21 Eggplant Companion Plants for a Thriving, Productive Garden
Integrate diverse crops to repel pests, enrich soil, and multiply your summer harvest.
Eggplants, also known as aubergines, are a stellar addition to the summer garden. However, they are often plagued by pests and benefit from particular growing conditions. Strategic companion planting is one of the most effective and organic methods to boost eggplant vigor, suppress pests, improve pollination, and maximize yields. Below, weâll explore the top 21 companion plantsâincluding vegetables, herbs, and flowersâthat can transform your eggplant patch into a balanced and productive ecosystem. Plus, youâll learn which plants to avoid and the science behind companion choices.
Benefits of Companion Planting with Eggplant
Before diving into the list, itâs important to understand the primary benefits of choosing the right companions for your eggplants:
- Pest Management: Certain plants repel or distract pests (like aphids, flea beetles, and nematodes) that commonly attack eggplants.
- Soil Fertility: Some companions (such as beans) enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen, making nutrients more available for heavy-feeding eggplants.
- Pollinator Attraction: Flowering companions attract bees, butterflies, and predatory insects that benefit eggplant pollination and protect against pests.
- Improved Growth and Space Utilization: Smart placement optimizes garden space and can offer shade or support structures when necessary.
Top Companion Plants for Eggplant
Beans
Beans are among the best companions for eggplants, including green, shelling, bush, and pole varieties. Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, improving eggplant vigor, and do not compete for the same nutrients. They can be planted together as long as pole beans are trellised on the north side to prevent shading.
- Benefit: Boosts soil nitrogen, improves growth.
- How to Plant: For bush beans, space them 18-24″ apart; for pole beans, ensure trellises don’t shade eggplants.
Peppers
Both sweet and hot peppers share the same family (nightshades) and growing conditions as eggplants. While some gardeners hesitate to plant nightshades together due to disease risk, with good rotation and soil health, peppers are excellent companions.
- Benefit: Similar water and nutrient needs; maximizes diversity if rotated with non-nightshades.
- How to Plant: Space each plant well, ensure excellent air circulation, and rotate families each year for best soil health.
Marigolds
Marigolds are prized companion flowers. Their strong aroma deters many eggplant pests, especially nematodes and aphids, and they attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings.
- Benefit: Repels aphids and nematodes; attracts predatory insects.
- How to Plant: Plant marigolds along bed borders or intermixed among eggplants for the best effect.
Basil
Basil is a classic companion for nightshades, matching eggplant in soil and water requirements. Basilâs scent repels pests like whiteflies and itâs believed to improve both fruit set and flavor.
- Benefit: Repels pests, attracts pollinators, may enhance eggplant flavor.
- How to Plant: Interplant between eggplant rows.
Oregano
Oregano deters numerous pests with its aromatic foliage and also draws pollinators and beneficial insects such as ladybugs and bees. As a low-growing groundcover, it helps retain soil moisture.
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- Benefit: Repels aphids and spider mites; attracts beneficial insects.
- How to Plant: Grow at the border of your bed as a living mulch.
Thyme
Similar to oregano, thyme is a drought-tolerant herb attracting hoverflies (which feed on aphids) and deterring slugs and cabbage white butterflies. Its low height makes it an ideal edging plant.
- Benefit: Repels multiple pests, especially aphids and slugs; attracts beneficial predatory insects.
- How to Plant: Use as a groundcover around your eggplant patch.
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums serve as a “trap crop,” attracting aphids that might otherwise infest eggplants. Their vivid flowers also draw pollinators.
- Benefit: Distracts aphids, attracts pollinators, edible flowers.
- How to Plant: Plant at the ends or corners of beds, slightly away from eggplants.
Borage
Borage attracts bees and beneficial insects and is reported to deter hornworms and pest worms from infesting nearby eggplants. Borage also improves soil microfauna when chopped and dropped as mulch.
- Benefit: Attracts bees, deters certain pest worms, improves soil structure.
