Companion Flowers for Your Vegetable Garden

Tagetes patula

Roots release thiophene, toxic to soil nematodes. Strong scent confuses flying pests.

Tropaeolum majus

Acts as trap crop - pests attack nasturtiums instead of vegetables. Edible flowers.

Borago officinalis

One of the best bee plants. Continuous blooms. May improve tomato flavor. Edible flowers.

Calendula officinalis

Sticky leaves trap aphids. Attracts hoverflies whose larvae eat aphids. Medicinal uses.

Zinnia elegans

Excellent pollinator plant. Long bloom season. Great cut flower.

Cosmos bipinnatus

Attracts beneficial insects that prey on aphids and caterpillars. Easy to grow.

Helianthus annuus

Major pollinator attractor. Seeds feed birds that eat pests. Can support pole beans.

Lobularia maritima

Low-growing ground cover. Hoverfly larvae are major aphid predators. Long bloom season.

Petunia × hybrida

Natural pest repellent. Good in containers near vegetables.

Lavandula angustifolia

Strong scent repels many pests and browsing animals. Excellent bee plant. Perennial.

Achillea millefolium

Powerful beneficial insect attractor. Flat flowers are landing pads for predatory wasps. Perennial.

Chrysanthemum morifolium

Contains natural pyrethrin, a powerful insecticide. Repels many crawling pests.

Pelargonium × hortorum

Linalool in leaves repels many insects. Some varieties trap Japanese beetles.

Echinacea purpurea

Native perennial that supports a wide range of pollinators and beneficial insects. Long bloom period.

Rudbeckia hirta

Native wildflower with long bloom season. Attracts diverse beneficial insects and seed-eating birds.

Matricaria chamomilla

Called the 'plant doctor' - improves growth and flavor of nearby plants. Attracts beneficials. Medicinal.

Tanacetum vulgare

Very strong pest repellent. Particularly effective against potato beetles. Contains toxic compounds - use with care.

Tanacetum parthenium

Strong scent deters many pest insects. Attracts beneficial predators. Medicinal herb.

Lobelia erinus

Low-growing edging plant that attracts pollinators without competing with vegetables. Continuous blooms.

Ageratum houstonianum

Contains coumarin, a natural mosquito repellent. Attracts hoverflies that eat aphids.