The 10 Best Companion Plants For Onions (And 3 To Avoid)

18.07.2024 - 22:37 / southernliving.com / Kim Toscano

Companion planting is an age-old practice that pairs plants together in the garden to provide some benefit to one or both partners. Companion plants play various roles in the vegetable garden community. Onions produce strong odors in the form of volatile compounds that can confuse and deter plant pests. Planting onions with companion plants is a great way to manage insect pests on carrots, peppers, and other vegetable crops. Onion companion plants provide similar benefits to onions, helping to attract beneficial insects and reduce pest pressure. Some herbs are even rumored to improve the flavor of onions when grown in close proximity.

Scattering onion plants among companions throughout the garden is a great way to reduce pressure from one of the most common pests, onion maggots. This pest burrows into the developing roots and easily moves from plant to plant when onions are set in a row. Break your onion plantings into small groups tucked among herbs, vegetables, and other plants that benefit from the pairing. Onions perform best in rich, well-drained soil and full sun, though some species, such as chives, also tolerate partial shade. Pair onions with plants that thrive under similar growing conditions. Plant onions in fall or very early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked.

• Botanical Name: Capsicum annuum
• Planting Time: Late spring, after the threat of frost has passed

Studies have demonstrated the benefit onions provide to peppers when planted together in the garden. The scent of onions protects peppers against attack by the green peach aphids, a damaging pest that feeds on foliage and transmits several viruses to pepper plants.

• Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea
• Planting