Top 10 Companion Plants for Garlic

Garlic isn’t just a flavorful kitchen staple—it’s also a powerful ally in the garden.

Known for its natural pest-repelling abilities, garlic can protect nearby plants from aphids, maggots, and other harmful insects.

But did you know that certain plants can also benefit garlic, helping it grow healthier and stronger?

Flowers, herbs, and even some vegetables pair well with garlic, improving its flavor, resilience, and overall productivity.

In this article, we’ll explore the 10 best plants to grow with garlic, how they support its growth, and which plants you should avoid planting nearby.

Whether you’re growing garlic for its bold flavor or its pest-fighting properties, companion planting can take your gardening success to the next level.

10 Best Companion Plants for Garlic

Garlic grows well with many vegetables, herbs, and flowers, making it an excellent plant for companion gardening.

Some plants help garlic by repelling harmful insects, while others improve soil health or even enhance its flavor.

Below are the 10 best plants to grow with garlic and how they can benefit your garden.

1. Geraniums – Natural Pest Repellent & Soil Protector

Geraniums are a fantastic addition to any garden, especially near garlic.

Their strong scent confuses common pests like cabbage worms and Japanese beetles, making it harder for them to locate garlic and other nearby crops.

This natural pest control is highly effective in protecting not only garlic but also vegetables like tomatoes and cabbage.

Another benefit of geraniums is their deep root system, which helps break up compacted soil. This improves drainage and aeration, creating a healthier growing environment for garlic.

Since geraniums are hardy and require little maintenance, they are an easy and reliable companion plant.

2. Marigolds – Fights Nematodes & Enhances Soil Health

Marigolds have long been known as one of the best flowers for repelling pests in the garden.

Their roots release a natural chemical that kills root-knot nematodes, microscopic worms that attack plant roots and stunt garlic growth.

By planting marigolds near garlic, you can protect your soil while also adding bright, vibrant flowers to your garden.

Marigolds also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, which contribute to a healthier ecosystem.

Their ability to act as a living mulch, covering the ground and reducing weed competition, makes them a valuable companion for garlic.

3. Nasturtiums – Attract Beneficial Insects & Act as a Trap Crop

Nasturtiums are excellent at drawing beneficial insects like ladybugs, hoverflies, and predatory wasps, which feed on aphids and other pests that can harm garlic.

At the same time, nasturtiums serve as a trap crop, luring pests away from more vulnerable plants. If you grow garlic near cabbages, peppers, or tomatoes, nasturtiums can help by keeping harmful bugs distracted.

Their vining habit allows them to spread and fill empty spaces in the garden, making them useful as ground cover to prevent soil erosion and retain moisture.

Plus, their edible flowers and leaves add a mild peppery flavor to salads and other dishes.

4. Yarrow – Supports Garlic Growth & Improves Soil

Yarrow is another powerful companion for garlic. It attracts pollinators and predatory insects that help control garden pests, but its greatest benefit lies underground.

Yarrow’s deep roots draw nutrients from lower soil layers, making them available to plants like garlic that have shallower root systems.

This process naturally enriches the soil, reducing the need for artificial fertilizers.

Additionally, yarrow is known to improve plant immunity, helping garlic resist diseases and environmental stress.

5. Tarragon – A Strong Companion Herb That Deters Pests

Tarragon is a great herb to plant near garlic because it naturally repels aphids, ants, and whiteflies.

Unlike some herbs that compete with garlic for nutrients, tarragon grows well alongside it without interfering.

Some gardeners claim that tarragon improves the growth of nearby vegetables and enhances their flavor, making it a valuable addition to any garden.

As a perennial, tarragon continues to provide benefits year after year, reducing the need for replanting.

6. Chamomile – May Enhance Garlic’s Flavor & Prevents Fungal Diseases

Chamomile is believed to improve the flavor of garlic, though the scientific proof behind this is still debated.

Regardless, chamomile offers several benefits to garlic plants, including its ability to attract pollinators and beneficial insects.

More importantly, chamomile is known for its antifungal properties, which can help protect garlic from fungal infections like mildew and rot, especially in damp conditions.

Its flowers can also be harvested for herbal tea, adding another useful function to this companion plant.

7. Rue – Keeps Maggots & Harmful Insects Away

Rue is a strong-smelling herb that repels many types of garden pests, including garlic maggots, flea beetles, and other destructive insects.

Garlic maggots are particularly dangerous because they burrow into garlic bulbs, causing damage that leads to rot.

By planting rue nearby, you create a natural barrier that keeps these pests away. Rue is also resistant to deer and rabbits, making it a good choice if these animals frequently invade your garden.

However, gardeners should handle rue with care, as its leaves can cause skin irritation for some people.

8. Strawberries – A Controversial Yet Potentially Beneficial Companion

The relationship between garlic and strawberries in companion planting is debated.

Some gardeners swear by this combination, stating that garlic repels common strawberry pests like spider mites and certain fungi.

Others believe the two compete for nutrients, leading to stunted growth.

Since different soil types and climates can impact plant compatibility, it’s best to experiment by growing a small section of garlic with strawberries before committing to a large-scale planting.

If they grow well together in your garden, this pairing could be a natural way to keep strawberries pest-free.

9. Roses – Natural Aphid Protection

Garlic has long been planted near roses as a natural defense against aphids. These small insects feed on the leaves and buds of rose plants, causing deformed flowers and weakened growth.

The strong scent of garlic confuses aphids and discourages them from settling on rose bushes.

