15 Companion Plants for Potatoes (and 5 to Avoid) for Better Yield

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Plants that originate well together can help each other thrive . The symbiotic family relationship that appears when fellow traveller - planting vegetables and herbs near potatoes is a profits - winnings for all .

Each plant life has unique vantage . Some can seize nitrogen from the tune and append it to the territory via bacterium on the surface of their roots . Others specialize in repelling pests or hold on disease at bay . We consult withDick Zondag , victor nurseryman , preceding president ofJung Seed , and penis of theNational Garden Bureau , to hear more about companion plants for potatoes .

Farmer pulling potato plants from ground.

Photo: istockphoto.com

No matter your climate geographical zone , it makes sentience to be organize with your companion planting . Here are some virtual ideas for what to implant near thepotatoes in your garden .

Potato Companions: Pests, Disease, Beneficial Insects

Favorable fellow plant for white potato have several good properties . Companion plantingspecific vegetable and herbaceous plant with Solanum tuberosum can help toward off pestsand disease , increase biological variety , and attract pollinator such as bee . Here are some idea for what to institute alongside Solanum tuberosum .

Field Peas (Pisum sativum)

When planted alongside potatoes , playing area pea are an excellent companion harvest to increase multifariousness in the garden . Havingvariety in cover plantshelps attractbeneficial insectssuch as pollinators while controlling pest without pesticides . Additionally , all stages of field peas are edible , from the bloom to the young pods .

advantageously For : create extra variety in the garden and for a great snack . Our Recommendation : Get field pea seeds at Amazon for $ 8.99

Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

When it follow to pests in the garden , it ’s best not to give them a warm welcome . One strategy for dealing with undesirable bug is to retrieve dual - purpose plant well suited for pestis dominance while being expert companion industrial plant with potatoes . In such fount , Basil of Caesarea is a terrific option . This tasty yet various herbaceous plant help force back beetle , fly , andmosquitos , and according to Zondag , basil is a tremendous companion works for potatoes .

well For : repel bugs alongside potatoes and as a fresh herb for cooking . Our Recommendation : Get basil seeded player at Jung Seed for $ 3.95

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)

Potatoes bonk to be near other plant life that help to repel insects , which is why chives can be an excellent addition to your garden . This beautiful herb helps toward off Nipponese beetle , and , as a bonus , it ’s a luscious cooking ingredient .

believe planting chives alongside your potatoes if you require a dah of sharp , spicy novelty in the garden . allot to Zondag , fellow traveller plant such as chives can be an important part of a chemical substance - loose plague control strategy .

Best For : Repelling insects while serving as a staple herb in the kitchen . Our passport : Get chive seeds at Amazon for $ 7.69

A group of field peas growing in a home garden.

Photo: istockphoto.com

Garlic (Allium sativum)

If repelling a variety of fly and crawling insects from murphy and other plant is your object , ail is a crowd ducky . This garden staple packs a flavor biff in many recipes , and according to horticulture expert Zondag , Allium sativum helps to fend off codling moths , beetle , peach borers , and other annoying pests . For these ground , embed garlic next to potatoes is a common - sense move , so consider this ordinary herbaceous plant with extraordinary properties as an addition to your garden ’s potato patch .

well For : Helping stave in off a variety of winged and crawl insects . Our Recommendation : Get garlic bulbs at Amazon for $ 13.49

Marigold (Tagetes spp.)

Marigold is a great companionfor most plant , allot to Zondag . tater are no elision , as marigold adds a splash of color and grain to the garden , plus it help repel insect pests . Additionally , animals such as deer tend to avoid marigold due to their pungent aroma . This versatile companion works for potatoes can help liven up your garden visually while serving a multipurpose , good role .

Best For : fellow traveler planting for several types of works and repel animals as well as insects . Our Recommendation : Get marigold seeds at Jung Seed for $ 5.35

Potato Companions: Soil Structure, Nutrients, Flavor

Some Solanum tuberosum companion plant life help improve dirt by adding essential nutrient , not competing with potatoes for nutrients , or enhance the flavor of your spuds . Try these strategic plant conjugation to facilitate originate healthier and tasty potatoes in your garden .

Clover (Trifolium spp.)

Aliving mulch such as clovercan be beneficial when planted between Irish potato beds . Far from being a sens , trefoil is a pint - sized champ that packs a clout in terminal figure of nutrient . accord to theUniversity of Georgia , it creates naturalfertilizer for potatoesby harvesting nitrogen from the air and adding the ingredient to the stain . When used for tater companion planting , clover also helps to herd out other weeds .

well For : Potato companion planting between row to lend nitrogen to the grime . Our Recommendation : Get clover ejaculate at Jung Seed for $ 7.45

Pole Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Pole edible bean are a great addition to your garden , whether you ’re establish potatoes or aThree Sisters garden . Some vegetable associate plants dissemble as quasi - fertilizers , release nitrogen they prepare from the air into the grunge . Zondag notes that beans and other legumes do this intent as they improve the dirt around them . Just ensure the legumes do n’t shade off your potatoes too much . For this reasonableness , place your taller plants at the north close of your garden .

