Kale is a member of the brassica family and has similar growing requirements to others of this plant group. Companion planting is beneficial to plants for a number of reasons, soil and watering compatiblity, health and insect deterrence. The kale companion plants listed below will also be fine to grow with all other brassicas.
kale companion plants
There are some plants that should never be grown anywhere near kale but more on these later, for now let’s concentrate on the best companions for kale. Just before we start, there are some reports that artichokes make a good companion plant to grow with kale. I wouldn’t personally grow them together as I believe that artichokes are too tall and would shade the kale too much.
Radishes and Kale
One of the pests that damage members of the brassica family is the flea beetle. This pest attacks all members of the brassica family and growing radishes as a sacrificial plant will help to identify and eliminate this problem.
Celery and Kale
Growing celery in companion with kale will help to keep the cabbage white butterflies away, and protect your kale from caterpillar attack. For more on companion planting celery click this link.
Onions and Kale
Members of the allium family grow well alongside kale and their strong aroma will deter many pests including aphids, whitefly, and cabbage white butterflies.
Garlic and Kale
Like onions garlic grows well with kale. Garlic will deter the same pests like aphids, whitefly, and cabbage whites.
Chives and Kale
These are another member of the allium family and are a useful ally in the war on pests. Grow chives with kale to deter the same pests as other alliums. Plus the added traffic from pollinators when the chives flower will keep more pests away.
Herbs And Kale
There are many strong smelling herbs like chives which make great companions for kale below are the best of the bunch.
Thyme and Kale
This low growing herb makes a great ground cover plant useful for keeping weeds at bay. Thyme also attracts pollinators including hoverflies who feast on aphids and whitefly.
Rosemary and Kale
Another aromatic herb, rosemary will deter pests and attract helpful insects when in bloom. For more information on companion planting rosemary click this link.
Mint and Kale
It’s a shame that mint is so invasive because it’s benefits are of real value to the organic gardener. The strong smell that mint produces will deter all the usual suspects from your kale, but grow mint in pots to stop it becoming a problem. For a more in depth look at companion planting mint click here.
Sage and Kale
Another great herb for deterring pests from kale, sage is such a useful plant to grow in the vegetable garden. For more on companion planting sage click this link.
Chamomile and Kale
This strongly scented herb will not only deter pests from your kale but will also improve it’s flavour. Chamomile is also a popular host to hoverflies and parasitic wasps making it an ideal addition to the vegetable patch. Growing chamomile of any variety is said to be a tonic for anything grown near by.
For more in depth information on herbs as companion plants click here.
Nasturtiums and Kale
Aphids really like nasturtiums, so it’s always good to grow some nasturtiums as sacrificial plants. When the aphids appear they are relatively easy to squash and if you damage the nasturtium plants at least the kale in undamaged. For more information on companion planting nasturtiums click here.
For a much more in depth look at problems that can affect kale plants including viral and bacterial diseases follow this link to plant village at Penn State University.
What Not To Grow With Kale
As with all plants there are some that don’t get on, and kale is no exception. The following should be grown in a different bed to kale.
Grapes and Kale
In some growing circles it is reported that kale will not be happy if grown near grapevines.
Strawberries and Kale
If you try to grow kale in with strawberries neither will do well.
Tomatoes and Kale
When kale is grown in the same bed as tomatoes the tomato plants will be stunted.
