What you need to know about companion planting is that it’s a system of growing plants in such a way as to not compete for the same resources. This system allows vegetables, flowers and herbs share space without stealing one another’s nutrients or light. With these simple principles in mind, I’ve put together a list of 14 plant companions for cabbage-perfect for your garden!.
Cabbage is a popular vegetable that can be grown in many different ways. There are 14 plants to grow with cabbage, including broccoli. Read more in detail here: companion plants for cabbage and broccoli.
There are affiliate links in this post. We may get a commission if you click and purchase, at no extra cost to you. For additional information, please visit our disclosure policy.
What vegetable thrives in practically any garden, requires minimal maintenance, yet is still a great salad ingredient? Only the cabbage fits this description.
Unfortunately, when grown with the incorrect species, this apparently simple crop may become a major pest in your garden. You’ll need to cultivate it with the right cabbage companion plants for a great yield.
Here, we’ll go through which species are excellent to plant with cabbage and which ones should be avoided. Look below!
Contents
Companion Cabbage Requirements
So, let’s begin by educating you the cabbage’s most important requirements. Understanding it will help you choose which mates to consider and others to dismiss.
- Plenty of food. The majority of brassica species are heavy feeders. The cabbage is no different. For the plant to grow, you must provide enough of nutrients. Your cabbage will struggle if you put it near plants that take up the majority of the nutrients in the soil.
- Moisture in plenty. Brassicas are water-loving plants. Cabbage may be grown at a variety of temperatures, although it thrives in humid settings. Your cabbage may struggle to thrive beside plants that appreciate dry conditions.
- Environments that are frigid. Cabbage requires temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, similar to its humidity requirements. Anything greater than that will cause it to suffer. And a lower growth rate will slow it down. Plants that do not thrive in these chilly environments will make poor companions.
- A lot of time in the sun. Cabbage will only thrive if you can provide 6 hours of sunshine, despite their humidity requirements and predilection for chilly climates. Plants that block the sun or favor the shade may be detrimental to your cabbage.
These are the cabbage plant’s basic requirements. Plants that share similar requirements will complement your cabbage and may even assist it in its growth. We go through these in further detail below.
Cabbage’s Best Companions
So, given the aforementioned criteria, which plants should you consider? Here are 14 species and their advantages.
1. Herbal Infusions
Cabbage benefits greatly from herbs including sage, rosemary, and mint. They prevent cabbage moths and other pests, for starters. Second, they improve the flavor of cabbage by boosting the soil’s potassium, calcium, and sulfur levels. Finally, if properly planted, they suppress weeds.
Aromatic herbs that don’t grow too tall in the proper places also make better use of space. Your vegetable garden will be evenly spaced and well-maintained.
2. Beans
Because beans are sometimes collected while the cabbage is still growing, they make ideal complements.
Cabbage need some shade to maintain growing when it is first planted. Too much sun can blister the sprouts and cause the plant to become stunted.
With a robust bean plant nearby, your cabbage will get some shade, preventing this. Furthermore, moderate shade helps maintain the cabbage disease-free and pest-resistant.
3. Borage
Borage stands out as a pest-repelling option among the many different herbs to explore. Worms, for example, hate the scent of borage and will avoid it if it is grown near cabbage.
Simultaneously, it attracts insects that prey on other pests. As a result, borage offers double the advantages of most other companions.
4. Brassica vegetables
As a brassica itself, the cabbage plant likes growing with other brassicas. Broccoli, kale, cauliflower, collard greens, and even Brussel sprouts will adore cabbage if you space them out properly.
It’s critical to understand that this spacing is also required for other brassicas. These plants will only grow if you prevent them from fighting since they all eat comparable nutrients.
Buckwheat, no. 5
It has the appearance of a herb and is sometimes mistaken for a vegetable, although it is really a grain. Buckwheat is one of those plants that is difficult to identify.
If you decide to include it in your vegetable garden for whatever reason, you’ll be pleased to learn that it grows nicely with cabbage.
What distinguishes it is its propensity for similar temperatures and humidity, as well as its capacity to attract wasps that devour cabbage worms.
If that isn’t enough, you’ll be shocked at how well buckwheat manures the soil. It will maintain the ground far more nutrient for your cabbage to feed on at all times.
Chamomile (number 6)
Some herbs provide a wide range of benefits for your cabbage. Chamomile, for example, develops in similar conditions, making it an ideal partner right away.
Chamomile, like certain fragrant plants, is believed to promote soil richness. It does, however, have the added benefit of improving the flavor of cabbage.
Chamomile also keeps cabbage moths and worms at bay for even greater results. With chamomile around, there’s absolutely no way your cabbage won’t grow.
Cilantro, no. 7
While cilantro might be added to the aromatic herb mix, it has a few more advantages worth mentioning.
Cilantro boosts the flavor of your cabbage in addition to repelling insects, boosting soil nutrients, and acting as a spacing help. In rare circumstances, cilantro may be used to manage weeds and keep cabbage healthy for longer.
