Nothing brings a sense of vibrancy and utility to the garden like nasturtiums, the ultimate companion plants.
If you plant these bright flowers in a vegetable garden, near fruit trees, or even in hanging baskets, they will not only look nice, but they will also keep pests away naturally.
Today, we’ll talk about why nasturtiums should have their own spot in your garden and how to grow them.
Additionally, their unique ability to grow well in poor soil makes them an easy addition to your gardening routine.
Nasturtiums are one of the most versatile and rewarding plants you can add to your garden. With their bright, cheery flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow and white, they bring a pop of color wherever they grow. But nasturtiums aren’t just pretty faces – they also have a practical side. They make excellent companion plants for a wide variety of vegetables, herbs and flowers.
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the best companion plants for nasturtiums and what benefits this cheerful annual can offer your garden. Let’s dive in!
Why Use Nasturtiums as Companion Plants?
Companion planting is the practice of strategically planting different plants together so they can help each other thrive. Nasturtiums make great companion plants for several reasons:
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They deter pests – Nasturtiums contain compounds like allyl isothiocyanate that are unappealing to many insect pests, warding them away from nearby plants
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They attract beneficial insects – Bees ladybugs hoverflies and other beneficial pollinators are drawn to nasturtiums’ brightly colored, nectar-rich flowers. These good bugs prey on pests and pollinate plants.
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They act as a trap crop – Some pests like aphids are more attracted to nasturtiums than other plants, Growing nasturtiums near vegetables can draw pests away
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They enrich the soil – Nasturtiums help aerate the soil with their deep roots. As the roots break down when the plants die back, they add organic matter to the soil.
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They provide ground cover – The round leaves form a living mulch that helps retain soil moisture and prevent weeds from germinating.
With all these advantages, it’s easy to see why nasturtiums deserve a spot in every garden!
12 Best Companion Plants for Nasturtiums
Here are some of the top vegetable, herb and flower companions to grow with nasturtiums:
1. Beans
Bush and pole beans thrive when planted near nasturtiums. The nasturtiums deter bean beetles, aphids and whiteflies that may plague beans. Since beans fix nitrogen in the soil through their roots, they also help fertilize the nasturtiums.
2. Cabbage
Nasturtiums planted alongside cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and other brassicas help repel the caterpillars and cabbage worms that feed on them. Their bright colors also attract beneficial wasps that prey on cabbage pests.
3. Radish
The peppery flavor of nasturtiums is said to improve the zing of nearby radishes. As quick-growing annuals, they make good companion plants for fast-maturing radishes.
4. Cucumber
Cucumbers and nasturtiums are great garden partners. Nasturtiums deter cucumber beetles, the spotted cucumber beetle and other pests that attack cucumber vines and fruits.
5. Squash
Plant nasturtiums by summer and winter squash to repel squash bugs, a serious pest of cucurbits. The ground cover they provide also suppresses weeds around squash plants.
6. Tomato
Tomatoes benefit from having nasturtiums nearby since they repel tomato hornworms, aphids and other tomato pests. Plus, the cascading foliage helps keep the soil around tomato plants moist.
7. Asparagus
The bright flowers of nasturtiums may help boost asparagus yields when planted alongside the emerging spears in spring. They attract pollinating insects while repelling asparagus beetles.
8. Carrot
Carrots and nasturtiums are mutually beneficial when planted together. Carrots become mildly sweeter while nasturtiums’ peppery kick is mellowed. The carrot foliage provides partial shade for nasturtiums.
9. Eggplant
Planting nasturtiums around eggplants offers multiple advantages. They repel Colorado potato beetles, flea beetles and spider mites that attack eggplant. Their flowers also attract pollinators for better fruit set.
10. Herbs
Many culinary herbs like basil, oregano, sage and rosemary benefit from being paired with nasturtiums. The nasturtiums ward off pests and their trailing nature helps retain soil moisture around shallow-rooted herbs.
11. Strawberries
Use nasturtiums as a living ground cover around strawberry plants to deter pests like spider mites and spittlebugs. Their trailing stems also prevent the strawberry fruits from touching soil and rotting.
12. Roses
Rose bushes stay healthier and produce more flowers when you plant nasturtiums at their base. Nasturtiums attract beneficial insects that prey on pests like aphids, helping keep roses pest-free.
Companion Planting Tips
Follow these tips to get the most out of mixing nasturtiums with other plants:
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Plant nasturtiums 1-2 weeks before or after the vegetable, herb or flower companion. This allows both plants to become established.
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Space nasturtiums 6-12 inches away from companion plants so they don’t compete for light and nutrients.
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Tuck nasturtiums along the edges of garden beds and borders so they can spread as a living mulch.
