15 Plants You Should Grow Next to Potatoes for a Healthier Garden

Have you ever wondered why some gardeners always seem to grow healthy, pest-free potatoes year after year?

One of the key reasons is what they plant nearby.

Choosing the right companion plants can protect your potatoes from pests, improve soil health, and even lead to larger harvests — all without chemicals or extra effort.

So, which plants make the best partners for potatoes? And how can they make your gardening easier and more productive?

In this article, you’ll discover 15 plants that grow well alongside potatoes. Each one offers simple but important benefits to help your potatoes thrive and make the most of your garden space.

15 Best Companion Plants for Potatoes

Here are 15 plants you can grow next to potatoes to help them stay healthy and productive.

1. Alliums (Chives, Garlic, Leeks, Onions, Scallions)

Alliums are known for their strong, sharp scent that naturally deters many pests, including aphids, spider mites, and beetles.

Garlic, in particular, can help protect potatoes from fungal diseases like blight. Unlike larger plants, alliums have shallow roots that won’t interfere with potato tubers growing underground.

Some gardeners also notice better potato yields when planting garlic nearby. Flowering alliums, such as chives, can attract pollinators and pest-eating insects.

2. Beans

Beans are great for potatoes because they add nitrogen to the soil, which potatoes need to grow strong. Their roots grow at different depths than potatoes, so they won’t compete for space or nutrients.

Certain types of beans, especially bush beans, can also help reduce the number of Colorado potato beetles.

In return, potatoes can help repel pests that typically bother beans. Planting beans and potatoes together can result in healthier growth for both crops.

3. Cabbage Family (Broccoli, Cauliflower, Kale, Cabbage)

Plants in the cabbage family work well with potatoes because they attract different pests, reducing the risk of infestations.

Their shallow roots make them easy neighbors for potatoes, allowing both crops to thrive without crowding each other.

Cabbage and kale can also shade the soil, helping to keep it cool and moist. These plants benefit from rich soil, which is already ideal for potatoes.

Some gardeners report fewer potato beetles when cabbage family plants are nearby.

4. Cilantro

Cilantro has a natural scent that confuses or drives away pests like aphids, thrips, and mites.

When it blooms, cilantro produces tiny flowers that attract helpful insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, which eat common potato pests.

Because it grows quickly and stays small, cilantro can easily fit between rows of potatoes. Its ability to repel pests and invite predator insects makes it especially useful in organic gardens.

Plus, fresh cilantro is always a welcome harvest bonus.

5. Horseradish

Horseradish releases natural compounds into the soil that help potatoes resist certain diseases. Its broad leaves can shade the ground, slowing weed growth and keeping the soil moist.

Many gardeners believe horseradish helps deter pests like Colorado potato beetles and even small animals such as mice.

However, it can spread quickly if not kept in check, so it’s often planted along the edges of a potato patch. Some growers also claim it improves the flavor and size of potato tubers.

6. Lettuce

Lettuce grows quickly and has shallow roots, making it a perfect fit between potato plants without disturbing their growth.

Because it matures early, you can harvest lettuce while the potatoes are still developing underground.

The leafy greens help cover the soil, reducing weed growth and keeping moisture where potatoes need it most.

Lettuce also benefits from the slight shade cast by growing potato plants, especially in warmer months. Its easy growth and low space demands make it a simple addition to potato beds.

7. Marigolds

Marigolds are widely used to repel a variety of garden pests, including Colorado potato beetles, aphids, and nematodes.

Their bright flowers not only add beauty but also attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps.

Some marigolds release chemicals from their roots that can suppress harmful soil pests. Planting them near potatoes helps reduce the need for chemical pest control.

They also create a cheerful, colorful border around potato patches.

8. Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums act as a natural trap crop, drawing pests like aphids and beetles away from your potatoes.

Their sprawling growth can help cover the ground, limiting weed problems and keeping the soil cooler. The spicy scent of nasturtium leaves and flowers can repel unwanted insects.

At the same time, nasturtiums attract good bugs such as hoverflies and predatory beetles that feed on potato pests. They also add edible flowers and leaves to the garden.

9. Basil

Basil can keep pests like thrips, flies, and hornworms away from nearby potato plants. Its fragrant leaves release natural oils that many insects dislike.

Basil often grows to a similar height as potatoes, creating a balanced garden bed without overcrowding.

Some gardeners believe that planting basil close to potatoes may also improve the flavor of the tubers. Allowing a few basil plants to flower will attract bees and other helpful pollinators.