- How to Plant: Interplant scattered within the vegetable bed.
Spinach
Spinach benefits from shading by tall eggplants and assists with soil coverage, keeping weeds down and retaining moisture.
- Benefit: Groundcover, conserves soil moisture, fast cropping before eggplant canopies fill out.
- How to Plant: Sow spinach around young eggplants in early spring/summer.
Lettuce & Leafy Greens
Lettuce, arugula, and other salad greens are light feeders that donât compete for nutrients and benefit from shade as temperatures climb. They cover bare soil, reducing water evaporation and weed growth.
- Benefit: Early harvest, groundcover, prevents weeds.
- How to Plant: Direct-sow around eggplants in spring; succession plant as space permits.
Radishes
Radishes are quick-growing, light feeders that mature before eggplant roots expand fully. They may also serve as sacrificial crops for flea beetles, one of eggplantâs chief pests.
- Benefit: Pest distraction, fast harvest, no nutrient competition.
- How to Plant: Scatter seed in open spaces among seedlings.
Broccoli
Broccoli contributes nutrients to the soil that help heavy-feeding eggplants thrive and has a different root structure, avoiding direct competition.
- Benefit: Supplements soil nutrients, minimal competition.
- How to Plant: Alternate rows or small clusters.
Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi deters common insect pests like aphids and cabbage worms, and its upright habit makes it compatible with eggplants in well-spaced plantings.
- Benefit: Pest deterrence, unique harvesting schedule.
- How to Plant: Interplant in wider rows or alternate patterns.
Corn
In the “modern three sisters” combination, corn, beans, and eggplant can be grown together to max out garden productivityâcorn offers verticality, beans enrich the soil, eggplants fill the lower strata.
- Benefit: Space use efficiency, can provide a little shade in hotter climates.
- How to Plant: Grow corn on the north or east side.
Catnip
Catnip is a powerful pest deterrentâespecially for flea beetles and aphidsâbut beware, as it may also attract cats to your garden!
- Benefit: Strong scent deters key eggplant pests.
- How to Plant: Grow on the bed edge or in containers nearby.
Chives
Chives’ pungency repels aphids and other sap-sucking insects while also producing pretty purple flowers that attract pollinators.
- Benefit: Pest repellent, adds diversity to beds, attracts pollinators.
- How to Plant: Use as an edging or cluster plant.
Cilantro
Cilantro attracts hoverflies, which prey on pests like aphids, and doesnât compete heavily for nutrients, making it a flavorful and useful friend.
- Benefit: Pest predator attraction, culinary use.
- How to Plant: Sow sparsely among eggplants or as a border.
Clover
As a living mulch, clover fixes nitrogen and provides ground cover that helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
- Benefit: Nitrogen fixation, weed suppression, soil moisture.
- How to Plant: Broadcast sow as a low-growing cover between plants.
Tarragon
Tarragon, when provided with enough sunlight, can help repel pests and support eggplant health. Keep it dry and well-spaced to avoid fungal issues.
- Benefit: Fewer aphids and whitefly issues.
- How to Plant: Plant in the sunniest bed corners.
Cosmos
Cosmos are beautiful, tall flowers that attract a diverse population of pollinators, further boosting eggplant fruit set.
- Benefit: Pollinator habitat, visual beauty.
- How to Plant: Bed peripheries or mixed into the vegetable patch.
Bunching Onions
The smell of onionsâbunching, scallions, or even full-size varietiesâdeters pests like aphids and flea beetles.
- Benefit: Repels numerous pests, adds garden diversity.
- How to Plant: Alternate onion rows with eggplants.
Other Edible and Ornamental Flowers
- Zinnias: Attract pollinators, low competition.
- Dill: Invites beneficial wasps and lacewings.
- Sunflowers: Provide height and wind protection, draw predatory insects.
What Not to Plant with Eggplant
Not all plants are eggplant-friendly. A few companions should be avoided due to competition, allelopathy (natural chemical warfare between plants), or pest and disease issues:
- Fennel: Inhibits the growth of many vegetables, including eggplant.