8. Dill
Dill, although not being a frequent companion, has a remarkable benefit: it attracts insects that eliminate cabbage moths and cabbage worms. Loopers that are potentially life-threatening will also avoid the area.
What’s more, dill thrives in comparable humidity and temperatures without depleting cabbage’s nutrients. You won’t need to be concerned about anything.
9. Hyssop
Many gardeners ignore hyssop in their landscape. However, the advantages are incredible.
Pollinators and pest-eating insects flock to the blooms, for example. It repels larvae and cabbage butterflies with its fragrance and toxins. It also repels lugs that eat green plants, which is intriguing.
Hyssop is a good companion since it thrives in cold climates and can withstand humidity and drought.
Marigold (number 10)
Enough with the herbs. Let’s have a look at some of the blooms that your cabbage will like. First and foremost, there are marigolds, commonly known as calendula.
The bright yellow and orange blossoms will attract beneficial insects. As a result, the evil ones will be repelled. Aphids and cabbage moths, for example, like eating cabbage.
Nasturtiums (11)
Nasturtiums are another flower you’ll enjoy growing near your veggie garden. They’re great as border flowers since they discourage pests while also giving the vegetable garden a nice look.
They make practically excellent partners in almost every way since they like the same habitat as cabbage. Nasturtiums will also space out the landscape if planted properly.
12. Peas
Peas may be used to create structure to large crops that seem disorderly. This includes cabbage crops, since peas raise nitrogen levels, which aids the growth of other plants.
Peas, like beans, may be used to provide shade while the cabbage is developing. Peas and cabbage grow well together because they want comparable soil and temperature conditions.
13. Vegetables with Roots
Many veggies go fantastically well with cabbage. Root vegetables such as carrots, beets, celery, potatoes, and onions perform better.
They aren’t entirely friendly, since they may compete for nutrients with cabbage in certain situations. However, if you space them far enough away, there should be no difficulty.
Yarrow (14).
Yarrow is another flowering herb that is also one of the greatest companion plants for enhancing soil composition, making it excellent for cabbage growth.
However, as a herb, it repels unwanted insects while keeping the beneficial ones. Finally, as yarrow begins to degrade, it works wonderfully, making it a great addition to your manure.
Cabbage’s Worst Companions
All of the plants mentioned above will provide your cabbage with a virtually ideal growing environment. The ones after that are the polar opposite. These are pest-attracting plants that eat away at the soil’s nutrients or give too much shade. Here’s how each one works:
Lettuce
Because leafy vegetables are often too similar to cabbage, they may not make ideal complements. None of these leafy vegetables performs as poorly as lettuce.
First, since they consume the same nutrients, they will not develop properly. Second, since their pests are almost identical, they are inundated with undesirable insects. This has the potential to spread illnesses.
Rue
Rue is an apparently innocent herb that, when planted near together, might cause your cabbage to suffer. Rue attracts insects like whitefly for a simple reason. When developed from a seedling, this may be harmful to the brassica.
Another factor to consider is the massive amount of chemicals produced by rue. Many plant species are affected by these compounds, and cabbage is no exception.
Strawberries
The strawberry is one of the most hungry plants on the planet. When strawberries are planted too near to your cabbage, they will compete for nutrients. Both species may have some reduced development as a result of this. The strawberry, on the other hand, will usually have the greatest trouble. So don’t go too near to your cabbage.
Tomatoes
Unlike peas, which provide enough of shade when it’s needed, tomatoes may provide too much shade when the brassica really needs it. Simultaneously, since cabbage uses almost the same nutrients as immature tomatoes, it will limit their development.
Tomato plants also attract a lot of the bugs that like cabbage. If you’re not cautious with tomatoes and cabbages, you’ll be mobbed.
Cabbage Companion Planting: How to Make the Most of It
Here’s how to make the most of companion planting with cabbage now that you know what plants to think about and which to ignore:
- Spacing. It is mostly determined by the size of your garden. However, you should always allow at least 10 inches between cabbage and other plants. This gives the cabbage adequate room to flourish.
- Rotate crops. Do not plant cabbage where other plants have previously thrived. The best option is to dedicate a special area to cabbage and cultivate it there. Place your pals near together but not in the same location.
- Fertilize regularly. Make sure the soil is constantly rich, regardless of whose partner you choose. This will keep nutrients from evaporating over time.
Growing cabbage with the appropriate neighbors can be a lot simpler if you keep these guidelines in mind.
Conclusion
There’s nothing more to know for the time being. Growing cabbage shouldn’t be an issue as long as you utilize the right partners.
Use this list of cabbage companion plants to help you decide what to grow. And then take our advise on how to get the most out of each.
With everything out of the way, it’s time to go to work. Those cabbages and friends aren’t going to grow themselves!
Chinese cabbage is an easy plant to grow and it’s a great companion plant to other plants. It can help prevent pests from destroying your garden, while also providing food for the beneficial insects that eat them. Reference: chinese cabbage companion plants.
Related Tags
- cabbage companion planting chart
- what not to plant with cabbage
- broccoli companion plants
- kale companion plants
- spinach companion plants
