Cauliflowers are a member of the brassica family, and like all members of that family they have certain likes and dislikes . To find out more follow me as we learn all about companion planting cauliflowers.
Why Companion Plant?
Plants do better surrounded by other plants, for instance strawberries do well with certain herbs because the herbs attract pollinators that will also pollinate the strawberries. This is how nature works, but us gardeners don’t like to see randomness in our plots, we like order. Well here’s a newsflash, nature has it’s own order.
Look at the hedgerow or woodland and you’ll see many plants growing too close according to expert guide books. Yet they not only grow, they flourish. We need to emulate this type of growing in our gardens to get the best from nature.
Cauliflowers A Potted History
So, on to the subject in hand, cauliflowers…As I said earlier they are members of the brassica tribe, Cauliflowers not only look amazingly attractive, but are also great to eat. Originally from the middle east, cauliflowers have been grown in Europe since the 13th century.
The old English name of “coleflower” literally means cabbage flower. It never became popular in the USA until the 1920s. However, Mark Twain the famous American author, is quoted as saying that the cauliflower is a “cabbage with a college education”.
For more information on cauliflowers check out the wikipedia page.
Companion Planting Cauliflowers
As a member of the brassica family, cauliflowers are susceptible to club root. This can be avoided by following a crop rotation program, to find out what is crop rotation and why is it important click this link. Now let’s look at what to grow with cauliflowers, all of the following will do well growing in companion with cauliflowers.
Some will enhance the growth or the health of the cauliflowers and others will just grow amicably alongside them. Generally aim for plants with strong aromas to disguise the cauliflower plants from invading insects, plants like:-
Thyme and Cauliflowers
This aromatic, low growing herb is an ideal plant to grow in companion with cauliflowers. It will help to ward off many brassica pests including, whitefly, aphids, and the dreaded cabbage white butterfly caterpillar.
Rosemary and Cauliflowers
Another herb with a strong aroma, rosemary is a very good plant to companion plant with cauliflowers. As with all mediterranean plants like thyme, Rosemary and Sage, don’t over water as they are not accustomed to conditions that are too wet. If possible, grow these herbs in pots situated close to the cauliflower bed, ideally in amongst them.
Also laying cut sprigs of rosemary around the cauliflower plants will work just as well. These need to be replaced regularly, as soon as they start to lose their aroma.
Sage and Cauliflowers
Another aromatic herb, sage works in the same way as the other herbs, by disguising the cauliflowers from it’s pests.
Mint and Cauliflowers
Mint is another effective herb for keeping pests away from cauliflowers due to it’s strong fragrance. However it should be noted that mint is a very invasive plant, and will over run a bed in a surprisingly short time. It’s best to grow mint in containers and position these amongst the cauliflower plants.
Again sprigs can be cut from the mint plants and spread amongst the cauliflower plants. This method can be quite effective at deterring pests.
Chamomile and Cauliflowers
This pretty herb will attract many pollinators and this will keep the pests away. The heavy traffic flying to and from the chamomile plants deters the cauliflower pests from visiting the cauliflower bed.
Chives and Cauliflowers
Another strong smelling herb, chives will also help to keep the pests away, and once in flower, chives will attract many pollinators to the garden. These pollinators will deter many pests from your cauliflowers. For more information on herbs as companion plants follow this link.
Onions and Cauliflowers
Another member of the allium family, onions, like chives will help to disguise the cauliflowers due to their strong aroma.
Garlic and Cauliflowers
Just like onions, garlic will help to keep the pests away from your cauliflowers and this type of companion planting also saves space, which is often at a premium in the vegetable garden.
What Not To Grow With Cauliflowers
So far we’ve looked at what plants do well with being grown as companion plants to cauliflowers. Now let’s look at the plants that should never be grown near them.
Strawberries and Cauliflowers
Growing strawberries close to cauliflowers, or any member of the brassica family, will seriously affect the growth of your cauliflowers. Any brassica grown near strawberries will not develop into a mature plant. Strawberries inhibit brassica growth and should always be grown as far from each other as possible.
Tomatoes and Cauliflowers
Due to their heavy feeding requirements, tomatoes will cause the cauliflowers or other brassicas to not grow properly. This combination will also place unnecessary stress on your tomato plants and should be avoided.
Peppers and Cauliflowers
Members of the same family as tomatoes, peppers should be kept well away from cauliflowers. In fact all members of the nightshade family should be grown away from brassicas.
Sacrificial Plants
There are some plants that can be grown specifically to attract pests. These plants are known as sacrificial plants and they are very effective.
Nasturtiums and Cauliflowers
Grow a clump of nasturtiums near to the cauliflower bed to attract the aphids away from the cauliflowers. These can then be squashed between the thumb and finger or killed with a soapy water solution. To find out more about nasturtium companion plants click this link.
Do you know of any other good or bad companions for cauliflowers? Let me know in the comments below.
Download The Free Cauliflower Companion Plants PDF!
If you want to make sure you always get the most out of your cauliflower plants, make sure you download the free PDF below that outlines exactly which plants grow well with cauliflowers, and which plants not to grow with cauliflowers.
