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Strawberries cultivated in terracotta pot
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We Discovered the 20 Best Strawberry Companion Plants That Will Help Your Garden THRIVE All Summer Long

Double your summer produce harvest with these helpful greens.

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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)

spinach green leaves close up food background.
Anna Blazhuk//Getty Images

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)

close up image of green lettuce
Anna Mardo//Getty Images

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)

fresh dill
Cyndi Monaghan//Getty Images

Its flowers attract beneficial hoverflies that feed on aphids.

Zones: 2–11 Size: 2–5' tall; 2–3' wide Care: Full sun; well-draining soil

4

Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

Catnip Plant
Nico De Pasquale Photography//Getty Images

This strawberry companion plant repels aphids and spider mites with its strong scent.

Zones: 3–9Size: 2–3' tall; 1–2' wideCare: Full sun to light shade; average, well-drained soil

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5

Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)

the marigold tagetes spp. fragrance marigolds have a strong, musky scent
Md Sojibul Islam//Getty Images

These classic pest-repelling flowers also attract pollinators.

Zones: 2–11 Size: 6–36" tall; 6–24" wide Care: Full sun; tolerates poor soil but prefers good drainage

6

Sage (Salvia officinalis)

heat wave flowers salvia blue salvia farinacea (blue rat tail)
wulingyun//Getty Images

Sage covers the scent of strawberries from pests while drawing in pollinators.

Zones: 4–10 Size: Up to 3' tall and wide Care: Full sun; dry, well-draining soil

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7

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)

green asparagus
Johner Images//Getty Images

Asparagus pairs well with strawberries, sharing nutrients and space.

Zones: 2–9 Size: 3' tall; 1–3' wide Care: Full sun; nutrient-rich, well-draining soil

8

Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

close up of basil plant at nidau
Feifei Cui-Paoluzzo//Getty Images

This fragrant herb repels thrips and aphids while supporting pollinators.

Zones: 4–10 Size: 8–12" tall; 8–12" wide Care: Full sun; moist, well-draining soil

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9

Borage (Borago officinalis)

a bee collects nectar from a borage plant (borago officinalis)
Paul Grace Photography Somersham//Getty Images

Borage attracts bees and adds trace minerals to the soil.

Zones: 2–11 Size: 18–38" tall; 12–16" wide Care: Full sun; average, well-drained soil

10

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

close up of small thyme bushes. aromatic herb
Elena Medoks//Getty Images

Thyme repels pests and draws in pollinators with its tiny flowers.

Zones: 5–9 Size: 6–12" tall; 12–18" wide Care: Full sun; dry, sandy soil

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11

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

achillea millefolium
Tsvetomir Hristov//Getty Images

Yarrow attracts beneficial insects and improves soil over time.

Zones: 3–9 Size: 1–3' tall; 1–3' wide Care: Full sun; drought-tolerant

12

White Clover (Trifolium repens)

white clover (trifolium repens l.)
LITTLE DINOSAUR//Getty Images

White clover fixes nitrogen in the soil and suppresses weeds.

Zones: 3–10 Size: 4–6" tall; 12" wide Care: Full sun to partial shade; tolerant of many soil types

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13

Garlic (Allium sativum)

freshly picked fresh garlic at the grocery counter.
by sonmez//Getty Images

Garlic repels pests and protects strawberries with its strong smell.

Zones: 3–9 Size: 1–36" tall; 6–12" wide Care: Full sun; fertile, well-drained soil

14

Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana)

armoracia rusticana leaf
Feifei Cui-Paoluzzo//Getty Images

Horseradish deters fungal disease and insect pests.

Zones: 4–8 Size: 24–30" tall; 30–36" wide Care: Full sun; heavy, well-draining soil

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15

Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum)

force rhubarb
Trudie Davidson//Getty Images

Rhubarb grows well with strawberries and creates a productive (and delicious!) spring duo.

Zones: 3–10 Size: 2–3' tall; 3' wide Care: Full sun; acidic, well-drained soil

16

Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

lobularia maritima
wulingyun//Getty Images

Sweet alyssum forms a low-growing carpet that attracts pollinators and suppresses weeds.

Zones: 5–9 Size: 3–10" tall; 2–4" wide Care: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil

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17

Poppy (Papaver orientale)

red oriental poppy (papaver orientale) in a green field
Alex Walker//Getty Images

Poppies attract helpful insects while adding vibrant color.

Zones: 5–9 Size: 24–36" tall; 6–24" wide Care: Full sun; well-drained soil

18

Lupine (Lupinus perennis)

wild lupines growing in black forest, germany
SiyueSteuber//Getty Images

Lupine fixes nitrogen in the soil while feeding pollinators.

Zones: 3–8 Size: 2' tall; 1–2' wide Care: Full sun to part shade; sandy, dry soil

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19

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)

nasturtium (tropaeolum majus) plant in full bloom in algarve, portugal
Federica Grassi//Getty Images

Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for aphids and attract hummingbirds.

Zones: 2–11 Size: 1–2' tall and wide Care: Full sun; well-drained soil

20

Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)

greens, cilantro
ibraman3012//Getty Images

Cilantro blooms at the same time as strawberries, attracting helpful insects.

Zones: 2–11 Size: 12–24" tall; 12–18" wide Care: Full sun; prefers cooler temps and loose, loamy soil

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