Choosing the right arugula companion plants can improve flavor and help manage pests naturally. This simple gardening method uses plant relationships to create a healthier, more productive garden. You can grow better arugula with less effort by understanding which plants to pair together.
Companion planting is a strategic approach. It involves placing certain plants near each other to gain benefits. These benefits include pest control, improved growth, and better use of space.
For arugula, a fast-growing leafy green, good companions can make a significant difference. They can shield it from common pests like flea beetles. They can also enhance its distinctive, peppery taste.
Arugula Companion Plants
This section covers the best plants to grow with your arugula. We will look at herbs, vegetables, and flowers that offer specific advantages. Each companion serves a purpose, from repelling insects to improving soil conditions.
Herbs That Benefit Arugula
Herbs are powerful companions. Their strong scents often confuse or repel garden pests. Planting them near arugula creates a protective barrier.
Dill and cilantro are excellent choices. They attract beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps. These insects prey on aphids and caterpillars that might bother your arugula.
Basil is another great partner. It may help enhance the flavor of arugula. Basil also repels mosquitoes and flies, creating a more pleasant gardening environment.
Mint can deter pests like ants and flea beetles. However, mint is very invasive. It’s best to plant mint in a container near your arugula bed, not directly in the ground.
Thyme and oregano offer ground-cover benefits. They spread low to the soil, helping to suppress weeds that would compete with arugula for nutrients.
Vegetable Companions For Arugula
Many common vegetables work well along side arugula. They can share space efficiently and support each other’s growth.
Leafy Greens And Alliums
Lettuce, spinach, and Swiss chard are compatible neighbors. They have similar water and light needs. Planting them together makes efficient use of garden space without intense competition.
Onions, garlic, and chives are part of the allium family. Their strong odor is a natural pest deterrent. They can help keep aphids and flea beetles away from your arugula leaves.
Root Vegetables And Legumes
Beets, carrots, and parsnips are good companions. Since arugula has shallow roots, it doesn’t compete with these deeper-rooting vegetables. They utilize different soil layers.
Bush beans and peas are legumes. They fix nitrogen in the soil, which can benefit the nutrient needs of leafy greens like arugula. This partnership improves soil fertility naturally.
Flowers To Plant With Arugula
Flowers aren’t just decorative. In companion planting, they are vital tools. They attract pollinators and beneficial insects that patrol for pests.
Nasturtiums are a top choice. They act as a trap crop, luring aphids away from your arugula. Their vibrant flowers also attract pollinators. You can plant them as a border around your arugula patch.
Calendula and marigolds repel nematodes and other soil pests. French marigolds, in particular, are known for their pest-repelling properties. Their roots exude a substance that discourages harmful nematodes.
Sweet alyssum is a low-growing flower. It forms a living mulch, keeping the soil cool and moist for arugula. It also attracts tiny beneficial wasps that control pest populations.
Plants To Avoid Near Arugula
Just as some plants help arugula, others can hinder it. Knowing what not to plant is just as important. Incompatible plants may compete aggressively or attract the wrong insects.
Strawberries And Brassicas
Avoid planting strawberries with arugula. They can be susceptible to similar fungal diseases. Keeping them separate helps prevent the spread of these issues.
Other brassicas are generally poor companions for arugula. This includes broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and cabbage. They attract the same pests, like cabbage worms and flea beetles. Grouping them together creates a large target and can lead to severe infestations.
Plants With Different Water Needs
Arugula prefers consistent moisture. Avoid planting it near vegetables that like very dry or exceptionally wet soil. Examples include lavender (which prefers dry conditions) or watercress (which needs constantly wet soil). Mismatched water needs can stress one or both plants.
Planning Your Arugula Companion Garden
A successful garden starts with a good plan. Consider space, timing, and plant relationships before you put anything in the ground. A little planning prevents problems later.
Garden Layout Strategies
You can use several layout methods. The right one depends on your garden’s size and style.
- Interplanting: Mix arugula and its companions in the same bed. For example, plant a row of arugula between rows of onions or carrots.
- Border Planting: Use companion plants as a protective edge. Plant flowers like nasturtiums or herbs like thyme around the perimeter of your arugula bed.
- Container Combinations: In pots, combine arugula with shallow-rooted herbs like basil or cilantro. Ensure the container is large enough for all plants.
Succession Planting With Arugula
Arugula grows quickly. You can use it as a filler crop between other plants. After harvesting early spring arugula, you might plant bush beans in the same space. This maximizes your garden’s yield throughout the season.
Because arugula bolts in summer heat, plan for shade. Plant it on the east side of taller companions like dill or beans. These plants can provide afternoon shade, extending your arugula harvest.
Common Arugula Pests And Companion Solutions
Companion planting is a key part of natural pest management. By understanding the threats to arugula, you can choose companions that specifically counter them.
Flea Beetles And Aphids
Flea beetles are tiny jumping insects that create small holes in arugula leaves. They can severely damage young plants.
- Companion Solution: Plant strong-scented alliums like garlic or green onions nearby. Catnip and mint are also reported to deter them.
