15 Best Companion Plants for Chard: Boosting Growth & Health in Your Garden

15 Companion Plants to Grow with Chard

Chard, often called Swiss chard, is not just a nutritious leafy vegetable but also a striking ornamental addition to gardens, thanks to its vivid stems in white, yellow, orange, and red. While chard thrives in cool weather, it can also handle heat if given enough water. To unlock its full potential, pairing this versatile crop with the right companions is key. Companion planting with chard helps maximize space, improve soil health, deter pests, and create an appealing landscape. This guide explores 15 of the best companion plants for chard and explains how to make the most of these beneficial partnerships.

What Is Companion Planting?

Traditional gardening often involves growing a single crop in one area, but this approach can exhaust soil nutrients and attract pests that target specific plants. Companion planting is the practice of strategically pairing multiple crops so they benefit one another. These benefits include:

• Pest control: Some plants repel pests that harm their neighbors.
• Soil health: Plants with varying nutrient requirements help avoid nutrient depletion.
• Efficient use of space: Different growth habits and root depths minimize competition.
• Increased yields: Healthy plants free from pests and nutrient competition produce more bountiful harvests.

Companion planting is especially valuable in small gardens, where maximizing every square foot counts. By knowing which plants pair well, gardeners can plant closer together and maintain yields even in limited spaces.

Benefits of Companion Planting for Chard

• Pest Management: Certain companions naturally deter aphids, leaf miners, or slugs that may target chard.
• Improved Soil Structure: Deep-rooted companions aerate the soil, benefiting chard’s shallow root system.
• Microclimate Creation: Taller companions provide shade, while ground covers help retain moisture.
• Visual Appeal: Mixing chard with colorful flowers or foliage adds beauty and diversity.

The 15 Best Companion Plants for Chard

1. Lettuce

• Benefit: Lettuce and chard have different root depths and similar light and water needs, which means no competition for resources.
• Special Note: Chard’s height can provide valuable shade to lettuce in hotter months, extending its growing season.

2. Carrots

• Benefit: Carrots’ deep taproots loosen the soil, improving aeration for chard’s shallow roots.
• Pest Control: Carrots can help deter certain pests, such as aphids, that target leafy greens.

3. Strawberries

• Benefit: Strawberry plants act as ground cover, maintaining soil moisture and suppressing weeds.
• Mutual Advantage: Planting strawberries and chard together can help deter pests from both crops.

4. Beans & Peas

• Benefit: As legumes, beans and peas fix nitrogen in the soil, enriching it for leafy crops like chard.
• Pest Deterrence: Flowers from beans and peas can also attract beneficial insects.

5. Cabbage Family (Broccoli, Kohlrabi, Kale, Cauliflower)

• Benefit: Chard and cabbages share similar watering and sunlight needs but have distinct soil nutrient requirements, reducing competition.
• Consideration: Vary your cabbage family crops in different years to prevent build-up of soil diseases.

6. Radishes

• Benefit: Radishes mature quickly and can help break up the soil, making it easier for chard roots to penetrate.
• Pest Prevention: Their pungent scent can repel some common pests.

7. Onions & Alliums (Garlic, Shallots, Leeks)

• Benefit: The sulfur compounds in alliums deter aphids, beetles, and other pests that target leafy greens.
• Soil Sharing: Alliums have shallow roots and do not compete heavily for nutrients.

8. Sunflowers

• Benefit: These tall, sun-loving plants provide shade, helping chard thrive in summer’s heat.
• Barrier Effect: Sunflowers can also act as a windbreak, protecting more delicate plants.

9. Marigolds (Tagetes)

• Benefit: Marigolds repel nematodes and aphids, two pests that can damage chard roots and leaves.
• Attractive Blooms: Their bright flowers attract pollinators and beneficial insects to the garden.

10. Nasturtiums

• Benefit: Nasturtiums are a magnet for aphids, drawing them away from chard (“trap cropping”).
• Edible Bonus: Both leaves and flowers are edible, adding another layer of utility.

