Companion planting is like the secret sauce to a thriving garden. When done right, it not only boosts your harvest but also helps keep pests at bay and improves soil health. And when it comes to cauliflower, choosing the right companions can make all the difference.
So, let’s dive into the world of cauliflower companion plants, where we’ll explore the best plant buddies and those you should keep far apart.
What is a Companion Plant for Cauliflower?
Plant partners that help each other grow are considered companion plants. Some offer shade, others repel pests, and a few even improve the flavor or growth of their neighbors. For cauliflower, a plant that’s somewhat fussy about its surroundings, the right companions can lead to a healthier, more productive garden.
Top 17 Vegetables and Herbs to Plant with Cauliflower
Let’s explore 17 top vegetables and herbs to plant with cauliflower, complete with basic information, peculiar descriptions, and why your cauliflower will love them.
1. Peas
- Height: 2-4 feet
- Spread: 6 inches
- Flavor: Sweet, slightly grassy
- Growth Habit: Climbing vine
- Nitrogen Fixation: Adds nitrogen to the soil, benefiting nearby plants
Peas are natural nitrogen-fixers, meaning they pull nitrogen from the air and enrich the soil with it. This is crucial for heavy feeders like cauliflower, which rely on nitrogen for healthy growth.
Why Cauliflower Will Love It: Cauliflower thrives in nitrogen-rich soil, and peas are one of the best plants to naturally provide this essential nutrient. Plus, their climbing habit makes them perfect for vertical garden spaces, allowing cauliflower to soak up all the sunlight it needs.
2. Spinach
- Height: 6-12 inches
- Spread: 6-12 inches
- Flavor: Earthy, slightly bitter
- Growth Habit: Low-growing, leafy green
- Shade Tolerance: Can thrive in partial shade provided by taller plants
Spinach is a cool-weather crop that doesn’t mind a bit of shade, making it an ideal companion for cauliflower, which has broad leaves that can cast significant shadows.
Why Cauliflower Will Love It: Spinach’s low-growing habit won’t compete with cauliflower for sunlight, and it helps keep the soil cool and moist, which cauliflower loves. Additionally, spinach can be harvested early, freeing up space for the growing cauliflower.
3. Beets
- Height: 12-18 inches
- Spread: 6-12 inches
- Flavor: Earthy, sweet
- Growth Habit: Root vegetable with edible greens
- Nutrient Requirement: Low to moderate
Beets are root vegetables that grow underground, leaving plenty of space for cauliflower above. Their presence won’t interfere with cauliflower’s growth, and they help break up the soil, improving its texture.
Why Cauliflower Will Love It: Beets have minimal nutrient requirements, meaning they won’t compete with cauliflower for essential resources. Plus, the leaves of beets can provide ground cover, helping to retain moisture in the soil.
4. Dill
- Height: 2-3 feet
- Spread: 18-24 inches
- Flavor: Fresh, slightly citrusy
- Growth Habit: Tall, feathery herb
- Pollinator Attraction: Attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and hoverflies
Dill’s feathery foliage and tall stature make it an excellent companion for cauliflower. It attracts beneficial insects that prey on common cauliflower pests, reducing the need for chemical interventions.
Why Cauliflower Will Love It: Dill’s presence can help keep aphids and other pests away from cauliflower. Its tall, wispy growth won’t overshadow cauliflower, allowing both to flourish in the garden.
5. Garlic
- Height: 18-24 inches
- Spread: 4-6 inches
- Flavor: Pungent, savory
- Growth Habit: Bulb-forming with upright green shoots
- Pest Deterrent: Natural repellent for aphids, cabbage worms, and other pests
Garlic is a natural pest deterrent that can help protect cauliflower from a variety of common garden pests. Its strong smell confuses pests and masks the scent of cauliflower.
Why Cauliflower Will Love It: Garlic’s ability to repel pests means your cauliflower is less likely to be attacked by insects. Additionally, garlic takes up very little space, leaving plenty of room for cauliflower to grow.
