Explore 9 Best Companion Plants For Peppers

Author: Saiqa Najeeb
Last Updated On: July 8, 2023

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Have you tried everything but still can’t seem to get the results you’re looking for? The solution might be simpler than you think. Companion planting!

When it comes to growing peppers, choosing the right companion plants can make all the difference in yield, flavor, and pest resistance. You can improve soil quality by planting herbs, vegetables, or flowers alongside your pepper plants, attracting beneficial insects and even repelling pests naturally.

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to do that. We’ll cover everything from the benefits of companion planting to the best companion plants for peppers. So, sit back, relax, and let us help you boost your pepper harvest with the right companion plants.

What is Companion Planting, and what are its benefits?

Companion planting is a gardening practice that involves growing two or more different types of plants close for mutual benefit. The concept is based on the idea that certain plants can help each other grow better, be healthier, and produce higher yields.

Pest control: Some plants can repel pests or attract beneficial insects that can help control pests naturally without harmful pesticides.
Nutrient uptake: Different plants can absorb different nutrients from the soil. When you plant different types of plants together, they can share and exchange nutrients, making it easier for each plant to access the nutrients it needs.
Improved soil health: Companion planting can help improve soil health by increasing organic matter, preventing erosion, and reducing soil-borne diseases.
Improved pollination: Certain plants can attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, which can help increase yields in vegetable gardens.
Improved flavor: Some plants can improve the flavor of vegetables when grown together, making them taste better than when grown alone.

You can check out more about companion planting 101 here.

Best Companion Plants for Peppers

Some of the great companion plants for peppers include sunflowers, tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, onion, lettuce, dill, and petunia. Check out the details in the following sections:

1

Sunflowers

Sunflowers can make excellent companion plants for peppers because they attract beneficial insects, such as bees and ladybugs, which help with pollination and pest control. They secrete compounds that can inhibit the growth of weeds around the pepper plants.

Planting Tips:

Choose sunflower varieties that grow to a height of 4-6 feet to avoid shading out the pepper plants.
Plant sunflower seeds directly in the ground in the spring after the last frost.
Remove sunflower heads after blooming to prevent self-seeding and competition with the pepper plants.

Related: Growing sunflower in pots

2

Tomatoes

Tomatoes and peppers belong to the same family, Solanaceae, which means they have similar nutrient requirements. This makes them a great pairing for companion planting, as they can thrive in similar soil conditions and benefit from the same fertilizers or soil amendments.

Tomatoes contain various natural compounds that act as pest repellents, such as solanine and tomatine. These alkaloids can deter insects like aphids and hornworms from feeding on the plants, making them a great companion plants for peppers.

Planting Tips:

Choose tomato varieties for companion planting with peppers, such as Roma, San Marzano, or Cherry tomatoes.
Plant tomatoes after the last frost in the spring and harvest them before the first frost in the fall.
Avoid planting peppers and tomatoes in the same spot year after year to prevent the buildup of soil-borne diseases.

3

Cucumbers

Cucumber plants contain compounds like cucurbitacin and tannins, which can deter common pests like cucumber beetles and aphids, protecting the cucumbers and the nearby pepper plants. Additionally, cucumbers have deep roots that help break up compacted soil and improve water and nutrient uptake for both plants. Cucumbers can also make excellent companion plants for peppers due to their ability to repel pests and improve soil quality.

Planting Tips:

Choose cucumber varieties good for companion plantings, such as Straight Eight or Marketmore.
Plant cucumbers after the last frost in the spring and harvest them before the first frost in the fall.
Regularly prune cucumber vines to prevent them from taking over the garden space and crowding out the pepper plants.

4

Carrots

Carrots can attract beneficial insects to the garden, such as parasitic wasps and hoverflies, which can help control pests that may harm the pepper plants. Carrots also accumulate phosphorus in the soil, benefiting nearby plants like peppers that require this nutrient for healthy growth.

Planting Tips:

Choose carrot varieties suitable for companion planting, such as Nantes or Chantenay.
Plant carrot seeds directly in the ground for about two weeks before you plant your pepper seedlings.
When planting pepper seedlings, space them 12-18 inches away from the carrot rows to avoid competing for nutrients and water.

Related: Growing Carrots from seeds

5

Onions

Onions are also a great companion plant for peppers. Onions can help deter pests such as aphids and spider mites with their strong odor while improving soil quality. Onions contain sulfur compounds that can also help to repel pests and improve overall plant health. Planting onions with peppers can also maximize garden space as the two plants have different root depths and do not compete for nutrients.

Planting Tips:

Plant onion sets or transplants alongside pepper seedlings in early spring, leaving about 4-6 inches of space between each plant.
Onions are heavy feeders and benefit from a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, so consider adding a slow-release fertilizer to the soil before planting.
Once the tops have dried and fallen over, harvest onions and store them in a cool, dry place for later use.

Related: Growing onions in containers

6

Lettuce

Lettuce is a great companion plant for peppers because it helps conserve soil moisture and provides a natural mulch. It also has shallow roots that don’t compete with the peppers for nutrients, making it an ideal plant to grow alongside peppers. Lettuce also contains compounds that can repel pests like slugs and snails and damage pepper plants.

Planting Tips:

Choose loose-leaf lettuce varieties good for companion plantings, such as Buttercrunch or Red Sails.
Space lettuce seedlings about 8-10 inches apart from each other and at least 12 inches away from the pepper plants to give both plants enough room to grow.
Plant lettuce in the spring or fall when temperatures are mild.

Related: Growing lettuce indoors.

7

Dill

Dill plants are also great companion plants for peppers as they attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies, which feed on pests like aphids and mites that can harm pepper plants. Dill contains compounds called coumarins, which are known to have insecticidal properties. These compounds are released into the air and can repel pests from the area, making it an effective natural pest control method for peppers.

Planting Tips:

Plant dill near pepper plants, but not too close, as it can grow tall and shade the peppers.
Choose a variety of dill suited for companion planting, such as Bouquet, Fernleaf, or Mammoth.
Harvest dill leaves regularly to promote new growth and prevent the plant from flowering, which can make it less effective in repelling pests.

Related: Growing dill in pots

8

Petunia

Petunias are a great companion plants for peppers because they can help repel aphids, hornworms, and other pests. Petunias produce a sticky substance called mucilage that can trap insects, making it difficult for them to move and feed on the pepper plants. However, it’s important to note that petunias may attract pests, such as slugs and snails, so it’s best to monitor them closely.

Planting Tips:

Choose petunia varieties for companion planting, such as multiflora or grandiflora types.
Plant petunias around the perimeter of the pepper bed, leaving enough space for the pepper plants to grow.
Deadhead the petunia flowers regularly to promote continued blooming and prevent seed formation, which can divert energy away from the plant.

That’s a wrap!

Several plants make great companion plants for peppers, each with unique benefits. Basil, tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, onions, lettuce, sunflowers, dill, and petunia all have specific qualities that can help enhance the growth and health of pepper plants.

By planting these companion plants for peppers, you can naturally repel pests, improve soil quality, enhance flavor, and increase yield. Remember the specific planting tips for each companion plant to ensure the best results.