Strawberries are a juicy, crowd-pleasing favorite in any garden. Their sweet fruits are a treat in everything from salads to desserts, but growing strawberries successfully takes more than just sunshine and water. One of the best ways to help them thrive is to find the best strawberry companion plants to grow with them.
“Companion planting lets a gardener squeeze more production from the same square footage,” says Jessica Mercer of Plant Addicts. “Quick, shallow-rooted greens can occupy the ground while slower, deeper-rooted tomatoes or peppers are still gaining size, and the living canopy that follows keeps weeds down and roots shaded. Blending root systems can also improve soil structure and fertility, because tap-rooted crops like carrots or radishes break up compact soil, and nitrogen-fixing legumes enrich the area for later nitrogen lovers, like leafy greens.”
For strawberries, this means selecting the right plant partners to enhance their health, attract pollinators, repel pests, enrich the soil, and even help them grow taller. “Certain pairings add literal scaffolding,” says Mercer.
As far as what not to plant with strawberries? Mercer advises against planting cabbage family members (like broccoli, cauliflower, and kale) nearby, as they can compete for nutrients and attract similar pests. Additionally, avoid fennel, as it tends to inhibit the growth of neighboring plants.
Below, learn the 20 of the best strawberry companion plants—and a few key details to help you grow them successfully.
1
Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
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Spinach helps retain moisture and reduce weeds, making it a great understory crop and companion plant for strawberries.
Zones: 2–11 Size: 6–12" tall; 6–12" wide Care: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-draining soil
2
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
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Lettuce acts as a living mulch, cooling the soil and hiding ripening berries from birds.
Zones: 2–11 Size: 6–12" tall; 6–12" wide Care: Full sun to partial shade; loose, fertile soil
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3
Dill (Anethum graveolens)
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Its flowers attract beneficial hoverflies that feed on aphids.