The Best Cucumber Companion Plants for a Thriving Summer Garden

Marigolds release a scent that deters many common garden pests, including nematodes and aphids, according to Mercer. Their bright flowers also attract pollinators, helping cucumbers set fruit more efficiently.

Dill attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings that feast on soft-bodied pests. It also adds a flavorful touch to your summer pickling projects.

Bush beans and pole beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which benefits heavy feeders like cucumbers. Just be sure to provide enough space so neither plant gets crowded or overwhelmed by the other’s vines.

These towering plants can serve as a natural trellis for cucumbers to climb. They also attract pollinators and provide a bit of afternoon shade, which can prevent cucumber plants from overheating in hot climates.

Lettuce grows quickly and tolerates partial shade, making it a great ground cover beneath cucumbers. It helps keep the soil cool and moist and can be harvested before cucumbers reach full size.

Celery helps repel pests such as whiteflies and is known to improve the flavor of nearby crops. Its slow growth pairs well with cucumber vines that take longer to mature.

Like lettuce, carrots are compact and won’t compete much with cucumbers for space. They grow deep in the soil while cucumbers stay mostly at the surface, making them ideal underground companions. “Blending root systems can improve soil structure and fertility, because tap-rooted crops like carrots break up compact soil,” says Mercer.

This herb attracts bees and other pollinators to your garden while improving the health and growth of nearby cucumber plants. Borage is also believed to deter pests like tomato hornworms and cabbage worms.