6. Mint
- Height: 12-18 inches
- Spread: 18-24 inches (can be invasive)
- Flavor: Fresh, cool, aromatic
- Growth Habit: Spreading, low-growing herb
- Pest Deterrent: Strongly repels pests like ants and aphids
Mint is an aromatic herb that can be quite invasive if not controlled. It’s best planted in containers near cauliflower to benefit from its pest-repellent properties without taking over the garden.
Why Cauliflower Will Love It: Mint’s strong scent keeps pests away from cauliflower, helping it grow without interference. Just make sure to control mint’s spread, so it doesn’t crowd out your cauliflower.
7. Onions
- Height: 12-18 inches
- Spread: 4-6 inches
- Flavor: Pungent, sharp
- Growth Habit: Upright, bulb-forming
- Companion Benefit: Helps deter pests like aphids and cabbage worms
Onions are excellent companions for cauliflower, as they help deter a range of pests with their strong aroma. They also have a small footprint, allowing more cauliflower to be planted in a given space.
Why Cauliflower Will Love It: Onions protect cauliflower from common pests and don’t compete for space or nutrients. Their upright growth habit leaves plenty of room for cauliflower’s broad leaves to spread.
8. Nasturtiums
- Height: 12-18 inches
- Spread: 12-24 inches
- Flavor: Peppery, spicy (edible flowers and leaves)
- Growth Habit: Spreading, trailing plant
- Pest Trap: Acts as a trap crop for aphids and whiteflies
Nasturtiums are vibrant flowering plants that attract pests away from cauliflower, acting as a trap crop. They are also edible, adding both beauty and utility to your garden.
Why Cauliflower Will Love It: Nasturtiums lure pests away from cauliflower, protecting it from damage. Additionally, their spreading habit provides ground cover, helping to retain soil moisture and reduce weeds.
9. Sage
- Height: 12-24 inches
- Spread: 18-24 inches
- Flavor: Earthy, slightly bitter
- Growth Habit: Bushy, perennial herb
- Pest Deterrent: Repels pests like cabbage moths and beetles
Sage is a hardy perennial herb that pairs well with cauliflower. Its strong scent repels a variety of pests that might otherwise attack your cauliflower.
Why Cauliflower Will Love It: Sage helps keep harmful insects away from cauliflower while also attracting beneficial pollinators. Its bushy growth habit complements cauliflower, providing protection without overcrowding.
10. Chives
- Height: 12-18 inches
- Spread: 12-18 inches
- Flavor: Mild onion, slightly garlic-like
- Growth Habit: Clump-forming, perennial herb
- Companion Benefit: Repels aphids and improves the flavor of nearby vegetables
Chives are easy to grow and excellent companions for cauliflower. They help repel aphids and other pests while also improving the flavor of surrounding vegetables.
Why Cauliflower Will Love It: Chives protect cauliflower from pests and enhance the overall flavor of your garden produce. Their compact growth makes them easy to plant around cauliflower without taking up too much space.
11. Chamomile
- Height: 8-24 inches
- Spread: 12 inches
- Flavor: Sweet, apple-like (used in teas)
- Growth Habit: Low-growing, spreading herb
- Soil Improvement: Enhances the flavor and growth of nearby plants
Chamomile is a calming herb known for its tea, but it’s also great for companion planting. It helps improve the flavor and growth of nearby vegetables, including cauliflower.
Why Cauliflower Will Love It: Chamomile’s soil-improving properties benefit cauliflower by enhancing its flavor and growth. Plus, its low-growing nature makes it a perfect underplanting for cauliflower, providing ground cover and retaining moisture.
12. Marigolds
- Height: 6-24 inches
- Spread: 6-12 inches
- Flavor: Spicy, bitter (edible flowers)
- Growth Habit: Bushy, annual flower
- Pest Deterrent: Repels nematodes, aphids, and other pests
Marigolds are bright, cheerful flowers that do double duty in the garden. They repel nematodes and other pests that could harm your cauliflower.
Why Cauliflower Will Love It: Marigolds protect cauliflower from soil-borne pests like nematodes, reducing the risk of disease. Their vibrant flowers also attract pollinators, creating a healthier garden environment.
