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and tomato hornworms! It also attracts hoverflies whose larvae feed on aphids and other small insects.
Plant Marigolds with:
- Brassicas like kale brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi
- Beans
- Squash
- Cucumbers
- Peppers
- Pumpkins
- Tomato plants
- Eggplant
- Onions
Calendula
Calendula, also called pot marigolds, is one of my favorite multipurpose flowers to grow in the garden! Partially because I love the look, but also because of the amazing medical properties for skin healing!My favorite variety is this blush pink one from botanical interests.
In the garden:Calendula can repel pests such as asparagus beetles, hornworms, and nematodes
Plant Calendula near:
- Tomatoes
- Asparagus
- Carrots
Nasturtium
Nasturtium is a flower that thrives in the cooler seasons and is an amazing pest control agent for your garden! It comes in a variety of colors and is completely edible!
In the garden:Nasturtium is an excellent example of a trap crop, attracting aphids which then attract predatory insects like wasps and ladybugs to your garden! Additionally, Nasturtium can repel the colorado potato beetle and keep cabbage moths from decimating your cabbage plants.
Plant Nasturtium with:
- Brassicas like cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and collard greens)
- Pumpkins
- Squash
- Pepper
- Tomatoes
- Eggplant
- Potatoes
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are a beautiful addition to any garden, and the fact that they are easy to grow is an added bonus!
In the garden:Sunflowers can help repel aphids, whiteflies, and cucumber beetles. Additionally, they attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Additionally, their height makes them an excellent natural trellis for pole beans and sugar snap peas.
Plant sunflowers with:
- Beans
- Corn
- Squash
Pansies
Pansies are colorful annual flowers prized for their cheerful blooms, edible petals, and ornamental beauty. With their vibrant colors and delicate appearance, pansies add both visual appeal and culinary delight to garden landscapes.
In the garden:Pansies bloom profusely throughout the spring and fall months, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies to the garden.
Plant pansies with:
- Early fruiting crops to increase pollination
Borage
Borage is a beautiful blue flowering herb that is a favorite for bees and other pollinators! It’s delicate flowers are also edible and can be used in salads or as a garnish on desserts!
In the garden:Borage can help prevent disease in tomato plants and attracts beneficial insects as pollinators as well as predatory beneficial insects.
Plant borage with:strawberries, cucumbers, squash, tomato
- Strawberries
- Cucumbers
- Squash
- Tomato
Flowering herbs
Herbs can act as a double duty companion in the garden especially as they flower! The flowers of herbs like basil, dill and cilantro are magnets for predatory insects like green lacewings and parasitic wasps!
In the garden:In the garden, these plants can be tucked into small spaces, and their flowers can attract beneficial insects while also contributing to the flavor of your cooking!
Plant flowering herbs near:tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, squash/cucumbers, brassica crops but beware of planting dill near carrots as it can have an opposite affect!
- Tomatoes
- Eggplant
- Peppers
- Squash/cucumbers
- Brassica crops
*Beware of planting dill near carrots as it can magnify pest issues.
Also Read:Ep. 12 – 12 Best Herbs for Companion Planting in the Vegetable Garden
Sweet Alyssum
Sweet alyssum is a delightful flower that offers both beauty and practical benefits. With its delicate blooms, sweet fragrance, and low-growing habit, sweet alyssum is sure to add charm and allure to your garden and outdoor spaces.
In the garden:In the garden sweet alyssum attracts beneficial insects such as bees, butterflies and hoverflies. Planting sweet alyssum near fruiting vegetables can increase pollination rates and improve overall garden health. Additionally, sweet alyssum can be interplanted with other crops to act as a living mulch
Plant Sweet Alyssum with:Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, roses
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Squash
- Pumpkins
- Cucumbers
- Roses
Favorite cut Flowers
Another great addition to your garden are various types of cut flowers! These cut flowers bring beauty to your garden and attract beneficial pollinators! The Varieties are endless and you can choose your favorites from lists of cut flowers!
Popular Cut flower options:
- Sweet Peas
- Zinnias
- Cosmos
- Celosia
- Dahlias
- Snapdragons
Another great addition to your garden are various types of cut flowers! Zinnias, cosmos, and celosia are some favorites! These cut flowers bring beauty to your garden and attract beneficial pollinators! The Varieties are endless and you can choose your favorites from lists of cut flowers!
Alright, that’s the list of best flower companion plants for your vegetable garden!
If you’d like a quick and handy companion planting chart, you can grab ours here for free! It includes a list of common vegetable crops that act as main crops and the flowers and herbs that best grow with them!
I hope this companion planting series has been helpful and has taken some of the confusion out of companion planting for you! Be sure to check us out on tiktok and instagram, I love recieving messages from you all and seeing how you’re growing where you are!!
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Happy Gardening and Remember It’s never the wrong time to Grow where you are!
