Top Companion Plants That Repel Aphids Naturally [Video Included]
Aphids are among the most common and persistent garden pests. These tiny, sap-sucking insects can stunt plant growth, spread disease, and invite ants into your garden. Fortunately, you don’t need to rely on harsh chemicals to fight back.
Companion planting—the strategic placement of plants that benefit each other—is a time-tested method for deterring pests like aphids while also promoting a healthier garden ecosystem.
In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the top companion plants that naturally repel aphids, explain how they work, and show you how to use them effectively.
Chapters
- As melhores plantas companheiras que repelem pulgões naturalmente [tutorial em vídeo]
- O que são pulgões e por que eles são prejudiciais?
- O que é Plantação Companheira?
- Principais plantas companheiras que repelem pulgões
- Plantas companheiras que repelem pulgões — Tabela de resumo
- Como usar plantas companheiras de forma eficaz
- Sinais de que seu plantio complementar está funcionando
- E se os pulgões ainda forem um problema?
- Conclusão
- Perguntas frequentes: Plantas companheiras que repelem pulgões
Top Companion Plants That Repel Aphids Naturally [Video Tutorial]
What Are Aphids and Why Are They Harmful?
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on the sap of plants. They’re especially dangerous because they:
- Reproduce rapidly (some species give birth to live young daily)
- Transmit viruses between plants
- Attract ants with the sticky “honeydew” they excrete
- Cause curling, yellowing, and distortion of leaves
They come in a range of colors—green, black, red, white, brown—and can infest nearly any plant in your garden.
What Is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is the practice of placing certain plants near each other to enhance growth, repel pests, or attract beneficial insects.
When used strategically, companion plants can:
- Repel aphids through scent, chemical compounds, or distraction
- Attract aphid predators like ladybugs and lacewings
- Improve soil health and boost overall plant resilience
Top Companion Plants That Repel Aphids
Below is a detailed look at plants that either directly repel aphids or attract predators that feed on them.
1. Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum spp.)
- Function: Trap crop
- How it helps: Aphids are highly attracted to nasturtiums. Planted nearby, they lure aphids away from more valuable plants.
- Best companions: Cabbage, kale, tomatoes, cucumbers
- Planting tip: Allow aphids to gather on nasturtiums, then remove infested leaves or destroy the plant to reduce the population.
2. Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)
- Function: Repellent
- How it helps: Their strong, musky scent repels aphids, nematodes, and whiteflies.
- Best companions: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, beans
- Planting tip: Use French marigolds for the best pest-repelling results.
3. Garlic (Allium sativum)
- Function: Repellent
- How it helps: The sulfur compounds released by garlic repel aphids and other soft-bodied pests.
- Best companions: Lettuce, carrots, roses, strawberries
- Planting tip: Plant garlic in rows between crops for maximum impact.
4. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
- Function: Repellent
- How it helps: Chives release a scent that deters aphids and improves the flavor of nearby crops.
- Best companions: Tomatoes, carrots, roses, grapes
- Planting tip: Keep them trimmed to avoid bolting and encourage new growth.
5. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
- Function: Repellent + Beneficial insect attractant
- How it helps: Repels aphids, mosquitoes, and whiteflies while attracting pollinators.
- Best companions: Tomatoes, peppers, lettuce
- Planting tip: Plant in full sun and harvest regularly to keep it bushy and productive.
6. Mint (Mentha spp.)
- Function: Repellent
- How it helps: The intense scent of mint drives away aphids, cabbage moths, and ants.
- Best companions: Cabbage, peas, broccoli
- Planting tip: Grow mint in containers to prevent it from taking over your garden.
7. Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
- Function: Repellent
- How it helps: Catnip contains nepetalactone, a compound that deters aphids, squash bugs, and ants.
- Best companions: Eggplant, potatoes, squash
- Planting tip: Watch out for neighborhood cats—they love it too!
8. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
- Function: Predator attractant
- How it helps: Attracts lacewings and ladybugs—two of the best aphid predators.
- Best companions: Dill, basil (keep away from beans and tomatoes)
- Planting tip: Plant on the outer edges of the garden as fennel can inhibit the growth of some plants.
9. Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)
- Function: Predator attractant
- How it helps: Its flowers attract hoverflies and parasitic wasps that feast on aphids.
- Best companions: Spinach, lettuce, carrots
- Planting tip: Let some plants bolt (flower) to attract the most beneficial insects.
10. Dill (Anethum graveolens)
- Function: Predator attractant
- How it helps: Attracts ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps.
- Best companions: Cabbage, broccoli, cucumbers
- Planting tip: Like cilantro, allow a few plants to flower to attract aphid predators.
Companion Plants That Repel Aphids — Summary Table
| Plant | Function | Benefits | Best Companions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nasturtiums | Trap crop | Attracts aphids away from key crops | Cucumbers, cabbage, tomatoes |
| Marigolds | Repellent | Repels aphids and nematodes with scent | Tomatoes, beans, peppers |
| Garlic | Repellent | Emits sulfur compounds that deter aphids | Lettuce, roses, strawberries |
| Chives | Repellent | Repels aphids and enhances crop flavor | Tomatoes, carrots, grapes |
| Basil | Repellent + Attractant | Repels pests and attracts pollinators | Tomatoes, peppers, lettuce |
| Mint | Repellent | Drives away aphids and ants | Cabbage, broccoli, peas |
| Catnip | Repellent | Deters aphids, ants, and squash bugs | Eggplants, squash, potatoes |
| Fennel | Attractant | Attracts ladybugs and lacewings | Dill, basil (not tomatoes) |
| Cilantro | Attractant | Draws hoverflies and parasitic wasps | Carrots, lettuce, spinach |
| Dill | Attractant | Attracts aphid-eating insects | Broccoli, cucumbers, cabbage |
How to Use Companion Plants Effectively
Using these plants effectively requires more than just placing them randomly in your garden. Here are some strategic tips:
- Plant diversity: Avoid monocultures. Aphids thrive when there’s only one type of plant in large numbers.
- Stagger planting times: Combine early-season repellents with mid- and late-season bloomers.
- Encourage predators: Avoid using broad-spectrum insecticides that kill beneficial insects.
- Use borders and interplanting: Place repellent or trap crops around or between vulnerable plants.
Signs Your Companion Planting Is Working
You’ll know your companion planting is paying off when:
- Fewer aphids are found on your main crops
- Beneficial insects are regularly visiting your garden
- Aphids are concentrated on sacrificial plants like nasturtiums
What If Aphids Are Still a Problem?
Companion planting is a natural and effective tool, but it isn’t always a complete solution—especially in cases of:
- Large infestations
- Unbalanced ecosystems
- Lack of natural predators
If aphids persist despite your efforts:
- Use insecticidal soap or neem oil sprays
- Rinse them off with a strong spray of water
- Introduce live ladybugs or lacewings
- Prune severely infested areas
Conclusion
Companion plants that repel aphids are an eco-friendly, effective way to protect your garden while enhancing its biodiversity and beauty. Whether you’re growing vegetables, herbs, or flowers, there’s a natural partner plant that can help keep aphids away.
With careful planning and a little experimentation, you’ll create a self-sustaining garden that thrives without chemicals—and with a lot fewer pests.
FAQs: Companion Plants That Repel Aphids
What smells do aphids hate?
Aphids are deterred by strong-smelling plants such as garlic, chives, mint, basil, and marigolds. These plants release natural compounds and oils that confuse or repel aphids, making them less likely to settle on nearby crops.
What is a good companion plant to get rid of aphids?
Some of the best companion plants to repel aphids include nasturtiums (as trap crops), marigolds, garlic, basil, and catnip. These either repel aphids directly or attract beneficial insects like ladybugs that feed on them.
Do marigolds really keep aphids away?
Yes, marigolds are known to deter aphids, especially the French marigold variety. Their pungent scent masks the presence of nearby plants, helping to confuse and repel aphids, whiteflies, and other soft-bodied pests.
Which herbs repel aphids?
Several herbs act as natural aphid repellents, including:
- Basil
- Mint
- Garlic
- Chives
- Dill (also attracts aphid predators)
- Cilantro (attracts hoverflies)
These herbs work well when planted alongside vegetables or flowers prone to aphid infestations.
Can companion planting get rid of aphids completely?
Companion planting helps reduce aphid populations, but it usually won’t eliminate them entirely—especially in severe infestations. It’s most effective as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) approach, which may include natural sprays, beneficial insects, and manual removal.
What are trap crops for aphids?
A trap crop is a plant that attracts aphids away from your main crops. Nasturtiums are one of the best-known trap crops for aphids. Once the aphids gather on the nasturtiums, you can remove the infested plant to lower their numbers.
Is mint good for keeping aphids away?
Yes, mint is excellent for repelling aphids due to its strong aroma. It’s especially useful when grown near cabbage, broccoli, and peas. However, mint spreads aggressively, so it’s best planted in containers.
Can I use basil to repel aphids?
Basil does help deter aphids, especially when planted near tomatoes and peppers. It also repels mosquitoes and whiteflies and attracts pollinators, making it a multipurpose herb in your garden.
Do flowers attract or repel aphids?
Some flowers repel aphids (e.g., marigolds, lavender), while others may attract them (like nasturtiums, used as trap crops). Choosing the right flowers and understanding their role is key to effective companion planting.
What other pests do these companion plants repel?
Many companion plants used against aphids also deter other pests:
- Marigolds: Nematodes, whiteflies
- Catnip: Squash bugs, ants
- Garlic: Spider mites, beetles
- Mint: Cabbage moths, ants
- Basil: Mosquitoes, houseflies
These added benefits make them valuable in any organic garden strategy.