13. Rosemary
- Height: 2-4 feet
- Spread: 2-4 feet
- Flavor: Woody, pine-like
- Growth Habit: Upright, perennial shrub
- Pest Deterrent: Repels cabbage moths, carrot flies, and other pests
Rosemary is a robust, woody herb that’s perfect for companion planting with cauliflower. Its strong, aromatic oils deter a variety of pests, making it an excellent protective barrier in the garden.
Why Cauliflower Will Love It: Rosemary’s pest-repelling properties keep cauliflower safe from harmful insects like cabbage moths and carrot flies. Its upright growth doesn’t compete for space, allowing cauliflower to spread its leaves freely.
14. Thyme
- Height: 6-12 inches
- Spread: 12-18 inches
- Flavor: Earthy, slightly lemony
- Growth Habit: Low-growing, spreading herb
- Companion Benefit: Attracts beneficial insects and deters cabbage worms
Thyme is a versatile herb that works well as a ground cover around cauliflower. It attracts beneficial insects while keeping cabbage worms at bay, making it a valuable addition to any cauliflower patch.
Why Cauliflower Will Love It: Thyme helps protect cauliflower from pests and attracts pollinators that can improve overall garden health. Its low, spreading growth habit is perfect for covering the ground around cauliflower, conserving moisture, and reducing weeds.
15. Borage
- Height: 18-36 inches
- Spread: 12-18 inches
- Flavor: Cucumber-like, mildly sweet (edible flowers)
- Growth Habit: Bushy, self-seeding annual
- Soil Improvement: Improves soil health by adding trace minerals
Borage is a flowering herb that’s not only pretty but also incredibly useful in the garden. It attracts pollinators and improves soil health, making it a great companion for cauliflower.
Why Cauliflower Will Love It: Borage improves the soil by adding trace minerals and attracts pollinators that benefit cauliflower’s overall growth. Its bushy habit also provides some shade to the soil, keeping it cool and moist for cauliflower.
16. Coriander (Cilantro)
- Height: 12-24 inches
- Spread: 6-12 inches
- Flavor: Fresh, citrusy, slightly spicy
- Growth Habit: Upright, annual herb
- Pest Deterrent: Repels aphids and spider mites
Coriander, also known as cilantro, is a dual-purpose herb that works well with cauliflower. It repels pests like aphids and spider mites while adding a fresh, citrusy flavor to your dishes.
Why Cauliflower Will Love It: Coriander helps protect cauliflower from pests and doesn’t compete for resources due to its upright growth. Its ability to attract beneficial insects also helps create a balanced, healthy garden environment.
17. Parsley
- Height: 10-12 inches
- Spread: 9-12 inches
- Flavor: Fresh, slightly peppery
- Growth Habit: Low-growing, biennial herb
- Companion Benefit: Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and ladybugs
Parsley is a popular herb that pairs well with cauliflower. It attracts beneficial insects that help control pests and can be easily tucked around the base of cauliflower plants.
Why Cauliflower Will Love It: Parsley’s presence helps control pests naturally by attracting predatory insects. Its low-growing habit makes it an ideal companion for cauliflower, allowing both plants to thrive without competing for space or resources.
Related:
Bad Companion Plants for Cauliflower
While companion planting can greatly benefit cauliflower, certain plants should be avoided as neighbors in your garden. These bad companions can stunt cauliflower's growth, attract pests, or compete for vital nutrients.
1. Strawberries
Strawberries and cauliflower do not get along well. Strawberries are prone to attracting slugs and other pests that can harm cauliflower. Additionally, strawberries require different soil conditions, which can create competition for nutrients.
2. Tomatoes
Tomatoes and cauliflower are both heavy feeders, meaning they require a lot of nutrients, particularly nitrogen, to grow well. When planted together, they compete for these resources, leaving both plants undernourished and susceptible to diseases. Additionally, tomatoes can attract pests like aphids and whiteflies that also affect cauliflower.
3. Corn
Corn is another plant that doesn’t mix well with cauliflower. Corn's tall growth habit can overshadow cauliflower, limiting its access to sunlight. Both corn and cauliflower are also heavy feeders, leading to competition for soil nutrients, which can stunt the growth of both crops.
