17 Plants to Grow Alongside Carrots to Help Them Grow Better

Choosing the right plants to grow together can help your garden grow better, keep pests away, and improve overall plant health.

For carrots, choosing the right companion plants can make all the difference—helping to deter pests, improve soil conditions, and even enhance the flavor of your crops.

In this article, we’ll explore 17 of the best companion plants for carrots, each chosen for their ability to support your carrot crop in unique and beneficial ways.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting, these companions can help your carrots thrive and produce high-quality, flavorful roots.

Read on to discover which plants work best alongside carrots and how to pair them effectively in your garden!

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

Alliums, including onions, garlic, leeks, chives, and scallions, are great companion plants for carrots. These plants give off a strong, pungent smell that helps keep pests like carrot flies away.

Carrot flies can be a big problem because they lay their eggs near carrot roots, and the larvae burrow into the carrots, causing damage.

The scent of alliums hides the smell of carrots, making it harder for these pests to find them. By planting alliums nearby, you can protect your carrots from these pests without needing chemicals.

Alliums and carrots also grow well together because they like similar conditions. Both prefer well-drained, loose soil and have similar water needs, so they won’t compete for resources.

This makes them perfect garden partners. Plus, chives have been known to improve the flavor and growth of carrots, making them even more beneficial!

2. Marigolds

Marigolds are a great companion for carrots. These bright flowers help keep pests away, such as aphids, carrot rust flies, and nematodes, which can harm your carrots.

The strong smell of marigolds naturally keeps these pests from targeting your carrots. By planting marigolds near your carrot patch, you can reduce pest damage without using harmful pesticides.

Marigolds also attract helpful insects like ladybugs, which eat aphids and other pests, giving your carrots and other plants extra protection.

Besides pest control, marigolds may even improve the taste of your carrots. Some gardeners believe marigolds can make carrots sweeter and more nutritious by boosting their sugar content and carotenoid levels.

On top of that, marigolds bring in pollinators like bees, which help your garden thrive and stay healthy.

With their ability to repel pests and possibly enhance carrot flavor, marigolds are the perfect plant to help your carrots grow strong.

3. Rosemary

Rosemary is a great herb to plant with carrots because its strong smell helps keep pests away. It’s especially good at repelling carrot flies, which can harm your crop.

The strong scent of rosemary confuses the pests, making it harder for them to find the carrots.

This is a natural way to protect your carrots without using harmful chemicals. Rosemary also attracts helpful insects like bees, which are important for pollinating your garden.

Another plus is that rosemary helps improve soil quality. Its deep roots break up compacted soil, allowing carrot roots to grow better.

This helps both plants thrive in a healthier environment.

Plus, rosemary is hardy and doesn’t need much care, making it easy to grow alongside your carrots. Just plant them near each other, and both will benefit.

4. Sage

Sage is another herb that pairs well with carrots, offering both pest control and flavor benefits.

Like rosemary, sage has a strong scent that can mask the sweet aroma of carrots, making it harder for carrot flies to find them.

Carrot flies are attracted to the scent of carrot tops, but by planting sage nearby, you can keep these pests away and protect your crop.

This natural protection is especially important in organic gardening, where avoiding pesticides is a priority.

In addition to pest control, sage is thought to enhance the flavor of carrots.

Some gardeners believe that the presence of sage can improve the overall taste and texture of carrots, leading to a more flavorful harvest.

Sage and carrots also thrive in similar growing conditions, such as well-drained soil and moderate sunlight.

5. Lettuce and Other Salad Greens

Lettuce and other salad greens are excellent companions for carrots due to their complementary growing habits.

Lettuce has a shallow root system, meaning it doesn’t compete with carrots for nutrients or space in the soil.

This makes it an ideal partner, as the lettuce grows above ground while the carrots develop their deep roots beneath.

Additionally, lettuce’s leafy top provides ground cover, which helps to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture.

Another benefit of planting lettuce with carrots is that lettuce acts as a natural living mulch. As the lettuce grows, it shades the soil, keeping it cooler and preventing moisture from evaporating too quickly.

This is particularly useful for carrots, which prefer consistent moisture levels in the soil. Lettuce also helps to reduce the growth of weeds, which can otherwise compete with carrots for water and nutrients.

With this partnership, both plants can benefit from each other’s growth, making it a win-win situation in the garden.

6. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a great companion for carrots because they offer pest control and other benefits.

Tomatoes release a natural compound called solanine, which acts as a mild insect repellent, helping protect carrots from pests like aphids and beetles.

Tomatoes also grow tall, providing shade to carrots, which can be helpful during hot weather.

Carrots are sensitive to heat, so the shade from tomatoes helps keep the soil cool and prevents the carrots from getting stressed.

In return, carrots help tomatoes by loosening the soil around their roots. Carrots’ deep roots improve soil air circulation, helping tomatoes absorb water and nutrients more easily.

This is important because tomatoes grow best in well-aerated soil.

