The best Strawberry Companion Plants that naturally boost growth, repel pests, and enhance fruit yield. Learn which 25 plants help your strawberries thrive organically in your garden. Perfect for gardeners in the USA seeking bigger, better berries!
Strawberries are among the most loved fruits in American gardens, and for good reason. These juicy, sweet berries thrive when paired with the right companions. Gardeners across the USA have long relied on the technique of companion planting to optimize plant health, reduce pests, and enhance yields. In the context of strawberry gardening, choosing the right strawberry companion plants can make the difference between a struggling patch and a flourishing bed of vibrant, productive plants.
Companion planting involves strategic gardening — planting different species near each other to create mutually beneficial growing conditions. Whether you’re gardening in a backyard, raised bed, or container, understanding which strawberry companion plants to include can greatly elevate your success. This post dives deep into 25 strawberry companion plants that not only thrive beside strawberries but actively contribute to their growth and vitality.
1. Borage As Strawberry Companion Plants
Borage is often considered one of the best strawberry companion plants. Its vibrant blue flowers attract pollinators, which is essential for fruit production. Additionally, borage repels common pests like tomato hornworms and cabbage worms, making your strawberry patch a less appealing target. Gardeners in the USA appreciate how borage also enriches the soil with trace minerals and improves plant health over time.
2. Spinach As Strawberry Companion Plants
Spinach is a cool-season crop that grows well alongside strawberries. As a strawberry companion plant, spinach shades the soil, keeping roots cool and retaining moisture — a critical factor during hot American summers. Additionally, spinach has shallow roots that don’t interfere with strawberries, and its presence helps suppress weeds naturally.
3. Lettuce As Strawberry Companion Plants
Lettuce is another excellent strawberry companion plant because it thrives in similar conditions. Lettuce grows quickly, creating a ground cover that prevents weed competition and conserves soil moisture. Its presence helps strawberries stay hydrated longer, especially in raised beds commonly used in American gardens.
4. Thyme As Strawberry Companion Plants
Thyme is a low-growing herb that makes a superb strawberry companion plant. Its aromatic oils help repel pests like whiteflies and beetles. Many American gardeners also appreciate thyme’s hardiness and its role in attracting pollinators, which directly contributes to better strawberry yields.
5. Chives
Chives act as a natural deterrent to aphids and other soft-bodied insects, making them a protective border around strawberry beds. As a strawberry companion plant, chives release sulfur compounds into the soil, enhancing disease resistance and promoting vigorous plant growth.
6. Garlic
Garlic is another strawberry companion plant that offers natural pest resistance. Its strong scent deters pests like spider mites and aphids. American gardeners often interplant garlic with strawberries to keep these pests at bay while also benefiting from garlic’s anti-fungal properties.
7. Onions
Like garlic and chives, onions provide a protective perimeter for strawberries. They deter slugs and aphids, which are common nuisances in strawberry patches across the USA. As a strawberry companion plant, onions contribute to the overall balance of the garden ecosystem.
8. Bush Beans
Bush beans fix nitrogen in the soil, enriching it for heavy feeders like strawberries. Their bushy growth also helps protect strawberry roots from sun damage. American gardeners value this pairing for its mutual benefits and the added bonus of dual harvests.
9. Carrots
Carrots are excellent strawberry companion plants because their long taproots loosen the soil, improving aeration and drainage. This helps strawberry roots expand more easily, boosting overall plant health. They occupy different soil levels, reducing competition for nutrients.
10. Marigolds
Marigolds are famous for their pest-repelling abilities and are one of the most trusted strawberry companion plants. Their strong scent deters nematodes and aphids while brightening up the garden. In many American backyards, marigolds serve as a natural pest control solution for strawberries.
11. Sage
Sage is a fragrant herb that makes a great strawberry companion plant due to its insect-repelling properties. It helps deter carrot flies and cabbage moths. Sage also attracts pollinators, creating a more productive strawberry garden environment.
12. Beans (Pole)
Pole beans provide vertical growth, which means they use space efficiently while fixing nitrogen in the soil. This aids in nourishing the strawberries below, promoting robust fruit development. Many U.S. gardeners include pole beans near their strawberry beds for this reason.
13. Beets
Beets are root crops that work well as strawberry companion plants. They don’t compete heavily for space and nutrients and can enhance the soil structure. They’re a great choice for American gardeners seeking dual-purpose plantings in compact spaces.
14. Parsley
Parsley helps attract beneficial insects and improves the flavor of strawberries. It’s compact and non-invasive, making it an ideal strawberry companion plant. Its ability to bring in hoverflies and parasitic wasps also aids in natural pest control.
15. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums act as a trap crop, luring pests like aphids and whiteflies away from strawberries. This makes them a critical strawberry companion plant in organic gardens across the U.S. Their bright blooms also add visual appeal to your beds.
16. Dill
Dill is a dual-purpose herb when used as a strawberry companion plant. It draws in beneficial insects and repels harmful ones. In the U.S., gardeners love dill for its versatility and its ability to support biodiversity in strawberry beds.
17. Cilantro
Cilantro attracts hoverflies and ladybugs, both natural enemies of aphids. Its feathery foliage complements strawberry plants well, and it’s often used in American herb gardens that incorporate strawberries as a feature crop.
18. Catnip
Catnip is a powerful pest deterrent. Its strong scent keeps away flea beetles and aphids. As a strawberry companion plant, catnip contributes to healthier plants and a more fragrant garden space, especially appreciated in urban U.S. gardens.
19. Peas
Peas, like beans, fix nitrogen and make excellent companions for strawberries. Their climbing nature means they don’t compete for ground space, allowing strawberries to spread while still receiving nutrients. This pairing is especially popular in early-season U.S. plantings.
20. Rhubarb
Rhubarb’s large leaves help shade the soil and retain moisture, benefiting strawberries during hot U.S. summers. As a perennial, it also helps define strawberry planting areas and contributes to soil health year-round.
21. Yarrow
Yarrow improves soil structure and attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs. It’s a versatile strawberry companion plant that brings color and resilience to the garden. U.S. gardeners often use yarrow to enhance pollination and diversity.
22. Calendula
Calendula helps repel aphids and brings in pollinators, making it an essential strawberry companion plant. Its cheerful blooms are also known to have anti-fungal properties, contributing to healthier strawberry leaves and roots.
23. Tansy
Tansy’s natural oils deter many pests, including ants and flying insects. As a strawberry companion plant, it acts as a living insect repellent while improving soil fertility with its deep roots. Use cautiously, as tansy can be invasive.
24. Clover
Clover is a ground cover that fixes nitrogen, suppresses weeds, and protects soil moisture. As a strawberry companion plant, clover creates a lush carpet that supports strawberry runners while nourishing the soil.
25. Asparagus
Asparagus and strawberries share a long growing season and complement each other without competing. Their root systems are different enough to coexist, and this combination is a favorite in many American perennial gardens.
Conclusion: 25 Strawberry Companion Plants That Boost Strawberry Growth
Incorporating the right strawberry companion plants into your garden can dramatically enhance strawberry growth, improve soil conditions, and naturally deter pests. Whether you’re growing in containers, raised beds, or traditional garden rows, these 25 companion plants have been tested and proven to support strawberries in a wide range of American climates.
By choosing allies like borage, lettuce, garlic, and marigolds, you create a balanced ecosystem that encourages pollination, deters pests, and enriches the soil. As more gardeners embrace organic and sustainable methods, companion planting stands out as a powerful strategy that combines tradition and innovation. Let your strawberry patch thrive with the support of these botanical friends and enjoy the fruits — literally — of your labor.