4. Beans
Beans, while beneficial for many plants due to their nitrogen-fixing ability, are not good companions for cauliflower. They can hinder cauliflower's growth by outcompeting it for space and sunlight. Additionally, beans attract aphids, which are detrimental to cauliflower.
5. Potatoes
Potatoes are not compatible with cauliflower because they are both prone to the same soil-borne diseases, such as clubroot. Planting them together increases the risk of spreading these diseases. Moreover, potatoes’ extensive root system can interfere with cauliflower’s shallow roots, leading to competition for nutrients and water.
Additional Cauliflower Companion Planting Pairs
Cauliflower and Cucumber Companion Plants
Cauliflower and cucumbers can share the same garden space without much fuss. Cucumbers are neutral companions, meaning they don’t harm cauliflower but also don’t provide significant benefits. The key is to ensure that neither plant overshadows the other, allowing both to thrive.
Peppers and Cauliflower Companion Plants
Peppers are a fantastic companion for cauliflower. Both plants have similar sunlight and water needs, making them easy to grow together. Peppers can also help deter pests like aphids, which might otherwise munch on your cauliflower.
Cauliflower and Cabbage Companion Plants
Cauliflower and cabbage belong to the same family, Brassicaceae, which means they share similar needs. However, planting them together isn’t always the best idea. They can attract the same pests and compete for nutrients, potentially leading to a less-than-ideal harvest.
Celery and Cauliflower Companion Plants
Celery and cauliflower are a match made in gardening heaven. Celery acts as a natural pest deterrent, particularly against the cabbage moth, which loves to feast on cauliflower leaves. Plus, their growth habits complement each other, with celery’s slender stalks fitting nicely around cauliflower’s broad leaves.
Carrots and Cauliflower Companion Plants
Carrots and cauliflower can share space quite nicely. Carrots have a low-growing habit that won’t compete with cauliflower for sunlight, and they don’t require the same nutrients, which minimizes competition in the soil.
Cauliflower and Broccoli Companion Plants
Like cabbage, broccoli is also a member of the Brassicaceae family. While they have similar growing requirements, planting them together isn’t ideal due to their shared pests and nutrient demands. It’s better to space these crops out in your garden to reduce competition.
FAQs
What should I plant next to cauliflower?
Ideal companion plants for cauliflower include peas, beans, celery, and dill. These plants either provide necessary nutrients, deter pests, or do not compete for space and resources, creating a harmonious garden environment.
Where is the best place to plant cauliflower?
The best place to plant cauliflower is in a sunny spot with well-drained, fertile soil. Cauliflower needs consistent moisture and benefits from a location sheltered from strong winds to prevent damage to its delicate leaves.
Can you plant cauliflower and zucchini together?
It’s best to avoid planting cauliflower and zucchini together. Both plants are heavy feeders and compete for the same nutrients, which can lead to poor growth and smaller harvests for both crops.
What vegetables should not be planted next to each other?
Vegetables like onions and beans should not be planted together because beans can inhibit the growth of onions. Also, heavy feeders like corn and tomatoes should not be planted next to each other as they compete for nutrients, leading to nutrient deficiencies.
Can you plant cauliflower and cabbage together?
Cauliflower and cabbage can be planted together since they share similar growing conditions. However, both plants are heavy feeders and susceptible to the same pests, so it’s crucial to rotate them and use companion plants that deter pests.
Can I plant cauliflower with tomatoes?
It's not recommended to plant cauliflower with tomatoes. Both are heavy feeders and can compete for nutrients, leading to poor growth. Additionally, they are prone to similar pests, which can easily spread between the two plants.
Final Thoughts
Companion planting is more of an art than a science, and getting it right with cauliflower can significantly boost your garden's success.
By pairing cauliflower with the right companions and avoiding the bad ones, you’ll have a thriving garden full of healthy, delicious veggies. So, the next time you’re planning your garden layout, keep these tips in mind, and watch your cauliflower flourish!
Got any favorite companion planting tips or unexpected pairings? Share them in the comments below—I’d love to hear about your gardening adventures!
External resources: For more gardening tips on cauliflower companion planting, check out Epic Gardening and Almanac for more companion planting techniques
Happy gardening!