intimately For : raise grime quality by harvest nitrogen and transferring it to the grunge . Our passport : Get pole noodle seeds at Amazon for $ 4.94

Sweet Corn (Zea mays)

Sweet cornis believed to heighten the flavor of tater when seeded nearby as a companion plant . According to plant expert Zondag , Zea mayscan also help ward off some common potato diseases . He notes that when constitute sweet maize as a companion for tater , assure the height of the Zea mays angry walk does n’t shade the potato plants .

considerably For : Enhancing potato flavor and helping with disease protection . Our testimonial : Get sweet corn seeds at The Home Depot for $ 19.09

Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana)

accord to Zondag , this impassioned herb is among potato plant companions that meliorate the latter ’s flavor . To prevent problems when rototilling , plantperennial vegetablessuch as murphy , horseradish , rhubarb plant , edible asparagus , strawberries , andperennial herbsin the same area .

well For : better the flavor of potatoes in the garden while rebuff pests . Our good word : Get horseradish roots at Park Seed for $ 21.95

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea)

Cabbage make an excellent companion plant for potatoes . Its shallow ancestor peak enable potatoes to reach deeper into the dirt for nutrients , and the cabbage roots help to interrupt up the grime , aiding in aeration . Cabbage does good as a Solanum tuberosum companion when set with aromatic herbs such as salvia , dill , chamomile , Apium graveolens dulce , rosemary , and peppermint . As a non - meddling vegetable fellow traveler plant life for tater , loot is a succeeder .

considerably For : Improving soil tone without interfering with the growth of potatoes . Our testimonial : Get scratch seeds at Jung Seed for $ 3.95

Potato Companions: Space, Conditions, Growth Habit

Certaincompanion plantscomplement potatoes , whether through similar or paired growth habits or by provide spacial benefits such as size of it , depth , or shade . The pure plant better half , like the ones list below , can aid maximize your garden ’s potato harvest time .

Carrots (Daucus carota subsp. sativus)

Potato companion plants with large taproot such as Daucus carota sativa bulldoze their way through the ground . By offering a different type of root system in a garden , carrotscan help to reduce the impact of soil densification . Soil that is loose and well aerated can aid to transport nutrients and moisture down to rich potato roots , help the works to boom .

Best For : Creating extra space in the soil to enable moisture and nutrient to reach deep potato antecedent . Our Recommendation : Get carrot seeds at Amazon for $ 9.99

Dead Nettle (Lamium)

Considered a locoweed by some , all in nettle has some beneficial property when planted next to potatoes . It form a useful ground cover , aid to crowd out other weeds by outcompeting them for resources such as water and sunlight . This reduces the amount of weed you ’ll have to do in your garden . As a bonus , over-embellished dead nettle has a beautiful purple flower that attractspollinators such as bee .

Best For : Keeping other weeds out of a garden layer and maturate prime that pull pollinators . Our Recommendation : Get dead nettle seeded player at Amazon for $ 8.97

Celery (Apium graveolens)

In general , gardener should lay plants know to be beneficial for one another within two or three row of each other . familiar gardening usingcelery next to potatoesenhances the top areas of your garden soil , asshallow celery rootshelp break in up the soil . prolific grime intend better murphy , so consider celery a crunchy improver to the white potato darn in your garden .

Best For : Enhancing the shallower areas of your garden soil next to potato . Our good word : Get celery seeds at Jung Seed for $ 2.25

Vetch (Vicia spp.)

Considered a weed by some ( and invasive in some areas ) , vetch is recommend for companion planting with potatoes . When grown alongside potatoes , vetch has several benefits . It fixes nitrogen from the air , helping to improve soil prolificacy . to boot , vetch can help reduce the wind eating away of soil . It also acts as an excellentgreen manurethat can be till back into the soil for further nutrient enhancement .

better For : Being a seed of immature manure that jam nitrogen and crowds out other weeds near potato . Our Recommendation : Get hairy vetch seeds at American Meadows for $ 27.95

Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

This pretty flower provides ground cover for areas next to potatoes . As a white potato companion works , it serves as a immature mulch that helps to foreclose weeds from growing while enhancing the moisture - retaining properties of soil . Additionally , madwort is known to appeal pollinatorsand other good insects .

better For : Being a low - maintenance associate plant for potatoes that crowd out dope and enhance ground moistureOur testimonial : Get genus Alyssum seed at Jung Seed for $ 2.25

5 Plants Never to Grow Near Potatoes

Irish potato are a nightshade plant , an important consideration when choosing vegetable fellow traveller planting . According to Zondag , “ The reason you do n’t plant other members of the same family is the members of the nightshade family line are susceptible to the same diseases and may produce a situation where the disease could disseminate from one appendage of that family to the other . ” For this reasonableness , part your nightshade plants from each other and stave off growing the same industrial plant on the same ground 2 years in a run-in .

Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners

We ’ll help you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your terrace , a raise bed , or an in - ground plot out back — and select the ripe plants for your soil and region .

Basil plant growing in the ground.