Companion planting for beetroot is an experience-based observation developed over centuries. People have noticed that planting certain plants side by side has a positive effect on each other, increasing the quality and quantity of the harvest.
Companion planting is not set in stone and it is the least you can do for your plants. You can get the right care from the individual plant article. You can see the companion and the enemy plants of beetroot below.
| Companion plants for beetroot | Enemy plants of beetroot |
|---|---|
| Beans | Pole Bean |
| Onion | Swiss Chard |
| Garlic | |
| Lettuce | |
| Cabbage |
Why does companion planting work?
Companion planting works due to several interconnected factors:
Pest Control: Certain plants emit natural chemicals or scents that repel pests, effectively acting as natural pest deterrents for nearby plants. This reduces the need for chemical pesticides and fosters a more balanced ecosystem.
Attracting Beneficial Insects: Some companion plants attract beneficial insects like ladybugs, hoverflies, and predatory wasps, which feed on common garden pests. This creates a natural form of pest control and helps maintain ecological balance.
Soil Improvement: Different plants have varying root structures and nutrient requirements. Companion planting can enhance soil health by reducing soil erosion, suppressing weeds, and improving nutrient uptake. For example, leguminous plants fix nitrogen in the soil, benefiting neighboring plants that require nitrogen for growth.
Competition Reduction: Companion planting can help reduce competition for resources such as water, sunlight, and nutrients by utilizing plants with complementary growth patterns and root structures. This allows for more efficient resource utilization and healthier plant growth.
Biodiversity and Resilience: Planting diverse species together increases biodiversity in the garden, which can enhance ecosystem resilience. A diverse ecosystem is better equipped to withstand pests, diseases, and environmental stresses compared to monocultures.
Maximizing Space: Companion planting allows gardeners to make the most of limited space by intercropping plants with different growth habits and maturity rates. This maximizes yield per square foot and promotes efficient land use.
Overall, companion planting capitalizes on the natural synergies between plant species, creating a thriving and sustainable garden ecosystem.
What are the companion plants of beetroot?
The following plants have positive effects on the growth of your beetroot. These plants can repel pests that damage your plants. These plants provide increased nutrition to the soil that your plants can use. Therefore, we recommend planting these plants next to your beetroot.
Beans
Beans are thriving in well-drained soil and basking in ample sunlight, these leguminous wonders enrich the soil with nitrogen, enhancing the vitality of their botanical companions. As stalwart providers of sustenance and greenery, beans epitomize the essence of garden bounty and vitality.
Beans and beets make a smart team in the garden. Beans pull nitrogen from the air and return it to the soil, giving beets the nutrients they need to grow big and sweet. In return, beets don’t compete much with beans since they grow underground while beans climb up.
With beans helping to enrich the soil and beets staying low to the ground, they make the most of garden space while keeping each other happy. A perfect match!
Onion
Onions thrive in various soil conditions. Flourishing in well-drained, fertile soil—preferably loamy or sandy—with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.0. Partial sunlight and consistent moisture nurture their hearty foliage and bulb formation. Onions provide invaluable benefits to neighboring plants by deterring pests with their strong aroma and improving soil structure with their fibrous roots.
Onions and beets work well together because onions help keep pests away. Their strong smell confuses insects that might want to munch on your beets, making them a natural protector in the garden.
Since onions grow tall and beets stay low, they don’t compete for space, letting both plants grow to their full potential. It’s a win-win!
Garlic
Garlic flourishes in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.5, it embodies adaptability and strength. Adequate sunlight and consistent moisture support robust growth and bulb development. Garlic provides invaluable benefits to neighboring plants by deterring pests with its strong aroma and acting as a natural fungicide against soil-borne diseases.
Garlic is a great garden buddy for beets because it naturally repels pests like aphids and beetles that might attack your beet crop. It also helps fight off fungal diseases that can harm beets, keeping them strong and healthy.
Beets, in turn, don’t crowd garlic since they grow underground, while garlic shoots grow tall. They share space without getting in each other’s way—just good garden harmony!
Lettuce
Lettuce, known for its crunchy leaves and garden appeal, thrives in various soil conditions. Flourishing in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.0. Partial shade and consistent moisture nurture its tender foliage and compact heads. Lettuce offers invaluable benefits to neighboring plants by providing ground cover, conserving soil moisture, and suppressing weed growth.
Lettuce and beets are perfect partners because they grow at different levels. Beets dig deep into the soil, while lettuce stays shallow, meaning they don’t compete for nutrients.
Lettuce also acts like a living mulch, shading the soil and keeping it cool and moist—just the way beets like it. Plus, growing them together makes for easy salad harvesting all season long!
Cabbage
Cabbage thrives in various soil conditions. Flourishing in well-drained soil enriched with compost, it adapts to pH levels ranging from slightly acidic to neutral. Adequate moisture and sunlight foster robust growth and ample foliage. Belonging to the Brassicaceae family, alongside esteemed companions like kale and Brussels sprouts, cabbage epitomizes the culinary versatility and natural elegance found within the garden's domain.
Cabbage and beets get along great because beets help loosen the soil, making it easier for cabbage roots to spread out. At the same time, cabbage’s big leaves provide shade, helping to keep the soil cool and moist for beets to thrive.
Beets don’t take up much space, so they fit nicely under cabbage, making the most of your garden area. These two make a strong, supportive team!
What are the enemy plants of beetroot?
Planting these plants next to beetroot has a huge negative effect on the development of your plant. Growing enemy plants can appeal detrimental insects, change the taste of the grown plant and even consuming all of the nutrients and water from your beetroot. Because of these negative effects, we don’t recomment growing the plants below next to your beetroot.
Pole Bean
Pole beans flourish in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.5. Full sunlight and adequate support nurture their vigorous growth and prolific fruiting. Pole beans provide invaluable benefits to neighboring plants by fixing nitrogen in the soil, enhancing soil fertility, and promoting overall garden health.
Pole beans and beets just don’t see eye to eye in the garden. While bush beans are great for beets, pole beans are a different story. They release chemicals into the soil that can slow down beet growth, leaving you with smaller, weaker roots.
On top of that, pole beans grow tall and leafy, casting too much shade over beets, which need plenty of sunlight to thrive. If you want happy, healthy beets, keep them away from pole beans and pair them with better neighbors instead!
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard thrives in different soil conditions, preferring well-drained, nutrient-rich soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.0. It embraces partial shade and moderate moisture, showcasing vibrant leaves and sturdy stems. Swiss chard enriches the soil, attracts beneficial insects.
Swiss chard and beets might seem like a good match since they’re from the same plant family, but that’s exactly why they don’t get along. They both pull the same nutrients from the soil, leading to competition that can leave both plants struggling to grow.
Plus, they attract the same pests and diseases, making it easy for problems to spread between them. To keep your garden strong and thriving, give these two some space and plant them in different areas.
