Top 10 Companion Plants For Strawberries And Which Plants To Avoid

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Growing strawberries?

Pairing them with the right plants can make them thrive. But some plants can cause trouble.

Discover the top 10 companion plants for your strawberries and learn which ones to avoid.

Ready to boost your strawberry patch?

Let’s dig in!

1. Spinach

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Spinach thrives in zones 2-11, enjoying full to partial sun. This plant reaches up to 12 inches in height and width. Spinach is not just popular in the kitchen; it’s also great for your garden, especially as a neighbor to strawberries. Its compact nature helps control pests thanks to natural saponins. This makes spinach a great choice if you’re looking for a natural way to protect your strawberries.

2. Dill

Dill thrives in zones 9-11, enjoying full sun. It can grow up to 5 feet tall and spread about 3 feet wide. Although the strong scent of dill can be off-putting to some gardeners, it effectively repels pests from your strawberries, making it a great companion plant.

The pest-deterring properties of dill are most effective during its flowering stage when the scent is strongest. Additionally, dill attracts hoverflies, which are beneficial as they help control aphids and thrips in your garden.

To maximize the benefits of dill, start planting it in early spring. Continually sow seeds every month until late summer to keep your garden protected and flourishing.

3. Borage

You should consider adding borage to your garden, especially if you live in Zones 3-10 and have space that receives full to part sun. This versatile herb can grow up to 3 feet tall and 18 inches wide. Its blue flowers and leaves are not only a culinary delight but also incredibly helpful in attracting beneficial insects.

By planting borage, you can invite hoverflies, damsel bugs, and parasitic wasps into your garden, which are excellent for pest control. Additionally, borage can attract pollinators, enhancing pollination for strawberries, zucchini, and other plants in need of insect pollinators.

4. Catnip

Catnip thrives best in full sunlight and grows well in zones 3-7, reaching up to 3 feet in height and width. By planting catnip near your strawberries, you can safeguard your crops from damaging pests like aphids and spider mites. This plant contains iridoids, which are effective in repelling many pest species, ensuring your strawberries remain healthy and pest-free.

5. Alliums

Allium species like leeks, chives, garlic, and onions are excellent partners for strawberries. They grow well in Zones 3-9 and need full to part sun. Depending on the species, they can reach heights of up to 3 feet.

Chives stand out as the top choice among alliums. They offer multiple benefits: they repel pests, attract pollinators during flowering, and remain compact, making them suitable for raised beds or small gardens. This makes chives a standout companion for maximizing your strawberry yield.

6. Sage

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Sage is a fantastic addition to your garden, especially if you’re growing strawberries. It thrives in full sun and in zones 4-10. Sage can grow up to 2.5 feet tall and spread about 3 feet wide. Its wonderful fragrance keeps pests at bay while attracting pollinators. Letting it bloom can enhance its pollinator-attracting properties, benefiting your entire garden.

7. Yarrow

You’re going to love yarrow in your garden due to its low care requirements and its ability to stand out beautifully. Growing up to 3 feet tall and spreading about 18 inches wide, it thrives in zones 3 through 9 with full sun. Yarrow is amazing for strawberries because it repels pests with its fragrant foliage, and it attracts beneficial insects and pollinators to your garden.

8. Lettuce

Lettuce thrives in garden zones 2-11 and prefers full to partial sun. This garden staple can grow up to 40 inches tall and 12 inches wide. It’s a popular choice for its tasty leaves and health benefits. When planted, lettuce’s large leaves will shield your strawberries, protecting them from birds that love to snack on the fruit. This makes lettuce a great companion plant to add to your garden.

9. Thyme

Thyme is perfect for your garden, thriving in zones 5-9 with full sun and growing up to 12 inches tall and wide. Its charming scent and unique taste make it a wonderful addition. The tiny flowers on this aromatic perennial attract helpful insects like hoverflies, whose larvae will munch on aphid pests, benefiting your strawberries.

10. Asparagus

Asparagus is a great companion for strawberries due to their similar growing habits. Both thrive in zones 3-10 and need full sun. Asparagus can get up to 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide and will start to sprout as early as spring. Because strawberry roots stay shallow and asparagus roots go deep, they won’t compete for nutrients. Planting them together ensures they don’t inhibit each other’s growth.

Plants to Keep Away from Your Strawberries

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Growing strawberries alongside the right plants can be super beneficial, but make sure you avoid these troublemakers.

Nightshades like eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes are not good neighbors for your strawberries. They’re all prone to verticillium wilt disease, which could spread to your strawberry plants and cause problems.

Cruciferous vegetables, including cauliflower and cabbage, should also be planted elsewhere. These veggies can inhibit each other’s growth, and you don’t want that competition messing up your strawberry patch.

Mint might seem like a good companion due to its strong fragrance and pest-repelling abilities, but it’s another plant to avoid. Mint can also fall victim to verticillium wilt and easily pass this disease to your strawberries. Plus, mint has a tendency to take over garden spaces, which could lead to even more issues.

Winter squash is another plant you should keep away from your strawberries. Beyond its vulnerability to verticillium wilt, the sprawling vines of winter squash can invade your strawberry bed. This can suffocate your beloved berry plants and stunt their growth.

Choosing the right companion plants is key to growing strawberries successfully. You can avoid many issues with proper plant pairings, just keep these non-friendly plants away.

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