Good & Bad Chili Pepper Companion Plants
You want to grow chili peppers at home but are not sure which plants you should grow with your chilies?
Then this article is exactly for you since I show you the best and worst chili companion plants in the following chapters.
Why do I need Companion Plants to grow Chili Peppers?
Chili peppers grow much better if you choose the right companion plants to grow next to them.
Among others, good companion plants attract pollinators and other helpful insects, loosen the soil, keep it moist, keep away pests, provide shade and can also improve the flavor of your chillies.
However, don’t get the idea that there are only good companion plants for your chilies.
Some plants can do more harm than good if you grow them with your chilies since they can take away precious nutrients, attract pests and lead to several other issues.
Hence, make sure to check out the following tables to avoid any mistakes in this regard and to grow your chili plants in the best possible manner.
Good Chili Companion Plants
| Companion Plant | Why is it good? |
|---|---|
| Shallots | Deter aphids and ants. |
| Onions | Deter aphids and ants. |
| Leeks | Deter aphids and ants. |
| Garlic | Deter aphids and ants. |
| Spring Onions | Deter aphids and ants. |
| Chives | Deter aphids and ants. |
| Spinach | Provides shade to the roots of your chilies. |
| Chard | Provides shade to the roots of your chilies. |
| Lettuce | Provides shade to the roots of your chilies. |
| Beans | Fix nitrogen. |
| Peas | Fix nitrogen. |
| Cucumbers | Fix nitrogen. |
| Marigolds | Attract pollinators. |
| Nasturtiums | Attract pollinators and repel pests. |
| Petunias | Attract pollinators. |
| Marjoram | Can improve the flavor of your chilies. |
| Rosemary | Can improve the flavor of your chilies. |
| Dill | Keeps away spider mites. |
| Basil | Keeps away aphids, ants and slugs. |
| Parsley | Attracts helpful insects. |
Bad Chili Companion Plants
| Companion Plant | Why is it bad? |
|---|---|
| Kohlrabi | Attract flea beetles and other harmful pests. |
| Cabbage | Take away nutrients from your chilli plants |
| Mustard Greens | Take away nutrients from your chili plants. |
| Fennel | Attracts slugs and takes away nutrients from the soil. |
| Apricots | Attract fungus. |
Best & Worst Chilli Companion Plants – Summary
| Best Companion Plants | Worst Companion Plants |
|---|---|
| Onions | Cabbage |
| Leeks | Mustard |
| Garlic | Kohlrabi |
| Shallots | Apricots |
| Spring Onions | Fennel |
| Chives | |
| Spinach | |
| Chard | |
| Beans | |
| Peas | |
| Lettuce | |
| Cucumbers | |
| Nasturtiums | |
| Marigolds | |
| Petunias | |
| Rosemary | |
| Marjoram | |
| Basil | |
| Dill | |
| Parsley |
What should you plant with Chili Peppers?
Good companion plants for chili peppers are dill, parsley, basil, rosemary, marjoram, petunias, marigolds, nasturtiums, lettuce, beans, peas, cucumbers, chard, chives, spinach, shallots, spring onions, garlic, onions and leeks.
You should avoid planting chili peppers with mustard greens, kohlrabi, cabbage, fennel and apricots.
If you want to get more information about growing chilies in general, make sure to also check out my grower’s guide on how to grow chili peppers from seed to harvest.
About the Author
My name is Andreas and I’m really passionate about our environment and also about growing plants. In fact, I have grown several different plants over many years. I love to see my plants grow and also always try new things to improve my overall conditions at home.
In my blog posts, I want to share my experiences with you so that you can become successful in growing various different plants and improving your home as well, even though you might still be a beginner right now.
