Potatoes are one of the most rewarding crops to grow at home. With just a few seed tubers, you can harvest buckets of food that store well through the year. Yet potatoes are also demanding—they draw heavily on soil nutrients, attract pests, and are prone to diseases like blight. Success with potatoes depends not only on soil preparation and care but also on companion planting. Choosing the right neighbors can boost yields, deter pests, and improve soil health, while the wrong neighbors can invite trouble.
This guide explores the best companions for potatoes and the plants to avoid, helping you design a healthier, more resilient garden.
Why Companion Planting Matters for Potatoes
Potatoes are part of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), alongside tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. This makes them susceptible to a similar set of pests and diseases. Proper companion planting addresses several needs:
- Pest control: Repel potato beetles, aphids, and wireworms.
- Disease management: Reduce risk of blight and soil-borne pathogens.
- Nutrient balance: Pair with crops that restore nitrogen or use different soil layers.
- Efficient space use: Fill gaps between potato rows with quick, compatible crops.
Best Potato Companions
1. Legumes
- Beans and Peas
Legumes fix nitrogen in the soil, replenishing nutrients that potatoes consume heavily. Bush beans are especially good, as they don’t climb and interfere with potato hilling.
2. Cabbage Family (Brassicas)
- Cabbage, Kale, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts
Brassicas and potatoes don’t compete heavily for nutrients. Potatoes also repel certain pests that bother brassicas, while brassicas confuse potato beetles with their strong scent.
3. Aromatic Herbs
- Horseradish
Traditionally planted at the corners of potato beds to deter pests and improve disease resistance. - Thyme and Basil
Help repel beetles and enhance overall garden biodiversity.
4. Flowers
- Marigolds
Suppress nematodes in the soil and deter beetles. - Nasturtiums
Act as trap crops for aphids and beetles, drawing them away from potato plants. - Calendula
Attracts predatory insects that feed on aphids and caterpillars.
5. Sweet Corn
- Corn and potatoes grow well together because they use different root depths and attract different insect communities, reducing pressure on both.
6. Spinach and Lettuce
- Fast-growing greens can be tucked between potato rows early in the season, harvested before potato plants spread and shade them out.
Plants to Avoid Near Potatoes
1. Other Nightshades
- Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplants
These share pests and diseases with potatoes, especially late blight. Growing them together increases risk of cross-contamination and depletes the soil of similar nutrients.
2. Carrots
- Carrots and potatoes both compete for underground space, leading to stunted roots and lower yields.
3. Onions and Garlic (Alliums)
- While alliums deter many pests, they can inhibit potato growth when planted too close. Potatoes tend to perform poorly near onions, garlic, and leeks.
4. Cucumbers and Squash
- These sprawling crops compete for space and attract pests that may also damage potatoes.
5. Sunflowers
- Sunflowers release allelopathic chemicals that can stunt potato growth. They also create heavy shade, which potatoes dislike.
6. Raspberries
- Potatoes and raspberries both suffer from verticillium wilt, which spreads more easily when planted together.
Rotation and Soil Health for Potatoes
Potatoes should never be grown in the same bed two years in a row. Repeated planting leads to a buildup of pests and diseases. Instead, rotate them with:
- Legumes (beans, peas, clover) to restore nitrogen.
- Leafy greens (lettuce, spinach) for lighter nutrient demands.
- Root crops (beets, radishes) that don’t share the same pest profile.
A three- or four-year gap before returning potatoes to the same soil is ideal.
Example Companion Planting Combinations
Combination 1: Potatoes, Beans, and Marigolds
- Potatoes as the main crop.
- Bush beans to restore nitrogen.
- Marigolds in borders to repel nematodes and beetles.
- Result: Balanced soil fertility and natural pest suppression.
Combination 2: Potatoes, Cabbage, and Nasturtiums
- Potatoes in rows.
- Cabbage interplanted, benefiting from pest confusion.
- Nasturtiums trailing at bed edges as trap crops.
- Result: Healthier brassicas and potatoes with fewer aphids.
Combination 3: Potatoes with Lettuce Succession
- Potatoes planted early.
- Lettuce sown between rows, harvested before potato foliage shades it out.
- Result: Efficient use of bed space and two crops instead of one.
Tips for Companion Planting with Potatoes
- Hill regularly: This prevents greening of tubers and keeps weeds down, giving companions more defined space.
- Use flowers generously: Nasturtiums, marigolds, and calendula not only attract pollinators but also balance pest pressure.
- Mind spacing: Potatoes need airflow to prevent blight. Don’t crowd companions too closely.
- Rotate carefully: Always follow potatoes with soil-building crops rather than other heavy feeders.
- Experiment small: Every garden has unique microclimates. Try combinations in one bed before expanding.
Common Mistakes
- Planting potatoes with tomatoes: This doubles the risk of blight and decimates both crops if disease strikes.
- Overcrowding: Adding too many companions can restrict airflow, encouraging fungal diseases.
- Ignoring soil fertility: Potatoes exhaust soil quickly. Without compost or rotation, even with companions, yields will decline.
- Planting in wet soils: Companions can’t offset the rot that comes from poorly drained beds.
FAQs on Potato Companions and Avoids
What is the single best companion for potatoes?
Bush beans are among the best. They improve soil fertility and balance out potato nutrient needs.
Can potatoes grow with carrots?
It’s not recommended. Both crops compete underground, resulting in reduced harvests.
Do flowers really help potatoes?
Yes. Marigolds, nasturtiums, and calendula deter pests and attract beneficial insects, reducing the need for intervention.
How far apart should conflicting plants be?
At least one bed or several feet apart. For example, keep potatoes far from tomatoes and peppers to avoid disease spread.
How often should potatoes be rotated?
Ideally, rotate potatoes every three to four years, with legumes or leafy crops in between.