Plants You Should Not Grow Near Potatoes

Knowing which plants you should not grow near potatoes is just as important as choosing good companions. Some plants compete heavily for nutrients, increase disease risk, or attract pests that can seriously reduce potato yields and crop quality.

⭐ Recommended Products — Seed Potatoes & Planting Essentials

• Seed Potato Collection (Early, First & Second Earlies)
A mixed pack of quality seed potatoes to plant for a steady harvest from early summer through to autumn. Ideal if you want variety in size and maturity times.
👉 Click here to see top options

• Certified Seed Potatoes (Single Variety Packs)
Choose popular individual varieties (e.g., Maris Piper, Charlotte, King Edward) to suit your taste and growing goals — consistent results from true seed stock.
👉 Click here to see top options

• Potato Grow Bags / Containers
Reusable, breathable bags designed specifically for growing potatoes — great for patios, small gardens, or increasing yield in limited space.
👉 Click here to see top options

• Potato Fertiliser / Soil Booster
Specially formulated feed to support healthy tuber development and improve yields — apply at planting or as a top-dress during the season.
👉 Click here to see top options

• Potato Planting Guides & Markers
Helpful tools and guides that take you through planting depth, spacing, and care — plus reusable markers to keep track of different varieties.
👉 Click here to see top options

Why Some Plants Are Bad Neighbours for Potatoes

Potatoes are heavy feeders and prone to diseases such as blight. Poor companion plants can:

• Increase disease spread
• Compete for nutrients and water
• Restrict airflow
• Encourage pests

Avoiding the wrong neighbours helps keep potato plants healthy and productive.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are one of the worst plants to grow near potatoes.

• Both are part of the nightshade family
• Share diseases such as blight
• Pests easily spread between plants

Growing them together greatly increases the risk of crop failure.

Peppers and Aubergines

Like tomatoes, these are nightshades.

• Share similar pests and diseases
• Compete for nutrients
• Increase disease pressure in the soil

They should always be kept well away from potatoes.

Cucumbers

Cucumbers can cause problems when grown near potatoes.

• Compete for moisture and nutrients
• Spread across the soil, reducing airflow
• Increase humidity around plants

This environment encourages fungal diseases.

Squash and Pumpkins

Large spreading plants are poor companions.

• Shade potato plants excessively
• Compete heavily for nutrients
• Reduce airflow around foliage

This can weaken growth and increase disease risk.

Carrots

Carrots compete underground with potatoes.

• Roots interfere with developing tubers
• Can become misshapen
• Reduce overall yields for both crops

They are best grown in separate beds.

Parsnips

Parsnips have deep taproots that clash with potato growth.

• Compete for space below ground
• Disturb developing tubers
• Reduce harvest quality

Keep parsnips well away from potato beds.

Fennel

Fennel is a poor companion for most vegetables.

• Releases substances that inhibit growth
• Reduces potato vigour
• Competes strongly for nutrients

It should always be grown separately.

Sunflowers

Sunflowers may look harmless but can cause issues.

• Heavy feeders
• Compete strongly for nutrients
• Cast shade over potato plants

They can reduce potato growth if planted too close.

Why Nightshades Should Be Avoided

All nightshade crops share similar problems:

• Blight spreads rapidly
• Soil-borne diseases persist
• Pest populations build up quickly

Keeping them apart reduces long-term soil issues.

Final Thoughts

Avoiding the wrong plants near potatoes is essential for healthy growth and good yields. Tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, cucumbers, squash, root crops, and fennel should all be kept away from potato beds. Giving potatoes space and the right neighbours helps prevent disease, reduce competition, and produce stronger, more reliable crops.