Cauliflower Companion Plants: Full List of Pairings

Cauliflower Companion Plants: Full List of Pairings

As a member of the brassica family, cauliflower can fall prey to all the usual pests: cabbage worms, diamondback moths, aphids, and many more. The good news is that there are plenty of cauliflower companion plants that can help with defense, as well as promote the growth of your cauliflowers!

Full List of Cauliflower Companion Plants

The following plants can help with pest control and growth for your cauliflowers. Most require interplanting, which means a row of the companion in between rows of cauliflower, or a mixed row of both cauliflower and the companion plant. Remember to give a reasonable amount of space between the rows: cauliflowers generally need 18-24 inches of space around them since they grow to be quite large. To learn more about getting started with companion planting, check out the beginner’s guide. 

Vegetables to Plant with Cauliflower

• Beans – Planting pole beans and cauliflower together is mutually beneficial – they both attract beneficial insects while repelling each other’s enemies. Beans also add nitrogen and other nutrients to the soil and can help provide natural shade for a cool-season vegetable like cauliflower.

• Beets – Beets can improve soil quality and encourage the growth of cauliflower. They are good companions because they don’t compete for nutrients.

• Celery – Celery attracts helpful insects, repels white cabbage moths, and leaves important nutrients in the soil for your cauliflower, promoting soil health.

• Chinese Mustard and Other Mustard Greens – Mustard greens are excellent for keeping harlequin beetles and other pests away. For flea beetles, try Chinese mustard. Since mustards are also in the brassica family, you can additionally use them as a trap crop around the edge of your cauliflowers.

• Lettuce and Spinach – Cauliflower can shade lettuce and spinach, which may keep them from bolting as quickly. In turn, these leafy greens provide ground cover for your cauliflower, helping to retain moisture and reduce weeds.

• Onions, Garlic, and Shallots – Alliums, like onions, garlic, and shallots, can repel harmful insects from your cauliflower with their strong aroma.

• Potatoes – Potatoes can act as a trap crop for aphids and flea beetles when interplanted with cauliflower. The mutual benefit makes them excellent companions.

• Radishes – Planting radishes near your cauliflower can loosen the soil with their deep roots and defend against common pests. They are also quick-growing, providing benefits early in the growing season.

Flowers to Plant Near Cauliflower

• Marigolds – Cauliflowers benefit from having pest-defying marigolds nearby. These flowers have a pungent aroma that deters many insect pests.

• Nasturtiums – Nasturtiums can act as an excellent aphid trap crop for your cauliflower, keeping these destructive pests away from your main crop.

Herbs to Plant Near Cauliflower

The following aromatic herbs are excellent cauliflower companion plants as they can repel harmful insects and attract beneficial pollinators.

• Basil – The strong aroma of basil can defend against cauliflower pests and improve plant vigor.

• Chamomile – Fragrant chamomile attracts pollinators and other helpful insects. It also has tiny yellow flowers that add beauty to your garden bed.

• Chives – The strong scent of chives can keep pests at bay and help with pest control.

• Dill – Planting dill and cauliflower together can prevent cabbage worm buildup. Dill attracts parasitoid wasps, which are beneficial insects that control pests.

• Fennel – While fennel doesn’t get along with very many garden vegetables, cauliflower is an exception. The strong smell keeps pests away, and it isn’t known to harm the growth of cauliflower.

• Hyssop – Pretty purple hyssop can act as a pollinator attractor and trap crop for bad bugs. Grow it around the perimeter of your cauliflower patch and enjoy the leftover minty leaves and blossoms yourself.

• Mints – Members of the mint family can improve the flavor of cauliflower as well as prevent pests with their strong scent.

• Rosemary – Rosemary can help deter cabbage moths and cabbage loopers, making it a good idea to plant near cauliflower.

• Sage – Planting sage near a cauliflower crop can keep flea beetles at bay and attract pollinators, helping with higher yields.

• Thyme – Thyme can decrease the number of eggs laid by aphids, cabbage moths, and cabbage loopers, as well as attract pollinators. Its earthy fragrance helps keep harmful pests away.

• Yarrow – Like many of the other herbs mentioned, yarrow has a strong smell that can repel most pests while attracting good bugs who either pollinate or prey on bad ones. Its yellow umbel flower clusters are also visually appealing.

What NOT to Plant Next to Cauliflower

Some plants should be placed far away from cauliflower. Common reasons are because they’re in the same family and can share pests, will compete for nutrients or growing space, or will otherwise stunt your cauliflower’s growth.

Fruits & Vegetables to Avoid with Cauliflower

• Brussels Sprouts and Broccoli – Both Brussels sprouts and broccoli are fellow brassica family members and will attract the same pests as your cauliflower. They are bad neighbors because they’re more likely to share them with each other than act as a trap crop.

• Corn – Corn will take nutrients away from the cauliflower, as well as allow too little space and light for the much smaller cauliflower to grow.

• Peas – Peas can stunt a cauliflower’s growth if planted too closely due to competition for nutrients and space.

• Peppers and Tomatoes – These nightshades can take too many nutrients away from your cauliflower, affecting the growth of cauliflower negatively.

• Squashes – Summer and winter squashes, as well as pumpkins, are large, heavy feeders which take nutrients and sunshine from cauliflower, making them bad cauliflower companion plants.

• Strawberries – Strawberries can attract slugs and other pests, which will harm your cauliflower crop. They may also stunt cauliflower growth.

Happy Cauliflower Companion Planting!

You now have a variety of cauliflower companion plants to add to your vegetable garden this year. If you’re also planting broccoli, a fellow brassica, check out the full list of broccoli companion plants to ensure a successful harvest!