Companion planting for bok choy 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 bok choy below.
| Companion plants for bok choy | Enemy plants of bok choy |
|---|---|
| Carrot | Turnip |
| Chamomile | Radish |
| Celery | Kale |
| Beans | Cabbage |
| Garlic | Arugula |
| Mint | Cauliflower |
| Nasturtiums | Broccoli |
| Dill |
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 bok choy?
The following plants have positive effects on the growth of your bok choy. 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 bok choy.
Carrot
Carrots thrives in well-drained, loose soil enriched with organic matter. Adequate moisture and sunlight support robust root growth and vibrant foliage. Carrots offer general benefits to neighboring plants by improving soil structure with their deep taproots, enhancing soil aeration, and creating pathways for water and nutrients to reach other plant roots.
Carrots and bok choy make a great team underground and above! Carrots grow deep, loosening up the soil and making it easier for bok choy roots to spread out. Since they pull nutrients from different levels, they don’t compete, keeping both plants happy. Plus, carrots don’t shade bok choy, so it gets all the sunlight it needs to grow those big, crisp leaves.
Chamomile
Chamomile thrives in diverse growing conditions. Flourishing in well-drained, loamy soil under gentle sunlight, it embodies adaptability and calmness. Consistent moisture and occasional pruning support lush growth and abundant flowering. Chamomile offers general benefits to neighboring plants by attracting beneficial insects, such as pollinators, and enhancing overall biodiversity.
Chamomile isn’t just a soothing tea herb—it’s a powerhouse in the garden! It attracts helpful insects like hoverflies and ladybugs that snack on aphids, one of bok choy’s biggest pests. Chamomile also improves the flavor of nearby plants, making your bok choy even tastier. A little patch of chamomile near your greens keeps the garden lively and your plants healthier.
Celery
Celery flourishes in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil infused with organic matter. Consistent moisture and sunlight support robust growth and vibrant foliage. Celery contributes to the overall health of neighboring plants by improving soil structure, enhancing water retention, and fostering beneficial microbial activity. Belonging to the Apiaceae family, alongside esteemed companions like parsley and carrots, celery symbolizes the natural vitality and elegance found within the garden's embrace.
Celery and bok choy work well together because they like similar growing conditions—cool weather and plenty of moisture. Celery’s strong scent helps confuse pests that might otherwise target your bok choy. Since celery grows upright and bok choy spreads outward, they fit together nicely without crowding each other.
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 are a garden favorite because they fix nitrogen in the soil, giving bok choy a natural fertilizer boost. That means healthier leaves and faster growth. Plus, beans grow tall while bok choy stays low, so they don’t compete for space. It’s a win-win partnership!
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 natural pest repellent, and bok choy sure appreciates the protection! Its strong smell keeps away aphids, cabbage worms, and other critters that love munching on tender bok choy leaves. Planting garlic nearby means fewer bugs to worry about and a healthier harvest.
Mint
Mint thrives in various soil conditions. Flourishing in well-drained, moist soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.0. Partial shade and consistent moisture nurture its lush foliage and aromatic leaves. Mint provides invaluable benefits to neighboring plants by repelling pests, attracting beneficial insects, and promoting a sense of freshness in the garden.
Mint’s refreshing scent isn’t just nice for humans—it’s a natural bug deterrent! It keeps pests like flea beetles and aphids away from bok choy, so your leaves stay hole-free. Just be sure to keep mint contained, as it spreads quickly and can take over the garden if left unchecked.
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums thrive in various soil conditions. Flourishing in well-drained, moderately fertile soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.0. Full sunlight and consistent moisture nurture their vibrant flowers and trailing foliage. Nasturtiums offer invaluable benefits to neighboring plants by attracting pollinators, repelling pests, and adding a touch of vibrant color to garden landscapes.
Nasturtiums are the perfect decoy plant! Pests like aphids and flea beetles love them, which means they’ll leave your bok choy alone. Plus, nasturtiums bring in pollinators and make your garden look beautiful with their bright, cheerful flowers.
Dill
Dill thrives in various soil types. Flourishing in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil under the gentle caress of sunlight, it embodies adaptability and elegance. Consistent moisture and occasional pruning support lush growth and abundant foliage. Dill offers general benefits to neighboring plants by attracting beneficial insects and enhancing overall garden biodiversity.
