Companion planting involves growing certain plants together to boost growth and deter pests. Radishes, with their quick-growing nature, make excellent companions in the garden.
We’ve rounded up 30 plants that make perfect companions for radishes—plus four you’ll want to avoid to keep your garden thriving.
1. Carrots
In a garden filled with surprises, carrots stand as one of radish’s best buddies. The radish helps keep the soil loose, allowing carrots to grow freely without obstruction. Together, they don’t compete for nutrients, making them an ideal pair. To make the most of their companionship, plant them in alternating rows and ensure consistent watering.
Carrots will appreciate the space radishes create as they mature and are harvested quickly. Ensure the soil is well-drained and free of rocks to allow straight growth. Watch as this dynamic duo thrives in harmony, bringing a bountiful harvest.
2. Lettuce
Imagine a lush, green garden where lettuce and radishes grow together in perfect sync. Radishes grow quickly and are harvested before lettuce fully matures, making room for its leafy companion. This combo benefits from the radish’s ability to deter pests like aphids. To maximize growth, plant lettuce in the shade of taller plants or use row covers.
The cool-season compatibility of both plants ensures they thrive in similar conditions. Regular watering and good soil drainage are key to successful growth. Enjoy a crisp, fresh salad from your garden with this classic pair.
3. Spinach
In the realm of leafy greens, spinach finds a friend in the humble radish. These two make a perfect pair, as radishes mature quickly, leaving space for spinach to flourish. Their companionship wards off pests, ensuring a healthier garden.
Planting them together in early spring or fall can yield a vibrant, productive bed. Ensure the soil is rich in organic matter for the best results. Both enjoy cool weather, making them suitable for similar planting times. Relish in the bounty of these greens, as they complement each other in growth and flavor.
4. Peas
In a garden filled with vines and roots, peas and radishes create a harmonious balance. Radishes grow beneath, while pea vines climb upwards, making efficient use of space. They enhance the soil’s nitrogen levels, benefiting their leafy neighbors. For optimal growth, provide a trellis for peas to climb and maintain soil moisture.
The pairing of peas and radishes makes for an eco-friendly garden duo. Both plants thrive in cool weather, ensuring a successful growing season. Harvest crunchy peas and tangy radishes for a delightful garden treat.
5. Beans
In a garden bustling with life, beans and radishes form an unlikely yet productive duo. Radishes mature quickly, allowing beans to benefit from their space-saving presence. As beans fix nitrogen in the soil, radishes enjoy the enriched environment.
For the best results, plant beans after radishes have been harvested. This pairing enhances soil fertility and supports healthy plant growth. Both plants prefer well-drained soil with ample sunlight. Enjoy the benefits of companion planting with beans and radishes in your garden.
6. Chervil
In the world of herbs, chervil lends a helping hand to radishes. This aromatic plant deters pests and enhances the flavor of its rooty companion. Together, they create a fragrant and flavorful garden space. Plant them in well-drained soil with partial shade for the best results.
Chervil’s delicate leaves protect radishes from unwanted visitors. Both plants enjoy cooler weather, making them ideal for early spring or fall planting. Delight in the harmonious relationship between chervil and radishes, as they thrive and flourish.
7. Marigolds
A splash of color and a touch of protection, marigolds make radishes sing. They repel nematodes and other garden pests, ensuring a healthy radish crop. Their vibrant blooms add a cheerful touch to the garden. Plant marigolds around the borders of your radish bed for a natural pest barrier.
The bright colors attract beneficial insects, enhancing pollination and garden vitality. Both thrive in full sunlight and well-drained soil, promoting vigorous growth. Enjoy a pest-free radish harvest with marigold companions by your side.
8. Mint
In the fragrant world of herbs, mint offers a refreshing companionship to radishes. Their combined presence keeps pests at bay, creating a robust garden environment. Mint’s sprawling nature covers ground, preventing weeds from taking over.
For optimal growth, plant mint in a container to control its spread, while radishes fill the surrounding soil. Both thrive in partial shade and rich, moist soil, making them compatible companions. Enjoy a pest-free and fragrant garden with mint and radishes together. Their companionship promises a delightful and aromatic harvest.
