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Are you tired of having a bland and boring garden without any spice? Or frustrated by the constant battling of pests? Look no further, because companion planting is here to spice things up! Not only does companion planting add variety to your garden, it also benefits your plants by keeping pests away and improving soil health.
You may have heard of the term “companion planting,” but do you know what it really means? Well, it’s not just some trendy way of gardening – it’s a method that’s been around for centuries! The practice of planting certain crops together for mutual benefit has been proven to help plants grow healthier and stronger. Check out this post all about companion planting and how to make your plants BFFs. And don’t miss this post for more information on companion planting for your tomatoes!
For all you pepper lovers out there, I have some fantastic plant pal suggestions for your peppers. Trust me, these plants are going to make your peppers the happiest veggies in the garden! I’ve linked some of my favorite pepper seeds at the end! Like this beautiful purple bell pepper in the first picture from my garden.
Herbs: Basil, Thyme, Oregano, and chives
Basil and peppers are the perfect pairing. Basil repels aphids, spider mites, and mosquitoes. Not only does its fragrant aroma deter pests, but it also promotes growth and improves flavor for your peppers. Plus, its proximity will improve its own taste too!
Some of my favorite basil verities I’ve grown from seed this year: Cardinal Basil, Lemon Basil (my favorite of the basils!), Thai Basil, and Cinnamon Basil.
If you’ve got thyme and oregano in your herb garden, consider planting them with your peppers. Both herbs add a natural defense mechanism, protecting your peppers from pests and diseases. Thyme not only adds a fragrant aroma to your garden, but it also has antimicrobial properties that help repel pests like cabbage worms and slugs.
Oregano adds flavor to your peppers while also repelling pests like aphids and spider mites. Oregano is the one herb this year I finally purchased. Not sure what I’m doing wrong but I can’t seem to get the oregano seeds to germinate.
Chives can repel pests like aphids and spider mites while also adding flavor to your peppers. They can be planted near peppers to help deter pests as well as use them in cooking. Chives are also a great source of vitamins A and C, fiber, and other essential nutrients.
Flowers: Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Sunflowers, Sweet Alyssum, and Calendula
Marigolds are not just pretty to look at. They protect peppers from nematodes and other harmful insects in the soil. They also secrete a root toxin that kills those same insects – talk about a superhero of a flower!
I grew some Strawberry Blonde marigolds from Burpee. I love the color and they continue to change color through the lifetime of the flower! Definitely recommend trying this variety for your garden!
For the vibrant gardeners out there – nasturtiums! These bright flowers add some pizzazz to your garden, all while attracting beneficial insects that attack and prey on aphids and other harmful bugs. Nasturtiums are easy to grow, but require full sun or light shade and a soil that drains well. Plant the flowers in early spring or late summer, and give them plenty of room to spread out as they can become quite bushy. Water on a regular basis. To harvest the flowers, simply snip off the blossoms with
Planting sunflowers can add some much-needed shade to your pepper plants, along with providing a home for bees and other pollinators. I enjoyed cultivating a diverse assortment of sunflowers. such as Vanilla Ice, Rouge Royal, Heirloom Beauties (a fantastic mix of Lemon Queen, Autumn Beauty, and Velvet Queen), and Razzmatazz Mix.
Sweet Alyssum is a low-growing flower that can attract beneficial insects like hoverflies and lacewings that feed on aphids and other pests. It is also very easy to care for, as it requires minimal sun and only occasional watering. They are heat and drought tolerant making it a perfect addition to my Florida Panhandle garden. Added benefit – it’s an edible flower!
These are some great varieties to try: Allure Pastel Blend, Rosie O’Day, and Easter Bonnet.
Calendula is another flower that adds color to your garden while also repelling pests like aphids and whiteflies. It also has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, making it an ideal medicinal plant. Planting calendula in your garden can help you create a versatile, beautiful garden that protects your other plants from pests while providing natural remedies for everyday ailments. Plus, Calendula gives off a sweet scent so it’s great for pollinators like bees!
Some of my favorite varieties to plant are Orange Flash and Zeolights. I love the color schemes of both calendula flowers!
Vegetables: Cucumbers, Squash, Other Peppers
Planting cucumber and squash near your peppers can help keep pests like cucumber beetles and squash bugs away. These pests are attracted to the scent of these plants, which can draw them away from your peppers. The obvious downside is that you must monitor the cucumber and squash for pests, as well.
One final tip for companion planting for peppers – plant bell peppers with hot peppers. While it’s not exactly a companion plant, this technique helps deter pests and diseases that often affect one type of pepper from spreading to the other. The sweet peppers can help moderate the heat of the hot peppers. This can be a great way to extend the harvest season and potentially get higher yields.
This year, I’ve been absolutely obsessed with Purple Beauty Bell Peppers, Violet Sparkle Sweet Peppers, and Lemon Spice Jalapeños.
As you can see, there are many benefits of companion planting when growing peppers. Not only does it help prevent pests and disease, but it also strengthens the flavor and overall health of your garden! Plus, it’s just plain fun to mix and match different plants into a harmonious ecosystem. So go ahead, plant some herb or flower friends alongside your peppers, and watch them thrive! Happy gardening!
Chime in the comments section with any companion plants for peppers you’ve incorporated in your garden!
