You can plant a variety of companion plants with cucumbers that benefit them by deterring pests, improving soil nutrients, providing support, or enhancing growth. Good companion plants for cucumbers include:
- Legumes such as bush beans, pole beans, peas, and lentils: These fix nitrogen in the soil, enriching it for cucumbers
- Corn and sunflowers : Tall plants like corn and sunflowers can act as natural trellises for climbing cucumbers and attract pollinators, increasing yields
- Herbs such as dill, chives, oregano, basil, parsley, and garlic: These repel pests and attract beneficial insects; dill is also said to improve cucumber flavor
- Flowers like marigolds, nasturtiums, chrysanthemums, and calendula: These help repel harmful insects and attract pollinators
- Root vegetables such as radishes, beets, carrots, and onions: These grow underground and do not compete with cucumbers for space or nutrients; radishes also repel cucumber beetles
- Lettuce and celery : These plants have compatible water and nutrient needs and do not compete aggressively with cucumbers
Avoid planting other cucurbits (like squash, pumpkins, and melons) or tomatoes near cucumbers because they share similar diseases, which can spread easily
. In summary, planting cucumbers alongside legumes, tall plants for support, pest-repelling herbs and flowers, and non-competing root vegetables creates a beneficial growing environment that improves cucumber health and yield.
