companion plants for chillies

Whether it’s through a lack of space, or just for a healthier, larger crop companion planting is always a good idea. The companion plants for chillies are all listed below and you should try to include at least some in your planting plan. They will help in either attracting pollinators or deterring pests or improving the conditions for your chillies to grow in.

companion plants for chillies

There are many plants that will help to enhance the health and vitality of your chillies, try to include as many as possible into your planting plan.

Alliums and Chillies

The allium family include:-

• Onions
• Leeks
• Garlic
• Chives
• Shallots
• Spring Onions

By growing any of these in companion with your chillies you will help deter aphids (green and blackflies) and as aphids are farmed by ants you will be keeping ants away too.

Legumes and Chillies

The legume family include:-

• Runner Beans
• Bush Beans
• Dwarf Beans
• Broad Beans
• Peas
• Mange Tout
• Snow Peas
• Sweet Peas
• Peanuts

By growing legumes in companion with your chillies you will be shading the chilli roots from too much heat. Chillies need heat to grow hot, but that’s the fruit not the roots, the roots like to be cooler. Legumes also fix nitrogen in the air so there will be more nitrogen available for the chillies.

Growing legumes close to chillies will also hep to keep weeds at a minimum. One word of caution, if you grow legumes never grow alliums in close proximity. The sulphur in alliums prevents the production of the bacteria that allows legume roots from creating nitrogen.

Basil and Chillies

This is one of a number of herbs that will help improve the health of your chillies. Basil also repels Ants, Aphids, Beetles, Slugs and many other pests as well. Allow basil to flower and it will attract a host of pollinators including Bees and Hoverflies.

Dill and Chillies

Another useful herb, dill will attract many helpful pollinators and repel aphids and red spider mites.

Parsley and Chillies

This herb attracts parasitic wasps that will keep many pests away from your chillies.

Marjoram, Rosemary, Oregano and Chillies

The natural oils in these aromatic herbs will improve the flavour of your chillies and repel many pests. Oregano and Marjoram will spread along the ground suppressing weeds and keeping your chillies roots shaded. For more information on herbs as companion plants click here.

Tomatoes and Chillies

Chillies and tomatoes are both members of the same family and also make good growing companions. Tomatoes help to repel nematodes and deter beetles. For more on companion planting tomatoes click here.

Radishes and Chillies

An easy to grow plant taking just 6 weeks from sowing to harvest, radishes help to improve the health of chillies. They also help to prevent weeds and also provide shade for the chillies roots.

Petunias, Marigolds, Nasturtiums and Chillies

These popular garden annuals not only attract helpful pollinators to the chilli plants but also repel many pests.

Chard, Lettuce, Spinach and Chillies

These shallow rooted leafy vegetables help to supress weeds and provide shade for the chillies roots and make great companion plants.

What Not To Grow With Chillies

As with most things not everything in the garden is rosey, and chillies have their detractors as well. Below are the plants that for one reason or another should never be grown with chillies.

Fennel and Chillies

Known as an allelopathic plant, fennel will atively prevent anything growing nearby. Fennel should be grown in isolation so definitely not anywhere near your chillies.

Kohl Rabi and Chillies

Unfortunately flea beetles find kohl rabi very attractive in fact it is probably advisable to keep all members of the brassica family away from chillies.

Apricots and Chillies

Both of these plants are susceptible to the same fungal infection that causes leaf loss, fruit rot and eventual death of the host plant. It is best practise to keep these two as far away from each other as possible for the health of both plants.

I hope you find this information useful, if you were searching for companion planting peppers click this link.https://growing-guides.co.uk/companion-planting-peppers/.