Explore 8 Best Cucumber Companion Plants
- Author: Saiqa Najeeb
- Last Updated On: July 2, 2023
Imagine biting into a juicy cucumber youโve grown in your backyard. As you savor the taste, you feel a sense of accomplishment knowing that youโve grown it all by yourself. But did you know that planting the right companion plants with your cucumbers can improve your cropโs health and yield and even their falvour?
Companion planting has been practiced for centuries and is still widely used today. It involves planting plants next to each other to achieve mutually beneficial effects. In this guide, weโll explore the benefits of companion planting and the best companion plants for cucumbers.
Read on to discover the best cucumber companion plants.
Why you should consider Companion Planting?
Companion planting has numerous benefits, including:
- Pest control: Companion planting helps control pests in several ways. Certain plants, such as marigolds, have natural pest-repellent properties, while others attract beneficial insects that prey on pests that harm your cucumbers.
- Soil health: Companion planting helps improve soil health by encouraging beneficial microorganisms and improving soil structure. Certain plants, such as legumes, fix nitrogen in the soil, essential for plant growth.
- Increased yield: By planting the right companion plants with cucumbers, you can increase the yield of your crop. Companion plants help provide essential nutrients to your cucumber plants, ensuring they grow healthy and produce more fruit.
- Biodiversity: Companion planting helps create a diverse ecosystem in your garden. Planting various plants creates a habitat for beneficial insects and other wildlife that help keep your garden healthy.
You can check out more about companion planting 101 here.
Best Cucumber Companion Plants
Marigolds, nasturtium, radishes, beans, tomatoes, lettuce, corn, and onions can be grown as cucumber companion plants.
Keep reading to explore how these plants make a perfect match with cucumbers.
1
Marigolds
Marigolds are one of the best cucumber companion plants. They contain a natural chemical called limonene, which repels harmful pests such as nematodes and whiteflies. In addition, marigolds attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs, which prey on aphids and other pests that can harm your cucumber plants.
Planting Tips:
- Plant marigolds around the perimeter of your cucumber bed.
- Be sure to use French marigolds, which are more effective at repelling pests.
- Deadhead spent blooms to promote continuous flowering.
Read our guide on how to grow marigolds.
2
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are another best choice among cucumber companion plants. They contain natural chemical compounds which repel harmful pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and cucumber beetles. Nasturtiums also attract beneficial insects such as hoverflies, which prey on aphids and other pests that can harm your cucumber plants.
Planting Tips:
- Plant nasturtiums around the perimeter of your cucumber bed.
- Be sure to use dwarf nasturtiums, which are more effective at repelling pests.
- Harvest the leaves and flowers to add a spicy, peppery flavor to your salads.
3
Radishes
Radishes are also one of the great cucumber companion plants for cucumbers because they help break up compacted soil, which improves soil structure and allows air and water to penetrate the soil more easily. Radishes also attract beneficial insects such as bees, which help pollinate cucumber plants.
Planting Tips:
- Plant radishes early in the season, as they prefer cooler temperatures.
- Be sure to provide enough space between your radish and cucumber plants.
- Harvest radishes when they are small and tender for the best flavor.
4
Beans
Beans can also be grown as cucumber companion plants. because they fix nitrogen in the soil, which is essential for plant growth. They also have shallow roots, which help break up compacted soil and improve soil structure. Additionally, beans provide natural shade for your cucumber plants, which helps keep the soil cool and moist.
Planting Tips:
- Plant beans in rows alongside your cucumber plants.
- Be sure to support your beans, such as trellises or stakes.
- Harvest beans when they are young and tender for the best flavor.
5
Tomatoes
Tomatoes and cucumbers are warm-weather plants that share similar growing conditions and make excellent cucumber companion plants.. The benefits of growing tomatoes with cucumbers are plentiful and can result in a healthier garden. Tomatoes can help to repel pests that can damage cucumber plants, such as cucumber beetles. The shade provided by tomato plants can help to protect cucumber plants from the hot sun and reduce soil moisture loss.
Planting tips:
- Plant tomatoes before cucumbers, leaving a gap of a week or two to allow the tomatoes to establish.
- Space cucumber plants evenly and provide support, such as trellises, to avoid crowding and ensure proper growth.
Check out the growing guide for cherry tomatoes here.
6
Lettuce
Lettuce and cucumbers are cool-weather crops that complement each other well in a garden. Lettuce can help to provide shade to cucumber plants during the hottest part of the day, protecting them from sunburn and reducing moisture loss from the soil. Cucumbers can support lettuce, keeping it off the ground and helping reduce the risk of damage from pests and disease.
Planting tips:
- Plant lettuce in the same bed as cucumbers, leaving enough space for both plants to grow.
- Sow lettuce seeds directly into the soil, as lettuce does not transplant well.
- Harvest lettuce leaves regularly to encourage new growth and avoid overcrowding.
Read our comprehensive guide for growing lettuce indoors.
7
Corn
Corn plants can as great cucumber companion plants with different nutrient requirements and growing habits. Corn is a tall plant that can provide shade for cucumbers, while cucumbers can use the space around the base of corn plants to grow vertically. Cucumbers can also attract pollinators, which can improve the pollination of corn plants and increase yield.
Planting tips:
- Plant corn and cucumbers together, leaving enough space for both plants to grow.
- Support corn plants, such as staking or tying them to prevent wind damage.
- Plant cucumbers at the base of corn plants or on the north side to avoid shading the corn plants.
- Provide regular watering to ensure even soil moisture levels and healthy plant
8
Onions
Onions and cucumbers can complement each other in a garden by deterring pests and improving soil health. Onions and cucumbers have shallow roots, which means they can be planted closer together and efficiently use garden space.
Planting tips:
- Plant onions and cucumbers together, leaving enough space for both plants to grow.
- Plant onions in the same bed as cucumbers but on the opposite side to avoid shading cucumber plants.
- Provide regular watering to ensure even soil moisture levels and healthy plant growth.
- Use organic fertilizer to provide essential nutrients for plant growth.
Check out our guide on growing onion in containers.
Here you go!
Companion planting is an excellent technique for growing healthy and abundant cucumbers. By planting the right cucumber companion plants, you can control pests, improve soil health, increase yield, and create a diverse ecosystem in your garden.
So why not try companion planting with your cucumbers this season? Your taste buds and your garden will thank you. Happy planting!
Check out our guide on how to grow cucumbers vertically.
