10 Plants to Never Grow Next to Jalapeño Peppers, According to Gardening Experts

jalapeno peppers growing in a garden — Credit:
eurobanks / Getty Images

Jalapeño peppers are low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants to grow in your edible garden, especially if you love spice. While jalapeño plants thrive with minimal care, one way to get the most from your crop is to be mindful of the plants you're growing next to them.

These plants need full sun, well-draining soil, and nutrients to thrive, meaning they should not be planted next to tall plants that cast a lot of shade or plants that prefer wet feet. To ensure a bounty of healthy, delicious peppers, we spoke to gardening experts who shared the plants you should never grow next to jalapeños.

Adam Hill, director of community gardens at Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
Ankit K. Singh, assistant professor of sustainable agriculture at the University of Maine
Damon Abdi, assistant professor of landscape horticulture at Louisiana State University

01 of 10

Fennel

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a delicious vegetable to grow in a home garden, but it should be kept away from your jalapeño peppers. "Fennel is allelopathic, meaning it secretes chemical compounds into the soil that can inhibit the growth of peppers and other plants," says Adam Hill, director of community gardens at Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

02 of 10

Nightshades

tomatoes growing on a vine — Credit:
Jillian Kramer

Nightshade plants, like tomatoes, eggplants, and potatoes, are in the same family as peppers. "While it may seem logical to plant them together, they should be grown in separate areas of the garden," says Hill. "Members of the same family are susceptible to similar diseases and attract insect pests. Keep them separate and avoid increased pest and disease pressure on your peppers."

03 of 10

Celery

Celery (Apium graveolens L.) needs very moist soil in order to thrive, while jalapeños prefer average to dry conditions. "Peppers do not like wet feet and are susceptible to fungal infections if there is excess moisture," says Hill. "Watering celery enough for a good harvest would put your pepper plants in danger."

04 of 10

Trellised Crops

snap peas growing on a vine — Credit:
Jenny Dettrick / Getty Images

Crops like pole beans and peas that are trellised high should be avoided near jalapeños. "These peppers need full sun to live their best life and give you a bounty of fruit. Keep tall or trellised crops away from your jalapeños and avoid the risk of them being shaded out," Hill says.

05 of 10

Brassicas

overhead view of cabbage growing in a garden — Credit:
yujie chen / Getty Images

Members of the brassica family, including kale, broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, have different nutrient needs and can compete for calcium and nitrogen, says Ankit K. Singh, assistant professor of sustainable agriculture at the University of Maine. Growing these plants together can put stress on jalapeños, resulting in poor performance and delayed growth.

06 of 10

Corn

Corn (Zea mays) is a heavy feeder that requires plenty of nitrogen and other soil nutrients to thrive. "If planted nearby, corn plants would compete with your jalapeños for these vital growth elements," says Hill. "Corn also grows tall and will shade out your peppers eventually."

07 of 10

Strawberries

While low-growing strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa) seem like a smart understory for taller jalapeño plants, strawberries compete for root real estate and can attract slugs and snails, which can be harmful to both plants, says Hill.

08 of 10

Black Walnut

Black walnut trees (Juglans nigra) emit an allelopathic compound called juglone, which can inhibit the growth of sensitive species. "Juglone is found in roots, buds, and nuts of the black walnut, so if growing jalapeños near black walnut, grow your crop in containers or in raised beds where juglone contamination is limited," says Damon Abdi, assistant professor of landscape horticulture at Louisiana State University.

09 of 10

Dill

Dill (Anethum graveolens) is a delicious herb that adds flavor to a variety of dishes, but it's not a good companion for peppers. "Dill can reduce pepper growth due to mild allelopathic interactions and also attracts aphids," says Singh.

10 of 10

Sunflowers

Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are beautiful flowers that pollinators love, but Singh says they can attract aphids, whiteflies, and ants—pests that easily migrate to peppers. Additionally, sunflowers can shade pepper plants, which need full sun to thrive and produce abundant yields.