Best Companion Plants For Beets: 17 Top Picks For 2025

The Ultimate Guide to Beet Companion Plants

Beets are a versatile root vegetable, cherished for their earthy flavor, crunchy texture, and colorful addition to both the kitchen and the garden. Whether grown for their vibrant roots or nutritious greens, beets thrive alongside a host of garden companions. Smart companion planting optimizes growing space, naturally deters pests, and can even enhance the flavor and vigor of your crops. This guide explores the best — and worst — plants to pair with beets, plus how to maximize your beet harvest in any garden setting.

Why Companion Planting Matters for Beets

Companion planting, sometimes called intercropping, involves growing different plants together for mutual benefits. For beets, this means:

• Nutrient sharing: Some companions improve soil fertility, supporting beet development.
• Pest deterrence: Partner plants can repel beet pests or attract beneficial insects.
• Space maximization: Clever combinations prevent crowding and allow efficient garden use.
• Improved harvest: The right neighbors can boost beet growth and flavor.

By choosing suitable partners, you reduce garden chores, minimize pest pressure, and enjoy a healthier, more productive beet crop.

17 Best Companion Plants to Grow With Beets

Here’s an in-depth look at top beet companion plants, how they help, and tips for planting them together:

1. Beans

Beans, especially bush beans, are ideal companions for beets. They fix nitrogen in the soil—a vital nutrient that beets need. After beans decompose, they leave nitrogen behind, enriching the soil for next season’s beet crop. Plant beans alongside beets to prepare the bed for future plantings and reduce fertilizer needs.

2. Endive

Endive is a crisp leafy green with a compact yet bushy growth habit (about 6 inches wide). Its leaf growth is mostly above ground, while beets develop below. This means you can plant them close without crowding. Both crops thrive in sunny, moist spring conditions, making them excellent bedfellows.

3. Onions

Onions emit natural sulfur compounds that repel common beet pests like aphids, leaf miners, and nematodes. Their upright growth prevents shading and competition, while their pest-deterring properties protect both crops. Alternate rows of onions and beets, spacing about 4–6 inches apart for maximum benefit.

4. Lettuce

Lettuce acts as a living mulch, suppressing weeds and conserving moisture. The shallow lettuce roots won’t compete with deep-rooted beets. Sow lettuce between beet rows—harvest the lettuce early so beets can mature without crowding. Leaf lettuce works best, as it won’t overshadow the beets.

5. Brassicas (Cabbage, Kale, Cauliflower, Broccoli)

These cool-weather crops enjoy similar growing conditions as beets. Their broad leaves shade the soil, conserving moisture for thirsty beet roots. They also fill vertical garden space without suffocating the beets below. Position beets at the edges of brassica beds to make the most of sunlight and soil nutrients.

6. Garlic

Garlic releases strong compounds that naturally repel beet pests and some fungal diseases. It grows upward as beets expand beneath the soil, ensuring neither steals resources. Plant garlic cloves between beet rows or at the bed’s edge for pest protection.

7. Carrots

Carrots and beets share similar needs (loose, rich soil and cool temperatures) but don’t compete for the same soil space. Beets break up hard soil as carrots develop long, slender roots. This mutually beneficial duo can help improve soil structure and harvest efficiency.

8. Radishes

Fast-maturing radishes are the perfect beet partners. They mark beet rows for easy thinning, mature in about 3 weeks, and break up compacted soil for slower-growing beets. Harvest radishes early to give beets room to grow.

9. Mint

Mint’s strong aroma repels aphids and flea beetles. However, mint can be aggressive, so plant it in pots or restricted areas near your beets rather than directly in the bed.

10. Thyme

This perennial herb attracts beneficial predators (like hoverflies and parasitic wasps) that prey on beet pests. Plant thyme around the border of your beet patch.

11. Chamomile

Chamomile is another beet-friendly herb. It’s said to enhance flavors of neighboring crops and attract pollinators when in bloom. Interplant a few chamomile clusters among your beets for a pollinator boost.

12. Dill

Dill helps deter aphids, spider mites, and leafhoppers. Plant dill at the edges of your beet beds or let it self-sow amongst root crops.

13. Marigolds

The classic garden protectors, marigolds deter nematodes and beet-specific pests with their scented roots and flowers. Plant marigolds as bed borders or near beet rows for natural pest protection.

14. Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums act as a trap crop, luring aphids and leaf miners away from beets. Their bright flowers also attract pollinators and beneficial predatory insects. Plant nasturtiums around or in between beet beds for added defense.

15. Spinach

Spinach matures quickly and can fill in the gaps between young beet seedlings. Make sure to keep the soil well-watered so both roots and leaves flourish.

16. Oregano, Rosemary, and Sage

Woody perennial herbs like oregano, rosemary, and sage deter pests with their aromatic oils. Plant them on the borders of beet beds to help defend against insects and add culinary options nearby.

17. Swiss Chard

Closely related to beets, Swiss chard generally does well in similar conditions. While some sources caution against pairing them due to shared pests, interplanting with pest-repelling herbs and flowers can help mitigate issues.

How Companion Plants Help Beets

Companion planting offers several practical advantages for beet growers:

• Pest Repellence: Aromatic herbs (garlic, onions, sage, thyme) repel insects that attack beets.
• Attracting Beneficial Insects: Flowers (marigolds, nasturtiums, chamomile) draw ladybugs, lacewings, and pollinators.
• Soil Health: Beans and peas add nitrogen; lettuce and spinach shade soil and preserve moisture.
• Space Efficiency: Shallow-rooted greens and deep-rooted beets grow together without crowding.
• Improved Flavor: Some herbs are believed to enhance beet flavor and vigor.

Plants to Avoid Planting Near Beets

Not all neighbors are friendly! Avoid these plants near beets for the healthiest crop:

• Pole Beans: They compete heavily for nutrients and space with beets, stunting growth.
• Chard and Spinach: While similar in growth needs, these relatives can attract shared pests and diseases if overplanted.
• Field Mustards: Excessive brassicas can attract root diseases beets are susceptible to.

How to Plant Beets with Companions — Tips and Techniques

• Alternate Rows: Plant companion crops in alternating rows for efficient pest management and nutrient use (e.g., onions and beets).
• Interplanting: Tuck lettuce, radishes, or herbs between beet rows for tight spaces or raised beds.
• Crop Rotation: Rotate beet beds annually with legumes (beans, peas) to improve soil nitrogen and prevent pest buildup.
• Organic Mulching: Use straw, compost, or shredded leaves to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Avoid Overcrowding: Give each plant ample room for root and leaf growth, harvesting early greens to reduce crowding.

Best Practices for Sustainable Beet Companion Planting

• Use organic matter (compost, leaf mulch) to boost soil health for beets and companions.
• Water consistently and evenly to support shallow and deep-rooted plant partners.
• Add flowers that attract pollinators to support overall bed health.
• Monitor for pest outbreaks and encourage beneficial insects with diverse plantings.

Quick Reference: Beet Companion Planting Table

Common Beet Growing Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is companion planting and why should I try it with beets?

A: Companion planting is growing different crops together for mutual benefit—better harvests, fewer pests, and healthy soil. Beets do especially well with onions, lettuce, and pest-repelling herbs.

Q: Which plants are best to grow with beets?

A: Top beet companions include onions, lettuce, beans, carrots, radishes, garlic, brassicas (cabbage, kale), marigolds, and pest-repelling herbs like thyme and sage.

Q: Are there plants I should avoid growing near my beets?

A: Yes. Avoid pole beans (they compete for nutrients), and limit plantings with spinach and Swiss chard due to shared pests. Also, don’t overplant with other root crops that may crowd beet roots.

Q: Can companion plants really help deter beet pests?

A: Absolutely. Aromatic herbs (garlic, onions, mint) repel beet pests, and flowers like marigolds and nasturtiums can attract beneficial insects or act as trap crops.

Q: How should I arrange beets and companions in my garden?

A: Use alternate rows or interplanting, spacing shallow-rooted crops (lettuce, radishes) between beets and placing herbs/flowers at bed borders for pest control and pollinator support.

Q: What’s one tip for maximizing my beet harvest?

A: Pair beets with fast-growing greens for early harvests, and use legumes to enrich the soil naturally for the next planting cycle.

Conclusion

Companion planting is a smart, sustainable way to boost your beet crop. With the right partners, you’ll deter pests, increase yields, and make the most of your garden space. Whether you’re planting classic beans and lettuce, experimenting with pest-repelling herbs, or adding vibrant flowers, beets thrive best with thoughtful neighbors. Plan your next beet bed with these companions, and enjoy a healthier, tastier, and more visually appealing garden all season long.

Author

medha deb

 

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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