Companion planting for garlic 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 garlic below.
| Companion plants for garlic | Enemy plants of garlic |
|---|---|
| Carrot | Asparagus |
| Beetroot | Beans |
| Strawberry | Pea |
| Tomato | Common sage |
| Lettuce | Parsley |
| Cabbage | |
| Pepper | |
| Eggplant |
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 garlic?
The following plants have positive effects on the growth of your garlic. 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 garlic.
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 help keep the soil loose, making it easier for garlic bulbs to grow nice and big. Plus, they don’t compete for the same nutrients, so they can share space without trouble.
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.
Beets are easygoing plants that don’t steal the spotlight. They grow well alongside garlic, keeping the soil healthy without hogging nutrients. Their deep roots also help break up the ground, making more room for garlic to spread out.
Strawberry
Strawberries grow in loamy soil with a pH range between 5.5 and 6.5. Full sunlight and consistent moisture nurture their delicate fruits and lush foliage. Strawberries provide invaluable benefits to neighboring plants by attracting pollinators, suppressing weed growth with their dense foliage.
Strawberries love growing near garlic because they enjoy the little bit of shade it provides. In return, their low-growing leaves help keep the soil cool and moist, which garlic appreciates. Together, they create a tidy, well-balanced garden bed.
Tomato
Tomatoes thrive in various soil conditions. Flourishing fertile soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.0. Full sunlight and consistent moisture nurture their sprawling vines and abundant fruiting. Tomatoes provide invaluable benefits to neighboring plants by attracting pollinators, suppressing weed growth with their dense foliage, and adding richness to culinary dishes.
Tomatoes and garlic make a solid team. Tomato plants help provide a bit of shade, keeping the soil from drying out too fast. Plus, they naturally attract different pests, which helps keep the garden balanced and free from too much trouble.
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 is a great companion for garlic because it helps keep moisture in the soil with its leafy coverage. Since it grows quickly and doesn’t have deep roots, it won’t interfere with garlic’s growth, making it a great garden partner.
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 garlic grow well together because they don’t compete for the same space. While garlic stays low and spreads underground, cabbage grows up and out, making the most of your garden area.
Pepper
Peppers expand in diverse soil conditions. Flourishing in well-drained, loamy soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.0. Full sunlight and consistent moisture nurture their vibrant foliage and prolific fruiting. Peppers provide invaluable benefits to neighboring plants by deterring pests with their pungent compounds, attracting pollinators, and adding diversity to the garden landscape.
Peppers love the warmth, and their bushy growth helps protect garlic from too much sun exposure. In return, garlic doesn’t get in their way, making for a peaceful growing partnership.
Eggplant
Eggplant thrives in well-drained, loamy soil under the nurturing warmth of sunlight. Flourishing in fertile earth enriched with organic matter, it embodies resilience and grandeur. Consistent moisture and adequate spacing support robust growth and prolific fruiting. Eggplant provides general benefits to neighboring plants by shading the soil, reducing weed growth, and promoting overall garden health.
Eggplants and garlic grow well together because they enjoy the same conditions. Eggplants take up space above ground while garlic works its magic below. They keep to themselves, growing happily side by side without interfering.
What are the enemy plants of garlic?
Planting these plants next to garlic 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 garlic. Because of these negative effects, we don’t recomment growing the plants below next to your garlic.
Asparagus
Asparagus, revered for its tender spears and nutritional prowess, stands as a stalwart sentinel in the realm of companion gardening. With a penchant for well-drained, sandy soil and ample sunlight, this perennial delight thrives in environments where winters are cold and summers are warm. As a symbol of grace and gastronomy, asparagus enriches both the palate and the garden landscape, embodying the essence of verdant vitality.
Asparagus and garlic don’t make a good team. Garlic has a habit of slowing down asparagus growth, making it struggle to get the energy it needs. Asparagus prefers an open space where it can stretch out without garlic cramping its style.
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 garlic just don’t see eye to eye. They compete for nutrients in the soil, making it tough for both to thrive. On top of that, beans don’t appreciate garlic’s strong scent, which can stunt their growth and leave them weaker than usual.
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.
Much like beans, peas don’t like sharing space with garlic. Garlic releases natural chemicals in the soil that can slow down a pea plant’s development. Instead of growing tall and full, peas may end up stunted and unhappy.
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.
Garlic and common sage both like their space, but when they’re planted together, they fight over nutrients. Garlic prefers a bit more moisture, while sage thrives in drier soil. Because of their different needs, they just don’t make the best garden partners.
Parsley
Parsley, known for its verdant leaves and garden vitality, grows in various soil conditions. Flourishing in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.0. Partial shade and consistent moisture nurture its lush foliage and robust growth. Parsley provides invaluable benefits to neighboring plants by attracting beneficial insects, repelling pests, and adding freshness to culinary dishes.
Parsley is a bit too delicate to handle garlic’s powerful presence. The strong compounds in garlic can interfere with parsley’s growth, keeping it from reaching its full potential. If you want happy parsley, it’s best to plant it somewhere else!