- Action: Use floating row covers over young arugula plants as an extra barrier.
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that cluster on stems and undersides of leaves. They suck plant sap and can spread disease.
- Companion Solution: Plant dill, fennel, or yarrow to attract ladybugs and lacewings, which are natural aphid predators. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop.
- Action: A strong spray of water from a hose can dislodge aphids.
Cabbage Worms And Slugs
Cabbage worms are the larvae of white butterflies. They chew large, irregular holes in leaves.
- Companion Solution: Sage and rosemary can help mask the scent of arugula from the butterflies. Thyme can provide ground cover that makes it harder for them to lay eggs.
- Action: Inspect leaves regularly and hand-pick any green caterpillars you find.
Slugs and snails feed on young, tender arugula leaves, often at night.
- Companion Solution: Planting rosemary or lavender around the bed may deter them due to the aromatic oils. However, ensure these drier-soil plants are in their own pots or a separate bed area to avoid conflicting water needs.
- Action: Create a barrier of diatomaceous earth or crushed eggshells around plants.
Improving Soil Health For Arugula
Healthy soil is the foundation of a healthy garden. Arugula thrives in fertile, well-draining soil with a neutral pH. Companion planting can contribute to soil improvement over time.
Using Legumes And Cover Crops
As mentioned, legumes like peas and beans add nitrogen to the soil. You can plant arugula after harvesting a crop of beans to take advantage of the nitrogen left behind.
Consider planting a cover crop of clover in a bed during the off-season. When you turn it into the soil, it adds organic matter and nitrogen, preparing the bed for your spring arugula planting.
Living Mulches And Weed Suppression
Low-growing companions act as living mulch. Plants like sweet alyssum or creeping thyme cover the soil surface. This helps retain moisture, regulates soil temperature, and suppresses weeds that would compete with arugula.
Weeds are not just unsightly; they steal water and nutrients. Using companions to outcompete weeds reduces your garden maintenance and gives your arugula a better change to thrive.
Step-By-Step Guide To Planting
Follow these steps to establish your arugula companion garden successfully.
- Prepare Your Soil: Work the soil to a fine texture. Mix in several inches of compost or well-rotted manure to ensure fertility and good drainage.
- Plan Your Layout: Sketch your garden bed on paper. Place taller companion plants (like dill) on the north or west side to avoid shading shorter arugula. Plan for borders and interplanting.
- Plant Your Companions First (If Needed): Some companion plants, like perennial herbs or flowers started from transplants, should go in first. Get them established.
- Sow Arugula Seeds: Plant arugula seeds directly in the soil about 1/4 inch deep. Space rows according to packet instructions, usually 6-12 inches apart. You can thin seedlings later.
- Add Remaining Companions: Sow seeds or plant transplants of your chosen annual companions, like nasturtiums or bush beans, according to your plan.
- Water and Maintain: Water the bed gently but thoroughly. Keep the soil consistently moist for good germination and growth. Monitor for pests and enjoy watching the plant relationships develop.
Seasonal Considerations For Companion Planting
Your companion planting strategy can change with the seasons. Arugula is a cool-season crop, but you can grow it in spring and fall.
Spring Planting Combinations
In early spring, focus on cool-season companions. Plant arugula with lettuce, spinach, peas, and radishes. Herbs like cilantro and parsley also do well in cooler weather. Use onion sets or garlic as pest-deterring borders.
Fall Planting Combinations
For a fall harvest, pair arugula with fast-maturing companions. Beets, turnips, and some varieties of bush beans can work. You can also include kale or Swiss chard, but monitor for shared brassica pests. Plant calendula for late-season color and pest benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Best Companion Plants For Arugula In Containers?
For containers, choose companions with similar needs that won’t overcrowd. Good options include basil, cilantro, dwarf marigolds, or lettuce. Ensure the pot is wide and deep enough for all root systems and has excellent drainage.
Can I Plant Arugula With Tomatoes?
It’s not ideal. Tomatoes have different water and nutrient requirements and can grow large, shading the sun-loving arugula. They are also heavy feeders and might outcompete arugula for nutrients. It’s better to keep them in separate areas of the garden.
How Close Should I Plant Companions To Arugula?
Proximity matters. For pest-repelling herbs and flowers, plant them within 1-2 feet of your arugula for the scent barrier to be effective. For interplanted vegetables, follow standard spacing guidelines for each plant to avoid competition for light and root space.
Do Arugula Companion Plants Really Improve Flavor?
Many gardeners report that herbs like basil and cilantro can enhance the flavor of nearby leafy greens, though this is often subjective and hard to measure scientifically. The primary, proven benefit of companions is pest management and improved plant health, which indirectly leads to better-tasting produce.
What Should I Not Plant Next To Arugula?
Avoid other brassicas like broccoli, kale, and cabbage, as they share pests. Also, avoid strawberries due to disease risk, and plants with vastly different water needs, such as lavender or cacti. This helps prevent stress and disease spread in your garden.