Companion planting is one of the best ways to ensure that all your crops grow their best. This approach involves placing plants near other specific ones that can help each other. By doing this technique, it coordinates the traits of each plant to ensure that it’s beneficial to one another. Read on to find out more about which plants make great growing buddies for garlic, as well as which ones you may want to pair with something else.

Best Companions for Garlic

These five plants are some of the best to pair with garlic.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes can suffer from spider mites, which are common and can occur for many reasons, including drought and heat. These pests can cause quite a bit of damage to a crop. But, by planting garlic nearby, such as in two rows on either side of a row of tomatoes, can help keep pests, including spider mites, away.

Roses

Not everyone would think of roses when it comes to planting garlic, but they actually go quite well together in a garden. The garlic’s odor is sulphuric, which helps repel aphids. In fact, almost any of the allium bulb family should be able to help deter bugs. Some people also say that roses smell better when planted near garlic.

Lettuce

Again, garlic comes to the rescue in regards to the aphids and moths that may infect your lettuce plants. In this case, garlic can grow in between the heads of lettuce, making sure not to crowd either of the plants. Lettuce is a good choice as well since it is grown above ground. With garlic’s longer roots and bulbs that grow beneath the soil. It is a good way to ensure you are making the most out of your soil.

Cabbage

The list of pests that can harm your cabbage is quite long. Everything from cabbage loopers, cabbage worms, as well as a variety of moths might look to find a home in your vegetables. Protect your leaves by pairing it with garlic planted nearby.

Celery

Garlic, as well as onions, shallots, and similar, can help create sweeter celery stalks. As well as keeping aphids away, similar to what we saw in tomatoes. Garlic still needs its own space though, so make sure not to crowd either of them!

Worst Companions for Garlic

The following five are plants that do not do well when companion planted with garlic.

Peas

Peas have short roots and don’t do well planted with garlic. They do well next to carrots or beans instead. Garlic may inhibit the growth of your peas.

Beans

Like peas, we would suggest not choosing garlic as a companion plant for beans. Garlic may stop your beans from reaching their full harvesting potential.

Parsley

Again, garlic tends to stunt the growth of these plants. Although, parsley and asparagus can do well together if you are looking for another option.

Sage

Sage is quite fragrant on its own and doesn’t pair well with garlic in a garden. Though, as another suggestion, the herbs sage and parsley can be paired together.

Asparagus

Asparagus does not like garlic, and again, tends to do better when paired with other plants. You could try growing it near tomatoes to help with beetle infestations.

The Best and Worst Companions

There are many plants that pair well with garlic, especially if you are looking for a natural insect repellent. Companion planting can be especially useful if you are having trouble with pests, and are looking to move away from using chemicals in your garden, or are exploring more natural alternatives.

Garlic needs a moderate amount of nutrients in the soil, so in most cases it can grow near other plants in your garden and still allow both to flourish. Though, as we’ve listed here, there are a few plants that do not do well near garlic. But keep in mind that many of these “bad” companion plants for garlic can still be paired with other fruits and vegetables, which will help you get the most out of your garden.