- Potatoes: Heavy feeders and disease-prone; may attract similar pests.
- Other Nightshades (caution): While peppers and tomatoes can be grown with eggplant, practice strict rotation and avoid planting with potatoes to prevent soil depletion and shared disease issues.
- Geraniums: Can harbor tobacco mosaic virus, which affects eggplants.
Eggplant Companion Planting Table
| Companion Plant | Main Benefit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beans | Nitrogen boost | Ensure pole beans don’t shade eggplant |
| Peppers | Diversify harvest | Rotate families to avoid disease buildup |
| Marigolds | Pest control | Plant liberally between rows |
| Basil | Pest repellent, flavor | Interplant in every row |
| Oregano | Pollinator magnet | Use as living mulch |
| Thyme | Pest deterrent | Container or ground-level bordering |
| Nasturtiums | Aphid trap crop | Space near, not with eggplants |
| Borage | Beneficial insect attraction | Chop and drop for soil |
| Spinach | Groundcover | Sow early, harvest before full canopy |
| Lettuce | Weed suppression | Interplant for early salads |
| Radish | Pest trap | Quick crop among seedlings |
| Broccoli | Soil nutrients | Alternate clusters |
| Kohlrabi | Pest control | Space adequately |
| Corn | Shade, structure | Plant on north side |
| Catnip | Insect repellent | Containers or edges |
| Chives | Pest deterrence | Border or cluster plantings |
| Cilantro | Attracts predatory flies | Plant intermittently |
| Clover | Fixes nitrogen | Broadcast sow between rows |
| Tarragon | Pest deterrent | Sunny spots only |
| Cosmos | Boost pollinators | Plant strategically for flower power |
| Bunching Onions | Pest repellent | Alternate with eggplants |
Tips for Successful Eggplant Companion Planting
- Rotate crops annually, especially with other nightshades, to prevent soil-borne diseases.
- Plan spacing carefully: Avoid overcrowding; ensure each plant gets ample sunlight and airflow.
- Use a mix of flowers and vegetables for maximum pest suppression and pollinator attraction.
- Mulch with organic matter to retain moisture, especially with shallow-rooted companion greens.
- Monitor for pests and remove trap crops (like heavily aphid-infested nasturtiums) as necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the single best companion plant for eggplant?
A: Beans are hard to beat, as they fix nitrogen, boost vigor, and do not compete for primary nutrients.
Q: Can I plant tomatoes and eggplant together?
A: Yes, but only if you maintain healthy soil and rotate crops yearly. Both are heavy feeders and share some pests and diseases; incorporate non-nightshade companions for balance.
Q: Do eggplants need pollinators?
A: Eggplants are self-pollinating, but visits by bees and other pollinators result in larger fruits and higher yields, so plant flowers nearby whenever possible.
Q: Are there any herbs that shouldnât be grown with eggplant?
A: Avoid fennel, as it inhibits the growth of many neighbors, including eggplants. Most other kitchen herbs are safe or beneficial companions.
Q: How far should I space eggplant from its companions?
A: Most companions, especially beans and peppers, grow well with 18â24 inches between plants. For low-growing herbs and greens, interplant as groundcover but avoid crowding the base of eggplants to reduce humidity and disease risk.
Final Thoughts
Companion planting is both art and science, with benefits extending far beyond pest control. By choosing the right companions for your eggplants, you cultivate a more resilient, productive, and beautiful garden space. Experiment with these pairings each season to find what works best in your local conditions!
References
- https://www.masterclass.com/articles/eggplant-companion-guide
- https://gardenerspath.com/plants/vegetables/best-eggplant-companions/
- https://www.epicgardening.com/eggplant-companion-plants/
- https://fryd.app/en/magazine/aubergine-companion-plants-antagonistic-plants
- https://meadowlarkjournal.com/blog/eggplant-companion-plants
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