Black Eyed Susan Companion Plants – Top & Worst 7

A wonderful plant is the black eyed susan. Although growing black-eyed susans is simple, it may be made even simpler if you know what to plant next to them. There are also plants you have to be careful with because they can damage your black eyed susan. In this article, we check out the best and worst black eyed susan companion plants.

Best Black Eyed Susan Companion Plants

When it comes to enhancing the beauty of your garden bed, selecting the right companions for your black-eyed Susans is key. In the following, we’ll explore some top-notch options that not only complement your Susans but also add their unique flair to the mix. Get ready to discover the perfect plants to create a stunning and harmonious garden display.

Daisy and Black Eyed Susan

We start our journey with the best black eyed susan companion plants with daisies. Black-eye Susans get along well with daisies. Like their well-known cousin, shasta daisies draw butterflies and bees. They are very low maintenance, simple to grow, and drought tolerant. The ability to draw beneficial insects helps both plants to grow. If planted nearby, they do not compete with each other.

Another good news is that we have also prepared a list of the best daisy companion plants. Check it out:

Daylily & Black Eyed Susan

The next member of the best black eyed susan companion plants is the daylily. Black eyed susans benefit greatly from daylilies as a companion plant. These plants are drought-tolerant, draw pollinators, and need minimal maintenance. Daylilies are a beautiful addition to any garden or landscape since they require little upkeep. So, it is ready to share nutrients from the soil and does not compete with your black eyed susan plant.

For more information about daylily companion plants:

Lavender as Black Eyed Susan Companion

There are several advantages lavender may offer your plants if you decide to use it in your garden.

Due to its flavor and aroma, lavender will help keep pests away from your plants. For instance, cats dislike lavender, therefore if it is grown next to them or nearby, they won’t consume plants that resemble this particular flower variety. Additionally, the strong perfume of lavender deters insects from other neighboring plants by rendering them less attractive than plants with no scent.

In short, lavender protects your black eyed susan companion plants from pests and also animals that could destroy your garden bed. What a great addition lavender is!

Also, check out the best lavender companion plants:

Marigolds as Black Eyed Susan Companion Plants

With good reason, marigolds are a common companion plant, especially to black eyed susan. They are perfect for a variety of uses since they bring color to the garden, deter pests, and attract beneficial insects.

The potential of marigolds to draw pollinators like bees and butterflies are well recognized. This is due to the fact that they generate a lot of nectar when plants like tomatoes are in blossom. Bees are particularly useful if you’re attempting to cultivate black eyed susan, tomatoes, or peppers since they pollinate these plants to increase the yield of fruit.

If you want to learn more about the best marigold companion plants, follow the article below:

Phlox with Black Eyed Susan

To continue our list of the best black eyed susan companion plants we take a look at phlox. A nice plant to grow with black eyed susans is phlox. It draws butterflies and may be grown as a ground cover or in window boxes. It helps black eyed susan grow with the ability to lure insects.

Yarrows as Black Eyed Susan Companion Plants

We go on with our list of the best black eyed susan companion plants with yarrow. The fragrant yarrow blossom draws bees and butterflies. Yarrow is a hardy perennial that thrives in sun or moderate shade and blooms from spring through fall with long-lasting, vivid yellow flowers.

Yarrow plants sprout from seeds rapidly, so you may plant them in your yard as soon as you get them. When root divisions are planted as soon as possible after harvest or purchase, yarrow will also flourish. Just keep the roots wet before planting until new branches start to emerge!

Bee Balm: Another Perfect Companion for Black-Eyed Susans

When it comes to selecting companion plants for your black-eyed Susans, Bee Balm (Monarda spp.) stands out as a stellar choice. Not only does Bee Balm offer stunning blooms in a range of vibrant colors, but it also provides numerous benefits that complement the growth and health of your Susans.

