Good companion plants to grow with cucumbers include a variety of herbs, vegetables, and flowers that help improve growth, deter pests, and provide support. Here are some of the best options:
- Legumes (beans, peas) : These fix nitrogen in the soil, enriching it for cucumbers, which are heavy feeders
- Corn and sunflowers : Their tall, sturdy stalks provide natural trellises for climbing cucumbers and offer shade, while also attracting pollinators
- Herbs like dill, chives, and garlic : Dill repels pests and attracts beneficial insects; chives and garlic repel insects with their strong scent and may improve cucumber growth and health
- Flowers such as marigolds, nasturtiums, borage, and zinnias : These help repel harmful insects and attract beneficial pollinators and predators of cucumber pests
- Root vegetables like radishes, beets, carrots, and onions : These don’t compete with cucumbers for space since they grow underground and radishes help repel cucumber beetles
- Lettuce and celery : Lettuce suppresses weeds without competing for nutrients, and celery repels whiteflies and thrives with cucumbers' water needs
Avoid planting cucumbers near other cucurbits (like tomatoes, zucchini, squash, and pumpkins) because they share diseases that can spread easily
. In summary, planting cucumbers alongside nitrogen-fixing legumes, tall plants like corn or sunflowers, aromatic herbs, pest-repelling flowers, and non-competitive root vegetables will support healthy cucumber growth and yields
