Steve Yoder
I'm Steve, a 30-something urban gardener fascinated by companion planting research. Growing up surrounded by greenery sparked my passion for gardening early on. I enjoy transforming my small backyard, experimenting with companion planting techniques and eco-friendly practices. Sustainability matters—I advocate for native plants and composting.
Table of Contents
Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves planting certain plants together for maximum benefit. It’s not a new concept, but it has been around for centuries. The concept has been used by farmers and gardeners for generations. Companion planting can be used to keep pests away from your plants. If you’re growing cucumbers, be aware of some of the best companion plants that will help boost their yields. In addition to benefiting from a healthy ecosystem around them, cucumber companion plants can also serve as protection for your cukes from pests and disease.
Which are the Best Cucumber Companion Plants?
If you’re growing cucumbers, you might want to consider planting other plants that work well with them. Here are some cucumber companion plants that do well when grown in the same area:
Marigolds
These flowers offer protection from pests by releasing a scent that makes them unappealing to pests and disease-causing organisms. They also boost the growth of neighboring plants by providing them with nutrients via their roots’ exudates (a liquid released by plant roots).
Basil
According to studies, basil helps repel common garden pests such as aphids1 and whiteflies while aiding in pollination. It also encourages beneficial insects like ladybugs and honeybees to visit your garden because they can’t resist its sweet aroma!
Beets
Beets are another excellent choice as cucumber companion plants. The two plants help each other out in several ways. Beets repel cucumber beetles, so they can be planted around the perimeter of your garden to prevent those pesky pests2 from getting into your cucumbers. In addition, beets are an excellent companion plant for growing cukes since they add nutrients to the soil and help keep the roots healthy by preventing diseases like root rot.
Beets also work well as companion plants when they’re planted near other vegetables like carrots or radishes because they deter harmful nematodes that can kill these crops (but not your cukes).
Radishes as Cucumber Companion Plants
Also, Radishes are a good companion plant for cucumbers because they attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, which help to ward off harmful pests. Radishes also repel aphids and other pests by releasing sulfur compounds into the soil. Cucumbers are sensitive to aphids, so growing radishes next to them helps keep them away!
Nasturtiums with Cucumber
Nasturtiums are a great addition to any garden. Their bright, beautiful flowers attract pollinators, and their leaves taste like radishes. They can be an excellent companion plant for cucumbers, squash, and tomatoes. Nasturtiums also make wonderful companions for peppers.
Garlic among Cucumber Companion Plants
Furthermore, Garlic is a great companion plant for cucumbers because it deters pests and attracts pollinators. Garlic is also a good companion plant for tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and squash.
Onions
Onions are a good companion plant for cucumbers. When planted near each other, onions repel cucumber beetles, which can be a real pain in the butt when it comes to growing your food.
Onions also help keep the cucumber vines clean and out of reach for pests. This helps the cucumber plants grow better by allowing more sunlight and airflow, so they have fewer problems with disease or pests.
Finally, onions are great companions because they give off a gas that attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs—another great way to keep pests away from your garden!
Potatoes & Cucumber
You probably don’t need to worry about potatoes and cucumbers being bad companions. Potatoes are a root crop, so they do not benefit from being planted near other plants—other than the ones that go into making a salad or potato chip. It is best to grow them in the ground on their own. They also need quite a bit of water, which can make watering other plants difficult if you’re trying to keep your garden maintenance simple.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. They are a good source of pollen for bees and other insects and can help to keep cucumbers cool by shading them. Sunflowers are also a good companion for cucumbers because they attract beneficial insects that prey on pests that might hurt your plants.
References
- Kokwane, R. M. (2021). Potential of some botanical extracts, soap solutions and companion plants against cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne Brassicae L.) on rape (Brassica napus L.) (Doctoral dissertation, Botswana University of Agriculture & Natural Resources).
- Lopez, L., & Liburd, O. E. (2022). Can the introduction of companion plants increase biological control services of key pests in organic squash?. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 170(5), 402-418.