9. Basil
Among fragrant leaves and aromatic soils, basil finds a partner in radishes. This duo thrives together, with basil’s scent deterring pests from its rooty friend. The presence of basil enhances the garden’s overall health and vitality. Plant basil near radishes in well-drained soil with ample sunlight.
The aromatic oils of basil repel harmful insects, ensuring a bountiful radish harvest. Provide consistent watering to support their growth and productivity. Revel in the harmony of basil and radishes, as they create a vibrant garden tapestry.
10. Onions
In a garden of layers and flavors, onions stand tall with radishes at their base. Together, they form a dynamic duo, as onions repel pests like aphids and carrot flies. The strong scent of onions creates a natural barrier for radishes.
For optimal growth, plant them in rows with well-drained soil and full sunlight exposure. Onions benefit from the space created by early-harvested radishes. Both thrive in similar soil conditions, ensuring a successful growing season. Experience the flavorful bounty of onions and radishes in your garden.
11. Garlic
In the aromatic world of alliums, garlic pairs perfectly with radishes. The pungent aroma of garlic deters pests, creating a protective shield for its companion. This duo thrives in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter.
Plant garlic cloves around the perimeter of your radish bed for optimal pest control. Both enjoy full sun exposure and regular watering to support healthy growth. Harvest fresh garlic and crisp radishes for a flavorful addition to your meals. Delight in the vibrant synergy of garlic and radishes in your garden.
12. Turnips
In the tapestry of root vegetables, turnips and radishes weave a harmonious pattern. Radishes mature quickly, allowing turnips to benefit from the loosened soil. Together, they create a productive and space-efficient garden bed. Plant them in alternating rows, ensuring the soil is rich in nutrients.
Both thrive in cool weather, making them suitable for early spring or fall planting. Regular watering and good drainage support healthy growth. Enjoy a bountiful harvest of turnips and radishes, as they complement each other in the garden.
13. Beets
In the world of root vegetables, beets and radishes make a delightful pairing. Radishes help keep the soil loose, allowing beets to grow freely and develop vibrant bulbs. Together, they enhance the garden’s productivity and soil health. Plant them in well-drained soil with ample sunlight for optimal growth.
Both thrive in similar conditions, making them suitable companions in the garden. Regular watering ensures a bountiful harvest of both roots. Relish in the colorful and flavorful bounty of beets and radishes working together.
14. Cabbage
In a garden where leafy giants reign, cabbage finds a companion in radishes. These two work together to deter pests, ensuring a healthy and robust garden bed. Radishes mature quickly, making room for cabbage to spread its broad leaves. Plant them in rich, well-drained soil with ample sunlight for the best results.
Both thrive in cool weather, making them ideal for early spring or fall planting. Consistent watering and pest monitoring enhance growth. Enjoy the bounty of cabbage and radishes, as they support each other in the garden.
15. Broccoli
In the world of vegetables, broccoli stands tall with radishes at its feet. Together, they create a garden symphony of growth and flavor. Radishes mature quickly, providing space for broccoli to develop its lush heads. Plant them in fertile, well-drained soil with full sunlight exposure.
Both thrive in cool temperatures, making them suitable for similar planting times. Regular watering and pest control ensure a healthy harvest. Delight in the vibrant partnership of broccoli and radishes, as they support each other in the garden.
16. Zucchini
When zucchini spreads its leaves, radishes find a place to grow beneath. This duo maximizes space, with radishes covering ground and zucchini reaching upwards. Radishes deter pests like cucumber beetles, protecting the garden.
For optimal growth, provide zucchini with sturdy support and ample sunlight. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged to support both plants. Companion planting with zucchini and radishes leads to a productive and pest-free garden. Enjoy the bountiful harvest of these complementary vegetables.
17. Kohlrabi
In the world of brassicas, kohlrabi and radishes create a dynamic duo. Radishes mature quickly, allowing kohlrabi to benefit from their space-saving presence. Together, they deter pests and enhance soil health. Plant them in rich, well-drained soil with ample sunlight for the best results.
