Top Companion Plants That Naturally Repel Pests [Video Included]

The pests are coming — aphids, hornworms, slugs, and more — and they’re ready to turn your thriving garden into their personal buffet.

But here’s the good news: you don’t need to spray your veggies with harsh chemicals or set up a battlefield of traps. You just need the right plant partners.

Companion planting is the age-old strategy of growing specific plants together to repel pests, attract beneficial insects, and boost growth naturally. It’s organic garden defense at its finest — and it works with nature, not against it.

Bonus: Find the best companion plants for your garden? Ask the StrongEcho AI Gardening App anything and get instant answers.

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Top Companion Plants That Naturally Repel Pests [Video]

What Is Companion Planting?

Gardening with Allies

Companion planting is the strategic pairing of plants that help each other grow or defend against pests. Think of it as choosing the right roommates for your garden — some pairings create harmony, others invite chaos.

Key benefits of companion planting:

• Repels garden pests using scent or chemical signals

• Attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps

• Improves soil health and yields

• Reduces the need for sprays or chemical interventions

The Science Behind It

Most garden pests navigate by smell. Some companion plants release volatile compounds that overwhelm or confuse these pests. Others exude pest-fighting chemicals from their roots or serve as decoys — trap crops — to lure invaders away from your more vulnerable vegetables.

Why Choose Plants Over Pesticides?

• Zero chemical residues on your food

• Safer for bees, butterflies, and pollinators

• Encourages biodiversity and healthy ecosystems

• Cost-effective and sustainable

• Honestly? It’s just way cooler.

Top 10+ Companion Plants That Naturally Repel Pests

These powerhouse plants don’t just survive in the garden — they protect it.

1. Garlic

Repels: Aphids, spider mites, cabbage worms, Japanese beetles
Best Companions: Tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, carrots

How to Use It:

• Plant between rows for an invisible “scent wall”

• Brew garlic tea as a DIY foliar spray

• Avoid planting near peas and beans

“Garlic is your garden’s bouncer — smells bad, keeps trouble out.”

 2. Basil

Repels: Flies, mosquitoes, tomato hornworms
Best Companions: Tomatoes, peppers

Tips:

• Purple basil has stronger oils and aroma

• Pinch the tops to encourage bushy growth

• Loves full sun — don’t tuck it into shady corners

“Basil doesn’t just make sauce — it makes bugs disappear.”

3. Marigolds (French)

Repels: Root nematodes, squash bugs, whiteflies
Best Companions: Tomatoes, beans, cabbage family

Tips:

• Use French marigolds (Tagetes patula) — they produce more pest-repelling thiophenes

• Deadhead spent blooms to keep new flowers — and the pest defense — strong

• Plant along borders for maximum coverage

“They’re pretty, but they’re packing underground heat.”

4. Nasturtiums

Acts As: Trap crop for aphids, squash bugs, cabbage worms
Best Companions: Broccoli, squash, kale

Tips:

• Pull infested plants — don’t compost them

• Use as a living mulch or trellis to protect nearby plants

• Bonus: edible flowers and peppery leaves

“Nasturtiums are the garden’s decoy ninjas.”

5. Chives

Repels: Aphids, Japanese beetles, carrot flies
Best Companions: Carrots, tomatoes, lettuce

Tips:

• Great border plant

• Frequent trimming releases pest-repelling oils

• Flower heads can be steeped for natural pest spray

“Tiny plant. Big punch.”

6. Rosemary

Repels: Cabbage moths, mosquitoes, slugs
Best Companions: Brassicas, beans, carrots

Tips:

• Prefers dry, well-drained soil and full sun

• Use trimmings in pathways to release scent as you walk

• Avoid soggy soil — rosemary hates wet feet

“It’s basically herbal pepper spray.”

 7. Thyme

Repels: Whiteflies, cabbage loopers, corn earworms
Best Companions: Strawberries, cauliflower, broccoli

Tips:

• Grows low and dense — ideal as living mulch

• Let it flower to attract pollinators

• Prune regularly to keep it compact and strong

“Low-key legend.”

8. Dill

Attracts: Ladybugs, parasitic wasps, lacewings
Best Companions: Cucumbers, onions, lettuce
Avoid Planting Near: Carrots

Tips:

• Let one plant bolt and flower to attract natural pest predators

• Self-seeds easily for repeat performance

• Use dill fronds for herbal sprays

“Dill is the bait… for the bug’s worst nightmare.”

9. Calendula

Repels: Aphids, thrips, whiteflies
Best Companions: Lettuce, kale, carrots

Tips:

• Low root impact — ideal between rows

• Deters gnats with petal compounds

• Collect seeds for easy reseeding next season

“Pretty. Punchy. Pest-kicking petals.”

10. Borage

Repels: Tomato hornworms, cabbage worms
Best Companions: Tomatoes, squash, strawberries

Tips:

• Great pollinator attractor

• Self-seeds generously

• Enriches soil with trace minerals

“The bodyguard your tomatoes didn’t know they needed.”

