Eggplants are a delicious and versatile vegetable that can bring life to any garden.
However, they’re not best friends with everyone, and some plants can hinder their growth.
Let’s dig into 13 plants that you should avoid planting near your eggplants for a harmonious and bountiful garden.
Get your caution tape ready, and let’s dive in!
1. Potatoes
Potatoes and eggplants are both part of the nightshade family, which means they share similar pests and diseases.
Growing them close together increases the risk of these issues spreading between the plants, resulting in a less-than-ideal harvest.
Additionally, both plants require similar nutrients, leading to competition for resources.
Keep potatoes and eggplants apart to reduce the chances of disease transmission and help both plants flourish without fighting for their share of nutrients.
2. Tomatoes
Like potatoes, tomatoes are also in the nightshade family and share common pests and diseases with eggplants.
Planting them near each other can create a welcoming environment for pests like aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms, which can wreak havoc on your crops.
Moreover, tomatoes have a similar growth pattern as eggplants, resulting in competition for sunlight and space.
To avoid these issues, plant your tomatoes and eggplants in separate areas of your garden, ensuring both can enjoy their ideal conditions without competing with one another.
3. Fennel
Fennel is a beautiful herb with a distinctive flavor, but it can inhibit the growth of eggplants.
It releases chemicals into the soil that can hinder the development of neighboring plants, including eggplants, impacting their ability to thrive.
Additionally, fennel can attract unwanted pests like aphids and snails, which can migrate to your eggplant plants and cause damage.
To ensure your eggplants can grow to their full potential and avoid the negative effects of fennel, give fennel its own space in the garden, away from your eggplant patch.
4. Cucumbers
Cucumbers can be problematic when grown near eggplants because they tend to attract pests like aphids and spider mites, which can spread to eggplants.
Furthermore, cucumbers have a sprawling growth habit that can smother neighboring plants, including eggplants.
Both plants also have different water requirements, making it difficult to manage irrigation effectively without causing stress to either plant.
To keep your eggplants healthy, pest-free, and growing strong, avoid planting cucumbers nearby and give both plants the space they need to thrive.
5. Cabbage
Cabbage can compete with eggplants for vital nutrients and resources in the soil, causing both plants to struggle.
Additionally, cabbage can attract pests like cabbage loopers, aphids, and cutworms, which can spread to your eggplant plants, causing significant damage.
Plant these two veggies in separate areas to ensure both have the space and resources they need to grow without impacting one another.
This will not only help you achieve a healthier harvest for both crops but also make it easier to manage pests and diseases specific to each plant.
6. Melons
Melons and eggplants have different growing requirements, which can lead to issues when planted together.
Melons need ample space to sprawl, which can overshadow eggplants and compete for sunlight.
Additionally, melons can attract pests like cucumber beetles and aphids, which can then move onto your eggplant plants and cause damage.
To avoid these potential problems, it’s best to plant melons and eggplants in separate garden areas, allowing each to grow under their ideal conditions.
7. Broccoli
Broccoli, like cabbage, can compete with eggplants for nutrients and resources.
The large leaves of broccoli plants can also overshadow eggplants, depriving them of much-needed sunlight and space to grow properly.
Furthermore, broccoli can attract pests like cabbage worms and aphids, which can then move on to your eggplant plants, causing damage and stress.
To ensure a healthy and bountiful harvest for both your eggplants and broccoli, plant them in separate garden areas where each can flourish without impacting the other’s growth.
8. Cauliflower
Cauliflower, another member of the brassica family, shares similar concerns with cabbage and broccoli when planted near eggplants.
Cauliflower can compete with eggplants for nutrients, water, and space, resulting in less-than-ideal growth for both plants.
Additionally, cauliflower attracts pests like cabbage worms, aphids, and cutworms, which can easily spread to eggplants and harm them.
Plant cauliflower and eggplants apart in your garden to give both plants the best chance of growing strong and producing a healthy harvest.
9. Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts, like their brassica relatives, can compete with eggplants for nutrients and resources.
Their large leaves can also overshadow eggplants, making it difficult for them to receive enough sunlight for optimal growth.
Moreover, Brussels sprouts can attract pests like cabbage worms and aphids that may spread to your eggplant plants.
To avoid these potential issues, grow Brussels sprouts and eggplants in separate areas of your garden, allowing each plant to enjoy its preferred growing conditions.
10. Squash
Squash plants have a sprawling growth habit, which can crowd and overshadow eggplants, depriving them of sunlight and space to grow.
Additionally, squash can attract pests like squash bugs and cucumber beetles, which can then migrate to your eggplant plants and cause damage.
Both plants also have different watering requirements, which can be difficult to manage if they are planted too close together.
For the healthiest growth and a productive harvest, plant squash and eggplants in different sections of your garden.
11. Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi, another brassica, can compete with eggplants for resources and nutrients in the soil.
The large leaves of kohlrabi plants can overshadow eggplants, depriving them of essential sunlight.
Furthermore, kohlrabi attracts pests like aphids and cabbage worms, which can spread to your eggplant plants and cause damage.
To ensure both kohlrabi and eggplants have the best chance of thriving in your garden, plant them in separate areas to avoid any potential negative effects.
12. Peas
While peas can be beneficial to many plants in the garden, they are not the best choice for planting near eggplants.
Peas have different water and nutrient requirements, which can make it challenging to meet the needs of both plants when they are grown together.
Additionally, peas can attract pests like aphids, which can spread to eggplants and cause damage.
To maintain a healthy garden and ensure both peas and eggplants have their ideal growing conditions, plant them in separate areas.
13. Corn
Corn and eggplants are not an ideal pairing in the garden.
Corn can grow quite tall, overshadowing eggplants and depriving them of essential sunlight for healthy growth.
Furthermore, corn plants have extensive root systems that can compete with eggplants for water and nutrients.
Corn can also attract pests like earworms and cutworms, which can then migrate to your eggplant plants and cause damage.
To maximize the potential of both your corn and eggplants, plant them in separate areas of your garden.
Final Thoughts
Growing eggplants with the right companion plants can make a significant difference in your garden’s overall health and productivity.
However, avoiding problematic pairings is just as important.
By steering clear of these 13 plants when planning your eggplant garden, you’ll be well on your way to a thriving and bountiful harvest season.
Remember, each plant has its own unique requirements and preferences, and the key to a successful garden is understanding and accommodating those needs.
When planning your garden layout, take the time to research the best companion plants for each of your chosen vegetables and avoid those with known conflicts.
By doing so, you can create a harmonious, productive, and beautiful garden space that benefits all your plants and brings joy to your gardening experience.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to experiment with different plant combinations and learn from your experiences.
Gardening is a journey of discovery, and every season brings new lessons and opportunities to grow as a gardener.
Embrace the adventure, share your knowledge with fellow gardeners, and most importantly, enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor!