Broccoli Companion Plants
Broccoli is a cool-season cole crop that takes up a fair amount of room and is a favorite target of cabbage worms, aphids, and flea beetles. Traditional companion planting pairs it with aromatic herbs and flowers that draw in helpful insects, low-growing greens that make good use of the space around it, and strong-scented alliums that may help throw pests off the scent. Keep in mind that companion planting is a traditional practice and results vary from garden to garden.
Good companions for Broccoli
| Plant | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Dill | Its flowers attract beneficial insects such as lady beetles and parasitic wasps that help keep aphids and caterpillars in check. |
| Onions and garlic | Their strong scent is thought to help mask the smell of broccoli and discourage some common pests. |
| Marigolds | Bright blooms draw pollinators and predatory insects and make an easy border around a broccoli bed. |
| Nasturtium | Often planted as a trap crop to lure aphids away from the broccoli. |
| Beets | Shallow roots pull from a different soil zone, so the two plants compete very little for space. |
| Lettuce and spinach | Fast-growing, low greens fill the ground and mature before the broccoli leaves spread out. |
| Celery | A traditional pairing whose aromatic foliage is said to help confuse cabbage pests. |
| Sage and thyme | Strong-scented herbs that many gardeners use to help mask brassicas from cabbage moths. |
Keep Broccoli away from
| Plant | Why to separate them |
|---|---|
| Other brassicas (cabbage, cauliflower, kale) | Same family and heavy feeders, so they compete for nutrients and share the same pests and diseases. |
| Tomatoes | Heavy feeders that compete with broccoli for nutrients and room. |
| Strawberries | Traditionally kept apart because they compete and can attract shared pests. |
| Pole beans and runner beans | Old garden lore holds that the two do not grow well side by side. |
Tips
Give broccoli rich soil, steady moisture, and plenty of elbow room, then tuck quick greens or a flower border into the gaps while the heads size up. Rotate your beds so broccoli does not follow another cole crop, since that helps limit the buildup of shared pests and diseases. These pairings come from long-standing garden tradition, so treat them as a starting point and watch how they perform in your own plot.
← All companion planting guides
Companion planting is a traditional practice; results vary with your climate, soil, and garden. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.