_edited.png)
Container gardening is great for enjoying the beauty of plants without committing to a large garden. With container gardening, you can create your mini-oasis in small spaces or balconies and get all the benefits of more extensive gardens - vibrant colors, delicious scents, and fresh produce.
But with container gardening comes an added responsibility: choosing companion plants that work well together in limited space. If done correctly, companion planting can maximize yield and minimize problems like pests and disease.
This Container Garden Companion Planting Guide provides vital tips on choosing compatible plants for your containers so you can reap the rewards!
Basil & Tomato
Basil and tomato can be grown together in containers by companion planting. Tomatoes provide shade for the basil, while basil repels some insects that might otherwise damage tomatoes.
The two plants also benefit each other through nutrient exchange, as tomatoes improve soil fertility while basil adds nitrogen that tomatoes need. Finally, growing both herbs in the same container keeps them nearby and makes it easier to harvest them simultaneously. And who doesn’t want to eat basil and tomatoes together?
Lettuce & Chives
Lettuce and chives make a great combo for container gardening through companion planting. By growing them together, you can protect lettuce from pests with the scent of chives while attracting helpful insects.
Radish & Nasturtium
Radish and nasturtium can grow well together in containers by companion planting. Radishes are a fast-growing root crop, while nasturtiums are an attractive flowering vine.
When planted together, the radishes provide a shady cover for the slower-growing nasturtiums, helping them to thrive.
The nasturtiums help keep pests away from the radishes as well. Additionally, their complementary colors create a beautiful display in any container garden.
Leeks & Carrots
Leeks and carrots grow well together in containers by companion planting because their root systems are similar and will not compete for nutrients.
Carrots provide a natural shade for leeks that keep them from getting too hot in direct sunlight. The leeks will also attract beneficial insects like hoverflies, who feed on aphids that may target your carrot crop.
Marigold & Cucumber
Marigolds and cucumbers can grow well together in containers by companion planting. Marigolds deter pests such as aphids, which may otherwise attack the cucumbers.
The pungent smell of the marigolds may also help repel some insects that attack cucumbers. Marigolds are also known to attract beneficial insects, such as bees and butterflies, which help pollinate the cucumbers.
The cucumbers provide a taller structure for the marigold to grow against, giving it extra support and allowing it to get enough light. Planting them together in a container helps contain their growth and makes it easier to manage water and soil levels for optimal development of both plants.
Leafy Greens & Onions
Companion planting in containers is a great way to maximize the space for growing leafy greens and onions. When companion planting in containers, selecting plants with similar needs in terms of soil type, water, and light is essential. Leafy greens need plenty of sun and regular watering, while onions are more tolerant of less sun and dryer conditions.
Planting them together can help take advantage of their differences—the leafy greens will shade the onions in hot temperatures. In contrast, the onions will help deter pests from attacking the leafy greens. Furthermore, because they both require regular harvesting, it makes sense to group them as much as possible, facilitated by companion planting in containers.
Garlic & Beets
Garlic contains many beneficial minerals and nutrients that are essential for beet growth. These include sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus, manganese, and potassium.
Garlic also helps to improve the level of soil drainage and aeration around beets. Additionally, garlic deters pest infestations, which can damage or stunt the growth of beets.
Finally, garlic improves the soil’s fertility by providing additional organic matter that helps to increase the availability of necessary minerals and nutrients for plant growth.
Companion planting in containers is an effective way to maximize the space for growing multiple crops. When selecting plants, it’s essential to consider their needs, such as soil type, water, and light requirements.
Finally, several plant combinations can provide additional benefits such as improved soil fertility, increased levels of organic matter, and greater insect diversity.
In summary, companion planting in containers is a great way to optimize the space and resources available for successful gardening!
