Strawberries grow well when planted next to the right companions. These nearby plants can help protect them from pests, improve soil conditions, and make the garden look fuller.
Companion planting is a simple way to support healthy growth without needing sprays or extra products.
It works by placing plants together that benefit each other in small but helpful ways. Some plants add nutrients to the soil, while others help block weeds or attract useful insects.
This method keeps things natural and easy. In this blog, you’ll find some of the best companion plants to grow with strawberries to help your garden thrive.
What is Companion Planting?
Companion planting means growing certain plants next to each other so they can help one another. Some plants repel harmful insects, while others attract beneficial insects like bees.
A few can even improve the soil by adding nutrients or keeping it moist. This natural method helps plants grow better without using chemicals or sprays.
When you use the right strawberry companion plants, your garden becomes stronger and more productive.
The strawberries may grow faster, stay healthier, and give more fruit. It’s a simple way to support your garden by picking plant partners that work well together in the same space.
Why Use Companion Plants for Strawberries?
There are many good reasons to plant the right neighbors beside your strawberries. Companion planting strawberries can bring these helpful benefits:
- Helps stop pests from damaging the berries
- Improves soil health without using chemicals
- Saves space in small gardens
- Brings in helpful insects like bees
- Keeps weeds from taking over
- Gives strawberries better air and sunlight
Now, let’s look at the best companion plants for strawberries.
Best Companion Plants to Grow with Strawberries
Adding the right plants near your strawberries can make a big difference. These companion plants help your berries grow better, protect them from pests, and even improve the soil.
1. Borage
Borage is one of the top companion plants for strawberries. It has blue flowers that attract bees and other helpful insects. These insects help strawberries grow by moving pollen between flowers.
Borage also keeps away bad bugs like worms and beetles that can hurt your berries. Some gardeners believe borage makes strawberries taste sweeter.
It grows quickly and needs very little care. You can plant it near the edge of your strawberry patch or between rows. Just make sure it has enough space because it can get large.
2. Spinach
Spinach grows low and does not take up much room. It fits well between strawberry rows and acts like a natural ground cover. This keeps the soil cool and moist, which strawberries like.
Spinach also helps stop weeds from growing and doesn’t compete for sunlight. It grows fast and can be picked often.
After harvesting, you can plant a second round if the weather is still cool. Spinach is a simple and useful plant to grow with strawberries, especially in spring and fall.
3. Lettuce
Lettuce is another low-growing plant that pairs well with strawberries. It helps cover the ground, holds moisture in the soil, and blocks weeds.
Lettuce grows quickly and has shallow roots, so it won’t bother the strawberries. You can plant it early in the season before the strawberry plants get too big.
It also comes in many shapes and colors, which can make your garden look more interesting. Just be sure to harvest the lettuce on time so it doesn’t bolt (go to seed).
4. Thyme
Thyme is a small herb that works as a living mulch. It grows close to the ground and spreads across the soil, helping it stay moist and cool.
It also emits a strong scent that repels harmful insects such as worms and moths. Thyme is easy to grow and doesn’t need much water or care.
You can plant it at the edges of your strawberry patch or between the plants. It also blooms tiny flowers, which attract bees and add beauty to your garden.
5. Onions
Onions are strong-smelling plants that help keep pests away from strawberries. Their scent confuses bugs that might try to eat the leaves or fruit.
Onions also don’t take up much space above ground and grow well in the same soil. They can help strawberries grow without competing too much.
Plant onions in nearby rows, keeping a little space between them and the strawberry roots. This way, both plants can grow without getting in each other’s way.
6. Garlic
Garlic is another great pest fighter in the garden. It keeps away aphids, spider mites, and other harmful bugs.
Garlic also has antifungal properties that can protect strawberry leaves from rot or mildew. You can plant garlic near strawberries in the fall and harvest it in the summer.
It takes time to grow, but it helps protect the garden during the growing season. Garlic grows well with strawberries as long as they have space to spread out.
7. Beans
Beans are helpful because they add nitrogen to the soil. Nitrogen is a nutrient that strawberries need to grow healthy leaves and fruit.
Beans grow quickly and come in bush or pole types. Bush beans are easier to grow beside strawberries, while pole beans need support to climb.
Keep pole beans at the back of the garden so they don’t block sunlight. Beans also help break up the soil with their roots, making it easier for strawberries to grow strong.
8. Peas
Peas are another plant that gives nitrogen to the soil, which helps strawberries grow. They have shallow roots and don’t compete for water or space.
Peas also grow upward on a small trellis, saving ground space for strawberries. You can plant peas early in the season when the weather is still cool.
Once the peas are done, you can pull them out and plant something else. Peas are easy to care for and helpful to have near strawberries.