Some gardeners also believe that tomatoes can improve the flavor of carrots, though this is based on personal experience. This mutual support makes tomatoes and carrots a strong team in the garden.

7. Radishes

Radishes are a great companion for carrots because they grow quickly and help loosen the soil, making it easier for carrots to grow.

Radishes have shallow roots, so they don’t take up much space or compete with carrots, allowing both plants to thrive together.

Since radishes mature faster than carrots, they can serve as a natural marker for when it’s time to thin out your carrot crop. When the radishes are ready to harvest, it's a good signal to thin the carrots, giving them more room to grow.

Radishes also help break up compacted soil. As their roots grow, they create air pockets, which improve water drainage and nutrient flow for carrots.

This is especially helpful if your soil gets compacted, as it allows better root development. Planting radishes with carrots creates a healthier environment that benefits both crops.

8. Bush Beans and Peas (Legumes)

Legumes like bush beans and peas are great companions for carrots because they have the unique ability to fix nitrogen in the soil.

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth, and by fixing it into the soil, legumes naturally improve the soil's fertility.

Carrots, which are heavy feeders, benefit from this added nitrogen, as it helps them grow more robust and healthy.

Unlike many other plants, legumes don’t compete with carrots for nutrients; instead, they enrich the soil, giving both plants the resources they need to thrive.

In addition to improving soil fertility, bush beans and peas are easy to grow and maintain. They won’t overshadow or outgrow your carrots, making them perfect for small gardens or tightly packed plots.

By planting legumes with carrots, you create a mutually beneficial environment where both crops support each other’s growth.

This makes legumes an ideal choice for gardeners looking to boost their carrot harvest while maintaining healthy soil.

9. Beets

Beets are a great companion plant for carrots because they share similar growing conditions and thrive in cool weather. Both plants prefer well-drained, loose soil, making them a natural match in the garden.

Beets help improve soil structure by loosening the earth with their large bulbs and taproots, creating better conditions for carrots.

This allows carrots to grow deep roots without being blocked by compacted soil, helping both plants thrive without competing for space or nutrients.

Beets and carrots also have similar care needs, such as consistent moisture and moderate sunlight. This means they can grow together without causing stress to either plant.

Since beets are often harvested before carrots, they can be pulled early, creating space for the carrots to grow and mature.

Planting beets with carrots helps you make the most of your garden space and allows you to grow multiple crops in one season.

10. Cilantro (Coriander)

Cilantro, also known as coriander, is another useful companion for carrots, especially because of its ability to attract beneficial insects.

When cilantro bolts, or goes to seed, it produces small white flowers that attract predatory insects like ladybugs and hoverflies.

These insects help to control pests that might otherwise harm your carrots, such as aphids and carrot flies.

By planting cilantro near your carrots, you create a natural pest control system without the need for chemicals or pesticides.

Cilantro also grows well with carrots due to its minimal impact on soil resources. The plant has a shallow root system, meaning it won’t compete with carrots for space or nutrients.

Cilantro’s growth habit is also ideal for a companion planting setup, as it doesn’t overshadow or crowd out carrots.

11. Spinach

Spinach is a fantastic companion for carrots due to its shallow root system and the benefits it offers to soil health.

Spinach grows well with carrots because it doesn’t compete for deep root space. While carrots develop their long taproots deep in the soil, spinach has a more shallow root system that thrives near the surface.

This means that the two plants won’t interfere with each other’s growth, allowing both to flourish in the same space.

Additionally, spinach grows low to the ground, which helps to provide some shade and reduce the risk of weeds competing for nutrients and water.

Another benefit of spinach is its ability to retain soil moisture, which is crucial for carrots. Carrots thrive in consistently moist soil, and spinach helps to keep the soil surface covered, reducing water evaporation.

This makes spinach a practical and beneficial companion for carrots, especially in warmer months when moisture retention becomes more important.

12. Oregano

Oregano is a great plant to grow with carrots because it helps protect them from pests and adds flavor to your garden. The strong smell of oregano keeps pests like aphids, beetles, and caterpillars away from your carrots.

Its scent acts as a natural insect repellent, creating a protective barrier around your plants. This helps reduce the need for chemical pest control, which is especially helpful if you're gardening organically.

Oregano also works as a natural mulch. It spreads along the ground, helping to keep the soil moist and prevent weeds from taking over your carrot patch.

Both oregano and carrots thrive in similar growing conditions, making them a perfect match. By planting oregano with carrots, you can protect your crops and improve soil health.

13. Amaranth

Amaranth is an excellent companion plant for carrots due to its ability to improve soil quality and structure.

The large, deep roots of amaranth help to break up compacted soil, allowing for better air circulation and water drainage.

This loosening of the soil creates an ideal environment for carrots to grow, as they require loose, well-drained soil for their long taproots to develop properly.

In addition to improving soil structure, amaranth adds nutritional value to your garden. The plant grows quickly and is known for its edible seeds and leaves, which can be harvested for use in cooking.

