9 Best Broccoli Companion Plants You Need To Know
- Author: Saiqa Najeeb
- Last Updated On: July 8, 2023
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Have you ever grown Broccoli in your garden? If so, you know how rewarding it is to harvest a crop of nutrient-rich, flavorful broccoli heads.
However, did you know you can enhance your broccoli yield and health by planting companion plants? Companion planting is the practice of growing different plants to benefit each other.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the best broccoli companion plants and the benefits of planting them together. We’ll also provide planting tips to help you get the most out of your garden.
Why your Broccoli needs companions?
Broccoli is a cool-season crop that grows best in temperatures between 60 and 65°F. It is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins C and K, folate, and potassium.
However, growing Broccoli can be challenging as it is susceptible to pests and diseases. Companion planting is an excellent way to keep your broccoli plants healthy and productive.
Here are some conditions that broccoli plants may face without companion plants:
- Pest infestations: Broccoli plants are prone to pests such as aphids, cabbage worms, and flea beetles. These pests can cause significant damage to your plants, stunting their growth and reducing yield.
- Soil health: Broccoli is a heavy feeder and requires nutrient-rich soil to grow. Without proper soil health, broccoli plants can become stunted and produce small heads.
- Nitrogen deficiency: Broccoli requires a steady supply of nitrogen to grow properly. Without adequate nitrogen, plants can become yellow, stunted, and unproductive.
- Disease susceptibility: Broccoli is susceptible to fungal diseases such as downy mildew and clubroot. These diseases can quickly spread and cause significant damage to your plants.
Broccoli companion plants can help address these concerns by providing natural pest control, improving soil health, and fixing nitrogen levels in the soil.
You can check out more about companion planting 101 here.
Best Broccoli Companion Plants
Some of the great broccoli companion plants include celery, potatoes, onion, radish, garlic, lettuce, and dill.
Read on to explore how these plants benefit your broccoli plants.
1
Celery
Celery plants are among broccoli companion plants as it provides shade and moisture to the soil while repelling pests. Celery contains compounds like luteolin and apigenin that can act as natural insecticides and deter pests like aphids, cabbage worms, and spider mites, which can also harm broccoli plants.
Additionally, celery’s deep roots can help break up compacted soil, making it easier for broccoli roots to access nutrients and water. Moreover, celery can also provide shade to the soil, which can help keep the broccoli roots cool and moist during hot weather conditions.
Planting Tips:
- Plant celery seedlings 12-18 inches apart from broccoli plants to give them enough space to grow and develop.
- Both celery and Broccoli are cool-season crops and can be planted in early spring or late summer for a fall harvest.
- Use a balanced fertilizer with a higher nitrogen content for celery and a higher phosphorus content for Broccoli.
2
Potatoes
Potatoes are great broccoli companion plants due to their ability to repel pests and improve soil health. Potatoes secrete compounds that deter pests, such as aphids and flea beetles, which can harm broccoli plants. In addition, planting potatoes alongside Broccoli can help improve soil structure and nutrient uptake due to their deep roots and ability to break up compacted soil.
Planting Tips:
- Plant early-maturing potato varieties such as Yukon Gold and Red Pontiac alongside Broccoli to allow for an early harvest before the Broccoli becomes too large.
- Plant the potatoes in a separate row beside the broccoli plants to avoid competition for nutrients and space.
3
Onions
Onions are also one of the best broccoli companion plants due to their ability to repel pests and improve soil health. Onions secrete compounds such as allicin and allyl disulfide that deter pests like aphids, cabbage worms, and flea beetles, which can harm broccoli plants. Additionally, onions have a shallow root system that complements Broccoli’s deeper roots, allowing for efficient soil nutrients and moisture use.
Planting Tips:
- Plant onions as early as possible in the spring, as they prefer cooler temperatures. This can also help to deter pests from attacking the Broccoli.