9. Carrots
Carrots grow underground and don’t take up space above the soil. They work well with strawberries because they break up the soil as they grow.
This makes it easier for strawberry roots to spread and get air. Carrots also don’t shade the strawberry plants, so they still get plenty of sunlight.
You can plant carrots between strawberry rows, and they’ll grow slowly over time. Just make sure the soil is soft enough for both crops.
10. Chives
Chives are small herbs that help repel pests such as aphids and mites. Their strong smell also protects against certain plant diseases.
Chives grow back every year and don’t take up much space. You can plant them at the edges of your strawberry bed, where they can grow quietly without bothering the berries.
When chives bloom, they produce purple flowers that attract bees. These bees also help pollinate the strawberries.
11. Marigolds
Marigolds are colorful flowers that many gardeners use to stop bugs. They protect strawberries from beetles, root pests, and even some types of worms.
Their bright flowers also bring bees and butterflies, which help pollinate nearby plants. Marigolds grow easily from seed and bloom all season long.
They’re a great way to add color and protection to your strawberry patch. Choose smaller marigold types so they don’t block the sun.
12. Sage
Sage is an herb with a strong smell that keeps pests away. It can also help prevent fungal problems in the garden, which is useful for strawberries.
Sage grows well in sunny spots and doesn’t need a lot of water. Because it gets bushy, it’s best to plant it near but not directly among the strawberry plants.
You can even grow sage in a nearby pot if you’re short on space.
13. Dill
Dill is a tall herb that brings helpful insects like ladybugs and lacewings. These insects eat pests such as aphids that can harm strawberries.
Dill also attracts bees for pollination. Since dill grows tall, it’s best to plant it behind or beside the strawberry bed so it doesn’t block the light. Dill grows easily from seed and can reseed itself each year.
14. Asparagus
Asparagus and strawberries are a classic planting pair. They grow at different heights and use different soil layers, so they don’t compete much.
Both plants also grow early in the season and go dormant later, which makes them easy to manage together.
Asparagus has deep roots, while strawberries grow closer to the surface. You can grow both in the same bed for years, making this a long-term planting plan.
15. Radishes
Radishes are quick-growing plants that can act as trap crops. They attract bugs away from strawberries, keeping your fruit safe.
Radishes also break up the soil with their roots, helping other plants grow. Since they grow fast, you can plant radishes between strawberry rows and harvest them in just a few weeks.
This gives you time to plant something else in the same spot later in the season.
Plants to Avoid Near Strawberries
Not all plants make good neighbors for strawberries. Some can take away important nutrients, spread disease, or attract harmful pests.
| Plant | Why Avoid It |
|---|---|
| Cabbage | Competes for nutrients and attracts cabbage worms that may harm strawberry leaves |
| Broccoli | Takes up space and draws pests that can spread to strawberries |
| Cauliflower | Needs similar nutrients and may reduce strawberry growth |
| Kale | Heavy feeder that competes with strawberries for food in the soil |
| Potatoes | Can spread soil-borne diseases to strawberries |
| Tomatoes | At risk of passing on fungal diseases like verticillium wilt |
| Eggplant | Belongs to the same family as tomatoes and may spread similar soil issues |
| Peppers | Competes for space, nutrients, and may attract unwanted pests |
How to Start Companion Planting Strawberries in a Small Space
You don’t need a big garden. Even a raised bed or container can support companion planting of strawberries. Try planting:
- Strawberries in the middle
- Lettuce or spinach around the edges
- A few herbs, like thyme or chives, in the corners
- Marigolds or small flowers nearby
This setup is simple, saves space, and offers many benefits.
Tips for Companion Planting Strawberries
To get the best results from companion planting, it’s important to plan carefully. These simple tips can help your strawberries grow better and stay healthy:
- Plan your layout: Don’t crowd plants. Give strawberries enough space to spread and breathe.
- Use flowers and herbs: They can attract beneficial insects like bees and ladybugs while keeping pests away.
- Keep rotating crops: Avoid planting strawberries or their companions in the same spot every year. This keeps soil healthy.
- Mix heights and roots: Combine low, medium, and tall plants. This makes better use of space and sunlight.
- Watch the sun: Make sure tall plants don’t block the sunlight your strawberries need to grow and ripen.
To Conclude
Companion planting is more than saving space; it’s about creating balance in your garden.
Strawberries grow best when their neighbors support them in simple, natural ways. With the right mix of plants, you can build a space that stays healthy over time.
Look at your garden bed and think about what could work well beside your strawberries. Try one or two new companions and see what changes.
The best way to learn is by planting and observing. Gardens grow with care and time, so start small and build from there.
Ready to try it? Choose your companion plants and plant with purpose this season.