Gardening is all about finding the perfect plant pairings, and collard greens have some ideal companions that help them thrive. With 28 great plants—plus some bonus picks—you can create a healthier, more productive garden.
These companion plants provide benefits like pest control, improved soil health, and better growth, ensuring your collard greens stay happy and strong. Let’s dive into the best neighbors for your collards and how they can work together to transform your garden.
1. Marigold
Some flowers not only add beauty but also serve a practical purpose. Marigolds, with their vibrant colors, act as natural pest repellents. They emit a scent that deters nematodes and other harmful bugs.
Planting marigolds near collard greens can reduce the need for chemical pesticides. These flowers attract beneficial insects that prey on pests. Their roots release compounds that combat root-knot nematodes.
This makes marigolds an essential companion plant that promotes the health of collard greens.
2. Basil
Herbs are often the unsung heroes of the garden. Basil, a delightful herb, provides aromatic protection against unwanted insects.
Its strong fragrance confuses pests, making it harder for them to locate collard greens. Basil is more than just a pest deterrent. It improves the growth of nearby plants and enhances the flavor of vegetables grown close by.
This makes basil a savory addition to your collard green patch, offering both culinary and protective benefits.
3. Nasturtium
In the world of companion planting, some flowers are double-duty champions. Nasturtium is one such flower, serving as a trap crop for aphids.
These pests are lured away from collard greens, keeping them safe from damage. Nasturtiums also attract pollinators, promoting a healthy garden ecosystem.
Their colorful blooms add a splash of color, while their ability to repel squash bugs and cucumber beetles makes them indispensable allies for collard greens.
4. Garlic
Pungent and powerful, some plants do more than just flavor our dishes. Garlic, known for its strong aroma, repels a variety of common garden pests.
Its presence can deter aphids and spider mites from attacking collard greens. Beyond pest control, garlic improves the flavor and health of nearby plants.
Growing garlic near collard greens not only saves them from pests but also enhances the overall robustness of the garden.
5. Chives
Certain plants seem to work wonders with minimal effort. Chives, with their mild onion-like aroma, are a great example.
They help repel aphids, Japanese beetles, and carrot flies naturally. This makes them a favored companion for collard greens.
Beyond their pest-repelling properties, chives enrich the soil, promoting better growth for their neighbors. Their beautiful purple blossoms can also attract beneficial insects, adding to their garden value.
6. Mint
Aromatic herbs often double as effective pest deterrents. Mint is one such herb, known for its ability to repel pests like cabbage moths and aphids.
While its aroma is pleasant to us, it’s a natural deterrent for many insects. Mint’s growth can become unruly, so it’s best to plant it in containers near collard greens.
This keeps it from overtaking the garden while still providing its protective benefits.
7. Thyme
Some herbs have an understated yet powerful garden presence. Thyme, with its subtle scent, acts as a deterrent to rootworms and cabbage loopers.
Its aromatic oils confuse pests, safeguarding your collard greens. Beyond its pest-repelling qualities, thyme contributes positively to the soil health.
Its ground-covering nature helps retain moisture and prevent weed growth, making it a valuable ally in your garden.
8. Sage
In gardening, some plants are renowned for their protective qualities. Sage is one such plant, effective at repelling cabbage moths.
Its aromatic leaves create a barrier that confuses these pests. Sage’s presence enhances the resilience of collard greens.
Additionally, sage can improve the flavor profile of your garden produce, making it a dual-purpose plant that benefits both the garden ecosystem and your kitchen.
9. Dill
Some herbs bring a touch of elegance and efficacy to the garden. Dill, with its feathery leaves, attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and wasps that prey on pests.
This natural pest control is invaluable for protecting collard greens. Dill’s unique relationship with the garden doesn’t stop there.
It can enhance the growth and flavor of neighboring plants, making it a cherished companion for your greens.
