Eggplant Companion Plants: Full List of Pairings
Eggplant Companion Plants: Full List of Pairings
Eggplants are known to be one of the fussier plants in a vegetable garden. They need plenty of sun, water, and nitrogen to produce properly. Because of this, you may be nervous about planting anything close to them, but don’t be! There are many eggplant companion plants that can improve the quality of your eggplant crop.
Full List of Eggplant Companion Plants
The following vegetables, herbs, and flowers are all great companion plants for eggplants. They may improve soil health, discourage bugs and diseases, or otherwise help your eggplants grow large and tasty.
Make sure you plan how you’ll arrange your eggplants and their companions ahead of time. Large companion plants will need to go behind the eggplants in relation to the sun since eggplants need full sun to grow properly. Smaller plants may be able to grow around the base of your eggplant and work as ground cover.
If you want to learn more about the potential benefits of companion planting along with how to get started, check out the complete guide. Otherwise, here’s the list:
Vegetables to Plant with Eggplants
Beans, Peas, and Other Legumes – Beans, pea plants, and their kin are some of the best eggplant companion plants. Eggplants require plenty of nitrogen, and legumes are known for taking nitrogen from the air and converting it into the soil. Plant your legumes behind the eggplants so that the eggplants continue to get plenty of light. Bush beans (or green beans) and pole beans are both excellent choices. (You can also grow eggplants in the same bed or garden space you grew legumes in last year to get the nitrogen benefit).
Broccoli, Cabbage, and Kohlrabi – These vegetables, along with other brassicas family members like Brussels sprouts, may help with an eggplant’s nutrient needs and defend against pests.
Lettuce and Spinach – Lettuce and spinach both provide great ground cover, acting as a living mulch for your eggplants. In return, the eggplants will shade the cool-weather-loving leafy greens, ensuring they get enough soil moisture.
Flowers to Plant Near Eggplants
Marigolds – Planting marigolds near your eggplants can prevent harmful insects like flea beetles and the carrot fly from devouring your crop. French marigolds and Mexican marigold are excellent companions.
Nasturtiums – Nasturtiums can attract predatory insects like parasitic wasps, to your eggplant patch. Give them a little space, though – the plants grow large and can quickly take over the garden.
Petunias – Petunias can attract beneficial insects to your eggplants when planted nearby.
Snapdragons – Charming snapdragons can be planted near your eggplants for a colorful pop. But don’t worry, they’re functional too: they defend against pests.
Sunflowers – Like the other flowers, sunflowers will keep bad bugs at bay. Make sure you plant them in a way that they don’t shade your eggplant plants, though.
Herbs to Plant Near Eggplants
The following herbs are great companions that can all keep away pests, and some may improve eggplant flavor.
Basil
Chamomile
Lavender
Marjoram
Mint, Any Variety
Oregano
Rosemary
Sage
Tarragon
Thyme
What NOT to Plant Next to Eggplants
You should place some plants far away from eggplants. Common reasons are because they can share diseases, will compete for nutrients and sunshine, or will otherwise stunt your eggplants’ growth.
Plants to Avoid with Eggplants
Corn – In addition to requiring lots of sun and space, corn plants are heavy feeders that use up a number of nutrients in the ground vital to an eggplant’s growth.
Fennel – Planting fennel can hurt the growth of many fruits and vegetables, including eggplants.
Geraniums – If you plant your vegetables and flowers near each other, be sure to keep geraniums far away from eggplants. They can share diseases like root rot and leaf blight.
Possible Companion Plants: Tomatoes and Peppers
I’ve added tomatoes and peppers to a third section here, which I’m labeling as possible or “proceed with caution” companion plants. Tomato plants and pepper plants are often touted as being good companion plants for eggplants since all three are members of the nightshade family.
However, that can also be a problem: the tomatoes and peppers can share diseases, pests, and require the same nutrients as eggplants since they’re in the same family.
If you choose to plant a pepper or tomato with your eggplants, make sure you rotate your crops frequently, and plant the nightshades in an area where diseases haven’t accumulated. Crop rotation is essential for avoiding similar pests and soil depletion.
Happy Planting!
You should now have a few ideas of what to plant next from this list of the best companion plants for your eggplants. Try them and see what works best! Successful companion planting can lead to a bountiful harvest and fewer pest problems.
Looking for more companion planting guides? Here are some companion plants for bell and hot peppers.
