22 Companion Plants to Help Your Strawberry Crop Thrive Grow your strawberry plants alongside these vegetables, herbs, and flowers, for a helpful boost. Close Credit: Getty / romiri Strawberries are a delicious, juicy addition to any culinary garden. To ensure your strawberry plants flourish, consider growing them alongside companion plants. Companion planting is the method of growing plants together that will benefit both species. Growing strawberries next to companion plants can improve the overall health of the crop and improve yield. The following expert-recommended companion plants—which include herbs, vegetables, and flowers—will improve soil quality, attract pollinators, and repel bugs, making your strawberry plants happier and your gardening work easier. And since some plants don't go together well, our experts also explain which plants to never plant near strawberries. Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of Park Seed's From Seed to Spoon app, an app that makes garden planning easier Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University, where she conducts the Native Plant Master Program How to Grow Strawberries for Delicious, Sweet Fruit, According to Gardening Experts 01 of 22 Spinach Credit: Vaivirga / Getty Images Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a great companion plant for strawberries, as it helps suppress weeds and conserve moisture in the soil. Additionally, spinach can help provide shade and protection for the strawberry plant," says Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of Park Seed's From Seed to Spoon app. Zones: 2 to 11Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide Care requirements: Full sun to light shade; well-draining soil 02 of 22 Lettuce Credit: joannatkaczuk / Getty Images Another leafy green, lettuce (Lactuca sativa) suppresses weeds by acting as a living mulch and can camouflage the strawberries from birds, says Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University. Zones: 2 to 11Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil 03 of 22 Dill Credit: Oxana Medvedeva / Getty Images Dill (Anethum graveolens) produces flowers that attract pollinators like hoverflies, which are predators that eat unwanted thrips and aphids. "Thrips start when the strawberries bloom and continue through the season with the adults and larvae," says Langelo. "They hide under the cap of the strawberry and seeds." Zones: 2 to 11Size: 2 to 5 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil 04 of 22 Catnip Credit: AlpamayoPhoto / Getty Images Catnip (Nepeta cataria) contains a type of chemical called iridoids that act as a natural insect repellent, which will keep aphids and spider mites away from your strawberry plants, says Langelo. Zones: 3 to 9Size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wideCare requirements: Full to partial sun; well-draining soil 05 of 22 Marigolds Marigolds attract pollinators and are easy to grow. Credit: Getty Images Marigolds (Tagetes) are one of the most well-known companion plants. "Marigolds release a scent that acts as a repellent to many garden pests, such as aphids, whiteflies, and root-knot nematodes," says Spoonemore. Zones: 2 to 11Size: 6 to 36 inches tall x 6 to 24 inches wide, depending on varietyCare requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil 06 of 22 Sage Credit: Norma Murace Melia / EyeEm / Getty Images The active compounds found in the leaves of sage (Salvia officinalis) cause a strong smell that masks the scent of the strawberry fruits. "The flowers of the sage will attract pollinators such as bees, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps," says Langelo. Zones: 4 to 10Size: 3 feet tall x 3 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil 07 of 22 Asparagus Credit: Getty Images Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) makes a good companion plant to strawberries because they have similar growing requirements. Additionally, asparagus contributes nitrogen to the soil for the strawberries, and the strawberries fertilize asparagus, says Langelo. Zones: 2 to 9Size: 3 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun; moist, organic, well-drained soil 08 of 22 Basil Credit: wanderluster / GETTY IMAGES Lemon basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Lemon’) or cinnamon basil (Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon') are two of the best companion plants for strawberries. "Methyl eugenol is in the oil of the basil plant and repels flies, mosquitoes, tomato hornworms, whiteflies, aphids, and thrips, which strawberries attract," says Langelo. Zones: 4 to 10Size: 8 to 12 inches tall x 8 to 12 inches wide, depending on varietyCare requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil 09 of 22 Borage Credit: Jacky Parker Photography / Getty Images Borage (Borago officinalis) attracts beneficial insects such as bees and wasps, which aid in pollination and also help with strawberry production, says Spoonemore. Zones: 2 to 11Size: 18 to 38 inches tall x 12 to 16 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil 10 of 22 Thyme Credit: dirkr / Getty Images Thymol is the key ingredient in thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and acts as a pest repellent. "The flowers of the thyme attract pollinators such as bees because of their nectar and pollen content," says Langelo. "Thyme also attracts beneficial insects such as syrphid flies whose larvae feed on aphids." Zones: 5 to 9Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil 11 of 22 Yarrow Credit: Jacky Parker Photography / Getty Images Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) protects strawberries from insects such as aphids by attracting predatory insects. "Chamazulene is an aromatic chemical compound found