How to Layout a Pest-Repelling Garden with Companion Plants

The Defense Ring Method

Create concentric layers of protection:

• Center: Core crops (tomatoes, broccoli, squash)

• Middle Ring: Scent-confusing herbs (basil, rosemary, chives)

• Outer Ring: Trap crops and deterrents (nasturtiums, marigolds)

Sample Layout: The Tomato Fortress

• Center: Tomatoes

• Middle: Basil + Borage

• Outer Edge: Chives + French Marigolds

• Bonus: Mint in containers nearby (never in-ground)

Avoid These Companion Planting Mistakes

• Planting mint in your beds — it spreads aggressively

• Overcrowding — pests love tight, humid spaces

• Using the wrong marigold type — not all deter pests

• Mixing enemies like onions + beans or fennel + everything

• Never rotating crops — pests catch on

Advanced Companion Planting Tips Most Gardeners Miss

• Use thyme or basil to brew anti-pest foliar sprays

• Switch out trap crops mid-season to adjust for changing pests

• Mulch with lemon balm cuttings to deter soil bugs

• Alternate seasonal companions (basil in spring, oregano in fall)

• Line walkways with rosemary trimmings for passive protection

• Companion planting can also improve flavor — basil boosts tomato sweetness, dill enhances cucumber crispness

Grow Smarter, Not Harder

You don’t need chemicals to win the garden war.

With the right plant allies and a smart layout, your garden can defend itself — naturally, beautifully, and effectively. And with the StrongEcho AI Gardening App in your pocket, you’ll always know the right plant combos for your space, season, and goals.

👉 Download the app now and start growing a garden that protects itself.
👉 Subscribe for more natural gardening tips, pest control tricks, and flavor-boosting pairings.

You Can Grow It!

Frequently Asked Questions About Companion Planting for Natural Pest Control

What plants keep pests away naturally?

Many herbs and flowers can deter pests without chemicals. Top natural pest-repelling plants include:

• Garlic – repels aphids, mites, and beetles

• Basil – keeps away flies and hornworms

• Marigolds – deter nematodes and whiteflies

• Chives – fight off aphids and carrot flies

• Rosemary – repels slugs and cabbage moths

These plants work by confusing pests with scent, releasing pest-repelling oils, or attracting beneficial predators.

What is the best companion plant for tomatoes?

The best companion plants for tomatoes are basil, borage, garlic, and marigolds.

• Basil improves tomato flavor and repels hornworms.

• Marigolds keep away whiteflies and nematodes.

• Borage attracts pollinators and repels tomato hornworms.

• Garlic acts as a natural pest barrier when planted between rows.

Avoid planting tomatoes near corn (which attracts tomato pests) or brassicas (which compete for nutrients).

What plants attract beneficial insects?

Plants like dill, fennel, alyssum, borage, and calendula attract ladybugs, parasitic wasps, lacewings, and pollinators. These insects feed on pests such as aphids, caterpillars, and whiteflies.

Letting these plants flower increases their ability to attract natural pest predators. Plant them near vulnerable crops for built-in protection.

Are marigolds really effective against garden pests?

Yes — especially French marigolds (Tagetes patula). They release thiophenes, natural compounds that repel nematodes, whiteflies, and some beetles. They also confuse pest insects with their strong scent and vibrant color.

For best results, interplant marigolds around vegetable beds and refresh blooms regularly by deadheading spent flowers.

Can I use garlic to control pests?

Definitely. Garlic is one of the most powerful natural pest deterrents. Its strong sulfur compounds repel:

• Aphids

• Spider mites

• Japanese beetles

• Cabbage loopers

Garlic can also be used to make DIY sprays. Just steep crushed garlic cloves in water and spray directly on plant leaves.

What are common mistakes in companion planting?

Some of the most frequent companion planting mistakes include:

• Planting mint directly in garden beds — it spreads aggressively and takes over

• Overcrowding plants, reducing airflow and increasing disease risk

• Using ornamental marigolds instead of French marigolds for pest control

• Ignoring “enemy” pairings like onions + beans or fennel + most vegetables

• Failing to rotate crops — even great companions can exhaust the soil

How do I design a garden layout that repels pests?

Use the Defense Ring Method:

1. Center – main crops like tomatoes, cabbage, or squash

2. Middle layer – herbs with strong scents (basil, rosemary, thyme)

3. Outer layer – trap crops and flowers like nasturtiums, marigolds

This method creates multiple layers of protection using natural plant chemistry — and it looks beautiful, too.

Want a personalized layout? Try the StrongEcho AI Gardening App to generate custom maps based on your space, sunlight, soil, and pest history.

Does companion planting really work?

Yes, when done strategically. While it’s not a silver bullet, companion planting:

• Reduces pest outbreaks

• Increases pollinator traffic

• Improves soil health

• Boosts crop flavor and resilience

It’s most effective when combined with good spacing, crop rotation, and organic gardening practices

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