Companion planting for cucumber 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 cucumber below.
| Companion plants for cucumber | Enemy plants of cucumber |
|---|---|
| Beans | Common sage |
| Beetroot | Rosemary |
| Corn | Broccoli |
| Onion | Cabbage |
| Pea | |
| Radish |
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 cucumber?
The following plants have positive effects on the growth of your cucumber. 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 cucumber.
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 fix nitrogen in the soil, giving cucumbers a natural boost to grow big and strong. Plus, their leafy vines help shade the ground, keeping the soil moist and cool—just the way cucumbers like it!
Beetroot
Beetroots, celebrated for their earthy sweetness and nutrient-rich composition, thrive amidst fertile soil and ample sunlight. They prefer well-drained earth with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0, ensuring optimal growth and development. Regular watering and loose soil encourage healthy root formation and vibrant foliage.
Beetroot is a quiet helper for cucumbers, growing deep in the soil without getting in their way. It doesn’t compete for space or nutrients, letting cucumbers spread out freely. Plus, beets help keep the soil loose, making it easier for cucumber roots to stretch and soak up water.
Corn
Corn thrives in rich, well-drained soil under the nurturing warmth of sunlight. Flourishing in fertile earth enriched with organic matter, it embodies resilience and vitality. Consistent moisture and adequate spacing support robust growth and prolific tasseling. Corn provides general benefits to neighboring plants by shading the soil, reducing weed growth, and promoting overall garden health.
Corn stands tall like a natural trellis, giving cucumber vines something to climb on. This keeps cucumbers off the ground, reducing rot and keeping them clean. Plus, corn provides a bit of shade during the hottest parts of the day, helping cucumbers stay cool and happy.
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 bring more than just flavor to the garden—they help keep pesky bugs away from cucumbers! Their strong scent confuses pests like aphids and cucumber beetles, making it harder for them to find and munch on your cucumber plants.
Pea
Peas thrive in diverse soil conditions. Flourishing in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.5, they embody adaptability and vigor. Full sunlight and consistent moisture nurture their lush foliage and prolific growth. Peas provide invaluable benefits to neighboring plants by fixing nitrogen in the soil, enhancing fertility, and promoting overall garden health.
Peas, like beans, fix nitrogen in the soil, feeding cucumbers the nutrients they need to grow fast and strong. They also don’t take up much space, leaving plenty of room for cucumber vines to sprawl or climb.
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 work like tiny garden protectors, keeping cucumber beetles and other pests at bay. They grow fast and don’t compete with cucumbers for space, making them an easy, low-maintenance companion. Plus, by the time cucumbers really start spreading, the radishes are ready to harvest!
What are the enemy plants of cucumber?
Planting these plants next to cucumber 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 cucumber. Because of these negative effects, we don’t recomment growing the plants below next to your cucumber.
Common sage
Common Sage grows in diverse soil conditions. Flourishing in well-drained, sandy or loamy soil. Full sunlight and moderate moisture nurture its aromatic foliage and sturdy growth. Common Sage provides invaluable benefits to neighboring plants by repelling pests, attracting beneficial insects, and adding culinary richness to the garden.
Common sage is a wonderful herb, but it just doesn’t get along with cucumbers. It likes dry, well-drained soil, while cucumbers thrive in moist, rich earth. Plus, sage can slow down cucumber growth by taking up nutrients that cucumbers need to stay strong and productive.
Rosemary
Rosemary flourishes in well-drained, sandy soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.0. Full sunlight and moderate moisture nurture its aromatic foliage and robust growth. Rosemary provides invaluable benefits to neighboring plants by repelling pests, attracting beneficial insects, and enhancing overall garden biodiversity.
Rosemary is tough, hardy, and loves dry conditions—basically the complete opposite of cucumbers! Cucumbers need plenty of water to grow juicy and crisp, but rosemary prefers things on the drier side. Planting them together can leave cucumbers struggling to get the moisture they need.
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.
Broccoli is a heavy feeder, pulling lots of nutrients from the soil—nutrients that cucumbers need, too! If they’re planted together, they’ll end up competing for food, and neither will grow as well as they should. Plus, broccoli likes cool weather, while cucumbers love the heat, making them an awkward match.
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 cucumbers just don’t see eye to eye in the garden. Like broccoli, cabbage is a nutrient hog, soaking up all the good stuff in the soil before cucumbers can get their fair share. It also attracts pests that might decide to snack on your cucumber plants, making things even trickier.
