Good & Bad Potato Companion Plants
You want to know what plants you should grow with potatoes?
Stick with me since I will show you the best and worst potato companion plants in this article!
Table of Contents
Why do I need Companion Plants to grow Potatoes?
While it is actually possible to grow potatoes without any other plants, it is still not advisable since it makes your space use less efficient and you will also not benefit from many positive effects good companion plants can have on the growth behavior and the yield of potatoes.
For instance, good companion plants attract pollinators, loosen the soil, keep it moist, deter pests and also provide shade to your potatoes.
While good companion plants can have those beneficial characteristics, bad companion plants will do the opposite.
Hence, it is crucial for you to figure out the best potato companion plants by having a look at the following tables and also that you get to know all the plants you should avoid and why.
Good Potato Companion Plants
| Companion Plant | Why is it good? |
|---|---|
| Cilantro | Deters pests and attracts beneficial insects. |
| Chives | Keeps away pests. |
| Garlic | Deters pests. |
| Onions | Keep away pests. |
| Mint | Improves the flavor of potatoes and deters pests. |
| Thyme | Improves the growth behavior of potatoes. |
| Rosemary | Improves the flavor of potatoes and deters pests. |
| Brassicas (Cabbage, Kale, etc.) | Improve soil conditions. |
| Leeks | Keep away pests. |
| Flax | Keep away pests. |
| Radish | Loosen the soil. |
| Alyssum | Deters pests and attracts pollinators. |
| Tansy | Deters pests. |
| Nasturtiums | Deter pests and attract pollinators. |
| Marigolds | Attract pollinators. |
| Petunias | Deter pests and attract pollinators. |
Bad Potato Companion Plants
| Companion Plant | Why is it bad? |
|---|---|
| Corn | Takes away too much sunlight. |
| Pumpkins | Take away too many nutrients. |
| Melons | Take away too many nutrients. |
| Beans | Inhibit the growth of potatoes. |
| Peas | Inhibit the growth of potatoes. |
| Peppers | Feed on similar nutrients. |
| Tomatoes | Feed on similar nutrients. |
| Eggplant | Slows down the growth of potatoes. |
| Berries | Attract pests. |
| Cucumbers | Feed on similar nutrients. |
| Fennel | Slows down the growth of potatoes. |
| Asparagus | Heavy feeder that takes away nutrients from the soil. |
| Fruit trees | Attract pests and bugs. |
Best & Worst Potato Companion Plants – Summary List
| Best Companion Plants | Worst Companion Plants |
|---|---|
| Onions | Pumpkins |
| Garlic | Melons |
| Tansy | Asparagus |
| Petunias | Fruit trees |
| Nasturtium | Tomatoes |
| Marigolds | Cucumbers |
| Alyssum | Peas |
| Flax | Beans |
| Radish | Corn |
| Leeks | Eggplant |
| Rosemary | Berries |
| Mint | Fennel |
| Thyme | Peppers |
| Cilantro | |
| Chives | |
| Brassica family |
What should you plant with Potatoes?
You should grow potatoes with thyme, cilantro, rosemary, chives, mint, brassicas, radishes, leeks, marigolds, alyssum, flax, nasturtiums, petunias, garlic, onions and tansy.
Avoid planting potatoes with peppers, pumpkin, melon, asparagus, corn, fennel, beans, peas, cucumbers, berries, eggplants, tomatoes and fruit trees.
If you want to learn more about growing potatoes in general, make sure to also have a look at my potato grower’s guide that shows you how to grow potatoes from seed to harvest step-by-step.
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.
