Arugula is one of the most popular salad greens in the world. Many delicious dishes contain these veggies, so it’s no wonder everyone wants to cultivate them in their home gardens!
Another reason growers decide to grow this vegetable is that it’s one of the earliest crops to mature.
I’m sure you want to add more plants to your garden, but it’s important to ask yourself what you can plant near arugula without disrupting it.
Well, you are in the right place to find out! In this article, I’ll show you 24 perfect arugula companion plants, how both plants will benefit from each other, and also some tips for growing.
Additionally, I’ll tell you more about some plants you should never plant near your arugula and explain why.
Let’s get started!
24 Arugula Companion Plants
The good thing is that there are many veggies, herbs, and flowering plants you can pair with your arugula.
Here are some of them:
• Carrots
• Beets
• Onions
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Nasturtium
• Petunias
• Lettuce
Let’s take a closer look!
1. Carrot (Daucus Carota)
It’s actually pretty simple to understand why carrots and arugula make perfect companion plants. Carrots occupy space below the soil line, whereas arugula is dominant above the soil line.
This means carrots won’t steal nutrients from your arugula and vice versa. Your arugula will also benefit from a little bit of shade made by carrot greens.
Another reason these two make such great friends is that both are cool-weather crops.
If you decide for more plants near carrots and arugula, avoid potatoes, celery, and fennel since they may disrupt carrot growth.
Make sure your carrots don’t grow in soggy soil and have enough direct sun.
2. Beets (Beta Vulgaris subs. vulgaris)
Similarly to carrots, beets occupy space below the soil line, which means arugula and beets won’t compete for nutrients.
Additionally, you’ll have a lot of space in your outdoor garden since these two can be planted close to each other.
The leafy tops of beets will provide your arugula with shade and aid moisture retention below the soil line. Make sure the soil for your arugula is constantly moist.
3. Onion (Allium Cepa)
Onions make good companions to many plant species, including arugula, tomatoes, and celery. These veggies make amazing companion plants, but you can’t really grow them near many plants. For instance, you should never plant onions as an asparagus companion.
Luckily, your arugula will be very happy if you put onions nearby. The strong scent of the Allium cepa plant will deter many pests that would otherwise damage your arugula.
Another great thing about onions is that they are cool season crops, so you can have both organic arugula and onion on your plate at the same time.
4. Garlic (Allium Sativum)
Similarly to onion, garlic is frequently grown as a companion plant due to its strong scent that repels even the most persistent pests.
Garlic is a root veggie, so it won’t steal the nutrients from your arugula. I use garlic in many ways in my outdoor garden; for instance, I crush the cloves and put them all around my garden to deter bigger animals.
5. Swiss Chard (Beta Vulgaris var cicla)
One of the best ways to get lots of salad ingredients at once is to use companion planting. I planted Swiss chard near my arugula, as well as some other leafy greens I’ll discuss later.
I must tell you that this is an excellent way to use space, and it really looks fantastic!
You can pick your Swiss chard when it’s still in the juvenile stages, or you can let it mature and provide some shade for your arugula.
6. Spinach (Spinacia Oleracea)
Another leafy green you can plant near your arugula is spinach. It won’t inhibit the growth of your arugula no matter how close you plant them.
You will get a fresh green salad packed with loads of nutrients if you make a raised bed with arugula, spinach, and Swiss chard!
7. Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa)
Lettuce is non-negotiable leafy green in my outdoor garden.
I don’t pay much attention to the spacing between my arugula and lettuce; I simply spread the seeds and Voilà! Densely packed salad greens ready to be harvested at the same time!
I have to mention that you shouldn’t wait too long before you harvest your lettuce; remember this veggie tends to bolt, so you may end up with bitter lettuce if you don’t harvest it on time!
8. Rosemary (Salvia Rosmarinus)
I adore the scent of rosemary and I add this herb to many dishes. By the way, have you ever tried roasted chicken with rosemary? If not, this is a great suggestion for tomorrow’s lunch.
Unlike me, pests hate the rosemary scent and avoid visiting plants grown near rosemary. This is one of the main reasons why rosemary makes a perfect companion plant for many veggies and herbs.
