We Discovered 20 Companion Plants That Will Help Your Peppers THRIVE
House Beautiful June 28, 2025
Lifestyle
House Beautiful June 28, 2025
Lifestyle
Peppers add color, crunch, and a kick of flavor to everything from fajitas to fresh salads, but these heat‑lovers thrive when surrounded by the right garden friends. Companion planting pairs crops that boost one another’s growth, deter pests, and even enhance flavor—and it can be the key to getting the most out of your seasonal harvest. Planting peppers alongside supportive herbs, flowers, and vegetables can reduce your reliance on pesticides, increase yields, and keep the garden buzzing with beneficial insects. It’s important to keep some best practices in mind when planning your garden layout with companion plants.
“Begin by grouping crops that share sunlight, moisture, and soil-pH preferences, then intermix quick, low growers (such as lettuce or radishes) with slower, taller species so that earlier harvests open space just as later crops fill in,” says Jessica Mercer of Plant Addicts. She advises keeping plant families that suffer the same diseases, such as nightshades, brassicas, and cucurbits, separated. “Arrange fragrant herbs and insect-attracting flowers along bed edges or in islands throughout the plot so their scent and pollination benefits reach the whole garden,” says Mercer. “Site aggressive spreaders, like mint, only in contained areas. Give climbing beans, peas, or sunflowers their own trellis or back row to avoid shading heat-loving crops.”
Basil repels common pepper pests such as aphids, thrips, and spider mites. It also enhances the flavor of nearby pepper fruits when grown in close proximity.
Marigolds help suppress root-knot nematodes and repel whiteflies that can damage pepper plants. Their bright blooms also attract pollinators to the garden.
Nasturtiums serve as a trap crop by luring aphids and flea beetles away from peppers. They also add color to the garden and attract pollinators.
This fragrant herb creates a dense ground cover that helps suppress weeds around peppers. It deters insect pests and attracts beneficial wasps that prey on garden pests.
Onions deter thrips and other insects that target pepper plants. Their slender growth habit allows them to fit easily between pepper rows without competing for space.
Garlic emits sulfur compounds that mask the scent of peppers, making them less attractive to pests. It’s an easy-to-grow addition that offers natural pest control benefits.
Chives deter aphids and beetles that can harm peppers. Their pretty purple blooms also attract helpful pollinators in spring.
Dill draws in beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings, which feast on aphids and other pests. It’s a valuable companion for pest control in the pepper patch.
Cilantro attracts hoverflies, which prey on soft-bodied pests. It can also provide a bit of shade at the base of pepper plants to help keep the soil cool.
Carrots naturally loosen the soil, which helps improve root development in pepper plants. They’re a smart, space-saving companion for interplanting.
Lettuce acts as a living mulch that helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. It grows quickly and thrives in the cooler shade under pepper plants.
Spinach benefits from the shade of taller pepper plants during warmer months. It also competes well with weeds, helping to keep the garden tidy.
Borage attracts bees and other pollinators with its vibrant blue flowers. Its deep roots also help bring nutrients up from lower soil layers, benefiting nearby peppers.
Thyme repels cabbage loopers and other unwanted pests with its strong scent. It’s also a drought-tolerant groundcover that conserves soil moisture around peppers.
Yarrow attracts beneficial insects such as ladybugs and parasitic wasps. It also improves the quality of compost with its nutrient-rich foliage.
Catmint repels flea beetles, squash bugs, and other pests with its intense aroma. It’s also easy to grow and adds soft, gray-green foliage to the garden.
Sweet alyssum forms a fragrant, low-growing mat that suppresses weeds and conserves moisture. It also attracts hoverflies that prey on aphids.
Radishes work well as a trap crop for flea beetles, drawing them away from peppers. They mature quickly and can be grown between pepper plants without crowding.
Chamomile boosts the vigor of nearby pepper plants and promotes overall garden health. Its daisy-like flowers also attract bees and helpful insects.
Parsley grows well beneath pepper plants and helps fill in garden gaps. It also attracts predatory wasps that feed on common garden pests.
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