While it provides a valuable crop for gardeners, it also helps create a more robust growing environment for carrots.

As amaranth improves the soil conditions, it supports the growth of the carrots, making it a beneficial and practical choice for your garden.

14. Nasturtium

Nasturtium is a great plant to grow with carrots because it attracts pests away from your crops. These bright flowers draw aphids, caterpillars, and other harmful insects that would normally target your carrots.

By planting nasturtium around your carrots, you can keep these pests busy and protect your plants. This natural pest control is especially useful for organic gardeners who want to avoid chemicals.

Aside from pest control, nasturtiums also add color to your garden with their vibrant blooms. Their leaves and flowers are edible, with a peppery taste that can be added to salads and other dishes.

Nasturtium is not only a helpful companion plant for carrots but also a lovely and useful addition to your garden.

15. Basil

Basil is a great companion for carrots because it helps control pests and adds flavor.

The strong aroma of basil can mask the scent of carrot tops, making it harder for pests like aphids and beetles to find and damage your carrots.

This natural pest control can help reduce pest problems in your garden, especially if you want to avoid chemicals.

Basil also attracts beneficial insects like bees and ladybugs, which help pollinate your plants and keep harmful insects in check.

Both basil and carrots thrive in similar conditions, such as warm weather and well-drained, fertile soil. Basil grows quickly and doesn’t take up much space, so it complements carrots without overcrowding them.

By planting basil with carrots, you can protect your crops from pests and enjoy fresh basil for cooking, creating a garden where both plants thrive.

16. Turnips

Turnips are a great companion for carrots because they share similar growing conditions and help protect your carrots from pests.

Like carrots, turnips prefer cooler weather, so they’re perfect for planting in early spring or fall. The spicy scent of turnip leaves helps keep pests like aphids away from your carrots.

Turnips also have shallow roots, so they won’t compete with carrots for space, allowing both plants to grow comfortably without crowding.

Another benefit of turnips is that they grow quickly. Since they mature faster than carrots, you can harvest turnips early, giving your carrots more space to grow.

This makes turnips a great option for making the most of your garden space, especially in smaller beds.

With their ability to repel pests and grow without competing for resources, turnips are a valuable addition to any carrot garden.

17. Swiss Chard

Swiss chard is a great companion for carrots because it offers several benefits to both plants. Like carrots, Swiss chard enjoys cooler weather and well-drained, fertile soil.

Swiss chard grows without interfering with the deep roots of carrots. Its broad, leafy tops provide natural ground cover, helping to keep the soil cool and retain moisture.

This is important for carrots, which need consistent moisture to grow well. By planting Swiss chard with carrots, you help keep the soil moist and create a stable environment for the carrots' roots to develop.

Swiss chard also helps control weeds around your carrots. Its dense growth shades the ground, making it harder for weeds to take root. This reduces competition for nutrients and space, letting your carrots grow freely.

Since Swiss chard has shallow roots and carrots have deep roots, they don’t compete for the same nutrients. This makes Swiss chard a low-maintenance, helpful companion that creates a healthy, productive garden.

Grow healthier, tastier carrots by planting them with the right companions!

Choosing the right companion plants for your carrots can really improve your garden’s health and how much it grows.

From keeping pests away to improving the soil and adding flavor, the 17 plants we’ve talked about each bring something special to your carrot garden.

By planting carrots with these companions, you’ll help your garden become stronger and more productive.

Whether you're protecting your carrots from pests, improving the soil, or making them taste better, these plants have you covered!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why are companion plants important for carrots?

Companion plants help improve the overall health and growth of your carrots by providing natural pest control, enhancing soil fertility, and improving moisture retention. They can also create a more balanced garden ecosystem, benefiting not only carrots but other plants as well.

2. Can I plant carrots with any plant, or are there specific companions that work best?

While carrots can grow with many plants, choosing the right companions is key. Plants like alliums, marigolds, and legumes work especially well because they either repel pests or improve the soil quality, which benefits carrots. Avoid planting carrots with other root crops that compete for nutrients, such as potatoes.

3. How can marigolds help my carrot crop?

Marigolds are known for their ability to repel pests like aphids and carrot rust flies. Their strong scent deters these pests from attacking your carrot plants. Additionally, marigolds can enhance carrot flavor by increasing the sugar and carotenoid content in the soil, resulting in sweeter carrots.

4. Are there any plants I should avoid planting near carrots?

Yes, certain plants should be avoided. For example, plants like dill and fennel can attract pests like carrot flies, which damage carrot crops. Similarly, planting carrots with other root crops like potatoes can lead to competition for nutrients, resulting in poor growth for both plants.

5. Can I plant all 17 companion plants together in the same bed?

While it’s possible to plant all 17 companions in the same garden, it's essential to consider each plant's growth habits and space requirements. Make sure to space them properly to avoid overcrowding and to ensure that each plant gets enough light, water, and nutrients. Proper planning will help maximize the benefits of companion planting.