Garlic is a must-have in any home garden, thanks to its versatility in the kitchen and the numerous health benefits it offers.
But to grow the most robust, flavorful garlic, it’s essential to have the right companion plants.
In this article, we’ll reveal 15 of the best companion plants to help your garlic grow strong and healthy.
Get ready to take your garlic game to a whole new level with these terrific companions!
1. Tomatoes
Tomatoes and garlic are like the dynamic duo of the garden world.
Garlic can help repel pests such as spider mites, aphids, and whiteflies that may bother your tomato plants.
In return, tomatoes help to repel red spider mites, which can harm garlic plants.
Not only will you enjoy healthier plants, but these two also pair exceptionally well in the kitchen – think pasta sauce or bruschetta!
2. Carrots
Carrots make an excellent companion for garlic because they help break up the soil, making it easier for garlic bulbs to expand as they grow.
Garlic can deter carrot rust flies and other pests, protecting your carrot crop from damage.
In return, carrots can help deter onion flies, which are harmful to garlic.
Together, they create a mutually beneficial environment for each other to thrive.
3. Lettuce
Lettuce is another fantastic companion for garlic.
The shallow root system of lettuce doesn’t compete with garlic’s deeper roots, allowing both plants to access nutrients and water without conflict.
Moreover, lettuce grows quickly, providing ground cover to help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
In addition, the strong smell of garlic can deter pests like aphids, which are attracted to lettuce.
4. Beets
Beets and garlic are great companions because they have complementary growth patterns and nutrient needs.
Beets are heavy feeders that take up a lot of nutrients from the soil, while garlic has a lower nutrient requirement.
Garlic can help deter pests like cabbage worms and onion flies that might attack beet plants.
Growing them together promotes healthier plants and a more efficient use of garden space.
5. Spinach
Spinach makes an excellent companion for garlic because it has a shallow root system, meaning it won’t compete with garlic for water and nutrients.
Spinach also grows quickly, providing ground cover that helps suppress weeds and retain soil moisture.
Garlic’s strong scent can deter pests like leafminers that are attracted to spinach plants.
Planting them together helps to create a healthy, thriving garden.
6. Strawberries
Strawberries are a delightful companion for garlic.
The strong smell of garlic can repel pests like spider mites, which can be a problem for strawberry plants.
Additionally, strawberries have shallow roots that won’t compete with garlic for nutrients and water.
Growing garlic near your strawberries will not only help protect your berries from pests but also create a beautiful and flavorful garden.
7. Chamomile
Chamomile and garlic make a lovely pairing in the garden.
Chamomile is known to enhance the flavor of nearby plants, including garlic.
Its flowers also attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and hoverflies, which can help control pests that bother garlic plants.
Chamomile’s delicate, daisy-like flowers provide a beautiful contrast to the tall, sturdy garlic plants.
8. Dill
Dill is a beneficial companion for garlic, as it attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and ladybugs that help control pests.
Dill’s feathery leaves also provide a pleasant visual contrast to the more substantial foliage of garlic plants.
Moreover, dill is known to improve the growth and health of nearby plants, which makes it an ideal companion for your garlic garden.
Not to mention, dill and garlic taste great together in various dishes like pickles, potato salad, and sauces.
9. Cabbage
Cabbage and garlic work well together in the garden.
Garlic’s strong scent helps deter pests like cabbage worms, cabbage loopers, and aphids that can harm your cabbage plants.
In return, cabbage plants can help keep weeds at bay, providing an excellent ground cover.
Growing these two companions together will help ensure a healthy and productive garden.
10. Peppers
Peppers make fantastic companions for garlic.
The strong smell of garlic can repel pests like aphids and spider mites, which can be harmful to pepper plants.
Additionally, garlic and peppers have complementary nutrient needs, allowing them to grow well together without competition.
Plus, garlic and peppers are a delicious culinary combination, perfect for spicing up your favorite dishes.
11. Chard
Chard is a beautiful and nutritious companion for garlic.
Its vibrant leaves and stems add color and texture to your garden.
Chard can also help suppress weeds and retain soil moisture, which benefits garlic growth.
The strong scent of garlic may help deter pests that are attracted to chard, like aphids and leafminers, promoting healthier plants.
12. Eggplants
Eggplants are excellent companions for garlic.
Garlic can help protect eggplants from pests like spider mites and aphids, which are attracted to their leaves.
In return, eggplants provide shade for garlic, helping to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
Growing garlic and eggplants together will not only result in healthier plants but also make for some delicious culinary combinations.
13. Parsley
Parsley and garlic make a great team in the garden.
Parsley attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs, which can help control pests that bother garlic plants.
Additionally, parsley has a shallow root system that doesn’t compete with garlic for nutrients and water.
The strong scent of garlic can also help protect parsley from pests like carrot flies.
Together, they create a harmonious and productive garden.
14. Yarrow
Yarrow is a beneficial companion for garlic, as it attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, which can help improve the overall health of your garden.
Yarrow is also known to accumulate nutrients in the soil, which can be beneficial for garlic growth.
Its feathery, fern-like foliage provides a beautiful contrast to the tall, sturdy garlic plants.
Incorporating yarrow into your garlic garden can improve the overall health and aesthetic appeal.
15. Sage
Sage and garlic are a winning combination in the garden.
The strong scent of sage can deter pests like cabbage moths, which can be harmful to garlic plants.
Additionally, sage attracts beneficial insects like bees, which can help improve the overall health of your garden.
Sage and garlic also make a fantastic culinary pairing, enhancing the flavor of many dishes.
Final Thoughts
Growing garlic with the right companions can greatly improve the health and yield of your garlic plants.
By incorporating these 15 companion plants into your garlic garden, you’ll create a thriving environment that supports robust, flavorful garlic.
Your plants will thank you, and your kitchen creations will be more delicious than ever.
Happy gardening!