Companion planting is a time-honored gardening practice that involves cultivating different plants together to improve growth, deter pests, and enhance overall garden health. When it comes to growing strawberries, selecting the right companion plants can have a significant impact on yield and quality. By strategically planting compatible species, gardeners can create a diverse ecosystem that promotes biodiversity and supports the health of their strawberry crop. Here, we explore a variety of companion plants that pair well with strawberries, each bringing unique benefits to the garden.
Strawberry Companion Plants
1. Lettuce
Lettuce is an ideal companion plant for strawberries, offering multiple advantages to both crops. Its shallow root system and compact growth habit make it compatible with strawberries, providing natural mulching and weed suppression. Lettuce’s foliage shades the soil, reducing moisture loss and helping to maintain consistent soil moisture levels, which is beneficial for strawberries, particularly those with shallow roots. Additionally, lettuce can attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings, which prey on common strawberry pests such as aphids and spider mites.
2. Alliums
Alliums, which include onions, garlic, and chives, are excellent companions for strawberries due to their pest-repelling properties. These aromatic plants emit compounds that deter a wide range of pests, including aphids, nematodes, and slugs, helping to protect strawberries from damage. Furthermore, alliums can improve soil health by suppressing soil-borne pests and diseases, such as root rot and fungal infections. Planting alliums around strawberry beds can create a natural barrier against pests while adding flavor to both crops.
3. Spinach
Spinach is a cool-season vegetable that pairs well with strawberries, especially when planted as a spring or fall crop. As a companion plant, spinach provides several benefits, including weed suppression, moisture retention, and nutrient enrichment. Its dense foliage shades the soil, reducing weed growth and the need for manual weeding. Additionally, spinach’s shallow root system helps prevent soil erosion and compaction, benefiting the delicate roots of strawberries. Moreover, spinach is rich in essential nutrients like potassium and magnesium, which can enhance strawberry growth and fruit development.
4. Asparagus
Asparagus is a perennial vegetable that can serve as a beneficial companion to strawberries, particularly in a perennial garden setting. Asparagus plants have deep roots that help break up compacted soil and improve soil structure, benefiting the overall health of strawberries. Additionally, asparagus ferns provide natural shade, which can help regulate soil temperature and conserve moisture, creating a more favorable environment for strawberry plants. However, it’s essential to provide adequate spacing between asparagus and strawberries to prevent competition for nutrients and space.
5. Dill
Dill is an aromatic herb that can make an excellent companion for strawberries, attracting beneficial insects and repelling common pests. Its feathery foliage and delicate flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, which can improve strawberry pollination and fruit set. Additionally, dill’s strong scent can help deter pests such as aphids, spider mites, and cabbage loopers, protecting strawberries from damage. Planting dill near strawberries can create a harmonious ecosystem that supports pollination and pest control while adding culinary diversity to the garden.
6. Sage
Sage is a perennial herb with aromatic leaves that can benefit strawberries when planted nearby. Its strong scent helps repel pests like cabbage moths, carrot flies, and flea beetles, reducing the likelihood of damage to strawberry plants. Additionally, sage attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps, which prey on common strawberry pests such as aphids and caterpillars. Planting sage around strawberry beds can create a protective barrier against pests while adding ornamental value to the garden with its attractive foliage and flowers.
7. Borage
Borage is a versatile herb that can serve as an excellent companion plant for strawberries, providing multiple benefits to the garden. Its bright blue flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing strawberry pollination and fruit production. Additionally, borage’s cucumber-flavored leaves contain compounds that deter pests like tomato hornworms, cabbage worms, and squash bugs, protecting strawberries from damage. Planting borage near strawberries can improve overall garden health by attracting beneficial insects and repelling common pests, leading to healthier strawberry plants and higher yields.
8. Thyme
Thyme is a low-growing herb with aromatic leaves that can enhance the growth and flavor of strawberries when planted as a companion. Its creeping habit makes it an excellent ground cover, suppressing weeds and conserving soil moisture around strawberry plants. Additionally, thyme emits oils that repel pests like whiteflies, cabbage loopers, and spider mites, reducing the risk of infestations in the strawberry patch. Planting thyme near strawberries can create a protective barrier against pests while adding culinary value to the garden with its flavorful leaves.
9. Catnip
Catnip is a member of the mint family known for its aromatic leaves and attractive flowers, making it a beneficial companion for strawberries. Its strong scent helps repel pests like aphids, flea beetles, and ants, protecting strawberries from damage. Additionally, catnip attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and parasitic wasps, which prey on common strawberry pests such as aphids and caterpillars. Planting catnip near strawberries can create a biodiverse ecosystem that supports natural pest control while providing a source of entertainment for feline friends.
