Companion planting
Cabbage Companion Plants
Beneficial and avoid companions for Cabbage, aggregated from open plant-variety notes (pest deterrence, soil sharing, and flavour).
Adapted from Wind River Greens Plant Variety Database (CC BY 4.0) — 77 varieties in brassica. Credits
Plant together
Companions often recommended near Cabbage.
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Dill (75)
Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control cabbage worms Attracts beneficial wasps that parasitize cabbage worms and aphids
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Lettuce (74)
Grows well in broccoli's shade, efficient space usage Makes efficient use of space as ground cover, doesn't compete for nutrients
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Onions (70)
Deters cabbage moths, aphids, and cabbage loopers with sulfur compounds Repels cabbage root maggots, aphids, and flea beetles with sulfur compounds
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Nasturtiums (67)
Act as trap crop for aphids and flea beetles, drawing pests away from raab Acts as trap crop for aphids and cabbage worms, repels cucumber beetles
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Marigolds (62)
Repels cabbage moths, aphids, and other brassica pests with strong scent Deters nematodes and attracts beneficial insects that prey on brassica pests
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Spinach (51)
Compatible root systems, similar growing conditions Cool-season companion that can be interplanted and harvested before daikon matures
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Carrots (50)
Daikon's deep taproot breaks up soil for shallow carrot roots, while carrots don't compete for space Different root depths prevent competition, carrots loosen soil for kale
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Garlic (40)
Repels cabbage worms and aphids, improves soil health around kale Natural fungicide properties help prevent clubroot and other soil-borne diseases
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Celery (34)
Repels cabbage white butterflies and provides pest deterrent aromatics Repels cabbage moths and white butterflies that lay eggs on brassicas
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Thyme (20)
Deters cabbage worms and flea beetles while attracting beneficial pollinators Repels cabbage worms and flea beetles while attracting beneficial insects
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Chives (13)
Repel aphids and may improve flavor while taking up minimal space Repels aphids and flea beetles that commonly attack brassicas
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Chamomile (12)
Improves flavor of brassicas and attracts beneficial insects Improves soil health and may enhance flavor of brassicas
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Radishes (12)
Quick harvest allows succession planting and may help break up soil Helps break up soil, deters flea beetles that commonly attack brassicas
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Marigold (10)
Deters cabbage worms, aphids, and other brassica pests with strong scent Deters whiteflies and nematodes while attracting beneficial predatory insects
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Nasturtium (10)
Acts as trap crop for aphids and flea beetles, protects brassicas from pest damage Acts as trap crop for flea beetles and aphids, drawing pests away from brassicas
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Rosemary (5)
Repels cabbage moths and other brassica pests Natural pest deterrent and attracts beneficial insects without competing for nutrients
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Basil (4)
Repels aphids and whiteflies, may improve flavor Repels thrips, aphids, and flies while attracting pollinators
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Onion (4)
Repels cabbage maggots, flea beetles, and aphids with strong sulfur compounds Repels cabbage maggots, aphids, and flea beetles with sulfur compounds
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Mint (3)
Deters flea beetles and ants that can damage brassica seedlings Repels ants, aphids, and cabbage moths with strong aromatic oils
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Cabbage (2)
Lavender repels cabbage moths, flea beetles, and other brassica pests Both benefit from similar soil conditions and pest management
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Catnip (2)
Repels flea beetles and ants that can damage brassica crops Repels flea beetles and aphids that commonly attack brassicas
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Beets (1)
Different root depth prevents competition, may improve soil structure
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Broccoli (1)
Lavender deters cabbage worms and aphids that commonly attack brassicas
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Bush Beans (1)
Fix nitrogen in soil which benefits beet growth and development
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Cauliflower (1)
Lavender's strong scent masks brassica odors and repels cabbage white butterflies
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Cilantro (1)
Attracts beneficial insects and provides pest control without competing for root space
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Comfrey (1)
Dynamic accumulator that adds nutrients to soil and mulches well around citrus
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Corn (1)
Provides natural support structure for climbing varieties and benefits from nitrogen fixation
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Lavender (1)
Repels moths and other flying pests, attracts beneficial pollinators
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Peas (1)
Fixes nitrogen in soil which benefits heavy-feeding daikon radishes
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Sage (1)
Compatible water needs, both deter cabbage moths and other garden pests
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Summer Squash (1)
Large leaves provide ground cover and weed suppression, part of Three Sisters planting
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Tomatoes (1)
Lavender repels aphids, whiteflies, and moths that damage tomato plants
Keep apart
Combinations often avoided near Cabbage.
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Strawberries (69)
Competes for similar nutrients and attracts slugs that also damage kale leaves Inhibit brassica growth and compete for soil nutrients and space
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Tomatoes (68)
Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt brassica growth through allelopathy Heavy feeder that competes for nutrients and may stunt kale growth
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Pole Beans (58)
Can shade kale excessively and compete for nitrogen despite nitrogen-fixing ability Can shade out the spring raab and compete for nitrogen during critical growth period
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Mustard (11)
Same family plant that attracts similar pests and diseases, increases pest pressure Same family, attracts similar pests and diseases
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Fennel (9)
Inhibits growth of brassicas through allelopathic compounds Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of brassicas including radishes
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Strawberry (4)
Both are heavy feeders competing for same nutrients Both plants are heavy feeders that compete for soil nutrients, reducing yields
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Tomato (4)
Competes for nutrients and may stunt broccoli growth Competes for similar nutrients and may stunt brassica growth through allelopathy
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Broccoli (2)
Competes for same nutrients and attracts identical pests like cabbage worms and flea beetles Competes for same nutrients and attracts similar pests like flea beetles
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Sunflowers (2)
Allelopathic compounds can inhibit brassica growth and development
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Camellias (1)
Prefer acidic soil while lavender needs alkaline conditions, incompatible pH requirements
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Corn (1)
Creates too much shade and competes heavily for nutrients, stunting chard growth
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Eucalyptus (1)
Allelopathic compounds suppress citrus growth and compete aggressively for water
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Garlic (1)
Stunts bean growth and interferes with beneficial root bacteria
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Impatiens (1)
Requires consistently moist soil which can cause root rot in drought-tolerant lavender
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Mint (1)
Aggressive spreader that competes for space and resources, different water requirements
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Mustard Greens (1)
Same family plants attract similar pests and diseases, increasing infestation risk
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Onions (1)
Inhibit growth and nitrogen fixation in bean roots through chemical compounds
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Pole Bean (1)
Can shade cabbage excessively and compete for nitrogen in soil
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Rue (1)
Allelopathic compounds inhibit brassica growth and development
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Turnips (1)
Same family crop that depletes identical soil nutrients and shares common diseases like clubroot
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Walnut Trees (1)
Produce juglone which is toxic to citrus trees and inhibits their growth
FAQ: companion planting with Cabbage
What are good companion plants for Cabbage?
Frequently cited companions include Dill, Lettuce, Onions, Nasturtiums, Marigolds, Spinach, Carrots, Garlic, Celery, Thyme, Chives, Chamomile. Reasons come from open cultivar notes (pest deterrence, soil, flavour).
What should I avoid planting near Cabbage?
Often avoided: Strawberries, Tomatoes, Pole Beans, Mustard, Fennel, Strawberry, Tomato, Broccoli, Sunflowers, Camellias.
Companion effects vary by climate, soil and variety. Confirm with local extension. Data adapted from Wind River Greens Plant Variety Database (CC BY 4.0).