Brussels Sprouts Companion Plants
Brussels sprouts are heavy-feeding, long-season cole crops that share pests like cabbage worms, aphids, and flea beetles with the rest of the cabbage family. Traditional companion planting pairs them with strong-scented herbs and alliums to confuse those pests, low-growing greens to shade the soil, and flowers that pull in pollinators and beneficial insects. Growers pick companions to muddy pest cues and make better use of the space between the tall, slow-growing plants.
Good companions for Brussels Sprouts
| Plant | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Dill | Its flowers draw in beneficial insects that prey on aphids and cabbage worms. |
| Onions and garlic | Their strong scent is thought to mask the plants from cabbage-family pests. |
| Nasturtium | Often used as a trap crop that lures aphids away from the sprouts. |
| Bush beans | As legumes they help build soil nitrogen for these hungry feeders. |
| Marigolds | Their scent and blooms help attract pollinators and beneficial insects. |
| Lettuce and spinach | Quick, low greens fill the ground between tall plants and shade out weeds. |
| Thyme and sage | Aromatic foliage is said to confuse cabbage moths looking for host plants. |
| Beets | They grow at a different depth, so they share space without much competition. |
Keep Brussels Sprouts away from
| Plant | Why to separate them |
|---|---|
| Other brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, kale) | Planting cole crops together concentrates shared pests and diseases in one spot. |
| Tomatoes | Both are heavy feeders that compete hard for soil nutrients and space. |
| Strawberries | A traditional pairing to avoid, as they are said to hold back cabbage-family growth. |
| Peppers and eggplant | These nightshades are hungry feeders and offer little pest benefit in return. |
| Pole beans | Tall climbers can crowd and shade the already large, slow-maturing sprouts. |
Tips
Give sprouts steady, rich soil and plenty of room, then tuck fast greens and low herbs around their base while the stalks fill in. Interplant alliums and aromatic herbs through the bed rather than in one row so their scent is spread across the crop. Companion planting is a traditional practice and results vary by garden, so treat these pairings as a starting point and keep watching your own plants.
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Companion planting is a traditional practice; results vary with your climate, soil, and garden. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.