10. Parsley

Parsley can help protect potatoes by attracting predatory insects like hoverflies, which feed on pests such as aphids.

Its low-growing habit makes it an excellent groundcover, helping to retain soil moisture and reduce weeds.

Parsley is not demanding when it comes to soil nutrients, so it won’t compete heavily with potatoes.

Some growers say it even improves the overall growth and flavor of nearby plants. Plus, having fresh parsley close by is always handy in the kitchen.

11. Petunias

Petunias may not be the first plant you think of for pest control, but they can be very helpful in a potato bed.

They attract insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps that feed on potato pests such as aphids and hornworms. Petunias also release compounds that help deter certain bugs.

Their bright, cheerful flowers make the garden look lively while offering natural pest protection. As border plants, they create a visual edge that can also help mark garden rows.

12. Sweet Alyssum

Sweet alyssum produces small, fragrant flowers that attract beneficial insects, especially hoverflies and ladybugs.

These insects help control aphids and other pests that might harm potatoes. Sweet alyssum’s low, spreading growth covers the soil, helping to keep moisture in and stop weeds from taking over.

Its gentle scent and compact habit make it easy to fit among potato plants without causing crowding. Some gardeners also notice better overall plant health when sweet alyssum is present.

13. Spinach

Spinach grows quickly and can be harvested long before potatoes need the space. Its shallow roots stay near the soil surface, so it won’t interfere with the deeper-growing potato tubers.

Spinach can also act as a living mulch, covering bare ground and reducing weed growth.

This leafy green does well in the cooler months, making it a good early-season companion. Once harvested, spinach frees up room for potatoes to continue maturing.

14. Yarrow

Yarrow is well known for attracting ladybugs, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps that keep common potato pests under control.

Its deep roots help break up compacted soil and pull minerals up from deeper layers, which can improve soil quality over time.

Yarrow’s small, clustered flowers also add a soft, natural beauty to the garden. Some growers find that yarrow helps reduce pest numbers and promotes overall plant health.

Once established, it requires little care and continues to benefit the whole garden.

15. Thyme

Thyme serves as both a pest deterrent and a flavorful herb. Its strong, aromatic leaves release natural oils that keep pests like whiteflies and cabbage worms away from potatoes.

Thyme’s low, spreading growth helps cover the soil, limiting weeds and keeping moisture levels steady.

When thyme blooms, its flowers attract hoverflies and bees. As a bonus, it’s easy to harvest thyme for cooking while working in the garden.

What Not to Plant Next to Potatoes

While many plants can help potatoes grow better, some should be kept far away.

These plants can compete for nutrients, attract the same pests, or even spread diseases that harm potatoes.

• Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants: All belong to the nightshade family, which means they share pests and diseases like blight and beetles that can spread quickly between them.
  
• Carrots: Their deep roots can compete with potatoes for space and nutrients underground.
  
• Sunflowers: They release chemicals into the soil that can slow potato growth and affect nearby plants.
  
• Cucumbers: They attract similar pests to potatoes and can cause overcrowding in your garden.

Keeping these plants separate from your potatoes will reduce pest problems and help your garden stay healthier.

Pair your potatoes with the right plants for a healthier, bigger harvest!

Companion planting is a simple but powerful way to help your potatoes grow stronger, stay healthier, and produce bigger harvests.

By choosing the right plants to grow nearby, you can keep pests away, improve soil conditions, and make the most of your garden space without relying on chemicals.

The 15 plants listed in this guide each offer their own benefits, whether it’s attracting helpful insects, enriching the soil, or keeping weeds in check.

With a little planning, companion planting can turn your potato patch into a thriving, balanced part of your garden.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Got more questions about companion planting with potatoes? We've got you covered! Here are some quick answers to help you get the most out of your garden.

1. Can I plant more than one of these companion plants with potatoes?

Yes, you can combine several companion plants in the same garden bed as long as they have enough space and won’t crowd each other.

2. Which companion plants are best for keeping pests away from potatoes?

Alliums, marigolds, nasturtiums, and basil are especially good at repelling pests and protecting potatoes.

3. Will companion plants compete with potatoes for nutrients?

Most of the companion plants listed have shallow roots or low nutrient demands, so they won’t compete heavily with potatoes.

4. Can companion planting improve the flavor of potatoes?

Some gardeners believe that plants like basil, parsley, and horseradish can slightly enhance the flavor of potatoes, though results can vary.

5. Are there any plants I should completely avoid planting near potatoes?

Yes, avoid planting tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, carrots, sunflowers, and cucumbers near potatoes due to pest, disease, or competition issues.