# Companion Planting for Potatoes: Best Must-Have Guide

- Link: https://lifeandwork.blog/companion-planting-for-potatoes/
- Published: 2026-10-24T02:38:53-05:00
- Author: Bert Swope

There are numerous vegetables, herbs and flowers that pair perfectly with [potatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/a-brief-history-of-potatoes/)
to provide improved growing conditions and deter [pests](https://lifeandwork.blog/managing-pests-and-diseases-in-your-potato-garden/)
while simultaneously attracting beneficial insects.

Interplanting mimics nature and provides both gardeners and crops with benefits.
Some vegetables that make great partners for [potatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/a-brief-history-of-potatoes/)
include corn, marigolds, onions and beans.

## Marigolds

Marigolds make ideal companions for [potatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/a-brief-history-of-potatoes/),
both encouraging growth and deterring [pests](https://lifeandwork.blog/managing-pests-and-diseases-in-your-potato-garden/).
Marigold flowers emit a strong fragrance that naturally repels insects while simultaneously
producing antifungal compounds. French and African marigolds (Tagetes patula and
Tagetes erecta, respectively) are two varieties widely found: one grows to 6-12 
inches tall while producing single or double blooms that display orange, yellow,
and red shades; while their African counterpart has larger pom-pom-shaped blooms
reaching up to 10 inches high!

Marigold blooms provide a long-term source of pollinating insects throughout the
season, particularly bees; but other beneficial insects could also benefit.

Marigolds not only repel aphids, they can also prevent the buildup of nematode populations
in soil thanks to their phenolic compounds which reduce root-knot nematodes’ effectiveness;
studies have also demonstrated their efficiency at decreasing these numbers when
grown alongside tomatoes.

These attractive, easy-to-[grow](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-easiest-way-to-grow-garden-potatoes/)
plants make the perfect addition to most garden settings, from vegetable gardens
and flower beds to [containers](https://lifeandwork.blog/growing-potatoes-in-small-spaces/).
Their versatile nature means that they can fit seamlessly into a variety of planting
schemes–naturalistically or wild profusion–in veggie planting schemes or as borders
around or edge vegetables and fruit. Preferring bright, warm weather with free-draining
soil conditions; water regularly during dry spells while applying high-potash liquid
fertilizer throughout summer to encourage continuous flowering.

## Peppers

Many plants, both herbs and vegetables, make great companions for [potatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/a-brief-history-of-potatoes/).
From those designed to improve soil conditions to those which repel [pests](https://lifeandwork.blog/managing-pests-and-diseases-in-your-potato-garden/)
sacrificially luring or trapping them – other vegetables and herbs can help your
harvest succeed to its maximum.

Marigolds and nasturtiums make excellent companion flowers for [potatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/a-brief-history-of-potatoes/).
Both species act to deter aphids – an insect pest which can damage [potatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/a-brief-history-of-potatoes/)–
as well as act as “trap crops,” drawing [pests](https://lifeandwork.blog/managing-pests-and-diseases-in-your-potato-garden/)
away from primary crops by drawing them over to them instead. Furthermore, their
spicy pepper-like fragrance acts as an additional repellent against [pests](https://lifeandwork.blog/managing-pests-and-diseases-in-your-potato-garden/).

Green beans and peas make ideal companion plants for [potatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/a-brief-history-of-potatoes/).
As legumes, these legumes help provide essential nitrogen-rich soil nutrients while
simultaneously helping prevent weeds from taking hold in the surrounding area.

Onions and other members of the allium family make excellent companions for [potatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/a-brief-history-of-potatoes/)
because they naturally repel [pests](https://lifeandwork.blog/managing-pests-and-diseases-in-your-potato-garden/)
such as aphids, slugs and cabbage worms that could potentially harm your plants.
Plus they produce strong scents to deter these garden [pests](https://lifeandwork.blog/managing-pests-and-diseases-in-your-potato-garden/)
during the growing season.

Radishes, spinach, borage and buckwheat can also make excellent companions for [potatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/a-brief-history-of-potatoes/).
Borage provides extra nutrient rich cover crops which help break up compaction layers
in the soil; additionally buckwheat has been said to boost yields by decreasing 
fertilizer usage.

## Onions

Growing onions alongside [potatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/a-brief-history-of-potatoes/)
makes an excellent combination for growth promotion and pest deterrence. Onions 
contain natural plant hormones which encourage [potato](https://wordpress.com/page/lifeandwork.blog/34122)
plants to form dense clumps of leaves which improve harvestability and disease resistance.
Horseradish also makes an ideal partner as its spicy flavors deter [pests](https://lifeandwork.blog/managing-pests-and-diseases-in-your-potato-garden/)
that damage tubers while its oil compounds loosen soil for improved disease resistance.

Chives make an ideal accompaniment for [potatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/a-brief-history-of-potatoes/)
as their fragrant flowers attract pollinating insects such as hoverflies and bees,
helping reduce the need for chemical insecticides. Plus, growing from seed is easy
and often available from garden centers near you!

Cilantro is another herb that enhances the flavor and nutritional content of [potatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/a-brief-history-of-potatoes/),
while simultaneously repelling [pests](https://lifeandwork.blog/managing-pests-and-diseases-in-your-potato-garden/)
like aphids and flea beetles while aiding seed germination.

[Potatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/a-brief-history-of-potatoes/) go well with other
vegetables such as beans (of all types), corn, radishes and leafy greens; they all
release nitrogen into the soil, helping improve crop quality and yield. Their shallow
roots don’t compete for space or nutrients with [potatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/a-brief-history-of-potatoes/)
either – however you should avoid planting [potatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/a-brief-history-of-potatoes/)
alongside brassica family vegetables like cabbage, kale or cauliflower as these 
crops have deep-root systems which could overtake [potato](https://wordpress.com/page/lifeandwork.blog/34122)
plants, depriving them of vital moisture and nutrients they require for healthy 
growth.

## Buckwheat

Buckwheat makes an ideal companion crop for [potatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/a-brief-history-of-potatoes/)
due to its rapid growth rate that out-competes most weeds and white flower clusters,
which attract beneficial insects. According to research underway at the University
of Kentucky, it may also attract parasitic flys that kill stink bugs! Furthermore,
buckwheat helps improve soil quality by extracting insoluble phosphorous from soil;
adding it as a cover crop provides nutrients directly into garden beds.

Buckwheat has long been revered as an excellent food crop due to its nutritional
benefits, dating back to its cultivation during the 17th century. Buckwheat contains
numerous phytochemicals including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and the glucosinolates
buckwheatin and d-fagopyritols which may provide antiviral, antibacterial and antioxidant
benefits – and may even benefit people suffering from celiac disease by being gluten-
free.

Buckwheat is often planted as a spring cover crop to provide quick coverage and 
aid weed control, but can also be planted any time of year as a nurse crop for winter
hardy legumes that take longer to establish themselves (such as late-fall plantings
of winter hardy veggies). Buckwheat prefers light to medium soils that drain well
but don’t do well on sandy or high-limestone sites. While frost-tolerant, it cannot
withstand intense afternoon heat but typically recovers when night falls comes around
again.

## Borage

Borage (Borago officinalis) flowers offer a subtle cucumber taste and add a colorful
pop to vegetable gardens. Additionally, their bright blue blooms are edible – perfect
as garnish for salads and drinks or frozen in ice cubes and dropped into summer 
drinks for an icy cool treat or candied as cake decorations! Refrigerated leaves
can last several days when covered in damp kitchen paper before being consumed fresh
for maximum taste!

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is another low-growing herb that is an ideal potato
companion. Its umbrella-shaped blooms attract many beneficial insects that help 
control [pests](https://lifeandwork.blog/managing-pests-and-diseases-in-your-potato-garden/)
while its deep roots act as dynamic accumulators, absorbing minerals from the soil
profile and making them available to [potatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/a-brief-history-of-potatoes/).

Sage and chives make excellent companions for [potatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/a-brief-history-of-potatoes/),
as their essential oils repel [pests](https://lifeandwork.blog/managing-pests-and-diseases-in-your-potato-garden/)
while drawing in beneficial insects. Furthermore, both can deter root knot nematodes–
which pose serious threats to homegrown produce.

## Petunias

Petunia flowers use their strong fragrance to disorient aphids and other insects
that feed on [potatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/a-brief-history-of-potatoes/), 
while also improving soil conditions and adding vibrant blooms to any garden. Sweet
Alyssum, another low-growing perennial that attracts beneficial insects that repel
[pests](https://lifeandwork.blog/managing-pests-and-diseases-in-your-potato-garden/)
like aphids and flea beetles is another easy-to-[grow](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-easiest-way-to-grow-garden-potatoes/)
flower that pairs nicely with [potatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/a-brief-history-of-potatoes/)
plants.

Leafy greens like spinach and lettuce make great companion plants for [potatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/a-brief-history-of-potatoes/)
as their shallow roots won’t compete for space or nutrients with those needed by
[potatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/a-brief-history-of-potatoes/). Plus, due to 
being quick-growing varieties they can easily be planted between rows of [potato](https://wordpress.com/page/lifeandwork.blog/34122)
hills for efficiency in gardening space and time.

Vegetables from the cabbage family such as kale and collard greens make ideal companion
plants for [potatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/a-brief-history-of-potatoes/), as
their needs overlap and they [grow](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-easiest-way-to-grow-garden-potatoes/)
quickly to shade out any weeds that appear. Furthermore, these cruciferous veggies
help lock in soil moisture retention – making them the ideal accompaniments.

Beans and other legumes make ideal companion plants for [potatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/a-brief-history-of-potatoes/)
because their nitrogen-releasing foliage improves crop yields while feeding Rhizobium
bacteria necessary for plant health. Furthermore, legumes deter Mexican bean beetles
which may pose problems to specific [potato](https://wordpress.com/page/lifeandwork.blog/34122)
varieties.

Tomatoes, peppers and any other nightshade family crops should not be grown near
[potatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/a-brief-history-of-potatoes/) as these will 
compete for space, light and nutrients. Furthermore, any plants that produce large
quantities of nitrates, like fennel for instance, will produce additional competition
for space, light and nutrients.

What to plant WITH potatoes and what to AVOID planting with potatoes. Companion 
planting

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