About Companion Planting

• Companion planting refers to the practice of placing some two or more plants near each other for the benefit of each. Some plants have similar growing habits and do well near each other. In other cases, certain herbs and other plants are deterrents for bugs that might attack their companions. Conversely, some plants are detrimental to others and these should not be planted together.
  
  

Pepper Allies

• Sweet peppers and basil do well when planted together because they have similar needs. They also taste good together and are easy to harvest at the same time when they are near each other. Peppers also grow well with onions and carrots. Tomatoes and eggplants provide shelter and shade to the more delicate pepper plant and help to provide humidity to them. Peppers and okra are another good pairing, because the taller okra protects peppers from the wind which is beneficial for them. Marjoram, parsley and oregano are other herbs that grow well with peppers. Hot peppers may be planted anywhere you have a problem with root rot, as their roots put out a substance that prevents this.
  
  

Pepper Enemies

• Sweet pepper plants should not be planted near fennel or kohlrabi. They are also detrimental to apricot trees as they release a fungus that will damage them over time. Do not plant hot peppers near beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts or fennel.
  
  

Other Tips About Companion Planting

• Plants with strong odors, such as many herbs, tend to be insect repellents. If the dried herb or cut vegetable would keep an insect away, then the plant is likely to as well. On the other hand, some plants attract insects and keep them away from your food crops. When choosing companion plants, consider the needs of both plants. Don't put a plant that needs a lot of water with one that prefers drier soil, for instance. Also beware of shading a plant that needs full sun. Also, plants that need heavy pollination do well planted with companions that draw pollinators to them.