Any Amazon links below are affiliate links, which means I earn a commission at no cost to you if you click and finalize an order. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Strawberry Companion Plants: Full List of Pairings
Strawberries are a delightful perennial to have around the garden. They’ll often grow for years in a patch with proper weeding. In fact, you may have found wild ones growing in with your other plants – the strawberries becoming weeds themselves!
While strawberries can unfortunately be tormented by bugs, disease, and larger pests like mice and deer, there are some great strawberry companion plants that will help the little fruits avoid diseases and pests and increase production. I’ve included a full list here, along with a few plants that you shouldn’t plant with strawberries.
Full List of Strawberry Companion Plants
The following plants can help aid in the growth, health, and/or yield of strawberries. Most require interplanting, which means planting them among the strawberry plants. In general, you should give around 18 inches of space to your strawberries so they have space to grow. Trap crop companions should be planted around the perimeter to lure bugs away from the strawberries.
Vegetables to Plant with Strawberries
• Asparagus – Since they’re both perennials, strawberries can be a great companion to asparagus. You can keep their shared growing space reserved and undisturbed from more needy annuals. Of course, there a few tricks to picking the right variety and planting them at the correct depth so they don’t take nutrients from each other. Here’s a helpful guide to interplanting them.
• Beans, Peas, and Other Legumes – Legumes will increase the amount of nitrogen available in the soil, which gives your strawberries a boost.
• Garlic, Leeks, Onions, Shallots, and Other Alliums – Contrary to what you might expect, strawberries and strong-smelling alliums like garlic, leek, and onion go well together. The smell of the onions can deter pesky bugs. (Here are a few onion companion plants if you want other tips for what to plant with them).
• Lettuce & Spinach – Healthy greens like lettuce and spinach improve the living conditions of strawberries by helping them retain moisture and stay hidden from creatures that may eat the berries. The combination may also improve the strawberries’ flavor!
• Rhubarb – Strawberries and rhubarb pair so perfectly in desserts, why not put them together in the garden, too? Strawberries and rhubarb work together as a ground cover mulch to prevent weeds and increase soil moisture, and they don’t interfere with each other’s root space and nutrient needs. Plus, they’re both perennials that can grow together for years.
Flowers to Plant Near Strawberries
• Marigolds – Like many garden favorites, strawberries benefit from planting marigolds nearby. These flowers repel unwanted bugs and even weeds that will harm the strawberries.
• Nasturtiums – Bright and beautiful nasturtiums can act as a trap crop for aphids and other bad bugs. Just give them plenty of space – that way bugs aren’t accidentally being attracted to the strawberries, and your nasturtiums aren’t overrunning the smaller strawberry plants.
Herbs to Plant Near Strawberries
• Basil – Basil’s strong smell tends to repel many bad bugs that harm strawberries.
• Borage – Borage is one of the best strawberry companion plants. The benefits include attracting beneficial insects and improving trace minerals in the strawberries’ growing space. (The deep root pulls up minerals from the soil, disperses them throughout the plant, then drops the leaves, leaving minerals in the topsoil for easy access). Borage may even improve the flavor of your strawberry crop!
• Caraway – Caraway attracts beneficial insects that prey on unwanted pests.
• Catnip – In addition to dissuading bad bugs from your visiting your strawberries, catnip may have a strong enough scent to keep bigger pests like mice and deer from your patch.
• Chives – Another perennial, chives, can attract pollinators while scaring away bad bugs.
• Cilantro/Coriander – Cilantro and coriander are two names for the same plant, and it’s one that works well for repelling bad bugs and attracting good ones.
• Dill – Strong smelling dill can keep bad bugs at bay.
• Sage – Sage will attract beneficial bugs while acting as a repellant to pests.
• Thyme – Thyme can deter pests while still calling in pollinators.
What NOT to Plant Next to Strawberries
Some herbs and vegetables should be kept away from strawberries. Most can share diseases and fungi or harm the strawberries’ growth.
Vegetables to Avoid with Strawberries
• Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, and Other Brassicas – All members of the brassicas family compete with strawberries for much-needed nutrients.
• Eggplants, Peppers, Potatoes, Tomatoes, and Other Nightshades – All members of the nightshade family can share a fungus known as verticillium wilt.
• Melons and Pumpkins – Melons, pumpkins, and strawberries can all share verticillium wilt.
• Okra – Another vegetable harboring verticillium wilt.
Flowers to Avoid Planting Near Strawberries
• Chrysanthemums, Dahlias, and Roses – All are susceptible to verticillium wilt.
Herbs to Avoid
• Fennel – Like most plants, strawberries are damaged by fennel.
• Mint – Mint can also harbor verticillium wilt.
Happy Strawberry Companion Planting!
You now have plenty of great strawberry companion plants to add to your garden this spring. Let me know which ones you chose, and how it went, in the comments below!
Leave a Reply