Find Out the 14 Best Spinach companion plants

Author: Saiqa Najeeb
Last Updated at: June 15, 2023

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Have you ever considered that your spinach might be a bit lonely in your garden? It turns out that spinach is just like us – it needs some good friends to thrive and reach its full potential.

Companion planting is a time-honored gardening technique that involves pairing plants that work well together to create a thriving ecosystem. When it comes to spinach, several plants can serve as excellent companions and help your spinach grow stronger, healthier, and more productive.

In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating world of spinach companion plants. We’ll dive into the science behind companion planting and explore 14 best spinach companion plants.

So, let’s dig in!

Why Spinach Companion Plants?

Companion planting is a technique gardeners have used for centuries, and with good reason. There are many benefits to planting certain plants together, and this is especially true when it comes to growing spinach.

Companion planting with nitrogen-fixing plants can improve soil health and increase nutrient availability for spinach plants.
Certain companion plants can help to repel pests and reduce the need for pesticides.
Companion planting can create a diverse garden ecosystem, increasing productivity and resilience.
Proper companion planting can help spinach plants reach their full potential, resulting in higher yields and better-quality crops.
Companion plants can help suppress weeds and reduce competition for resources.
Growing spinach alongside herbs can enhance its flavour and aroma.
Companion planting can attract beneficial insects, such as bees and butterflies, which can help with pollination and improve overall garden health.

Floral Companions

Companion planting with flowers can benefit tomato plants, such as deterring pests, improving soil quality, and increasing yield. Here are some of the spinach companion plants that work great as tomato companion plants:

1 Marigolds

Marigolds are a popular companion plant for spinach due to their ability to repel certain pests and attract beneficial insects. Marigolds contain thiophene, toxic to many root-dwelling nematodes. Additionally, the bright colours of marigolds can attract beneficial insects like ladybugs.

Planting tips:

Plant marigolds around the perimeter of the spinach bed to create a barrier against pests.
Plant marigold at a distance of 6 inches, from the spinach plants to avoid competition.

2 Sweet Alyssum

Sweet Alyssum is another floral companion plant that can benefit spinach in several ways. The plant produces a sweet fragrance that can attract pollinators such as green lacewings which prey on aphids and other Spinach pests.

Planting tips:

Plant sweet alyssum as a border around the spinach bed to attract pollinators and deter pests
Plant sweet alyssum in the fall or early spring to start attracting beneficial insects before the growing season.

3 Borage

Borage is a popular companion plant for various crops, including spinach, due to its ability to attract pollinators. The plant produces blue, star-shaped flowers attractive to bees and other beneficial insects while also containing compounds that deter pests like cabbage loops and cut worms.

Planting tips:

Plant borage on the row ends or borders of the spinach bed.
Avoid planting borage in the same bed as that of spinach as it may overgrow and out-shade your spinach plants.

4 Yarrow

Yarrow is a versatile companion plant that can benefit spinach in several ways. The plant produces clusters of small, white or yellow flowers attractive to beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings, which can help control pest populations in the garden.

Planting tip:

Consider planting Yarrow 1 to 2 ft away from your Spinach plants, as these can grow too tall and may cause too much shade for Spinach.

Vegetable Companions

Here are some of the spinach companion plants among vegetables that work well with each other:

5 Kale

Planting kale with spinach will help both plants grow better, as they won’t compete for the nutrients nor attract the same pests. Kale is a good companion because it produces compounds beneficial to spinach, such as sulphur, which helps spinach grow bigger and stronger. It can protect the baby spinach leaves from excessive heat during the day.

Planting tips:

Plant kale and spinach together in early spring or late summer, as they prefer cooler temperatures.
Space the plants at least 18 inches apart to ensure they have enough room to grow to their full size.

6 Broccoli

Broccoli and spinach are heavy feeders, so planting them together can lead to nutrient competition. However, broccoli can help to repel pests that can harm spinach, such as cabbage worms and flea beetles, with compounds like glucosinolates and sulphur. Broccoli can also provide shade for spinach during the hot summer months.

Planting tips:

Plant broccoli and spinach together in early spring or late summer when the weather is cooler.
Space the plants 24 inches apart to prevent overcrowding and resource competition.

7 Lettuce

Spinach and lettuce are cool-weather crops with similar soil and light requirements, making them good companions. Lettuce can help protect spinach from leaf-eating pests like slugs and snails, which prefer lettuce leaves to spinach leaves. Lettuce can also help conserve moisture in the soil, which can benefit spinach during dry spells.

Planting tips:

Plant lettuce and spinach together in early spring or late summer when temperatures are cooler.
Alternate rows of lettuce and spinach to maximize space and prevent overcrowding.

8 Garlic

Garlic is a good companion for spinach because it repels pests like aphids and spider mites. Garlic also produces sulphur, which can help improve spinach growth. However, garlic and spinach can compete for nutrients, so it is important to space them appropriately.

Planting tips:

Plant garlic and spinach together in late fall or early spring, as they prefer cooler temperatures.
Space the plants 6 inches apart to prevent overcrowding and resource competition.

9 Tomatoes

Spinach and tomatoes have different soil and water requirements but can still be planted together. Tomatoes produce solanine, which can repel pests like cutworms and aphids that can harm spinach. However, tomatoes are heavy feeders and may compete with spinach for nutrients.

Planting tips:

Plant tomatoes and spinach together in early spring or late summer when temperatures are cooler.
Space the plants 24 inches apart to prevent overcrowding and resource competition.

10 Cucumbers

Cucumbers and spinach have similar soil and water requirements, making them good companions. Cucumbers can help to shade spinach during the hot summer months, which can benefit spinach. However, cucumbers are susceptible to some of the same pests as spinach, such as spider mites and aphids.

Planting tips:

Plant cucumbers and spinach together in early spring or late summer when temperatures are cooler.
Space the plants 12 inches apart to prevent overcrowding and resource competition.

Herb Companions

Here are some of the spinach companion plants among herbs that thrive together:

11 Parsley

Parsley is a great companion for spinach as it repels harmful insects and attracts beneficial ones. It contains high amounts of myricetin, which is a natural antioxidant and helps protect plants from diseases and pests.

Planting Tips:

Sow parsley seeds directly in the soil around your spinach in early spring.
Ensure that parsley is planted in well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.

12 Chives

Chives have natural insect-repellent properties, making them an excellent companion plant for spinach. They contain high amounts of sulphur, an essential spinach nutrient.

Planting Tip:

Plant chives around the perimeter of your spinach patch to keep insects at bay.

13 Dill

Dill is a natural insect repellent that can help keep pests away from spinach.

It contains high amounts of calcium and phosphorus, which can help improve soil fertility.

Planting Tips:

Plant dill near your spinach in the spring, as it grows quickly and can provide shade for the spinach.
Dill prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.

14 Cilantro

Cilantro attracts beneficial insects, such as lacewings and ladybugs, which can help control pest populations that can harm spinach. It also contains high amounts of essential oils, such as linalool and geraniol, which have insect-repellent properties.

Planting Tips:

Sow cilantro seeds directly into the soil around your spinach in early spring.

Go Start Planting Spinach Companion Plants

Companion planting is an excellent way to improve the health and productivity of your spinach plants while reducing the need for harmful chemicals and pesticides. By choosing the right companion plants and planting them in the right place and time, you can create a thriving garden that is both beautiful and practical.

Now is the time to give it a try. Experiment with different spinach companion plants and see what works best for you and your garden. And don’t forget to share your experience with others to encourage them to try it too. Happy Companionship!