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Marigold Companion Plants: Full List of Pairings
When you think of garden companions, marigolds likely come to mind. Tomatoes and marigolds are one of the most commonly mentioned companion groupings around. Like most companion plant recommendations, scientific findings have been mixed on how beneficial marigolds are as part of your garden rotation, but many gardeners believe they’ve noticed a difference. You may find marigolds help a few of your plants, too. Here’s a full list of potential marigold companion plants to try in your garden.
Full List of Marigold Companion Plants
These vegetables, flowers, and herbs may make excellent companion plants for marigolds. Keep in mind that the benefits they may have are based on planting the marigold genus Tagetes, and not the “pot marigold” calendula (here’s how to tell the difference). Two Tagetes varieties, French and African marigolds, are commonly used as companions.
Vegetables to Plant with Marigolds
These plants may benefit from marigolds being planted nearby, but it’s often at the expense of your marigolds’ health. Thus, you should only plant marigolds with these vegetables if you’re okay with sacrificing them. To keep marigolds healthy and looking nice, consider a few of the flower and herb companions listed further down.
• Cucumbers, Melons, Pumpkins, and Squash – Marigolds may benefit cucumbers, melons, and many squash varieties by potentially drawing in beneficial bugs. These plants can also be affected by root knot nematodes, so planting marigolds before them (and preferably tilling a few into the soil) can help your garden.
• Eggplants, Peppers, Potatoes, and Tomatoes – Marigolds can attract helpful parasitic insects that feed on nightshade pests and may repel root knot nematodes if planted in the proper succession. (There’s a dedicated post on why tomatoes and marigolds are often touted as ideal companions.)
• Lettuce and Spinach – Tall marigold varieties can offer shade for these leafy greens, and when planted near the perimeter may make a good sacrificial slug trap crop.
Flowers to Plant Near Marigolds
Nearly any flower pairs well with marigolds as long as both have enough space to grow. Alyssum, bluebells, cosmos, delphiniums, geraniums, hydrangea, pansies, roses, violets, and zinnias are just a few of the many flowers you can choose. Make sure whatever you pick has the same light, water, and soil requirements. Compare seed packets to find out.
Herbs to Plant Near Marigolds
While most vegetables are thought to benefit from marigolds, a few of the following herbs may help the marigolds themselves thrive:
• Basil – Basil benefits from a marigold’s trap crop potential. When marigolds are planted around the perimeter of a basil bed, they may attract slugs away from the basil.
• Cilantro – If it’s allowed to flower, cilantro can draw in predatory insects that feed on potential marigold pests, like aphids.
• Dill – Dill can bring in beneficial predatory insects when it’s left to flower. However, it’s also known to draw in slugs, so both could suffer if one isn’t intended as a trap crop.
• Lavender – Lavender may repel common marigold pests.
• Oregano – Oregano may bring in helpful predatory insects.
• Rosemary – Rosemary can help repel aphids.
• Sage – Sage plants benefits when marigolds are planted around their perimeter as a slug, spider mite, and aphid trap crop.
• Thyme – Planting thyme near marigolds may draw in predatory insects and repel marigold pests.
Happy Marigold Growing!
With this list, you should find a few different marigold companion plants to try in your garden.
For more flower companion tips, check out the full list of nasturtium companion plants.
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