10. Yarrow
Yarrow is a perennial herb with feathery foliage and clusters of flowers that attract beneficial insects to the garden. Its aromatic leaves contain compounds that repel pests like aphids, flea beetles, and cucumber beetles, protecting strawberries from damage. Additionally, yarrow’s flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing strawberry pollination and fruit set. Planting yarrow near strawberries can improve overall garden health by attracting beneficial insects and repelling common pests, leading to healthier strawberry plants and higher yields.
11. Marigolds
Marigolds are colorful annual flowers that can serve as valuable companion plants for strawberries, providing multiple benefits to the garden. Their strong scent deters pests like aphids, nematodes, and whiteflies, helping to protect strawberries from damage. Additionally, marigolds attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and hoverflies, which prey on common strawberry pests such as aphids and spider mites. Planting marigolds around strawberry beds can create a protective barrier against pests while adding ornamental value to the garden with their vibrant blooms.
12. Legumes
Legumes, such as peas and beans, are nitrogen-fixing plants that can improve soil fertility and benefit strawberries when planted together. These plants form a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil, allowing them to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that can be used by plants. As legumes grow, they enrich the soil with nitrogen, which is essential for healthy strawberry growth and fruit development. Additionally, legumes provide natural trellising for vining strawberry varieties, reducing the need for additional support structures in the garden.
13. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are colorful flowers with edible leaves and flowers that can serve as valuable companion plants for strawberries. Their trailing habit makes them an excellent ground cover, suppressing weeds and conserving soil moisture around strawberry plants. Additionally, nasturtiums attract beneficial insects like hoverflies and ladybugs, which prey on common strawberry pests such as aph
ids and spider mites. Planting nasturtiums near strawberries can create a biodiverse ecosystem that supports natural pest control while adding beauty and culinary diversity to the garden.
14. Cilantro
Cilantro is an aromatic herb with flavorful leaves and seeds that can enhance the growth and flavor of strawberries when planted nearby. Its feathery foliage attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps, which prey on common strawberry pests such as aphids and caterpillars. Additionally, cilantro’s strong scent can help repel pests like spider mites and aphids, reducing the risk of infestations in the strawberry patch. Planting cilantro near strawberries can create a biodiverse ecosystem that supports natural pest control while adding culinary value to the garden with its fresh leaves and seeds.
15. Beans
Beans are nitrogen-fixing plants that can improve soil fertility and benefit strawberries when planted together. Their deep roots help break up compacted soil and improve soil structure, benefiting the overall health of strawberries. Additionally, beans enrich the soil with nitrogen, which is essential for healthy strawberry growth and fruit development. Planting beans near strawberries can create a mutually beneficial relationship that improves soil fertility, reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, and enhances overall garden health.
16. Basil
Basil is an aromatic herb with flavorful leaves that can enhance the growth and flavor of strawberries when planted nearby. Its strong scent can help repel pests like aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies, reducing the risk of infestations in the strawberry patch. Additionally, basil attracts beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, which can improve strawberry pollination and fruit set. Planting basil near strawberries can create a biodiverse ecosystem that supports natural pest control while adding culinary value to the garden with its aromatic leaves.
17. Radish
Radishes are fast-growing vegetables that can serve as beneficial companion plants for strawberries, providing multiple benefits to the garden. Their dense foliage shades the soil, reducing weed growth and the need for manual weeding around strawberry plants. Additionally, radishes help break up compacted soil with their deep roots, improving soil structure and aeration. Planting radishes near strawberries can create a biodiverse ecosystem that supports healthy soil and enhances overall garden health, leading to higher yields of strawberries.
18. Carrots
Carrots are root vegetables that can serve as valuable companion plants for strawberries, providing multiple benefits to the garden. Their deep roots help break up compacted soil and improve soil structure, benefiting the overall health of strawberries. Additionally, carrots attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings, which prey on common strawberry pests such as aphids and spider mites. Planting carrots near strawberries can create a biodiverse ecosystem that supports natural pest control while providing a complementary crop for harvest.
19. Beets
Beets are root vegetables that can serve as beneficial companion plants for strawberries, offering multiple advantages to both crops. Their deep roots help break up compacted soil and improve soil structure, benefiting the overall health of strawberries. Additionally, beets attract beneficial insects like ground beetles and parasitic wasps, which prey on common strawberry pests such as aphids and caterpillars. Planting beets near strawberries can create a biodiverse ecosystem that supports natural pest control while providing a complementary crop for harvest.