If you decide to grow rosemary near your arugula, make sure there are no cucumbers, tomatoes, or pumpkins nearby.
9. Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris)
Similarly to rosemary, all types of thyme deter pests from the garden. Luckily, arugula and thyme won’t compete for nutrients and affect each other’s growth.
Growing thyme in your garden is an excellent way to attract pollinators. It’ll also help you avoid weed development and you can use it for filling gaps; it doesn’t take too much space and it can enhance the taste of many veggies.
10. Dill (Anethum Graveolens)
Dill is an amazing companion plant to arugula due to its strong scent. I’m sure you’ve heard of the benefits of dill for your health.
Therefore, your arugula will be pest-free and you can improve your health if you use fresh organic dill from your garden.
Planting dill in home gardens means more beneficial insects such as ladybugs and hoverflies.
Flea beetles cause big trouble to arugula, but dill will quickly fix this issue. Other dill companion plants include asparagus, basil, and cucumber.
11. Parsley (Petroselinum Crispum)
Parsley is definitely among my favorite herbs; I use it both fresh and dried, and I add it to many dishes (even if it isn’t in the recipe).
Similarly to dill, parsley attracts beneficial insects to your garden. Parsley is commonly cultivated as a companion plant since it enhances the growth of veggies such as asparagus.
Your arugula will be pest-free and you’ll get a tasty crop on your table in spring.
12. Basil (Ocimum Basilicum)
Basil tastes and smells amazing, but only to humans. Luckily, many pests hate the smell of this herb, so they definitely won’t visit your garden if it has basil in it.
Ocimum basilicum makes a great companion plant to arugula since both enjoy moist soil. Another benefit of the basilicum plant is that it will provide your garden with a lot of beneficial insects. Ladybugs and lacewings everywhere!
That’s not all! This herb serves as amazing ground cover, so it will protect your arugula from wilting.
13. Chamomile (Matricaria Chamomilla)
My grandfather once told me that if I want a pest-free garden enriched with beneficial insects, I should simply plant chamomile. This was actually the first plant I used as a companion to my cucumbers. Since then, chamomile has been in my garden every year!
It attracts beneficial insects, repels annoying garden pests, and you must admit that its flowers look adorable.
Interestingly, this plant protects trees and plants by deterring fungi that cause powdery mildew and bacterial blight.
You can use chamomile in different ways when cooking, it’s not just for tea.
14. Nasturtium (Tropaeolum Majus)
Nasturtiums look lovely when planted in gardens and are often seen in flower beds. The major benefits of these plants include attracting beneficial insects that eliminate pests and attract pollinators.
Bees and hummingbirds will definitely visit your garden when nasturtiums are planted.
Nasturtiums will help your arugula be pest-free, and you’ll get a tasty and healthy crop as well as a colorful garden.
15. Petunias (Petunia spp.)
Petunias and hanging baskets are an excellent combination, but what if I told you that you can plant petunias near arugula?
These fantastic flowers adorn gardens and balconies all around the world and are commonly grown as companion plants since they attract beneficial insects.
There’s one kinda disturbing reason why your arugula will be protected from pests if you plant petunias nearby; pests will nibble on the petunia’s blossoms, so it can be said that petunias serve as scapegoats for the greater good.
16. Peas (Pisum Sativum)
You’ll frequently notice peas in the gardens of experienced plant growers. There’s a simple reason for this; these veggies fix nitrogen in the soil, so your arugula will have plenty of food for healthier growth.
Peas will also ensure shade and trap the soil moisture. Believe it or not, your arugula will taste better if you plant peas nearby.
Since peas have so many health benefits, there’s no reason not to plant them the following growing season.
17. Corn (Zea Mays)
Many growers avoid planting corn near other plants in their gardens. These plants are pretty tall when mature, which means they create a lot of shade.
If some plants need more sun exposure, corn will inhibit their growth. Additionally, some plants prefer warmer soil temperatures, so the corn will do more harm than good.
For arugula, it’s completely another story. First, it will benefit from some shade, and second, it will thrive in lower soil temperatures.
