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Companion Planting with Garlic: Best and Worst Plants

Introduction

Garlic is one of the easiest and most versatile crops you can grow in the garden. Not only does it provide flavourful bulbs for the kitchen, but it also works as a natural pest deterrent thanks to its strong smell and natural sulphur compounds. This makes garlic a fantastic companion plant for many vegetables, fruits, and flowers.

However, garlic isn’t friendly with every plant in the garden. Some crops thrive when grown alongside garlic, while others may suffer from reduced growth or yield. In this guide, we’ll explore the principles of companion planting with garlic, including the best plants to pair it with and the ones to avoid.

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Why Garlic Works as a Companion Plant

Garlic provides several benefits in the garden beyond its edible bulbs:

• Pest deterrent: Repels aphids, carrot fly, slugs, and even rabbits.
• Disease resistance: Helps protect nearby plants from fungal infections.
• Space efficient: Fits neatly between larger crops.
• Attracts pollinators: Garlic flowers can draw bees and beneficial insects.

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Best Plants to Grow with Garlic

1. Carrots

• Garlic repels carrot fly, one of the biggest pests of carrots.
• Interplanting improves carrot yields and reduces pest damage.

2. Lettuce

• Garlic keeps aphids and slugs away.
• Shallow-rooted lettuce grows happily alongside garlic.

3. Strawberries

• Garlic reduces fungal infections such as grey mould.
• Acts as a natural pest deterrent for common strawberry pests.

4. Roses

• Garlic planted near roses repels aphids and prevents black spot.
• Many gardeners swear by garlic’s ability to keep roses healthy.

5. Tomatoes

• Garlic helps deter spider mites and aphids from tomato plants.
• Both crops thrive in sunny, well-drained conditions.

6. Peppers

• Similar to tomatoes, peppers benefit from garlic’s pest-repelling powers.

7. Fruit Trees (Apple & Pear)

• Garlic helps prevent fungal diseases like apple scab.
• Also repels borers and other fruit tree pests.

8. Cabbage Family (Brassicas)

• Garlic repels cabbage worms, loopers, and aphids.
• Works well with broccoli, kale, and cabbage.

9. Beets

• Garlic deters leaf miners and helps maintain healthy beet crops.

10. Celery

• Garlic repels aphids and slugs, improving celery growth.

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Worst Plants to Grow with Garlic

1. Beans (including Runner and French Beans)

• Garlic may stunt bean growth by releasing compounds into the soil.

2. Peas

• Like beans, peas are sensitive to garlic’s sulphur compounds.
• Yields may be reduced when planted together.

3. Asparagus

• Garlic competes with asparagus for nutrients, reducing productivity.

4. Sage

• Sage and garlic don’t grow well side by side.
• Both can inhibit each other’s growth.

5. Parsley

• Garlic may stunt parsley growth if planted too close.

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Companion Planting Tips with Garlic

• Plant spacing: Keep garlic cloves 10–15cm apart, leaving enough room for companions.
• Rotation: Avoid planting garlic or other alliums in the same spot for more than 3 years to prevent disease build-up.
• Borders and edges: Garlic works well as a border crop to deter pests from the rest of your garden.
• Mix planting: Alternate rows of garlic and carrots, lettuce, or brassicas for best results.
• Flowers as companions: Garlic pairs well with roses and other ornamentals that suffer from aphids and fungal diseases.

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Garlic as a Natural Pest Deterrent

Garlic is often used in homemade pest sprays to protect plants.

• Blend garlic with water and a little soap to create a natural insect repellent.
• Spray on plants affected by aphids, whitefly, or caterpillars.
• Safe, organic alternative to chemical pesticides.

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Companion Planting by Season

Autumn

• Plant garlic cloves around roses and fruit trees to protect against overwintering pests.

Winter

• Garlic grows slowly but still works to deter rodents and rabbits.

Spring

• Plant garlic between lettuce, carrots, and brassicas to keep away early pests.

Summer

• Garlic flowers attract bees, while bulbs continue protecting crops from fungal diseases.

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Conclusion

Garlic is a powerful ally in the garden. By pairing it with crops like carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, and strawberries, you can naturally deter pests, reduce disease, and improve yields. However, garlic is not suitable for every plant — beans, peas, asparagus, parsley, and sage should be grown elsewhere to avoid competition and stunted growth.

By following these companion planting tips, you can make the most of garlic’s protective qualities while maximising your harvests.

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Top 10 Questions About Companion Planting with Garlic

1. What plants grow best with garlic?
Carrots, lettuce, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, roses, and brassicas all benefit.

2. Can I plant garlic near beans or peas?
No, garlic can stunt their growth and reduce yields.

3. Does garlic help keep pests away?
Yes, garlic repels aphids, carrot fly, spider mites, and even larger pests like rabbits.

4. Can garlic prevent fungal diseases?
Yes, it can reduce fungal issues like black spot on roses and mould on strawberries.

5. How close can I plant garlic to other crops?
Leave at least 10–15cm spacing, but interplant rows for best results.

6. Does garlic affect the flavour of neighbouring crops?
No, it doesn’t affect flavour, but it may stunt growth in beans and peas.

7. Can garlic be used as a natural pesticide?
Yes, garlic spray works well against aphids and caterpillars.

8. What flowers benefit from garlic?
Roses are the most common example, as garlic helps prevent black spot and aphids.

9. Can garlic grow near herbs?
Yes, but avoid parsley and sage, which don’t pair well with garlic.

10. Should garlic be used as a border crop?
Yes, planting garlic around the edges of beds protects other plants from pests.

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