in yarrow that helps repel insects," says Langelo. "Western yarrow (Achillea millifollium lanulosa) attracts butterflies and bees to the garden and helps improve poor soils." Zones: 3 to 9Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil 12 of 22 White Clover Credit: LITTLEDINOSAUR/Getty Images When grown as ground cover in between rows of strawberries, white clover (Trifolium repens) can fix nitrogen in the soil and reduce weeds by serving as a type of living mulch, says Langelo. Zones: 3 to 10Size: 4 to 6 inches tall x 12 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil 13 of 22 Garlic Credit: Aksana Zavadskaya / Getty Images Garlic (Allium sativum) makes a great companion plant for strawberries because of the strong odor it produces due to its sulfur compounds, which repel insects, says Langelo. The odor also masks the sweet scent of the strawberries, which will further help keep pests at bay. Zones: 3 to 9Size: 1 to 36 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide, depending on varietyCare requirements: Full sun; well-draining, nutrient-rich soil 14 of 22 Horseradish Credit: Martina Simonazzi / Getty Images Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) is a perennial root plant that will protect your strawberry plants from some fungal diseases and insects, such as aphids, whiteflies, beetles, and, in some cases, birds, says Langelo. Zones: 4 to 8Size: 24 to 30 inches tall x 30 to 36 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun; clay-based, well-draining soil 15 of 22 Rhubarb Credit: cjp / Getty Images Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) is a great companion plant for strawberries because both species require similar growing conditions. "They both grow well in slightly acidic soil, well-draining soil, and full sun, and are spring and early summer perennial plants," says Langelo. Zones: 3 to 10Size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 3 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun; acidic, well-draining soil 16 of 22 Sweet Alyssum Credit: Getty The flowers of sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) attract butterflies, honeybees, and native bees, which pollinate strawberry plants and help produce a higher yield, says Langelo. What's more, since alyssum plants stay low to the ground, they can act as a living mulch to help keep down weeds. Zones: 5 to 9Size: 3 to 10 inches tall x 2 to 4 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil 17 of 22 Poppy Credit: Landscapes, nature, macro / Getty Images Similar to sweet alyssum, poppy plants (Papaver orientale) attract pollinators and beneficial insects, which can help increase yield, says Spoonemore. Zones: 5 to 9Size: 24 to 36 inches tall x 6 to 24 inches wideCare requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil 18 of 22 Lupine Credit: naruedom / Getty Images Grow perennial lupine (Lupinus perennis) in your garden to help fix nitrogen in the soils for strawberries and to attract bees and butterflies for pollination, says Langelo. Zones: 3 to 8Size: 2 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun to part shade; dry, sandy soil 14 Common Types of Strawberries—and the Subtle Differences Between Them 19 of 22 Nasturtium Credit: Pakhomov Andrey / Getty Images Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) have a natural peppery odor that can mask the scent of strawberries and keep hungry eaters away. What's more, nasturtiums attract pollinators such as honeybees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and predatory pests, says Langelo. Zones: 2 to 11Size: 1 to 2 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide, depending on varietyCare requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil 20 of 22 Cilantro Credit: Kritchai Chaibangyang / Getty Images Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) can be planted between the rows of ever-bearing or day-neutral strawberry varieties because they have the same bloom season, and both do well in temperatures between 50 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, says Langelo. Zones: 2 through 11Size: 12 to 24 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wideGrowing conditions: Sun (with afternoon shade in hotter regions); loose, loamy, well-draining soil 21 of 22 Oregano Credit: AYImages / Getty Images Like many other herbs, oregano (Origanum vulgare) has a potent fragrance that helps mask the strawberry scent from pests, protecting the strawberries from damage, says Spoonemore. Zones: 4 to 10Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil 22 of 22 Lavender Credit: Pez Photography / Getty Images Lavender (Lavandula) is a hardy, drought-tolerant plant with a strong scent that helps attract pollinators and can also deter pests, says Spoonemore. Zones: 5 to 9Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil What to Never Plant With Strawberries While some plants can help your strawberries thrive, there are others you should never grow next to this fruit. Brassicas: Plants in the brassica family, like cabbage, will compete with strawberry plants for water and nutrients, says Spoonemore. Fennel: Due to allelopathic properties, fennel emits a chemical that can inhibit the growth of plants around it, says Spoonemore. Cucumbers, melons, winter squash: These plants all compete for space and the same nutrients as strawberries, says Langelo. Sunflowers: Although pretty, sunflowers will block sun from reaching the strawberry plants and inhibit the growth of the strawberries, says Langelo. Nightshades: Plants in the nightshade family, like potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant, are susceptible to the same diseases strawberries are, so it's best to keep them separate, Spoonemore says. Explore more: Garden Vegetable Garden Ideas