If you’re a vegetable gardener, I’m sure you’ve tried growing peppers in your garden at least once.
Believe it or not, I actually had to plant peppers and throw away destroyed crops several times before I got the hang of it. The main issue: pest infestations every single time.
In today’s article, I’m going to share with you a long list of companion plants that I’ve personally experimented with for repelling pests and insects from my pepper plants.
Let’s dive straight into it, shall we?
What Is Companion Planting & Why Does It Work For Peppers?
So, before we get to the actual plants themselves, let’s first understand what on earth companion plants are and why they’re so useful.
Well, as the name suggests, companion plants are grown alongside other plants, and they essentially enhance growth or provide protection in the garden through their unique mechanisms.
Some might enhance growth by breaking up compacted soil, while others may emit certain compounds that confuse and repel pests. Both qualities have merit in the garden.
For peppers, companion plants can reduce common pest populations (aphids, thrips, beetles) as well as improve pollination, soil quality, and root health. In simple words, you want companion plants in your garden if your goal is to achieve optimal pepper plant growth and eventually fruit production.
Companion Plants That Support Pepper Health
1: Basil
Something quite unique about basil is that it not only repels harmful pests and insects from the garden, but also boosts flavor in nearby plants.
You can certainly expect aphid and thrip populations in your garden to begin disappearing once you plant basil in there. The herb thrives in full sun and can grow compactly next to peppers.
2: Marigolds
Marigolds are best known for deterring nematodes and beetles in the garden. French marigolds are ideal in raised beds as they attract beneficial insects that prey on harmful pests and can help drive them out in no time.
3: Chives
Chives repel aphids and have shallow roots that won’t compete with peppers. This fragrant herb is best for bed edges and containers. Chives were actually my first choice when I was dealing with pest issues in my pepper plants.
4: Carrots
Carrots can not only loosen up compact soil but also help pepper roots breathe better. Plant carrots early and give them enough space between rows to avoid overcrowding.
5: Onions
The strong, pungent aroma of onions can help keep aphids and spider mites away for good. Their upright growth and shallow roots make them a tidy, compact companion.
6: Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for aphids and other harmful creepy crawlies. Their trailing habit makes them perfect to fill gaps in raised beds or borders.
𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐭 𝐟å 𝐝𝐞 𝐤𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐚𝐯𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐠å 𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐧æ𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐠 Å𝐛𝐧-𝐤𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧 (>), 𝐨𝐠 𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐢𝐤𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐄 𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤-𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫.
