Nasturtium Companion Plants: What to Grow With Nasturtiums for Healthier Crops
Nasturtiums are one of the best companion plants you can grow in a vegetable or ornamental garden. Valued for their bright flowers and edible leaves, they are also highly effective at attracting beneficial insects and acting as a trap plant for pests. When planted alongside the right crops, nasturtiums can help improve plant health, reduce pest pressure, and increase overall garden productivity.
Keter Manor Outdoor Apex Double Door Garden Storage Shed (6 x 8ft)
A durable and stylish beige and brown garden storage shed perfect for storing garden tools, equipment, bikes, and outdoor essentials. Weather-resistant, low maintenance, and ideal for any garden or allotment setup.
Vegetable Plants & Seedlings
Browse Plants
All-Purpose Compost & Soil Improvers
View Compost
Plant Feed & Fertiliser for Strong Growth
Shop Fertiliser
⭐ Recommended Products — 🌿 Nasturtiums & Growing Essentials
Nasturtiums are cheerful, edible flowers with bright colours and peppery taste — easy to grow in beds, containers, and hanging baskets.
• Nasturtium Seed Collection (Mixed Colours)
A mix of vibrant nasturtium seeds — perfect for sowing directly outdoors or under cover early in the season.
👉 Click here to see top options
• Nasturtium Plug Plants / Young Seedlings
Healthy young nasturtium plants ready to transplant into borders or containers for instant summer colour.
👉 Click here to see top options
• Well-Draining Flower & Annual Compost
Light, nutrient-balanced compost ideal for nurturing nasturtium roots and encouraging healthy growth.
👉 Click here to see top options
• Grow Lights for Early Sowing
Bright LED grow lights that help keep indoors-sown nasturtiums strong and stocky before planting outside.
👉 Click here to see top options
• Decorative Pots & Planters for Nasturtiums
Attractive containers that show off nasturtium blooms on patios, balconies, or windowsills.
👉 Click here to see top options
This guide explains the best companion plants for nasturtiums, how they help other plants, and which combinations to avoid.
Why Nasturtiums Are Good Companion Plants
Nasturtiums offer several benefits in companion planting:
- Attract aphids away from crops (trap plant)
- Draw in pollinators such as bees and hoverflies
- Improve biodiversity
- Provide ground cover that suppresses weeds
- Add edible leaves and flowers to the garden
Because they thrive in poor soil and need little care, they fit easily among vegetables and flowers.
Best Companion Plants for Nasturtiums
Tomatoes
Nasturtiums are excellent companions for tomatoes.
- Attract aphids away from tomato plants
- Draw in pollinators to improve flowering
- Help reduce whitefly presence
Plant nasturtiums around the base or edges of tomato beds.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers benefit from nasturtiums in several ways.
- Deter cucumber beetles
- Attract beneficial insects
- Provide living ground cover
Trailing nasturtiums work particularly well nearby.
Squash, Courgettes, and Pumpkins
Nasturtiums pair well with squash-family crops.
- Help distract pests
- Improve pollination
- Cover bare soil and reduce weed growth
Their spreading habit complements large-leaved plants.
Brassicas (Cabbage, Kale, Broccoli)
Nasturtiums are often planted near brassicas.
- Attract aphids and cabbage white butterflies away from crops
- Reduce pest pressure naturally
- Support beneficial insects
They are commonly used in organic gardens for this reason.
Beans and Peas
Legumes grow well alongside nasturtiums.
- No competition for nutrients
- Improved insect diversity
- Attractive mixed planting
Both plants thrive without rich soil.
Fruit Trees and Soft Fruit
Nasturtiums can be grown under fruit trees or near soft fruit bushes.
- Attract pollinators
- Act as sacrificial plants for aphids
- Add colour and ground cover
They are especially useful in wildlife-friendly gardens.
Companion Flowers That Grow Well With Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums also pair nicely with other flowers.
Good companions include:
- Calendula
- Marigolds
- Borage
- Cosmos
These combinations increase pollinator activity and create healthy, diverse planting areas.
Plants to Avoid Growing With Nasturtiums
While nasturtiums are generally friendly plants, there are a few considerations:
- Avoid overcrowding small plants, as nasturtiums can spread
- Do not plant too close to slow-growing seedlings
- Avoid pairing with plants that require very rich soil
Good spacing prevents competition and shading.
How to Use Nasturtiums in Companion Planting
For best results:
- Plant nasturtiums around the edges of beds
- Use trailing types between crops
- Grow dwarf varieties near smaller plants
- Allow some aphids to remain to keep pests away from crops
They work best as part of a balanced garden ecosystem.
Are Nasturtiums Good for Organic Gardening?
Yes. Nasturtiums are widely used in organic and no-dig gardens.
They:
- Reduce reliance on chemical pest control
- Support beneficial insects
- Encourage natural pest management
This makes them ideal for allotments and eco-friendly gardens.
Final Thoughts on Nasturtium Companion Plants
Nasturtiums are one of the most useful companion plants you can grow. Easy, colourful, and edible, they protect crops, attract pollinators, and improve overall garden health. Whether planted among vegetables, fruit, or flowers, they play a valuable role in creating a productive and balanced garden.
If you’re looking for a simple way to boost plant health naturally, nasturtiums are an excellent choice.