18. Bush beans (Phaseolus Vulgaris)
Bush beans are probably the best companion plant for arugula if the soil lacks nitrogen. Similarly to peas, these veggies give a nitrogen boost; plants that love nitrogen will enjoy growing near bush beans.
Another great thing about bush beans planted near arugula is that they will enhance the flavor, resulting in the best-tasting arugula ever!
19. Celery (Apium Graveolens)
Celery is a pretty tender veggie, and we generally protect it by planting other plants near it. However, there’s a trick with celery if you want to grow it as a companion plant.
If you allow it to flower, the blossoms will attract beneficial insects that will eliminate pests which would otherwise destroy your crops.
Since flea beetles love young celery as much as arugula, you might want to consider other plants that’ll repel pests.
20. Borage (Borago Officinalis)
Interestingly, no one recommends borage as a companion plant. Actually, you’ll rarely see this herb grown in gardens in general.
It deters many pests from gardens, which makes them excellent companions. Flea beetles are the sworn enemies of arugula plants; if you plant borage near arugula, it will definitely win the battle against flea beetles.
It will also provide your arugula with some shade.
21. Asparagus (Asparagus Officinalis)
As mentioned, arugula enjoys lower soil temperatures, so growing plants that provide shade is the best thing you can do.
Asparagus is definitely a plant that will provide arugula with lots of shade.
Another benefit of growing asparagus near arugula is that its leaves tend to bolt when you allow the plant to mature. This is an excellent way to extend the growing season of the arugula plant.
22. Chives (Allium Schoenoprasum)
All plants from the Allium genus act in a similar way when it comes to companion planting; their strong scent repels many pests.
You need to choose the Allium plant according to your preferences, but the most important thing is that they grow well near arugula.
23. Marigold (Tagetes spp.)
One of the best things about the Tagetes species is that they are so easy to maintain and perfect for beginner growers.
The lovely blossoms of marigolds will make your garden prettier and you’ll also avoid many pests. It will attract beneficial insects and provide your arugula with some shade.
Interestingly, the blossoms are edible and taste amazing in soups and salads.
24. Mint (Mentha spp.)
The last plant on our list is fragrant and delicious mint. Luckily, pests hate the scent of mint, so they’ll escape from your garden and most likely won’t come back.
But there’s one thing you need to remember; mint plants spread pretty quickly, so if you want to prevent them from taking over your garden, you should plant them in a container and put it near your arugula.
What Not To Plant Near Arugula
There are so many plants you can grow near arugula, so there’s no need to test any others, especially the plants from the list below!
Brassicas, nightshades, and strawberries are horrible companion plants for arugula. Let’s find out why!
Brassicas
The truth is that plants from the Brassicaceae family, such as arugula itself, attract pests. We use many plants as companions to Brassicas to get rid of pests.
Your arugula will most likely get infested pretty quickly if you plant it near relatives. I have to warn you about one more thing regarding arugula and other Brassicas; if you plant any species from this family in your raised bed, you can’t plant arugula in the same spot the next year.
Therefore, cabbage, broccoli, and all other plants from the Brassica family are a big NO for arugula.
Nightshades
The main reason nightshades and arugula don’t get along together is that they require different pH levels.
For instance, a pH range of 5.5 to 6.5 is suitable for potatoes, eggplants, and other nightshades, but it’s not suitable for arugula. Neutral pH works great for arugula plants.
This doesn’t mean that potatoes will kill your arugula, but you need to ensure the right pH for each species.
Strawberries
Yes, I know, strawberries are one of the most delicious fruits ever! But you might not want to plant them near your arugula.
If you plant these two near each other, the battle for nutrients will immediately begin. You won’t get healthy and tasty arugula if you grow strawberries near your arugula.
Wrapping Up
We’ve seen 24 fantastic arugula companion plants, so I’m sure you’ve found some for your garden.
There are many delicious veggies and herbs, as well as some flowering plants on the list. Nightshades, brassicas, and strawberries aren’t good choices as companion plants for arugula.
Be careful if you want to grow more companion plants for arugula. For instance, carrots and dill make amazing arugula companion plants, but these two don’t get along well, so double-check before you decide on more companion plants.
Until next time!