Best Companion Plants Perfect for your Peppers (and What to Avoid)

If you’re planning to grow peppers, now is the perfect time to consider their garden companions. Interestingly, many of the vegetables and herbs that make fantastic salsa ingredients also serve as excellent companion plants for peppers. These plants thrive under similar growing conditions—light, soil pH, and water requirements—while also helping with pest control and disease prevention.

Great choices to plant alongside peppers include basil, marigolds, and onions. Whether you’re growing sweet bell peppers or fiery chili varieties, incorporating these companions can promote healthier plants and a more abundant harvest.

What Is Companion Planting?

Companion planting is the practice of growing different plants together to support each other’s growth. While some recommendations are based on scientific research, many stem from generations of gardening wisdom recorded in farmers’ almanacs.

A garden is a miniature ecosystem where plants interact and benefit from one another. Some relationships are one-sided, with certain plants offering protection, nutrients, or pest control. Others are mutually beneficial, enhancing each other’s health and yield.

7 Best Companion Plants for Peppers

Basil

Basil is a powerhouse companion for peppers. It grows quickly from seed, forming a dense ground cover that helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. More importantly, basil repels common pepper pests like aphids, spider mites, and thrips. Some gardeners also claim that planting basil nearby enhances the flavor of the peppers—an added bonus for home chefs!

Carrots

Peppers and carrots form a perfect duo. Peppers provide much-needed shade for tender carrot tops, while carrots help by loosening the soil as they grow, making it easier for peppers to establish strong roots. Additionally, carrots attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings, which help control unwanted pests.

Cilantro

Not only do peppers and cilantro pair beautifully in salsas, but they also complement each other in the garden. Cilantro attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps while repelling common pepper pests, including spider mites and aphids. Herbs like dill, oregano, and marjoram share similar advantages, making them great pepper companions as well.

Marigolds

While scientific evidence on marigolds’ pest-repelling properties is mixed, gardeners swear by their ability to deter nematodes, whiteflies, and squash bugs. More importantly, marigolds attract beneficial insects such as lacewings and ladybugs, which help keep harmful pests in check. Their bright, cheerful blooms also add a pop of color to your vegetable garden!

Nasturtiums

Aphids love pepper plants—but they love nasturtiums even more! By planting nasturtiums within 12 to 18 inches of your peppers, you create a natural aphid trap, drawing pests away from your prized crop. As an added benefit, the aphid-infested nasturtiums will attract ladybugs and lacewings, which will then help control aphid populations throughout your garden.

Tip: Nasturtium flowers are edible and add a peppery kick to salads—try tossing them with fresh peppers for a flavorful summer dish!

Onions

A kitchen staple and a garden essential, onions make fantastic pepper companions. They naturally repel slugs, aphids, and cabbage worms, reducing pest pressure on your pepper plants. Whether you opt for green onions, scallions, or larger onion varieties, their presence will help keep your garden pest-free.

Spinach

This leafy green is an ideal companion for peppers. Spinach helps shade the soil, preventing excessive evaporation and keeping roots cool. It also acts as a natural mulch, reducing weed competition while attracting beneficial insects. Because spinach grows low to the ground and matures quickly, you may even be able to harvest two spinach crops in one growing season!

Selecting and Planting Companion Plants for Peppers

Whether you’re transplanting peppers or starting from seed, timing is crucial. Plan your planting so that your companion plants mature at a similar time.

• Move peppers and their companions into the garden after the last frost.

• Ensure they receive at least six to eight hours of full sunlight daily.

• Provide consistent watering—peppers require 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Companion plants help retain soil moisture, but be sure not to overwater.

• Peppers come in various shapes, sizes, and heat levels. Sweet bell peppers (Capsicum annuum, Grossum Group) differ from spicy chili and cayenne peppers (Capsicum annuum, Longum Group), but they all benefit from the same companion planting techniques.

• If growing peppers in containers, cluster compatible plants together to maximize their benefits.

What Not to Grow with Peppers

Not all plants make good neighbors. Some plants compete for nutrients, attract pests, or disrupt pepper growth.

Apricots

If you’re growing apricots, keep your peppers far away! A common fungal disease affecting peppers can spread to apricot trees, damaging fruit production.

Brassicas (Cabbage, Broccoli, Kale, Cauliflower)

These leafy greens require different soil pH levels than peppers and may stunt their growth. Additionally, brassicas attract pests that can also target peppers.

Beans

Beans and peppers don’t get along well. Beans are heavy nitrogen feeders, and they will absorb the nutrients that peppers need to thrive. Additionally, tall bean vines can shade out pepper plants, reducing their access to sunlight.

Fennel

Fennel is notorious for inhibiting the growth of nearby plants. It releases compounds that stunt the development of peppers, making it an unsuitable garden companion.

Other Nightshades (Tomatoes, Eggplants, Potatoes)

Peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, and potatoes belong to the same nightshade family. While they can be planted together, they are all susceptible to the same diseases. To prevent soil-borne issues, avoid planting them in the same spot year after year. Rotate your crops every three years to maintain garden health.

Final Thoughts

Companion planting is a time-tested strategy for creating a thriving, pest-resistant, and productive garden. By carefully selecting what to grow alongside your peppers, you can improve soil conditions, deter pests, and enhance your overall harvest.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, planting basil, carrots, and marigolds alongside your peppers is a simple way to ensure success. Just remember to steer clear of beans, brassicas, and fennel!

Happy gardening!