Both thrive in cool weather, making them suitable for similar planting times. Consistent watering supports their growth and productivity. Enjoy a bountiful harvest of kohlrabi and radishes, as they complement each other in the garden.
18. Dill
In the aromatic world of herbs, dill offers companionship to radishes. The feathery fronds of dill deter pests, protecting its rooty neighbor. Together, they create a flavorful and fragrant garden space. Plant them in well-drained soil with full sunlight for the best results.
Dill’s tall stature provides shade, benefiting young radishes. Both thrive in cool weather, making them ideal for early spring or fall planting. Savor the aromatic bounty of dill and radishes, as they enhance each other’s growth.
19. Parsley
In the herbaceous world, parsley finds a friend in radishes. This duo thrives together, with parsley’s scent deterring pests from its rooty companion. The presence of parsley enhances the garden’s overall health and vitality. Plant parsley near radishes in well-drained soil with ample sunlight.
The aromatic oils of parsley repel harmful insects, ensuring a bountiful radish harvest. Provide consistent watering to support their growth and productivity. Revel in the harmony of parsley and radishes, as they create a vibrant garden tapestry.
20. Nasturtiums
A splash of color and a touch of protection, nasturtiums make radishes sing. They repel aphids and other garden pests, ensuring a healthy radish crop. Their vibrant blooms add a cheerful touch to the garden. Plant nasturtiums around the borders of your radish bed for a natural pest barrier.
The bright colors attract beneficial insects, enhancing pollination and garden vitality. Both thrive in full sunlight and well-drained soil, promoting vigorous growth. Enjoy a pest-free radish harvest with nasturtium companions by your side.
21. Sage
In the aromatic world of herbs, sage lends a helping hand to radishes. This fragrant plant deters pests and enhances the flavor of its rooty companion. Together, they create a fragrant and flavorful garden space. Plant them in well-drained soil with partial shade for the best results.
Sage’s sturdy leaves protect radishes from unwanted visitors. Both plants enjoy cooler weather, making them ideal for early spring or fall planting. Delight in the harmonious relationship between sage and radishes, as they thrive and flourish.
22. Rosemary
In the fragrant world of herbs, rosemary offers a refreshing companionship to radishes. Their combined presence keeps pests at bay, creating a robust garden environment. Rosemary’s sturdy branches provide structure, preventing weeds from taking over. For optimal growth, plant rosemary in a container to control its spread, while radishes fill the surrounding soil.
Both thrive in partial shade and rich, moist soil, making them compatible companions. Enjoy a pest-free and fragrant garden with rosemary and radishes together. Their companionship promises a delightful and aromatic harvest.
23. Thyme
Among fragrant leaves and aromatic soils, thyme finds a partner in radishes. This duo thrives together, with thyme’s scent deterring pests from its rooty friend. The presence of thyme enhances the garden’s overall health and vitality. Plant thyme near radishes in well-drained soil with ample sunlight.
The aromatic oils of thyme repel harmful insects, ensuring a bountiful radish harvest. Provide consistent watering to support their growth and productivity. Revel in the harmony of thyme and radishes, as they create a vibrant garden tapestry.
24. Oregano
In a garden of layers and flavors, oregano stands tall with radishes at their base. Together, they form a dynamic duo, as oregano repels pests like aphids and cabbage moths. The strong scent of oregano creates a natural barrier for radishes.
For optimal growth, plant them in rows with well-drained soil and full sunlight exposure. Oregano benefits from the space created by early-harvested radishes. Both plants thrive in similar soil conditions, ensuring a successful growing season. Experience the flavorful bounty of oregano and radishes in your garden.
25. Coriander
In the aromatic world of herbs, coriander pairs perfectly with radishes. The pungent aroma of coriander deters pests, creating a protective shield for its companion. This duo thrives in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Plant coriander seeds around the perimeter of your radish bed for optimal pest control.
Both enjoy full sun exposure and regular watering to support healthy growth. Harvest fresh coriander and crisp radishes for a flavorful addition to your meals. Delight in the vibrant synergy of coriander and radishes in your garden.
