Companion Plants for Potatoes: A Guide to Successful Planting

Why Companion Plants Matter

If you're growing potatoes, you already know that they can be a bit finicky. They need plenty of nutrients and moisture, and they can be prone to disease and pests. But did you know that planting the right companion plants can make all the difference? By choosing plants that complement your potatoes, you can help them grow stronger, healthier, and more productive. In this guide, we'll explore some of the best companion plants for potatoes and show you how to make the most of your garden.

The Benefits of Companion Planting

Before we dive into specific plants, let's take a closer look at why companion planting is so effective. There are several reasons why certain plants work well together:

1. Pest Control

Some plants have natural pest-repelling properties that can help protect your potatoes. For example, marigolds emit a scent that repels nematodes, while garlic and onions deter aphids and other insects.

2. Soil Health

Different plants have different nutrient needs, which means they can help balance out the soil. Legumes like beans and peas, for example, fix nitrogen in the soil, which can benefit your potatoes.

3. Space Optimization

By planting compatible plants together, you can make the most of your garden space. For example, if you plant lettuce or spinach around your potato plants, they'll help provide shade and keep the soil moist.

Now that we've covered the basics, let's move on to some specific companion plants.

15 Companion Plants for Potatoes

1. Beans

Beans are a great companion plant for potatoes because they fix nitrogen in the soil, which can benefit your potatoes. Plus, their tall growth habit can help provide shade and support for your potato plants.

How to Plant:

Plant beans near your potato plants at the same time. They prefer well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter.

Care Tips:

Water beans deeply once a week, and avoid overhead watering to prevent disease. Harvest beans regularly to encourage new growth.

2. Marigolds

Marigolds have natural pest-repelling properties that can help protect your potato plants from nematodes.

How to Plant:

Plant marigolds around the perimeter of your potato patch. They prefer well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight.

Care Tips:

Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage new blooms. Water deeply but infrequently to prevent root rot.

3. Garlic

Garlic is another natural pest repellent that can help keep aphids and other insects away from your potato plants.

How to Plant:

Plant garlic bulbs around the perimeter of your potato patch in the fall. They prefer well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter.

Care Tips:

Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Harvest garlic bulbs in the summer when the leaves to turn yellow.

4. Onions

Like garlic, onions also have natural pest-repelling properties.

How to Plant:

Plant onion sets around the perimeter of your potato patch in the spring. They prefer well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight.

Care Tips:

Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Harvest onions when the tops to turn brown and fall over.

5. Peas

Peas are another nitrogen-fixing plant that can benefit your potatoes.

How to Plant:

Plant peas near your potato plants at the same time. They prefer well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight.

Care Tips:

Water deeply once a week, and avoid overhead watering to prevent disease. Harvest peas regularly to encourage new growth.

6. Spinach

Spinach is a great companion plant for potatoes because it can help provide shade and keep the soil moist.

How to Plant:

Plant spinach around your potato plants in the spring or fall. They prefer well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter.

Care Tips:

Water spinach regularly to keep the soil moist. Harvest leaves as needed, and avoid harvesting all the leaves at once.

7. Lettuce

Like spinach, lettuce can help provide shade and keep the soil moist around your potato plants.

How to Plant:

Plant lettuce around your potato plants in the spring or fall. They prefer well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight.

Care Tips:

Water lettuce regularly to keep the soil moist. Harvest leaves as needed, and avoid harvesting all the leaves at once.

8. Carrots

Carrots can help break up compacted soil and improve drainage, which can benefit your potatoes.

How to Plant:

Plant carrots near your potato plants in the spring. They prefer well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight.

Care Tips:

Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Harvest carrots when they reach the desired size.

9. Radishes

Like carrots, radishes can help break up compacted soil and improve drainage.

How to Plant:

Plant radishes near your potato plants in the spring or fall. They prefer well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight.

Care Tips:

Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Harvest radishes when they reach the desired size.

10. Cabbage

Cabbage can help repel certain pests that can be harmful to your potato plants.

How to Plant:

Plant cabbage near your potato plants in the spring or fall. They prefer well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight.

Care Tips:

Water cabbage regularly to keep the soil moist. Harvest heads when they reach the desired size.

11. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a great companion plant for potatoes because they have similar nutrient needs.

How to Plant:

Plant tomatoes near your potato plants after the last frost. They prefer well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight.

Care Tips:

Water tomatoes deeply once a week, and avoid overhead watering to prevent disease. Harvest tomatoes when they are ripe.

12. Broccoli

Broccoli can help repel certain pests that can be harmful to your potato plants.

How to Plant:

Plant broccoli near your potato plants in the spring or fall. They prefer well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight.

Care Tips:

Water broccoli regularly to keep the soil moist. Harvest heads when they reach the desired size.

13. Cauliflower

Cauliflower can also help repel certain pests that can be harmful to your potato plants.

How to Plant:

Plant cauliflower near your potato plants in the spring or fall. They prefer well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight.

Care Tips:

Water cauliflower regularly to keep the soil moist. Harvest heads when they reach the desired size.

14. Corn

Corn can help provide shade and support for your potato plants.

How to Plant:

Plant corn near your potato plants after the last frost. They prefer well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight.

Care Tips:

Water corn deeply once a week, and avoid overhead watering to prevent disease. Harvest ears when they are ripe.

15. Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums can help repel certain pests that can be harmful to your potato plants.

How to Plant:

Plant nasturtiums around the perimeter of your potato patch. They prefer well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight.

Care Tips:

Water nasturtiums regularly to keep the soil moist. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage new blooms.



By choosing the right companion plants for your potatoes, you can help them grow stronger, healthier, and more productive. Whether you're looking to repel pests, improve soil health, or optimize your garden space, there are plenty of options to choose from. With a little planning and care, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious, homegrown potatoes.

FAQs

1. Can you plant potatoes and tomatoes together?

Yes, potatoes and tomatoes are compatible companion plants because they have similar nutrient needs.

2. Do potatoes need a lot of water?

Yes, potatoes require regular watering to stay healthy and productive.

3. Can you plant potatoes in containers?

Yes, potatoes can be grown successfully in containers as long as they have plenty of room to grow and are kept well-watered.

4. How deep should you plant potatoes?

Potatoes should be planted about 4-6 inches deep in the soil.

5. When should you harvest potatoes?

Potatoes should be harvested when the plants to die back and the leaves turn yellow.