In addition to repelling aphids, garlic is also believed to help prevent black spot disease, a fungal infection that affects rose leaves.

Since garlic takes up little space, it can be planted around the base of rose bushes without interfering with their growth.

10. Peppers – Benefit from Garlic’s Pest-Repelling Abilities

Garlic and peppers make excellent garden companions because they thrive in similar conditions. Peppers are often attacked by pests like aphids, spider mites, and thrips, all of which garlic naturally repels.

Planting garlic near peppers can help protect them from infestations without the need for chemical pesticides.

Since garlic grows quickly and stays relatively low to the ground, it does not compete with peppers for sunlight or nutrients. This makes it one of the best vegetable companions for garlic in a home garden.

Plants to Avoid Planting Near Garlic

While garlic is a great companion for many plants, some crops do not grow well alongside it.

Certain plants either compete with garlic for nutrients, slow its growth, or increase the risk of disease. Keeping these plants separate will ensure healthier crops and a more productive garden.

Beans & Peas – Stunted Growth & Nutrient Competition

Beans and peas are poor companions for garlic because they struggle to grow when planted nearby.

Garlic releases natural compounds that slow down the development of legume roots, causing stunted growth and lower yields.

Since beans and peas rely on their roots to fix nitrogen in the soil, garlic’s presence can interfere with this process, reducing the overall health of both plants.

If you want to grow legumes, it’s best to plant them in a different area of your garden, away from garlic.

Asparagus (Competing for Space & Nutrients)

Garlic and asparagus do not make good neighbors because both plants are heavy feeders that require plenty of nutrients from the soil.

Garlic’s strong root system can compete with asparagus for water and essential minerals, leading to poor growth for both crops.

Additionally, asparagus takes multiple years to establish, while garlic is an annual crop.

Their differing growth cycles make them a bad match, as garlic’s frequent planting and harvesting can disrupt the long-term development of asparagus crowns.

Sage (Incompatible Soil & Watering Needs)

While garlic pairs well with many herbs, sage is one exception. Sage prefers dry, well-drained soil, while garlic thrives in moist, nutrient-rich conditions.

Planting them together creates a conflict in watering needs, where garlic may become too dry or sage may suffer from excess moisture.

If you want to grow both in your garden, keep them in separate areas where their soil and watering requirements can be properly managed.

Parsley (Nutrient Competition & Crowding Issues)

Parsley and garlic compete for the same nutrients, making it difficult for both to thrive.

Since garlic is a fast-growing, nutrient-hungry crop, it can deplete the soil quickly, leaving parsley struggling to develop strong, healthy leaves.

Additionally, parsley’s delicate, sprawling growth habit can lead to overcrowding, reducing airflow around garlic plants.

This creates a humid environment where fungal diseases are more likely to develop. For best results, plant parsley away from garlic and provide it with loose, well-aerated soil.

Other Alliums (Onions, Leeks, Shallots, Chives) – Increased Risk of Disease

It might seem logical to plant garlic with other alliums like onions, leeks, shallots, or chives, but this can actually increase the risk of disease.

Since these plants belong to the same family, they are all vulnerable to similar pests and fungal infections, such as onion maggots, white rot, and downy mildew.

When planted together, diseases spread more easily through the soil, wiping out entire crops if left unchecked.

To prevent these problems, rotate your allium crops by planting garlic in a different section of the garden each year, rather than grouping them together.

Boost Your Garden with Garlic Companion Planting!

Companion planting with garlic is a smart way to improve your garden’s health, protect your plants from pests, and maximize your harvest.

By understanding which plants work well with garlic and which ones to avoid, you can make the most of companion planting and create a balanced, thriving garden.

Whether you’re growing garlic for its culinary benefits or its natural pest-repelling abilities, the right plant combinations will help you achieve a healthier, more resilient garden!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is garlic such a good companion plant?

Garlic is an excellent companion plant because it naturally repels common garden pests like aphids, spider mites, and maggots. Its strong smell confuses insects, making it harder for them to find and damage nearby plants. Additionally, garlic’s root system helps improve soil health by discouraging certain fungal infections and pests that live underground.

2. Can garlic be planted with onions or other alliums?

While garlic and other alliums (such as onions, leeks, and shallots) have similar growing needs, planting them too close together can increase the risk of disease. Pests like onion maggots and diseases like white rot spread more easily when multiple alliums are planted in the same area. To reduce the risk, rotate your allium crops each season rather than growing them together in one bed.

3. How close should companion plants be to garlic?

The best spacing depends on the plant. Flowers and herbs like marigolds and tarragon can be planted 6–12 inches away from garlic, while larger plants like peppers should be placed 12–18 inches away to allow proper airflow and root development. Giving plants enough space ensures they benefit from garlic’s pest-repelling properties without overcrowding.

4. Does garlic improve the flavor of its companion plants?

Some gardeners believe garlic enhances the flavor of nearby plants, particularly herbs like chamomile and tarragon. While scientific evidence is limited, many growers have observed that garlic improves the overall resilience and health of its companions, which may contribute to better-tasting produce.

5. What’s the best way to plant garlic for pest control?

To maximize garlic’s pest-repelling benefits, plant it around the borders of your garden or in between vulnerable crops like lettuce, tomatoes, and roses. This placement helps create a natural barrier against pests. If you’re planting garlic specifically for pest control, be sure to refresh the planting each season, as its pest-repelling compounds are strongest when the plant is actively growing.