6 Companion Plants For Broccoli (Plus, A Few To Avoid!)

No matter what you’re growing, companion planting matters. From hydrangeas to hostas, roses to radicchio, setting your plants up for success starts with finding the appropriate garden fellows. While you might think sturdy broccoli is fine to go it alone, even this hardy veggie can benefit from some well-selected friends. Here two experts share the best plants for growing alongside broccoli, plus a few that are best to avoid.

Meet The Experts

Linda Vater, plant expert for Southern Living® Plant Collection
Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of Park Seed's From Seed to Spoon app

Why Companion Plants Matter

There are a host of benefits that come along with choosing the right companion plants for your broccoli—including aesthetics. “The right companion plants not only benefit the plant’s growth by deterring pests and adding nutrients, but they can also serve as a visual accent, giving your kitchen garden attractive borders, color, and structure,” says Vater. While it’s true that certain fragrant herbs help deter pests, you might also choose them for their attractive, compact mounding habit, Vater explains, that make for a tidy “living border” that doubles down to keep garden pests at bay.

Companion plants can also be used to attract insects that can be beneficial to your broccoli plants, enhance your coniferous veggie’s flavor, and even support the health of your soil, says Spoonemore. What does all this mean? Potentially less work for you, as long as you make the right pairings.

The Best Companion Plants For Broccoli

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Rosemary

Botanical Name: Salvia rosmarinus
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Loamy, well-drained
Soil pH: Acid

We love the spicy scent of rosemary—but pests are typically less inclined to agree. Vater says Chef’s Choice® Culinary Rosemary from Southern Living® Plant Collection has certain traits which make it a winner among its peers. “Chef’s Choice is a particularly ideal variety as its high oil content, spicy flavor, and full bouquet make it a delectable addition to the garden as well as the dinner plate,” she explains. It can also serve as a border plant, lending a tidy look to your garden while still serving as a favorite ingredient in the kitchen.

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Lavender

Botanical Name: Lavandula
Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
Soil Type: Well-draining loam, sand
Soil pH: Alkaline, neutral

“Attractive to pollinators and people alike, lavender is another fantastic herb option to plant alongside broccoli,” says Vater. “Both benefit from at least six hours of direct sun each day, and the blue flowers and silver-hued foliage of Phenomenal™ Lavender from Southern Living® Plant Collection add visual interest as well as culinary usefulness when planted alongside broccoli.”

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Marigold

Botanical Name: Calendula officinalis
Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Type: Nutrient-rich, well-draining, clay, sand, loam
Soil pH: Alkaline, neutral, acid

Another strong-scented companion, marigold, will work to deter nematodes, aphids, and other broccoli pests, says Spoonemore. “They are also beneficial for attracting pollinators and other helpful insects to the garden,” she says. Give these easy, fast-growing florals a try for reduced pests, increased pollinators, and color that doesn’t quit.

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Nasturtium

Botanical Name: Tropaeolum
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Moist, well-draining, clay, loam
Soil pH: Acid, neutral

Nasturtium attract aphids and other pests away from broccoli, acting as trap crops, Spoonemore says. At the same time, they’ll squash bugs and repel whiteflies. Needless to say, they’re powerhouses when it comes to pest control. That being said, Spoonemore is quick to point out that they also attract pollinators that can contribute to a healthier garden.

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Carrots

Botanical Name: Daucus carota subsp. sativus
Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Type: Well-draining, loam, sand
Soil pH: Neutral

“Carrots are good companions for broccoli because their root systems occupy different soil levels, reducing competition for nutrients,” says Spoonemore. “Carrots can also help aerate the soil.” The two veggies also perform best in similar growing conditions, a must for finding ideal companion plants. Which means planting them side by side can not only optimize you available space, but also improve the overall health of your soil.

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Chamomile

A lot of camomile flowers — Getty Images

Botanical Name: Matricaria chamomilla
Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Type: Well-draining loam, sand
Soil pH: slightly acid

Some companion plants, like chamomile, can actually enhance the flavor of the plant they’re growing along with. While it boosts the flavor of your broccoli, enhances its growth, and attracts pollinators, chamomile also works to reduce fungal diseases within your garden thanks to its anti-fungal properties.

Companion Plants To Avoid

To give your broccoli the best chance to thrive, there are some plants that should be avoided.

Brassicas like cabbage, kale, and cauliflower can increase your broccoli’s disease susceptibility since these varieties all share similar disease and pest issues as broccoli, Spoonemore explains.
Peppers have a similar problem, but can also compete and/or deplete the soil of the nutrients your broccoli needs.
Tomatoes: While tomatoes and broccoli will also compete for nutrients, it’s calcium in particular that becomes problematic when these two are grown together. Reduced calcium levels in the soil will cause both veggies to see reduced growth.
Strawberries: They can attract broccoli pests like snails and slugs, Spoonemore says.

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