- To optimize the use of space, interplant the onions between the rows of Broccoli. This will allow for efficient use of space and resources, as the shallow onion roots won’t compete with the deeper broccoli roots.
- Consider planting specific varieties of onions that are known to be effective at repelling pests, such as Welsh onions or Egyptian walking onions.
Check out our guide on growing onions in containers.
4
Radish
Radishes can also be grown as broccoli companion plants as they can help improve the overall health of the plants and deter pests. Radishes produce sulfur-containing compounds called glucosinolates, which act as natural pesticides and can help repel harmful insects and pests. Radishes also help improve soil health by breaking up compacted soil and adding organic matter through their root system, which can benefit the growth of Broccoli.
Planting Tips:
- They can be planted in rows or scattered throughout the bed, but leave enough space between the radish and broccoli plants to avoid overcrowding.
For optimal results, choose radish varieties with a shorter growing period, such as Cherry Belle or French Breakfast, so they can be harvested before they start interfering with the Broccoli’s growth.
5
Lettuce
Lettuce secretes lactucarium, a compound that repels some common pests of Broccoli, such as aphids and cabbage worms. This can help protect the Broccoli from damage and reduce the need for chemical pesticides. Lettuce plants can make great broccoli companion plants.
Lettuce is a low-growing plant that can provide shade to the soil around the base of the broccoli plant. This can help keep the soil cooler and more moist, benefiting the broccoli roots and reducing water stress.
Planting Tips:
- Plant lettuce around the base of the broccoli plants, leaving enough space for the Broccoli to grow to its full size.
- Choose lettuce varieties well-suited for growing conditions, such as those that tolerate shade and cooler temperatures.
- Interplant lettuce and Broccoli at different times to ensure a continuous supply of fresh Broccoli throughout the growing season.
Read our comprehensive guide for growing lettuce indoors.
6
Garlic
Garlic is an excellent companion plant for Broccoli. It is known for its strong smell, which helps repel pests such as aphids, cabbage worms, and slugs attracted to Broccoli. The strong smell of garlic confuses the pests and makes it difficult to locate the Broccoli plants. Garlic also contains sulfur compounds that act as natural fungicides, helping to prevent fungal diseases such as white mold and downy mildew that can affect Broccoli plants.
Planting Tips:
- Plant garlic bulbs around the base of the Broccoli plants. This will help to repel pests and protect the Broccoli from fungal diseases.
- Plant garlic in the fall, a few weeks before planting the Broccoli. This will allow the garlic to establish itself and produce its beneficial compounds before planting the Broccoli.
- Space the garlic bulbs about 6 inches apart, and plant them about 2 inches deep in well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight.
Read our guide on how to grow garlic in water
7
Dill
Dill plants are useful broccoli companion plants due to their pest-repelling properties. Its strong fragrance is a natural insecticide, repelling pests such as aphids and spider mites. Dill secretes a chemical compound called limonene, which has insecticidal properties. Additionally, dill attracts beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings, which feed on the pests that can damage Broccoli.
Planting Tips:
- It is best to plant dill around the perimeter of the broccoli patch to create a barrier of fragrance that can protect the entire patch.
- Dill grows quickly and can provide shade for the Broccoli, which prefers cooler temperatures and can benefit from a break from the hot sun.
- Dill can be planted in the same area as Broccoli, but it should be planted at a different time to avoid competing for resources. Plant dill after the Broccoli has matured and been harvested.
Read our detailed guide on growing dill in pots.
That’s all for now!
Broccoli companion plants helps improve the crop’s overall health and growth and enhances the produce’s flavor and nutrition.
The specific plants mentioned, such as celery, potatoes, onion, radish, lettuce, garlic, and dill, offer unique benefits to the broccoli crop, from repelling pests to enriching the soil with essential nutrients.
By planting these plants together, you can create a sustainable and thriving garden while enjoying the rewards of delicious and healthy produce. So, consider experimenting with companion planting to maximize the potential of your broccoli crop.