11. Oregano & Aromatic Herbs (Thyme, Sage, Rosemary)

• Benefit: The strong scent of these herbs confuses and deters many insect pests.
• Pollinator Attractants: Their blooms attract bees and beneficial insects.

12. Parsnips

• Benefit: Like carrots, parsnips help loosen and aerate soil, benefiting chard roots.
• Non-Competitive: These root crops draw nutrients from deeper layers, minimizing competition.

13. Fennel (with caution)

• Benefit: Fennel attracts predatory insects such as lacewings and ladybugs.
• Warning: Plant fennel at a slight distance, as it can inhibit growth in some vegetables; monitor chard’s response.

14. Artichokes

• Benefit: Artichokes’ bulky size and broad leaves create a microclimate, offering partial shade to chard and other greens.
• Visual Impact: They also add height and texture to the garden bed.

15. Lettuce Family (Arugula/Rocket, Endive)

• Benefit: These leafy greens grow quickly and can fill spaces between chard plants, suppressing weeds and helping maximize small garden beds.

Summary Table: Good vs. Bad Companion Plants for Chard

If planning a mixed bed or crop rotation, always ensure you keep chard away from antagonistic plants like spinach and beetroot, as they share similar pest and disease problems.

Plants to Avoid Near Chard

• Beetroot and Spinach: Close relatives of chard, meaning they share similar pests and diseases, increasing risk of infestations.
• Potatoes: Heavy feeders that may compete with chard for nutrients.
• Cucumbers and Tomatoes: Tend to attract the same pests and may introduce additional disease pressure.
• Lovage and Jerusalem Artichoke: These can overwhelm or outcompete chard in small spaces.

Tips for Successful Chard Companion Planting

• Rotate companions each year to keep soil healthy and prevent pest populations from building up.
• Keep adequate space between chard and its companions to ensure air circulation and minimize disease.
• Monitor for signs of competition—such as pale leaves or stunted growth—especially when trying new pairings.
• Water and fertilize as required. While chard is not demanding, its companions’ needs may affect overall moisture and feeding schedules.

Chard Planting Calendar and Growing Tips

• Planting season: Swiss chard can be sown from March to September.
• Harvest: From May to November, depending on location and climate.
• Soil: Prefers rich, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter.
• Water: Keep consistently moist, since chard does not tolerate drought well.

For lush leaves and vibrant colors, regularly harvest the outer leaves to encourage continuous growth. Mulching around chard and its companions helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I grow chard next to tomatoes?

A: While chard and tomatoes can share space, it’s best to monitor closely for pests. Tomatoes are sometimes listed as bad companions due to overlapping pest and disease vulnerability. In small gardens, keep sufficient distance and rotate crops annually.

Q: Why should I avoid planting chard near beetroot or spinach?

A: Chard is closely related to beetroot and spinach, meaning they attract the same pests and diseases. Planting them together increases the risk of infestation and soil-borne illnesses.

Q: How do marigolds help chard?

A: Marigolds release chemicals that repel root-knot nematodes and aphids, protecting both chard roots and leaves. Their blooms also attract beneficial pollinators.

Q: What’s the best way to arrange a chard companion planting bed?

A: Alternate taller plants (sunflowers, artichokes) with low-growing ground covers (strawberries, lettuce). Interplant aromatic herbs among the main crops, and use radishes or carrots to break up soil and deter pests.

Conclusion

With its vibrant foliage and ability to thrive alongside a wide variety of plants, Swiss chard is an ideal candidate for companion planting. By choosing the right neighbors—such as lettuce, carrots, strawberries, beans, cabbages, alliums, and beneficial flowers—you’ll cultivate a healthier, more productive, and beautiful garden. Avoid planting with close relatives like beets and spinach, and change companions each year for best results. Harnessing the power of companion planting not only maximizes your space, but also creates a naturally balanced ecosystem that supports all your crops.

Author

Shinta

 

Shinta is a biotechnologist turned writer. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University. Shinta realised her love for content while working as an editor for a scientific journal.

Read full bio of Shinta