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Allow some nasturtiums to grow up trellises, fences and cages to add vertical color while still providing pest protection nearby.
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Pinch off spent nasturtium flowers to encourage more blooms, maximizing their benefits.
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At season’s end, collect and dry nasturtium seeds to replant as companions next year.
What Not to Plant with Nasturtiums
While nasturtiums pair well with so many plants, there are a few exceptions:
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Kale and cabbage family plants – Nasturtiums and brassicas may stunt each other’s growth since they deplete the same soil nutrients.
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Potatoes and pumpkins – Nasturtiums can spread an aromatic oil into the soil that inhibits the tuber growth of potatoes and pumpkins.
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Sweet peas – Nasturtiums outcompete sweet peas for nutrients, reducing their productivity.
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Nightshades like peppers and eggplant – In cooler climates, nasturtiums and nightshades planted too close may be more prone to fungal diseases.
So when planning your nasturtium companion planting, stay away from pairing them with brassicas, vine crops and nightshades to avoid potential issues.
Get Creative with Nasturtium Companion Planting
Part of the fun of gardening is experimenting with creative plant combinations and seeing what works well together in your unique garden environment.
Consider underplanting tall flowers like zinnias, marigolds or cosmos with a nasturtium living mulch. Or try adding nasturtiums to your herb spiral to see if flavor and aroma improve.
You can even grow nasturtiums in containers near potted vegetables and flowers. The only limit is your imagination – let the nasturtium companion planting begin!
With their vibrant colors and pest-fighting prowess, nasturtiums are a welcome addition to any garden. Strategically planting them near compatible veggies, herbs and blooms helps ensure a healthy, prolific harvest. Try out some of these suggested nasturtium companion plant pairings this season and let these cheerful annuals work their garden magic!
Nasturtiums in Hanging Baskets and With Herbs
What to plant with nasturtiums in hanging baskets?
Their trailing types look beautiful when mixed with herbs like chives and parsley, making a mix of flowers and greens that can be eaten.
However, be cautious about the nasturtium bad companion plants.
For example, planting nasturtiums with onions is generally discouraged due to their incompatible growth patterns and needs.
Here are a few insights:
Incorporating in Crop Rotation:
Nasturtiums are good for the soil and help keep pests away, so you might want to include them in your crop rotation plan.
They can be planted after heavy-feeding plants to restore the balance of the soil.
Remember, nasturtiums are not only functional, but theyre also beautiful.
Putting them in your vegetable garden can make it look better and give you a nice place to work while you take care of your plants.
So consider your gardens aesthetic while deciding where to plant nasturtiums.
For more growing tips, check out my guide:
Nasturtiums: The Plant You’re Not Growing (But Should Be)
FAQ
What are the best companion plants for nasturtiums?
Will nasturtium choke out other plants?
Should I plant nasturtiums in my vegetable garden?
Do nasturtiums like to be crowded?
What is a good companion plant for nasturtium?
Here’s what I found. The best companion plants for nasturtium are fruit trees, nightshade fruits, cucumbers, and brassicas. Nasturtium benefits other plants by attracting pollinators and providing ground cover, while other plants provide it with benefits such as partial shade and soil nitrogen. Avoid planting with other ground covers.
Can Nasturtium be planted with other plants?
Nasturtium is a good repellent for aphids and other dangerous pests that destroy crop yield. It also invites pollinators that will help in pollinating their flowers. Planting Nasturtium with any plant is a win-win. Nasturtiums loved to be sacrificed for other plants and that’s what happens when you use it as a companion.
Can nasturtiums be planted near Fennel?
The only plant you should avoid planting nasturtiums with is fennel, which is pretty picky and doesn’t really like to be planted near anything else. While you can grow your nasturtiums near most plants without much fuss, here are some of the best nasturtium companion plants to help you get started.
What plants grow near nasturtiums?
Some of the best plants to grow near nasturtiums are pumpkins, corn, raspberries, tomatoes, squash, marigold, pepper, eggplants, cucumbers, and sage. Nasturtium makes an excellent flowering companion plant with any plant, the only plant to not grow near it is fennel, which doesn’t do well with most garden plants either.
Do nasturtiums benefit other plants?
Nasturtium benefits other plants by attracting pollinators and providing ground cover, while other plants provide it with benefits such as partial shade and soil nitrogen. Avoid planting with other ground covers. So, while these are some of the companion plants for nasturtium, what benefits do they bring, and what are some other companions?
Should you plant Nasturtiums with Broccoli?
Planting nasturtiums with your broccoli makes the best of the space your garden has to offer. Nasturtiums act as a ground cover, protecting the soil from the sun’s harsh rays and helping to lock in moisture. When planted as a companion, nasturtiums protect broccoli plants from the elements and repel hungry insects.