8 Companion Plants to Always Grow Under Fruit Trees

A spring garden landscape with a blooming tree and flowers — Credit:
pr2is Getty images

Underplanting beneath fruit trees is a fantastic gardening technique that can transform your growing space. By choosing the right plants, you're not only making your garden more beautiful, but you're also creating a healthier ecosystem for your fruit trees. These companion plants can help fend off pests and diseases, deter deer, enrich your soil, and even support local wildlife, making your garden a vibrant haven for biodiversity. Ahead, our experts share the best plants to grow under your fruit trees for a prolific garden and enhanced visual appeal.

Christina Koether, a garden designer and flower farmer at Nomadica flower farm
Ashley Miller Helmholdt, the adult program leader for Cornell Garden-Based Learning at Cornell University

01 of 08

Daffodils

Daffodils (Narcissus) are among the first flowers to bloom after winter, attracting essential pollinators to fruit trees. Flower farmer Christina Koether notes that they're fragrant and feature adorable white petals and yellow trumpets, with multiple flowers on each stem. They bloom just before fruit trees flower, suppress weeds, and enrich the soil with water and nutrients as they die. Additionally, daffodils deter deer, rabbits, voles, and gophers, protecting fruit trees from potential damage.

Zones: 3 to 8
Size: 6 to 30 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining, slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter

02 of 08

Golden Alexander

This fruit tree companion plant features striking clusters of beautiful yellow flowers that attract ladybugs, which feed on aphids, a common fruit tree pest. According to Koether, golden Alexander (Zizia aurea) is a host plant for swallowtail butterfly caterpillars, meaning it is a must for butterfly enthusiasts. This low-maintenance plant adapts well to various soil types and conditions, making it an excellent choice for understory planting, where light and soil quality vary. Its bright yellow flowers and green foliage add visual interest while attracting beneficial pollinators. While this plant isn’t entirely deer-proof, it is less likely to be targeted than other plants.

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil rich in organic matter

03 of 08

Blue Mistflower

This beautiful plant boasts vibrant purple flowers that light up shaded spaces, such as the area under a fruit tree. According to Koether, blue mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum) thrives in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 10, showcasing its stunning blooms from summer to early fall. This late-blooming perennial is an excellent companion for fruit trees, improving soil erosion and attracting beneficial pollinators. Mistflower can spread quickly, so a little planning and maintenance go a long way in keeping it delightful and non-invasive in your garden.

Zones: 5 to 10
Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil rich in organic matter

04 of 08

Foamflower

This perennial plant features delicate, star-shaped white flowers and green, heart-shaped leaves. Koether suggests planting foamflower (Tiarella) alongside mistflower under a fruit tree, as together, they create a stunning visual display. Its dense growth habit effectively suppresses weeds, is resistant to deer, and requires minimal maintenance. Additionally, this attractive flowering plant enhances soil health. Its extensive root system helps retain moisture, prevents soil erosion, and improves drainage and aeration.

Zones: 3 to 8
Size: 5 to 12 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide
Care requirements: Partial to full shade; rich, well-drained soil

Koether notes that if you plant all four of the above plants under your fruit trees, something will almost always be in bloom.

05 of 08

Purple Coneflower

A cluster of pink coneflower blossoms in a garden setting — Mieneke Andeweg-van Rijn / Getty Images

Purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) not only enhance the visual appeal of a garden but also play a crucial role in pest and disease resistance by attracting pollinators and beneficial insects, says Ashley Miller Helmholdt, adult program leader and extension associate for Cornell Garden-Based Learning. Since coneflowers require at least four hours of sunlight daily, Helmholdt recommends planting them near fruit trees rather than directly underneath them.

Zones: 3 to 10
Size: 2 to 5 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full to partial shade; well-draining soil rich in organic matter

06 of 08

False Indigo

Purple wildflowers blooming in a sunny grassy field — Jacky Parker Photography / Getty Images

False indigo (Baptisia), native to the Northeast and Midwest, is a valuable plant known for fixing nitrogen in the soil and attracting pollinators. According to Helmholdt, this deep-rooted, drought-tolerant legume offers aesthetic appeal, is low maintenance, and fertilizes the soil. The long-lived native perennial showcases clusters of long, pea-like flowers in shades of blue, purple, or white. Hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees are particularly attracted to it, while deer tend to avoid it. Additionally, its deep roots enhance soil structure and drainage, making it resilient to drought once established.

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 3 to 4 feet tall x 2 to 4 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil rich in organic matter

07 of 08

Comfrey

Purple flowering plant with green leaves, close-up view — Getty Images

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a perennial plant characterized by green, oval leaves and clusters of bell-shaped flowers. It's an excellent companion plant for fruit trees, acting as a living mulch. The large comfrey leaves help retain soil moisture around fruit trees during hot weather. Its deep root system can reach 8 to 10 feet, allowing the plant to access nutrients from deep within the soil and bring them to the surface for the tree roots to utilize. Additionally, comfrey's roots help break up compacted soil, improving air circulation and water drainage.

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil rich in organic matter

08 of 08

Nasturtium

One of the most cherished plants in companion planting, nasturtiums are flowering annuals that lure aphids and loop caterpillars away from fruit trees with their strong, spicy scent, serving as a trap crop. They are low-maintenance, requiring minimal nutrients, sunlight, and water, while adding vibrant visual appeal to your garden spaces. Furthermore, nasturtiums (Tropaeolum) serve as a living mulch by suppressing weeds and protecting the soil from erosion and evaporation. They also enhance soil fertility by adding nutrients to the soil as they decompose.

Zones: 9 to 11
Size: 1 to 10 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil rich in organic matter