10. Rosemary
Robust and resilient, some herbs stand out in the garden. Rosemary, known for its aromatic leaves, repels a variety of pests, including cabbage moths and carrot flies.
Its strong scent is a natural deterrent that helps safeguard collard greens. Beyond its protective qualities, rosemary enhances the garden’s beauty and aroma.
This makes it a versatile companion plant that supports both the health and aesthetics of your garden.
11. Onions
Some vegetables are powerful allies in the garden. Onions, with their pungent aroma, deter a range of pests, including aphids and cabbage loopers.
Their presence creates a protective barrier for collard greens. Onions also contribute to soil health, improving the growth conditions for neighboring plants.
This makes onions an essential part of a companion planting strategy, benefitting the entire garden ecosystem.
12. Carrots
Certain root vegetables bring harmony to the garden. Carrots, with their feathery tops, aerate the soil, promoting healthy root systems for collard greens.
Their growth pattern complements leafy greens, enhancing the overall garden layout. Carrots attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs, which prey on aphids.
This natural pest control, combined with soil improvement, makes carrots a valuable partner in your garden.
13. Beets
Some root vegetables offer more than just harvestable produce. Beets, with their deep roots, improve soil structure and nutrient availability.
Their presence enhances the growth of collard greens by preventing soil compaction. Beets can also deter some garden pests, creating a healthier environment for your greens.
This makes beets an excellent choice for companion planting, providing both soil and pest control benefits.
14. Cabbage
In the world of leafy greens, some plants share mutual benefits. Cabbage and collard greens belong to the same family and can thrive together.
Their similar needs create a harmonious growing environment. Cabbage can help shade the ground, reducing weed growth and retaining soil moisture.
This mutual support system enhances the health and yield of both plants, making them ideal companions in the garden.
15. Lettuce
Leafy greens often thrive in each other’s company. Lettuce, with its compact growth, fits well alongside collard greens.
Its presence helps reduce weed competition, benefiting the overall plant health. Lettuce can also act as a living mulch, keeping the soil cool and moist.
This synergy between lettuce and collard greens promotes better growth conditions, making them compatible garden partners.
16. Spinach
Some greens are natural companions, sharing similar needs and benefits. Spinach, a leafy green, complements collard greens perfectly.
Its rapid growth helps suppress weeds and conserves soil moisture. Spinach also benefits from the shade provided by taller collard greens.
This dynamic duo enhances the garden’s productivity and health, making them ideal neighbors in the planting bed.
17. Radishes
Fast-growing vegetables can offer quick benefits in the garden. Radishes, with their rapid growth, help break up soil, improving aeration.
Their presence can deter pests like cucumber beetles, benefiting nearby collard greens. Radishes don’t compete aggressively for resources, allowing collard greens to thrive.
This balance creates a supportive environment that enhances the health of the garden.
18. Peas
Legumes are often favored in companion planting for their soil-enhancing abilities. Peas, with their nitrogen-fixing roots, enrich the soil, benefiting collard greens.
Their climbing nature doesn’t overshadow greens, allowing both to grow well together. Peas also attract beneficial insects that aid in pest control.
This makes peas a valuable addition, supporting the vitality and productivity of your garden.
19. Parsley
Herbs often add more than just culinary benefits to the garden. Parsley, with its vibrant, curly leaves, attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies.
These insects prey on pests that threaten collard greens. Parsley also enhances soil nutrients, promoting healthy plant growth.
This dual role in pest control and soil enrichment makes parsley a reliable companion plant for collard greens.
20. Borage
Some plants are renowned for their bee-friendly qualities. Borage, with its starry blue flowers, attracts pollinators to the garden.
This increased pollinator activity benefits all plants, including collard greens. Borage also deters tomato hornworms and cabbage moths, offering protection to its neighbors.
This combination of pollination support and pest deterrence makes borage an excellent companion plant.
