11 Plants You Should Always Grow Next to Cabbage

Cabbage plant — Credit:
Pakin Songmor / Getty Images

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is a versatile vegetable—it's a beautiful addition to a garden and a tasty complement to everyday meals. It's also relatively low-maintenance, making cabbage ideal for beginner gardeners. However, like any crop, this vegetable can be susceptible to diseases and pests.

This is where companion planting comes in handy. Choosing the right vegetables, herbs, or flowers to grow next to cabbage can yield a healthier harvest—and ward off any potential problems. Here are the plants you'll want to pair with cabbage to improve soil health, attract pollinators, and avoid gardening woes, according to professional gardeners.

Ward Dilmore, landscape designer and founder of Petrus Landscaping
Quilenthia Wingfield-Accime, founder of Dearest Garden
Manny Barra, master gardener at TeachMe.To and community garden coordinator for Oakland, Calif.

01 of 11

Beans

Since beans are in the legume family, they invite important nutrients back into the soil—which helps cabbage thrive. "Cabbage [has] a consistent supply of naturally-added nitrogen when planted next to beans, which helps it develop large heads to harvest," says Ward Dilmore, landscape designer and founder of Petrus Landscaping.

Zones: 3 to 11
Size: 2 to 15 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

02 of 11

Carrots

Carrot plants — Credit:
Wildroze / Getty Images

Carrots are friendly companions for cabbage because they don’t compete for space. "They grow underground, while cabbage forms above-ground heads," says Quilenthia Wingfield-Accime, founder of Dearest Garden. "They also help break up the soil, making it easier for cabbage roots to spread."

Zones: 2 to 11
Size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 3 to 5 inches wide
Care requirements: Full to partial sun; loose, well-drained soil

03 of 11

Onions

If you're in need of a natural pest barrier for your cabbage plants, then onions certainly fit the bill. "Their strong scent confuses cabbage moths and other bugs that think your cabbage is an all-you-can-eat buffet," says Manny Barra, master gardener at TeachMe.To and community garden coordinator for Oakland, Calif.

Like carrots, onions don't compete for space and can be planted between cabbage plants, Wingfield-Accime notes. Dilmore finds that a combination of celery, onions, and beans allows cabbage to flourish in raised beds.

Zones: 7 to 9
Size: 12 to 18 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; loamy, well-drained soil

04 of 11

Marigold

Marigolds are an easy-to-grow flower that you can plant alongside many vegetables, thanks to a pest-deterring aroma. "I grow marigolds near cabbage almost every spring, and they’re excellent at repelling aphids, cabbage worms, and nematodes," says Wingfield-Accime. "They also bring vibrant color to the garden."

Zones: 2 to 11
Size: 6 to 24 inches tall x 6 to 18 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

05 of 11

Petunias

If marigold isn't your favorite flower, then petunias are an equally practical and pretty alternative. "They come in a wide variety of colors and have a subtle scent that helps deter pests like aphids and beetles," Wingfield-Accime says. "Plus, they attract beneficial insects, supporting pollination and overall garden health."

Zones: 9 to 11
Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 1 to 4 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained, slightly acidic soil

06 of 11

Rosemary

When it comes to herbs, rosemary offers a pleasant yet protective fragrance. "It can help deter cabbage worms and aphids with its natural aroma," Dilmore says. "There are also several [types] available as ground covers, as well as shrub and dwarf varieties."

Zones: 8 to 10
Size: 2 to 6 feet tall x 2 to 4 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained, slightly acidic soil

07 of 11

Nasturtiums

Vibrant, vining nasturtiums are commonly used as a trap crop, drawing pests away from cabbage, Wingfield-Accime notes. "Their bright, cheerful flowers are not only beautiful but also edible," she adds.

Zones: 9 to 11
Size: 1 to 10 feet tall x 12 to 18 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

08 of 11

Dill

Dill keeps aphids at bay, providing plenty of growth with minimal upkeep. "Its natural fragrance helps deter pests, and it can be consistently harvested during the season while continuing to thrive," Dilmore says.

Zones: 3 to 7
Size: 1.5 to 4 feet tall x 1.5 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

09 of 11

Beets

Beets are a nutritious pairing with cabbage, improving soil health and adding a fun flavor profile to your garden. "They are low-maintenance neighbors that don’t hog resources, making them the ideal garden buddies," Barra says.

Zones: 2 to 10
Size: 12 to 18 inches tall x 4 to 12 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; loose, well-drained soil

10 of 11

Borage

With its star-shaped, vivid blue blooms, borage is one of the strongest attractors of helpful pollinators and predators. "Predators like ladybugs and hover flies [help] control aphid populations, which is ideal for helping cabbage to grow pest-free," Dilmore says.

Zones: 2 to 11
Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 9 to 18 inches wide
Care requirements: Partial to full sun; well-drained soil

11 of 11

Chamomile

Chamomile showcases beautiful flowers, offering a potent taste on its own—and to the plants around it. "[It] is a secret weapon, boosting cabbage flavor while looking like a dainty little powerhouse," Barra says.