Good & Bad Kale Companion Plants
You think about growing kale at home but are not sure what plants you should grow with kale?
Then this article is for you!
In fact, I show you the best and worst kale companion plants in the following chapters.
Why do I need Companion Plants to grow Kale?
While you could grow kale alone, there are many advantages that come along with planting it with the right companion plants.
Companion plants can help your kale grow in an optimal manner since they can attract pollinators, loosen the soil, keep it moist, deter pests, provide shade and can also improve the taste of your kale.
Yet, while good companion plants can have a positive impact on the growth and the yield of your kale, the opposite is true for bad companion plants.
Consequently, make sure to check out the following tables so that you get a better idea of what plants you should grow near your kale and what plants you should only grow with sufficient distance.
Good Kale Companion Plants
| Companion Plant | Why is it good? |
|---|---|
| Celery | Deters pests. |
| Cucumbers | Provide shade to your kale plants. |
| Beets | Loosen the soil. |
| Spinach | Good ground cover to preserve moisture. |
| Rosemary | Can improve the flavor of your kale. |
| Thyme | Can improve the flavor of your kale. |
| Mint | Can improve the flavor of your kale. |
| Basil | Can improve the flavor of your kale. |
| Onions | Keep away aphids and spider mites. |
| Potatoes | Loosen the soil. |
| Dill | Attract pollinators. |
| Cilantro | Attract hoverflies and other pollinators. |
| Chard | Attract pollinators. |
| Chili Peppers | Keep away pests. |
| Lemongrass | Attracts pollinators and repels certain pests. |
| Chives | Keeps away aphids and spider mites. |
| Garlic | Keeps away aphids and spider mites. |
| Leeks | Keeps away aphids and spider mites. |
| Marigolds | Attract pollinators. |
| Alyssum | Attracts pollinators. |
Bad Kale Companion Plants
| Companion Plant | Why is it bad? |
|---|---|
| Strawberries | Attract pests. |
| Beans | Take away sun from your kale. |
| Walnut | Releases harmful chemicals to the soil. |
| Tomatoes | Take away nutrients from your kale. |
| Sunflowers | Can prevent your kale to germinate. |
Best & Worst Kale Companion Plants – Summary
| Best Companion Plants | Worst Companion Plants |
|---|---|
| Garlic | Walnut |
| Onions | Tomatoes |
| Chives | Sunflowers |
| Leeks | Strawberries |
| Marigolds | Beans |
| Lemongrass | |
| Chilies | |
| Cilantro | |
| Chard | |
| Dill | |
| Basil | |
| Potatoes | |
| Mint | |
| Rosemary | |
| Spinach | |
| Thyme | |
| Cucumbers | |
| Beets | |
| Alyssum | |
| Celery |
What should you plant with Kale?
Good companion plants for kale are cucumbers, celery, beets, marigolds, alyssum, rosemary, spinach, thyme, basil, potatoes, mint, dill, cilantro, chard, chilies, lemongrass, leeks, onions, garlic and chives.
You should avoid planting kale with tomatoes, sunflowers, walnut, strawberries and beans.
If you want to learn more about growing kale in general, make sure to also check out my grower’s guide that shows you how to grow kale 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.