Why Bee Balm is a Good Companion Plant for Black-Eyed Susans

1. Attract Beneficial Insects: Bee Balm is a magnet for pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. By planting Bee Balm alongside your black-eyed Susans, you create a thriving ecosystem that supports these essential pollinators. Increased pollination can lead to healthier plants and higher yields in your garden.
2. Extended Bloom Period: Bee Balm typically blooms from mid to late summer, overlapping with the flowering period of black-eyed Susans. This synchronized blooming ensures continuous color and visual interest in your garden bed throughout the season, creating a dynamic and vibrant display.
3. Complementary Growth Habits: Black-eyed Susans and Bee Balm both have upright growth habits, making them excellent companions in the garden. Their similar heights and growth patterns allow them to blend seamlessly together, creating a cohesive and harmonious look.
4. Natural Pest Repellent: Bee Balm contains aromatic oils that help repel certain pests, such as mosquitoes and deer. By interplanting Bee Balm with your black-eyed Susans, you can naturally deter pests and protect your garden plants without the need for harmful chemicals.

Tips for Planting Bee Balm with Black-Eyed Susans

• Choose the Right Location: Select a sunny location with well-drained soil for planting both Bee Balm and black-eyed Susans. These plants thrive in full sunlight and require good drainage to prevent waterlogging.
• Provide Adequate Spacing: Allow sufficient spacing between Bee Balm and black-eyed Susans to prevent overcrowding as they mature. Aim for a spacing of approximately 18-24 inches between plants to ensure proper airflow and room for growth.
• Water Regularly: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the establishment phase after planting. Water both Bee Balm and black-eyed Susans regularly, particularly during hot and dry periods, to promote healthy growth and flowering.
• Mulch and Fertilize: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of both Bee Balm and black-eyed Susans to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and insulate the soil. Additionally, fertilize the plants with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season to provide essential nutrients for robust growth and blooming.

Of course, we also have a complete bee balm companion planting guide:

What NOT to Grow with Black Eyed Susan

In addition to the best black eyed susan companion plants, we have also listed two bad companions of the black eyed susan. As with other plants, black eyed susan has also preferences, and some plants it does not like to have in their surroundings.

Sunflower

Sunflower is a tall plant, which means it makes shade during the day. As we already learned in the section before, black eyed susan loves and needs the sun to grow out with its full potential. If the sunflower next to it steals all the sun and the nutrients coming from the sun, this will not end up good for your black eyed susan. So, ensure enough space between these two plants to enable the best possible growth for both!

On the other hand, sunflower has many other companion plants. Have a look at them:

Cosmos

The same is for the cosmos! Also, be careful with this tall plant. Its shade will take away the sun from the black eyed susan and your plant will dry to death. Again, make sure to have enough space between these plants!

Mint

Mint is notorious for its aggressive spreading habit, sending out underground runners that quickly colonize garden beds. When planted alongside black-eyed Susans, mint can outcompete them for space, water, and nutrients, leading to stunted growth and diminished vigor for the Susans. Additionally, controlling the spread of mint can be challenging, requiring frequent maintenance to prevent it from overtaking the garden.

Invasive Grasses Like Bermuda Grass or Johnson Grass

Certain grass species, such as Bermuda grass and Johnson grass, are highly invasive and can quickly crowd out other plants in the garden, including black-eyed Susans. These grasses spread rapidly via underground rhizomes or above-ground stolons, forming dense mats that smother neighboring plants. Planting black-eyed Susans near invasive grasses can result in reduced sunlight, water, and nutrients available to the Susans, hindering their growth and overall health.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are known as heavy feeders, requiring ample amounts of nutrients to support their growth and fruit production. When planted alongside black-eyed Susans, tomatoes may compete for essential nutrients in the soil, leading to nutrient deficiencies and stunted growth for both plants. Additionally, tomatoes have a sprawling growth habit that can overshadow and shade out smaller plants like black-eyed Susans, further inhibiting their growth and flowering.

Cucumbers

Similar to tomatoes, cucumbers are heavy feeders that require rich, fertile soil to thrive. Planting cucumbers near black-eyed Susans can result in competition for nutrients, water, and sunlight, potentially hindering the growth and development of both plants. Additionally, cucumbers have sprawling vines that can quickly overtake garden beds, smothering neighboring plants like black-eyed Susans and impeding their growth.

Hostas

Hostas are popular shade-loving plants prized for their lush foliage and attractive blooms. However, planting hostas near black-eyed Susans, which prefer full sunlight, can result in competition for light and space. Hostas may overshadow and shade out black-eyed Susans, preventing them from receiving adequate sunlight for photosynthesis and blooming. As a result, black-eyed Susans planted near hostas may exhibit leggy growth and reduced flowering.