26. Chives
In the tapestry of herbs, chives and radishes weave a harmonious pattern. Radishes mature quickly, allowing chives to benefit from the loosened soil. Together, they create a productive and space-efficient garden bed. Plant them in alternating rows, ensuring the soil is rich in nutrients.
Both thrive in cool weather, making them suitable for early spring or fall planting. Regular watering and good drainage support healthy growth. Enjoy a bountiful harvest of chives and radishes, as they complement each other in the garden.
27. Lavender
In the world of aromatic plants, lavender and radishes make a delightful pairing. Radishes help keep the soil loose, allowing lavender to grow freely and develop vibrant blooms. Together, they enhance the garden’s productivity and soil health.
Plant them in well-drained soil with ample sunlight for optimal growth. Both thrive in similar conditions, making them suitable companions in the garden. Regular watering ensures a bountiful harvest of both flowers and roots. Relish in the colorful and fragrant bounty of lavender and radishes working together.
28. Cilantro
In a garden where leafy greens reign, cilantro finds a companion in radishes. These two work together to deter pests, ensuring a healthy and robust garden bed. Radishes mature quickly, making room for cilantro to spread its fragrant leaves.
Plant them in rich, well-drained soil with ample sunlight for the best results. Both thrive in cool weather, making them ideal for early spring or fall planting. Consistent watering and pest monitoring enhance growth. Enjoy the bounty of cilantro and radishes, as they support each other in the garden.
29. Tarragon
In the world of herbs, tarragon stands tall with radishes at its feet. Together, they create a garden symphony of growth and flavor. Radishes mature quickly, providing space for tarragon to develop its lush foliage. Plant them in fertile, well-drained soil with full sunlight exposure.
Both thrive in cool temperatures, making them suitable for similar planting times. Regular watering and pest control ensure a healthy harvest. Delight in the vibrant partnership of tarragon and radishes, as they support each other in the garden.
30. Borage
When borage spreads its leaves, radishes find a place to grow beneath. This duo maximizes space, with radishes covering ground and borage reaching upwards. Radishes deter pests like tomato hornworms, protecting the garden. For optimal growth, provide borage with sturdy support and ample sunlight.
Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged to support both plants. Companion planting with borage and radishes leads to a productive and pest-free garden. Enjoy the bountiful harvest of these complementary plants.
31. Corn (Avoid)
With its towering presence, corn casts long shadows that can shade out sun-loving radishes. This shading prevents radishes from receiving the necessary sunlight, affecting their growth and flavor.
Moreover, corn’s extensive root system can deplete soil moisture and nutrients, leaving less for radishes. Keep corn at a distance and consider companions like beans or melons that complement its growth habit.
32. Hyssop (Avoid)
Hyssop, with its aromatic leaves and beautiful blooms, might seem like a garden gem, but it’s not radish-friendly. The strong fragrance and competitive root system of hyssop can suppress radish growth. These roots can steal nutrients and water, leaving radishes struggling.
For successful gardening, keep hyssop and radishes apart. Plant hyssop in a separate area to let radishes grow undisturbed. This way, each plant can thrive without competing for resources.
33. Pumpkin (Avoid)
Pumpkins are garden giants that love to spread out, often at the expense of smaller plants like radishes. Their sprawling vines can shade and crowd radishes, hindering their growth. This overshadowing can lead to smaller, less vibrant radishes that don’t meet their potential.
To avoid this, give pumpkins all the space they need far from radishes. Consider dedicating a separate plot to pumpkins to let both crops enjoy their growing season. This separation ensures both plants flourish without interference.
34. Potato (Avoid)
Potatoes might be a garden staple, but they’re no friend to radishes. The competitive nature of potato roots can lead to a battle underground, where radishes often lose. Potatoes can dominate the soil, taking nutrients that radishes require to grow healthily.
For a harmonious garden, maintain distance between these two crops. Plant potatoes in their own section to let radishes thrive without competition. This clear division helps both plants reach their best potential.