Growing beets can be a lot more fun—and productive—when you know which plants play nice alongside them. Some companions help beets grow bigger, tastier, and healthier by sharin
g nutrients and keeping pests away.
But not all neighbors are good neighbors; a few plants can actually slow your beet’s success. Knowing the right mix can turn your garden into a powerhouse of flavor and growth.
Let’s take a look at the best beet buddies—and the ones to avoid if you want a thriving harvest.
1. Garlic
Nothing protects your beet patch quite like this pungent bulb. The strong smell confuses insects that might otherwise munch on your beet greens, creating a natural pest barrier without harsh chemicals.
Garlic also helps prevent fungal diseases that can affect beets in damp conditions. Plant it around the perimeter of your beet bed for maximum protection while taking up minimal space. Most garden pests absolutely hate the sulfur compounds garlic releases.
2. Lettuce
Shallow-rooted and fast-growing, lettuce makes an ideal partner for your beet crop. Their different root structures mean they won’t compete underground, allowing both plants to thrive without fighting for resources.
The leafy greens provide natural ground cover that helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds around your beets. Many gardeners use this pairing to maximize garden space while creating a living mulch effect. Harvest your lettuce before your beets reach maturity for perfect timing.
3. Onions
These kitchen staples create a protective barrier around beets by naturally repelling aphids, beetles, and other common garden pests. The strong scent masks the smell of beets that would otherwise attract certain insects.
Onions take up very little horizontal space, making them perfect for tucking between beet plants. Their shallow root system won’t interfere with the deeper beet roots. Try planting a perimeter of onions around your beet patch for an effective pest management strategy that doubles your harvest.
4. Bush Beans
These nitrogen-fixing champions improve your soil while growing alongside beets. Bush beans capture nitrogen from the air and convert it to a form that enriches the soil, giving your beets a natural fertilizer boost without any extra work.
Unlike pole beans, bush varieties won’t cast too much shade on your beet plants. The different growth habits of these plants mean they utilize different parts of the garden space. Plant bush beans about 6 inches away from your beet rows for the perfect symbiotic relationship.
5. Cabbage
The different nutrient needs of cabbage make it a surprisingly good neighbor for beets. While beets focus on developing their sweet roots, cabbage concentrates on producing leafy heads, creating a balanced partnership that doesn’t deplete any single nutrient from the soil.
The broad cabbage leaves provide some shade during hot summer days, helping keep the soil around beets cooler and moister. Many gardeners find this pairing especially effective in warmer climates where soil temperature management becomes important for root vegetables like beets.
6. Mint
Fresh mint helps deter many common garden pests that might otherwise damage your beet crop. The strong aroma confuses insects searching for beet plants, creating a natural protective barrier around your garden bed.
Keep mint contained in pots placed near your beet rows rather than planting directly in the garden. This aromatic herb can become invasive if allowed to spread unchecked. The essential oils in mint leaves are particularly effective against flea beetles that sometimes attack beet greens.
7. Nasturtiums
These bright flowers serve as sacrificial plants, attracting aphids and other pests away from your precious beets. Their vibrant blooms act like magnets for certain insects that might otherwise feed on your vegetable crops.
Beyond pest management, nasturtiums add beauty to your vegetable garden with minimal effort. Plant them around the edges of your beet patch for both practical pest control and visual appeal. The entire nasturtium plant is edible too, making it a truly multi-purpose companion.
8. Catnip
This feline favorite doubles as an excellent beet companion by repelling flea beetles and aphids that commonly plague root vegetables. The natural compounds in catnip leaves act as powerful insect deterrents without harmful chemicals.
Unlike some herbs, catnip stays relatively compact and won’t overshadow your beet plants. Plant it at the corners of your beet bed for pest protection that won’t compete for space. Just be prepared for neighborhood cats to show special interest in this section of your garden!
9. Marigolds
These golden flowers work underground to protect your beets from harmful nematodes. Their roots release compounds that suppress soil-dwelling pests that might otherwise damage your beet crop from below the surface.
The bright blooms also attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and hoverflies that prey on garden pests. Plant marigolds in a scattered pattern throughout your beet rows for maximum protection. The French marigold varieties tend to be most effective for pest management in vegetable gardens.
10. Radishes
Quick-growing radishes can be harvested long before beets reach maturity, making them perfect temporary companions. Plant them between beet rows to maximize garden space while naturally loosening the soil for your developing beet roots.
Radishes also serve as trap crops for flea beetles that might otherwise attack beet greens. These pests prefer radish leaves, drawing them away from your beets. The fast growth cycle of radishes means you’ll get an early harvest while your beets are still developing.
11. Pole Beans
Tall climbing beans create too much shade for sun-loving beets to thrive. The dense foliage blocks crucial sunlight from reaching beet leaves, resulting in stunted growth and poor root development.
The extensive root systems of pole beans also compete directly with beets for soil nutrients and water. While bush beans can benefit beets, their climbing cousins cause more harm than good. Keep these plants separated in different garden beds to allow both crops to reach their full potential.
12. Fennel
This feathery herb releases compounds that inhibit the growth of many garden vegetables, including beets. The allelopathic effects can significantly reduce germination rates and stunt the development of nearby beet seedlings.
Fennel also attracts beneficial insects away from your beet patch, reducing natural pest control. Keep fennel in a separate garden area at least 3 feet away from your beet plants. Many experienced gardeners grow fennel in completely isolated beds to prevent its negative impact on other crops.
13. Charlock
This wild mustard relative harbors pests and diseases that can quickly spread to beet plants. The similar plant families mean they share many of the same vulnerabilities to insects and fungal problems.
Often growing as a weed in many gardens, charlock competes aggressively for nutrients and water. Remove any charlock plants you spot growing near your beet rows immediately. This weed can also host beet cyst nematodes that cause significant damage to root crops.
14. Chard
Despite its visual differences, chard is botanically related to beets, making it a poor companion. Both plants are vulnerable to the same pests and diseases, creating a higher risk of infestation when planted together.
Their similar nutritional needs mean they compete directly for the same soil resources. The leaf miners and cercospora leaf spot that affect chard can quickly spread to nearby beets. Plant these relatives in separate garden areas to prevent creating a pest and disease hot spot.
15. Mustard
The spicy brassica creates an unwelcome environment for beet development through chemical compounds released from its roots. These natural substances can inhibit beet germination and slow overall growth when planted too closely together.
Mustard also attracts specific pests that can migrate to your beet plants. The flea beetles that love mustard greens will happily move to beet leaves when given the opportunity. Keep mustard plants in a separate garden section at least several feet away from your beet crop.