Geraniums are a staple in many gardens, thanks to their beautiful blooms and hardy nature.
However, not all plants play well with geraniums.
As your expert gardener, I’m here to save your geraniums from any bad influences.
Let’s take a look at 11 plants that you should keep away from your geraniums to ensure their happiness and health.
1. Cabbage
Though cabbage is a tasty vegetable, it’s a poor companion for geraniums.
Cabbage attracts pests like cabbage worms and whiteflies that may also attack your geraniums.
Both plants have different water and sunlight needs, making it difficult to create a harmonious environment for them.
Moreover, cabbage can take up a lot of space in your garden, potentially overshadowing your geraniums and limiting their access to light.
Keep your geraniums and cabbage separate to maintain a balanced and pest-free garden.
2. Grapes
Grapes may be perfect for wine lovers, but they don’t mix well with geraniums.
Grapevines have extensive root systems that can compete with geraniums for nutrients and water.
Grapes and geraniums also have different sunlight requirements, which makes finding the perfect spot for both plants challenging.
Furthermore, grapevines can grow quite large and may crowd out your geraniums, making it difficult for them to thrive.
Let your geraniums enjoy their space, and find another area for your grapevines.
3. Potatoes
Potatoes, while delicious, are not suitable companions for geraniums.
They attract pests like potato beetles, which can also infest and damage geraniums.
Additionally, potatoes and geraniums have different soil and watering requirements, making it hard to grow them together successfully.
Potatoes also require a lot of nutrients, which could result in your geraniums missing out on the essential elements they need for optimal growth.
Give your geraniums some breathing room and plant your potatoes elsewhere.
4. Fennel
While fennel may be a flavorful addition to your dishes, it doesn’t play well with geraniums.
Fennel is allelopathic, which means it releases compounds that can inhibit the growth of other plants, including geraniums.
Plus, fennel can attract pests like aphids and whiteflies, which can then migrate over to your geraniums, causing potential damage.
Fennel’s tall growth can also create too much shade for your sun-loving geraniums, hindering their growth and bloom production.
It’s best to keep these two plants far apart in your garden to avoid any issues.
5. Strawberries
While strawberries are a delicious garden treat, they’re not a good match for geraniums.
Both plants have different water and sunlight requirements, which can create an imbalance in their growth when planted close together.
Strawberries also prefer a slightly acidic soil, whereas geraniums thrive in a more neutral environment.
The contrasting needs of these two plants can make it difficult to maintain a happy and healthy garden bed.
6. Tomatoes
Tomatoes and geraniums don’t make great companions for several reasons.
First, tomatoes can attract pests like whiteflies, which can also infest your geraniums and cause damage.
Additionally, tomatoes are heavy feeders, meaning they require a lot of nutrients from the soil, which can deprive your geraniums of the nourishment they need to thrive.
Lastly, the large size of tomato plants can create too much shade for your geraniums, limiting their sunlight exposure and negatively impacting their growth.
For a more harmonious garden, keep these two plants separate.
7. Onions
Although onions are a versatile and tasty vegetable, they are not ideal companions for geraniums.
Onions can attract pests like onion flies and thrips, which may also find their way to your geraniums and cause damage.
Moreover, onions and geraniums have different water and soil requirements, making it challenging to cater to both plants’ needs when grown close together.
The strong smell of onions can also overpower the pleasant fragrance of your geraniums, reducing the overall appeal of your garden.
It’s best to plant onions in a separate area of your garden to avoid these issues.
8. Peppers
Peppers, while a spicy addition to your garden, are not the best neighbors for geraniums.
Pepper plants can attract pests like aphids and whiteflies that can also infest geraniums.
Furthermore, peppers and geraniums have different watering needs, which can make it difficult to maintain the ideal conditions for both plants when grown together.
Peppers can also grow quite tall, potentially shading your geraniums and limiting their access to sunlight.
For the well-being of both plants, keep peppers and geraniums apart in your garden.
9. Walnut trees
Walnut trees are known for their allelopathic properties, which can spell trouble for geraniums.
The roots of walnut trees release a compound called juglone, which can inhibit the growth of other plants, including geraniums.
Additionally, walnut trees can create dense shade, preventing your geraniums from getting the sunlight they need to flourish.
To protect your geraniums, it’s best to plant them far away from any walnut trees.
11. Zucchini
Zucchini plants are not good companions for geraniums due to their contrasting needs and potential pest issues.
Zucchinis can attract pests like squash bugs, which may also cause harm to your geraniums.
These plants also have different watering requirements, making it difficult to keep both geraniums and zucchinis happy when grown close together.
Lastly, zucchini plants can grow quite large, taking up valuable space in your garden and potentially shading your geraniums.
Keep zucchini and geraniums separate for a more balanced garden environment.
12. Corn
Corn may be a summer staple, but it’s not a suitable companion for geraniums.
Corn plants can attract pests like corn borers and earworms that could potentially harm your geraniums.
Furthermore, corn is a heavy feeder, requiring a lot of nutrients, which can leave your geraniums struggling to get the nourishment they need.
The tall growth of corn plants can also cast shade over your geraniums, reducing their sunlight exposure and negatively affecting their growth.
To maintain a happy and healthy garden, keep corn and geraniums planted separately.
Final Thoughts
While geraniums are quite resilient, it’s crucial to be mindful of the plants you grow around them.
By avoiding these 11 bad companion plants, you’ll help your geraniums thrive, creating a more harmonious and vibrant garden.
Happy gardening!