11 Best Zucchini Companion Plants

Zucchini in garden — Photo:
Adyna/Getty Images

Zucchini is the squash of summer. This green, mild vegetable often leaves people with a plentiful harvest that has them trying everything from zucchini bread to zucchini panzanella before they end up offering zucchini to any neighbor or friend that will take it.

Yet despite its reputation as a vegetable that grows easily and abundantly, zucchini can actually fall victim to a range of diseases and pests, including leaf blight, bacterial wilt, squash bugs, aphids, and squash vine borer. That's why companion plants are a key ingredient in a successful zucchini crop to help keep threats in check, add nutrients to the soil, and keep zucchini plants healthy.

How Companion Planting Helps Zucchini Thrive

Companion planting is the strategic placement of two or more vegetables, fruits, or herbs to help each plant thrive. In some cases, planting a companion plant near zucchini will help deter some of its most concerning pests. In other situations, the companion plants will help prevent weed growth or add specific nutrients into the soil, like nitrogen, that can boost zucchini growth. And some companion plants will actually enhance the flavor of zucchini, which is mild, but can take on a more robust flavor when grown around other plants with strong notes.

Best Companion Plants for Zucchini

Eager to give your zucchini an edge in squash production and keep pesky bugs away from your garden bed? Here are 11 companion plants to help bring out the best in your zucchini this summer.

01 of 11

Nasturtiums

Nasturtium blooms — Paul Starosta/Getty Images

Botanical Name: Tropaeolum spp.
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic, neutral, alkaline

The green, peppery notes of nasturtium lures in some of zucchini's biggest threats, including aphids, squash bugs, and cucumber beetles. You might think that inviting these pests into your garden would be a bad idea, but, instead, nasturtiums serve as a "trap crop." They distract these pests from your zucchini and, instead, the pests hang out on these vibrant blooms.

02 of 11

Marigold

Botanical Name: Tagetes spp.
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral

Not only do marigolds add vibrant, warm color to your garden, but they also attract lacewings. These delicate flying insects feed on aphids, so they'll help keep these pests away from your zucchini plants and stop the aphids from covering the zucchini in a sticky residue.

03 of 11

Beans

Botanical Name: Phaseolus vulgaris
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Loamy, moist, well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic

Beans add nitrogen into the soil, which is one of the key ingredients that zucchini need to thrive and up their production. If you plant a low-growing variety of beans, like bush beans, they can also cover the ground and prevent weeds from sprouting up and impacting your zucchini crop.

04 of 11

Garlic

Botanical Name: Allium sativum
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral

The strong fragrance of garlic is beneficial on multiple levels. First, it can deter bugs like aphids, beetles, and squash bugs from attacking your zucchini. But, second, it can help add flavor to the mild-mannered zucchini.

05 of 11

Lettuce

Botanical Name: Lactuca sativa
Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
Soil Type: Loamy, rich, well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic, neutral

Weeds can crowd out zucchini, preventing it from spreading fully. But lettuce as a companion plant can help suppress weeds by taking over the space where they would usually take hold. Because of its low growing habit, lettuce also shades the soil and helps retain moisture, which zucchini needs.

06 of 11

Oregano

Botanical Name: Origanum
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained, sandy
Soil pH: Neutral (6.5-7.0)

Plant oregano near zucchini, and you'll find that its scent keeps aphids and spider mites from moving in. Plus, oregano is a perfect complement to zucchini in an Italian dish, so you can cook with both of these together. And is there anything more lovely than grabbing multiple crops from your garden to cook dinner?

07 of 11

Borage

Botanical Name: Borago officinalis
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-draining, Rich
Soil pH: Slightly Acidic to Slightly Alkaline

The brilliant blue blossoms of borage are a favorite of gardeners because they're edible, but they're also popular with pollinators. Attracting bees and butterflies to the squash blossom blooms on zucchini is critical to a healthy plant, and planting borage around your garden helps bring in those insects.

08 of 11

Radishes

Botanical Name: Raphanus sativus
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained, loose
Soil pH: Acidic, neutral

Don't let your zucchini fall victim to cucumber beetles. If you plant radishes, they'll stop beetles from taking over. Plus, radishes don't spread, so they won't impose on the zucchini's space.

09 of 11

Peas

Botanical Name: Pisum sativum
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained, rich
Soil pH: Acidic, neutral (6.0-7.5)

Similar to beans, peas add nitrogen into the soil. This boosts zucchini's fruit production, which leads to a bigger harvest (and many more loaves of zucchini bread in your future!).

10 of 11

Sunflowers

Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained, loamy
Soil pH: Acidic (6.0-6.8)

While zucchini can grow in a bush-like habit, it can also climb when given the opportunity. Sunflower's tall, sturdy stalks are the perfect foundation for the vines to make their way upwards. The vibrant yellow blooms will also help bring more pollinators into the garden.

11 of 11

Rosemary

Botanical Name: Salvia rosmarinus
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained, loamy
Soil pH: Slightly acidic (6.0-7.0)

While humans love the earthy, herbal smell of rosemary, not all bugs find it so appealing. Aphids will steer clear of a garden where rosemary is growing, so plant it as a border plant around your vegetable garden to keep your zucchini pest-free.

Keep These Plants Away From Zucchini

Zucchini doesn't get along with all plants in the garden. They're susceptible to blight, attract a range of pests, and soak up significant nutrients from the soil, so you have to be careful around similarly demanding plants. Here are three plants you should never plant with zucchini.

Potatoes

Potatoes are eager feeders, taking more than their fair share of nutrients from the soil—but so are zucchini. That means these two won't cooperate well in the garden. Plus, potatoes attract the same pests as zucchini, which will double your trouble.

Cucumbers

Zucchini and cucumber are both members of the Cucurbitaceae family, which means they have similar growing requirements and attract similar pests. If you plant these two next to each other, they'll compete for space, fight over nutrients, and increase the number of pests in the garden.

Pumpkins

Pumpkins are closely related to zucchini, and pests will spread quickly between these two vines. There's also the issue of cross-pollination, which will happen the second year these two are in the garden together. The seeds from your first year of plants may be cross-pollinated, leading to squash that are somewhere between pumpkin and zucchini with a bitter taste and poor texture.

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