21. Asparagus
Perennial vegetables can offer long-term benefits in the garden. Asparagus, with its tall, feathery foliage, provides a natural windbreak for collard greens.
Its deep roots improve soil structure, enhancing nutrient availability. Asparagus and collard greens coexist well, supporting each other’s growth.
This complementary relationship makes asparagus a valuable companion, contributing to a balanced garden ecosystem.
22. Cucumber
Certain vine crops can complement leafy greens effectively. Cucumbers, with their sprawling growth, provide ground cover that suppresses weeds.
Their leaves offer shade, keeping the soil cool and moist. Cucumbers and collard greens benefit from each other’s presence, enhancing the garden’s productivity.
This symbiotic relationship makes cucumbers an ideal companion plant, supporting the health and vitality of the garden.
23. Sunflowers
Some flowers bring more than just visual appeal to the garden. Sunflowers, with their towering height, offer natural support for climbing plants.
Their presence can attract pollinators and beneficial insects that support collard greens. Sunflowers create a protective barrier against pests.
This multifaceted role makes sunflowers a valuable addition, contributing both beauty and functionality to the garden.
24. Zucchini
Certain vegetables offer a complementary growth pattern. Zucchini, with its broad leaves, provides ground cover that suppresses weeds.
Its presence can deter pests and create a balanced microenvironment for collard greens. Zucchini’s growth doesn’t overshadow its neighboring plants, allowing both to thrive.
This compatibility enhances the garden’s overall productivity and health, making zucchini an excellent companion plant.
25. Tomatoes
Fruit-bearing plants can offer unique benefits to the garden. Tomatoes, with their lush foliage, provide shade to collard greens, keeping the soil cool.
Their presence can deter certain pests and attract beneficial insects that support plant health. Tomatoes and collard greens can enhance each other’s growth.
This partnership creates a thriving garden ecosystem, benefiting both plants and improving the garden’s yield.
26. Cilantro
Herbs can play a vital role in a thriving garden ecosystem. Cilantro, known for its aromatic leaves, attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs.
These insects help control aphid populations, protecting collard greens from damage. Cilantro also contributes to soil health, promoting robust plant growth.
This combination of pest control and soil enrichment makes cilantro a valuable companion plant.
27. Lavender
Certain aromatic plants are more than just fragrant. Lavender, with its soothing scent, repels pests like fleas and moths.
Its presence can create a protective barrier for collard greens. Lavender also attracts pollinators, enhancing the garden’s biodiversity and health.
This makes lavender a valuable addition, offering both pest control and pollination support.
28. Yarrow
Some plants are champions of biodiversity in the garden. Yarrow, with its delicate white flowers, attracts a variety of beneficial insects.
These insects aid in pollination and pest control, supporting collard greens. Yarrow’s deep roots improve soil structure and nutrient uptake.
This promotes healthier plants, making yarrow an excellent choice for a companion planting strategy.
29. Celery
Some vegetables provide more than just culinary value. Celery, with its tall, leafy stalks, offers shade to nearby plants, keeping the soil cool.
Its presence can deter certain pests, creating a more balanced garden environment. Celery and collard greens complement each other well.
This partnership enhances the garden’s overall health and productivity, making celery a valuable companion plant.
30. Oregano
Aromatic herbs often serve dual purposes in the garden. Oregano, with its fragrant leaves, repels pests like cabbage moths and aphids.
Its presence creates a protective barrier for collard greens. Oregano also attracts beneficial insects, promoting a healthy garden ecosystem.
This makes oregano a valuable addition, offering both pest deterrence and pollination support for your garden.
31. Chamomile
Some herbs offer more than just a calming presence. Chamomile, with its daisy-like flowers, attracts beneficial insects that aid in pollination.
Its presence can reduce the stress on collard greens by deterring pests. Chamomile improves soil health, promoting better growth conditions for nearby plants.
This makes chamomile a valuable companion plant, offering both pest control and soil enrichment benefits.