Companion Planting Guide Australia: What to Plant Together
Pick a plant to see its best companions and the neighbours to avoid, or check any two plants side by side. Includes Australian growing notes for vegetables, herbs and flowers.
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What the benefit labels mean
A guide to companion planting in Australia
Companion planting means growing different plants close together so they help each other. Done well, it can reduce pest pressure, attract pollinators and beneficial insects, add nitrogen to the soil and make better use of space. Some pairings are backed by solid evidence, such as legumes feeding the soil and French marigolds suppressing root-knot nematodes. Others are traditional wisdom based on gardeners’ experience, so treat companion planting as one helpful tool alongside good soil, watering and hygiene.
Common Australian pests
Aphids, whitefly, cabbage white butterfly caterpillars, Helicoverpa caterpillars and root-knot nematodes are all common in home gardens. Fruit fly is another big one, and it needs exclusion netting or traps rather than companion plants.
Looking after bees
Honeybees have come under pressure from varroa mite, which reached Australia in 2022. Flowering herbs and annuals such as borage, dill and marigold give bees and other pollinators food and help fruiting crops set.
The Three Sisters
Corn, climbing beans and pumpkin is a traditional trio. The corn supports the beans, the beans add nitrogen and the pumpkin shades the soil. It suits warm Australian summers.
Shade in summer
Tall plants like corn and sunflowers can cast afternoon shade over heat-sensitive crops such as lettuce, which can extend their season. Leave enough light for both.
Frequently asked questions
What is companion planting and does it work?
Companion planting is growing plants together for mutual benefit, such as pest control, pollination, soil improvement or support. The evidence is strongest for a few pairings: legumes fix nitrogen that nearby plants can use, and French marigolds can suppress root-knot nematodes. Many other pairings are traditional and the effects can be modest, but a diverse garden generally has fewer pest outbreaks than a single-crop bed.
What are the best companion plants for an Australian vegetable garden?
Versatile choices include French marigolds, nasturtiums, basil, borage and chives. Nasturtiums are a popular sacrificial plant for aphids, basil pairs well with tomatoes, borage attracts bees, marigolds help against nematodes, and chives are a compact herb that suits most beds.
Why doesn’t fennel get along with other plants?
Fennel releases compounds that can inhibit the growth of many neighbouring plants. Gardeners usually grow it in its own pot or a separate bed, away from vegetables. Both bulb fennel and herb fennel can have this effect.
Can companion planting replace pesticides?
It can reduce how much you need, but it rarely replaces other measures completely. Combine it with physical barriers such as fine netting, regular checks, removing diseased plants and, where needed, targeted organic controls. This layered approach is often called integrated pest management.
Should I plant companions before or with my main crop?
Planting them at the same time, or a few weeks earlier, is usually best so they are established when pests arrive. Be careful with plants that can harm neighbours at certain stages, such as flowering dill near tomatoes, and keep fennel well away from the vegetable garden.
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Companion planting advice is based on horticultural guidance and traditional practice. Results vary with climate, soil and conditions.