Strawberries are a versatile fruit that is a delicious addition to smoothies, baked products, and desserts. Despite their high price tag in grocery stores, no other fruit comes close to the juice of vibrant freshly picked home-grown red berries.
Growing strawberries is not easy for beginners because they are prone to pests and diseases. However, Companion planting may be the magic wand you need to have an abundant strawberry harvest. Companion plants like herbs and vegetables create a symbiotic relationship where plants mutually benefit from growing together.
So, what is the best companion plant for strawberries? In this article, we explore the best companion plants for strawberries from flowers to herbs and vegetables to prevent sneaky pests and diseases from devouring your precious red fruits.
12 Best Companion Plants for Strawberries
1. Alyssum
Planting flowers like alyssum is an effective way to ensure the growth of healthy strawberries. It is one of the best companion plants for strawberries because it attracts beneficial insects like lacewings which eat up harmful insects and protect it from pests that like to eat strawberries.
The flower also draws in pollinators like native bees and butterflies that aid in pollinating the strawberry flowers. As a result, the strawberry plants produce higher yields. Plant the flower at the corner of raised beds or in between the strawberry plants.
2. Coriander
Coriander is also one of the best companion plants for strawberries because it repels harmful insects and pests that attract strawberries with its strong scent.
Instead, it attracts beneficial insects like wasps, ladybugs, and lacewings which eat harmful pests.
3. Dill
Dill is a beneficial herb not only for adding to tea, stews, or cocktails but also a great companion plant for strawberries. The herb has vibrant flowers that attract beneficial insects and pollinators to your strawberry garden.
Some of the beneficial insects include ladybugs and wasps that keep off harmful insects that would devour the strawberries. Furthermore, dill has a strong scent that keeps off harmful insects.
4. Sage
Sage is a great companion plant for strawberries because its musky scent masks the scent of the delicious red berries and keeps off insects and bugs that devour strawberries.
Furthermore, if the sage blooms the flowers attract pollinators such as native bees that help to pollinate strawberry flowers. You can also use the sage in your soups and stews. Plant sage at the end of the rows of strawberry plants or near the raised garden bed.
5. Basil
Companion planting with basil is the best thing you can do for your strawberries. Basil repels harmful pests and promotes healthy growth for strawberries.
Plant basil in a row in between strawberry rows to get the benefit. At the end of the growing season use the basil to make lemonade, salads, and mojitos.
6. Lettuce
Planting vegetable companion plants with strawberries ensures biodiversity and is the best use of space. Lettuce is easy to grow and does not compete with strawberries for nutrients or water. It grows low beneath the strawberries and gets shade from the scorching sun.
Mature lettuce camouflage the red berries from pests. Plant lettuce in between the rows of strawberries to maximize space.
7. Garlic
Just like chives, garlic has a pungent smell that insect pests such as spider mites cannot stand so they keep away.
In addition, garlic is a good companion plant for strawberries because it does not compete for nutrients or water which ensures higher yields. You can plant garlic in the middle of strawberry rows.
8. Mint
Most people love mint and add it to drinks and tea because of its pungent aroma. The same strong smell repels pests like mites and aphids that would harm the strawberry plants.
However, mint tends to spread fast so do not plant it in the strawberry beds as it can take up too much space and affect the growth of strawberries.
9. Spinach
Companion planting with spinach helps to maximize space and is a great addition to your salads and smoothies.
Spinach is the best companion plant for strawberries because it grows low and does not compete with strawberries and also disguises red berries from pests and bugs.
10. Chives
Chives are a great companion plant for most plants. They have a strong smell like that of onions that keeps the harmful bugs away.
Their smell is however attractive to pollinators and beneficial insects. Because of their small size chives don’t overshadow the strawberry and you can plant them in the middle of the strawberry rows bed garden.
11. Thyme
Thyme is a great companion plant for strawberries and many other plants like tomatoes. Just like other companion plants it reels harmful pests from your garden. Thyme also suppresses the growth of weeds and helps retain moisture in the soil.
Furthermore, thyme also acts as a low cover and keeps the strawberries off the soil to prevent rotting or being devoured by slugs. Plant the thyme beneath the strawberry bed to allow it to act as a protective mat.
12. Asparagus
Asparagus is a great companion plant to strawberries. They both thrive in spring and have similar growth patterns. The asparagus root system doesn’t interfere with the strawberries and doesn’t compete for nutrients or water.
FAQs
- What is the best companion plant for strawberries?
Some of the best companion plants for strawberries include lettuce, radishes, spinach, beans, chives, and onions.
- What do strawberries not like to grow next to?
Avoid growing plants such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, okra, and eggplant near strawberries. These plants may increase the risk of strawberries being affected by pests and diseases such as verticillium.
- Why do you plant onions around strawberries?
Onions are the best companion plants for strawberries because their odor masks the sweet and tempting aroma of strawberries. The onion smell keeps pests from invading the strawberry fruits.
- What are the best areas to plant strawberries?
Strawberries thrive in sunshine and fertile, well-draining soil. You can also grow strawberries in hydroponics to keep off pests and diseases and make them grow faster.
Final Thoughts
Companion planting is an innovative way to make plants more resilient to pests and disease without the dependency on pesticides and harmful chemicals. Planting strawberries with beneficial plants like chives and onions repels pests, attracts beneficial insects and pollinators, prevents diseases, and promotes the growth of healthy plants.
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