Dill is like a magnet for helpful insects! It brings in ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies, all of which love to feast on aphids and other bok choy pests. Dill also has a light, airy structure that won’t crowd your bok choy, making it a great neighbor in the garden.
What are the enemy plants of bok choy?
Planting these plants next to bok choy 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 bok choy. Because of these negative effects, we don’t recomment growing the plants below next to your bok choy.
Turnip
Turnips, known for their nutritious roots and garden resilience, grow in loamy soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.5. Full sunlight and consistent moisture nurture their robust foliage and prolific root development. Turnips provide invaluable benefits to neighboring plants by improving soil structure, suppressing weed growth, and enriching the soil with nutrients.
Turnips and bok choy might seem like they’d get along, but they’re actually too much alike. Both are heavy feeders that pull the same nutrients from the soil, leaving each other struggling to grow their best. Plus, they attract the same pests, meaning double the trouble for your garden. It’s best to give them some space and plant them separately.
Radish
Radishes thrive in loose soil with a pH range between 5.5 and 7.0, they embody adaptability and zest. Full sunlight and consistent moisture nurture their rapid growth and vibrant foliage. Radishes provide invaluable benefits to neighboring plants by breaking up compacted soil, improving soil aeration, and suppressing pest populations.
Radishes grow fast and don’t take up much space, but they’re not great neighbors for bok choy. Since they belong to the same plant family, they share pests like flea beetles and cabbage worms. Planting them together just makes it easier for these bugs to spread. Keeping them apart helps protect your bok choy from unwanted munching.
Kale
Kale, known for its robust leaves and garden vigor, thrives in various soil conditions. Flourishing in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.5. Partial shade and consistent moisture nurture its vibrant foliage and sturdy stems. Kale provides invaluable benefits to neighboring plants by enriching the soil with nutrients, suppressing weeds, and attracting beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings.
Kale and bok choy both need plenty of nutrients, which can leave them weak and struggling to grow if they’re too close together. Plus, they attract the same pests, like aphids and caterpillars, which means more work for you to keep them healthy.
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.
Bok choy and cabbage are cousins, and like many family members, they don’t always make the best roommates. They’re both heavy feeders, competing for nutrients and space. Worse yet, they attract the same pests, making it easier for an infestation to spread. If you want healthy bok choy, it’s best to plant cabbage elsewhere.
Arugula
Arugula, known for its bold peppery flavor and delicate leaves, unveils a hidden dimension as a key player in companion gardening. Thriving in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH range of 6 to 6.8, arugula exhibits a preference for cool weather, making it ideal for early spring and fall plantings. Rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, this resilient green thrives with moderate watering and benefits from occasional fertilization, enriching both garden palates and landscapes.
Arugula and bok choy have similar growing needs, but they also have similar enemies. Both plants attract flea beetles and aphids, and when grown together, they create an all-you-can-eat buffet for these pests. Giving them some distance can help keep your bok choy safer and healthier.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower thrives in various soil conditions. Flourishing in well-drained, fertile soil enriched with organic matter. Adequate moisture and sunlight support vigorous growth and abundant curds. Cauliflower extends benefits to neighboring plants by enhancing soil health, promoting microbial activity, and optimizing nutrient availability. Belonging to the Brassicaceae family, alongside esteemed companions like broccoli and Brussels sprouts, cauliflower epitomizes the lush abundance and natural charm found within the garden's bounty.
Cauliflower takes up a lot of space, and bok choy doesn’t like being crowded. On top of that, they both pull a lot of the same nutrients from the soil, which can slow down growth. They also share common pests like cabbage worms, meaning more work to keep them bug-free. It’s better to plant cauliflower further away.
Broccoli
Broccoli flourishes in diverse growing conditions. Thriving in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter, it adapts to pH levels ranging from slightly acidic to neutral. Adequate moisture and sunlight support vigorous growth and abundant yields. Belonging to the Brassicaceae family, alongside esteemed companions like kale and cabbage, broccoli embodies the natural abundance and beauty found within the garden's embrace.
Bok choy and broccoli are too much alike to be good companions. They compete for nutrients, water, and space, leaving both plants struggling. Plus, they attract the same pests, like cabbage worms and aphids, which can quickly take over if they’re planted together. Keep them separate to give your bok choy a better chance to thrive.
