8 Cilantro Companion Plants to Repel Insects and Supercharge Your Harvest

Bush Beans

Fast-growing bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), including multi-hued varieties like Provider, Goldilocks, and Amethyst, thrive when grown in the ground or raised beds. Beans contribute nitrogen to the soil, which supports the growth of cilantro plants, says Sara Rubens, certified garden coach and founder of Seed to Sanctuary. Adam Weiss, founder of Pike Lane Gardens, adds that taller plants "provide the necessary shade to extend the life of the cilantro plant."

• Zones: 2 to 8
• Size: 18 to 24 inches tall x 18 inches wide
• Care Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

Snap Peas

Like bush beans, snap peas (Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon) add growth-boosting nitrogen to the soil and shade cilantro plants from excessive sun and heat. Both cilantro and peas can be planted in early spring, though cilantro is typically ready to harvest about five weeks after planting, while snap peas average six to eight weeks from planting to harvest.

• Zones: 3 to 11
• Size: 18 to 30 inches tall x 8 to 24 inches wide  
• Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained, loamy soil

Lettuce

As a cilantro plant develops, small flowers will bloom at its top—a phase known as bolting. "You know the plant is reaching maturity when the plant bolts," says Weiss. "The cilantro leaves become very tart and not optimal to enjoy."

While you may prefer harvesting your cilantro before it bolts, the taller blossoms can improve conditions for nearby plants, especially lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and other leafy greens. "Leafy greens, like lettuce and spinach, benefit from the shade cilantro provides as it bolts, and they share similar growing needs," says Rubens.

• Zones: 4 to 9
• Size: 8 to 10 inches tall x 8 to 12 inches wide
• Care requirements: Full sun to light shade; well-drained soil
  

Tomatoes

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) provide afternoon shade protection for cilantro plants, preventing the plants from going to seed too soon in warm weather. But Weiss adds that this planting doesn’t just help the herb: "Tomatoes also benefit from cilantro’s pest-repelling properties," says Rubens.

• Zones: 3 to 10
• Size: 1 to 10 feet tall x 1 to 4 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
  

Garlic and Onion

The pungent aroma of allium plants, specifically garlic (Allium sativum) and onion (Allium cepa), makes them a great companion for many vegetables and herbs, including cilantro. "Onions and garlic help repel pests such as aphids and spider mites," says Rubens. Plant them near cilantro to guard your harvest from these hungry insects. 

• Zones: Varies
• Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 2 to 6 inches wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; moist, loamy soil

Broccoli

Cool-weather brassicas, like broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica), benefit from placement near cilantro. The strong smell of the cilantro leaves deters pests that commonly invade broccoli. Later, once the herb bolts, the flowers draw insects, acting as a trap crop to keep pests away from the vegetable, says Rubens. 

• Zone: 3 to 10
• Size: 1 to 4 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
  

Marigolds

Cheerful marigolds (Tagetes) aren’t just a pretty addition to your vegetable garden: They’re also popular companion plants because of their natural pest-deterring properties, says Rubens. The fragrance of marigolds keeps common garden insects away from cilantro, including aphids, whiteflies, and root-knot nematodes.

• Zones: 2 to 11
• Size: 6 to 36 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
  

Strawberries

Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa) and cilantro share similar sun, soil, and watering needs, and both thrive in early spring to mid-summer temperatures (about 50 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit), making them easy companions. Plus, the smell of cilantro will deter pests from snacking on your strawberries. 

• Zones: 4 to 9
• Size: 8 to 12 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide
• Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil