Zucchini Companion Plants: Full List of Pairings
Zucchini Companion Plants: Full List of Pairings
Despite their generally large size, there are quite a few zucchini companion plants you can use in your vegetable garden! Here’s a full list of vegetables, flowers, and herbs that can help zucchinis thrive.
Full List of Zucchini Companion Plants
The most important thing to remember when companion planting with zucchinis is to give them space. Even the smallest zucchini varieties will grow quite large, so check your seed packet (or ask greenhouse staff) for the full-grown size. That’s how big you should expect your plant to get, so plan enough space around the zucchini accordingly. You can also plant larger companions ahead of time and let them get a head start before planting the zucchini, so they won’t have to fight with each other.
If you’re new to companion planting, check out the beginner’s guide. Otherwise, here’s the full list:
Vegetables to Plant with Zucchini
• Beans, Peas, and Other Legumes – Legumes are nitrogen fixers, which can help zucchinis grow when planted nearby. They work exceptionally well with zucchini when also paired with pole beans or corn for them to climb on.
• Corn – While many plants may find it difficult to compete with the size and sprawl of zucchini, corn can rise above! This makes it an excellent zucchini companion. Corn is also a key part of the three sisters planting method, which includes beans and other varieties of squash plants.
• Garlic – The strong smell of garlic can repel cucumber beetles, flea beetles, and other harmful pests from your zucchini.
• Lettuce and Spinach – These leafy greens take up little space and nutrients from the soil, so your zucchini crop won’t be bothered by having them nearby. In return, the zucchini offers the greens shade and helps with soil moisture.
• Melons – Melons attract squash bees and other helpful pollinators. They are also large plants that can be planted in a zucchini garden to optimize garden space.
• Radishes – Radishes make a good flea beetle and cucumber beetle trap crop, acting as a natural pest control method.
• Winter Squashes and Other Summer Squash – Other squashes make great companion plants since they take up similar amounts of space in the garden and share pollinators. Some varieties, like Blue Hubbard squash, can even act as trap crops for squash vine borers and other pests.
Flowers to Plant Near Zucchini
• Alyssum – Sweet alyssum draws in beneficial insects while offering ground cover and acting as living mulch.
• Marigolds – Marigolds act as a trap crop while also attracting helpful insects. The strong scent of marigolds can repel a variety of pests. French marigolds in particular can be a great addition to your zucchini patch.
• Nasturtiums – You can interplant nasturtiums with your zucchini to trap aphids, beetles, and many other zucchini pests.
• Sunflowers – Sunflowers are another plant that can grow taller than your zucchini to get sufficient sun and space. They can also help support zucchini plants and attract beneficial parasitoid wasps.
Herbs to Plant Near Zucchini
The following aromatic herbs are all good companion plants for zucchini that can keep away squash bugs and other unwanted insects:
• Basil
• Borage
• Catnip
• Chamomile
• Chives
• Dill
• Lemon Balm
• Lavender
• Marjoram
• Mints
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme
What NOT to Plant Next to Zucchini
You should place some plants far away from zucchini, since they can share diseases or will otherwise stunt your zucchini’s growth:
• Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, and Other Brassicas – All brassica family members are heavy feeders that take many nutrients from the soil, which can stunt your zucchinis in the long run. They can also draw in common pests like spider mites.
• Fennel – Fennel can stunt the growth of your zucchini plants by competing for vital nutrients.
• Potatoes – Potatoes and zucchini both require large amounts of the same nutrients, so planting them near each other can stunt the growth of both. They can also share blight, a common fungal disease.
Possible Companion Plants: Cucumbers and Pumpkins
Two other garden favorites, cucumbers and pumpkins, can be either helpful or harmful as companion plants, which is why I’ve listed them under “possible.”
Both plants can fight with zucchinis for space and nutrients if planted too close together. They can also share pests and diseases common to all squashes, and cross-pollination can result in strange fruits, especially if you save a few of the crop’s seeds for next year.
However, they also benefit by saving space overall when planted together and can attract beneficial squash bees, the main pollinators for zucchini and many other squashes. Every year, I set aside one bed to plant all squash together (including cucumbers and pumpkins, along with zucchini), and they’ve always thrived. That said, weigh the pluses and minuses for your own garden before you do the same!
Happy Planting!
You should now have plenty of the best zucchini companion plants to choose from. Try a few and see what works best! Proper zucchini companion planting can lead to improved soil fertility, better plant growth, and a more productive garden overall.
Looking for more zucchini tips? Here’s how to grow them for the best results in your home garden.
