Cucumbers can be pretty easy to grow, but having the right cucumber companion plants next to them makes a big difference in how well they do.
The plants you choose to grow alongside your cucumbers shouldn't compete too much for sunlight, water, and nutrients. Some plants actually help keep pests away from the cucumbers. It's worth being picky about which plants to pair with your cucumber so you end up with a huge harvest instead of a tiny one.
I've found some plants that just go so nicely with cucumbers. Since they’re part of the gourd family, they have similar needs as other veggies in that group, like melons, squash, and pumpkins, and those make great companions in my garden.
Then there are herbs and flowers that do well next to cucumbers, like dill, oregano, and marigolds. Those help mask the cucumber smell to prevent pests. I also throw in some lettuce and beans on the edges of the cucumber patch. They don't take up a ton of room, and their quick growth fills in empty spots.
Being thoughtful about companion planting takes a little more time up front, but really pays off once the cucumber vines start spreading. I've had much better luck getting piles of cucumbers when I take care to find them the right plant companions.
It makes the difference between a tiny harvest and overflowing green abundance! Read on to learn about the 15 best cucumber companion plants.
Table of Contents
1. Beans and Peas
Botanical Name: Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Pisum sativum
Beans and peas are excellent companions for cucumbers. They enrich the soil with nitrogen, a nutrient cucumbers need for healthy growth.
Additionally, their vertical growth habit provides shade, which cucumbers appreciate in the heat of summer.
2. Corn
Botanical Name: Zea mays
Corn is another great companion for cucumbers. The tall stalks offer a natural trellis for cucumber vines to climb, saving space and keeping the cucumbers off the ground.
This also helps to deter pests and promotes better air circulation, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.
3. Marigolds
Botanical Name: Tagetes spp.
Marigolds are a gardener's best friend, and cucumbers are no exception. These vibrant flowers deter many common garden pests, including nematodes and beetles, that can harm cucumber plants.
Plus, they add a splash of color to your vegetable garden.
4. Radishes
Botanical Name: Raphanus sativus
Radishes are one of the best cucumber companion plants. They are known to deter cucumber beetles and rust flies, two pests that can cause significant damage to cucumber plants.
Furthermore, radishes mature quickly, making them a great choice for succession planting with cucumbers.
5. Oregano
Botanical Name: Origanum vulgare
Oregano is a wonderful companion for cucumbers. Its strong scent can deter pests.
It's a hardy perennial that can provide ground cover, helping to suppress weeds that might compete with cucumbers for nutrients.
6. Alliums
Botanical Name: Allium spp.
Alliums, which include onions, garlic, and leeks, are beneficial companions for cucumbers.
They deter a variety of pests, including aphids, beetles, and slugs, which can pose a threat to cucumber plants.
7. Beets
Botanical Name: Beta vulgaris
Beets make good companions for cucumbers as they don't compete for nutrients.
They also help to loosen the soil, allowing cucumber roots to penetrate deeper and access water and nutrients more efficiently.
8. Borage
Botanical Name: Borago officinalis
Borage is a powerhouse companion for cucumbers. It attracts beneficial insects like bees and wasps, which aid in pollination, leading to a more abundant cucumber harvest.
Borage also deters harmful pests, and its deep roots bring up nutrients from the soil, benefiting neighboring plants.
9. Nasturtium
Botanical Name: Tropaeolum majus
Nasturtium is a great companion for cucumbers. It acts as a trap crop for aphids, drawing these pests away from cucumbers.
Plus, nasturtium flowers attract pollinators, boosting cucumber yields.
10. Lettuce
Botanical Name: Lactuca sativa
Lettuce is a good companion for cucumbers. It has shallow roots and grows quickly, making it an excellent ground cover that helps to suppress weeds.
Lettuce also appreciates the shade provided by cucumber plants, which can help to keep it from bolting in hot weather.
11. Dill
Botanical Name: Anethum graveolens
Dill is a fantastic companion plant for cucumbers. It attracts beneficial insects such as wasps and other predatory insects that help control pests like aphids and spider mites.
The dill plant also enhances the flavor of cucumbers, making this a great combination for your garden.
12. Calendula
Botanical Name: Calendula officinalis
Calendula, also known as pot marigold, is another excellent companion for cucumbers. It attracts beneficial insects and repels harmful soil nematodes and asparagus beetles.
Calendula also has vibrant flowers that can add a pop of color to your garden.
13. Carrots
Botanical Name: Daucus carota
Carrots and cucumbers make a good pair in the garden. The carrots help to break up the soil, allowing cucumber roots to penetrate deeper and access more nutrients.
Additionally, the cucumber vines provide shade for the carrots, helping to keep them cool in the heat of summer.
14. Sweet Alyssum
Botanical Name: Lobularia maritima
Sweet Alyssum is a beneficial companion plant for cucumbers. It attracts hoverflies, which are natural predators of aphids, a common pest of cucumber plants.
Plus, sweet alyssum's small, fragrant flowers add beauty to your garden and can also attract pollinators.
15. Sunflowers
Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus
Sunflowers can serve as a natural trellis for cucumber vines, providing them with the support they need to grow and thrive. They also attract pollinators, which can help increase your cucumber yield.
Just be sure to plant your cucumbers in a spot where they won't be shaded by the sunflowers.
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