Companion planting with Brussels sprouts is a time-tested gardening practice that enhances the health, yield, and resilience of these cool-weather vegetables. Brussels sprouts belong to the Brassicaceae family—alongside cabbage, broccoli, kale, and cauliflower—and benefit significantly from thoughtful plant pairings. These companions can deter pests, enrich the soil, and provide physical protection, while poor plant neighbors may compete for nutrients or attract the very pests that plague Brassicas.
Understanding the intricacies of companion planting with Brussels sprouts can turn a modest crop into a vigorous harvest. In this article, we’ll explore ideal companions, what to avoid, and how to create a thriving ecosystem that supports healthy sprout production throughout the growing season.
Why Companion Planting with Brussels Sprouts Matters
Brussels sprouts have a long growing season and are particularly vulnerable to pests such as aphids, cabbage worms, and flea beetles. They also tend to draw heavy nutrients from the soil. Companion planting not only helps manage these challenges naturally but can improve space efficiency and enhance the overall productivity of your garden.
By choosing the right plant allies, you create a micro-environment where each plant supports others. This strategy can lead to:
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Reduced pest infestations
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Improved pollination (for flowering companions nearby)
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Better soil health and moisture retention
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Natural weed suppression
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More efficient use of space in small gardens
Best Companion Plants for Brussels Sprouts
Let’s dive into the best choices for companion planting with Brussels sprouts, starting with those that provide the most benefit.
1. Onions and Alliums (Garlic, Leeks, Chives, Shallots)
Alliums are excellent companions because their strong scent helps repel common Brassica pests. Aphids, cabbage worms, and flea beetles are often deterred by the sulfurous aroma of garlic and onions.
Benefits:
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Natural pest deterrent
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Low competition for nutrients
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Minimal shade, allowing sprouts to access full sun
Pro tip: Interplant garlic between Brussels sprouts to form a natural pest barrier.
2. Herbs: Thyme, Dill, Sage, Rosemary, Mint
Herbs play multiple roles when companion planting with Brussels sprouts. Thyme and sage are particularly helpful in confusing pest insects with their aromatic oils. Dill attracts beneficial predatory insects such as parasitic wasps and ladybugs that feed on aphids and cabbage worms.
Benefits:
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Repel cabbage moths and flea beetles
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Attract beneficial insects
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Improve soil biodiversity
Caution: Mint spreads aggressively. Grow it in containers near your sprouts rather than directly in the ground.
3. Marigolds
These cheerful flowers serve as a pest management powerhouse. Marigolds produce thiophenes, natural compounds in their roots that deter root-knot nematodes and other soilborne pests.
Benefits:
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Repel whiteflies and nematodes
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Attract pollinators and predatory insects
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Add visual appeal to vegetable beds
Best practice: Plant marigolds along the perimeter of your Brassica patch.
4. Nasturtiums
Another excellent trap crop, nasturtiums draw aphids, whiteflies, and cabbage loopers away from your Brussels sprouts. Once pests gather on nasturtiums, they can be easily removed or sacrificed.
Benefits:
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Effective trap crop
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Fast-growing ground cover to suppress weeds
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Attract beneficial pollinators
Note: Check nasturtiums regularly for pest buildup.
5. Spinach and Lettuce
These leafy greens are shallow-rooted and grow quickly, making them ideal companions. Because Brussels sprouts mature slowly, planting fast-growing greens between them allows for double harvests in the same space.
Benefits:
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Efficient use of space
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Minimal competition for nutrients
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Shade soil to retain moisture
Bonus: These crops can be harvested long before Brussels sprouts crowd the garden bed.
6. Beets and Radishes
Root vegetables can help break up compacted soil and improve aeration around Brussels sprout roots. Additionally, radishes mature quickly and can help distract pests like flea beetles.
Benefits:
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Loosen soil for better root development
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Radishes act as decoys for flea beetles
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Maximize garden productivity
Tip: Choose short-season radish varieties for best results.
Plants to Avoid Around Brussels Sprouts
Just as important as choosing the right companions is knowing what to avoid. Certain plants compete with Brussels sprouts for nutrients or attract harmful insects that put the crop at risk.
1. Strawberries
These two plants are incompatible due to similar nutrient demands. Strawberries also tend to harbor fungal diseases and slugs, which may spread to Brassicas.
Conflict:
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Compete for nitrogen and water
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Attract pests that may target Brussels sprouts
2. Tomatoes
Tomatoes require a lot of nutrients and full sun—just like Brussels sprouts. However, tomatoes also attract whiteflies and aphids, which are known Brassica pests.
Drawbacks:
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High nutrient demand
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Increased pest risk
3. Pole Beans
Beans and other legumes fix nitrogen in the soil, which sounds beneficial at first. However, excessive nitrogen can lead to lush leaf growth in Brussels sprouts at the expense of sprouts forming properly.
Result:
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Leggy, leafy Brussels sprouts with fewer actual heads
Solution: If growing legumes, place them in another bed or at least a few feet away from your Brassicas.
4. Peppers and Eggplants
Like tomatoes, these Solanaceous plants need similar resources and can foster diseases such as verticillium wilt and aphids.
Problems:
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Increased risk of disease
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High competition for space and nutrients
Designing a Companion Planting Layout for Brussels Sprouts
A well-thought-out layout maximizes companion plant benefits. Here's an example of how you could arrange companion plants in a raised bed or standard garden row:
Row Layout Example:
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Center Row: Brussels sprouts spaced 18–24 inches apart
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Between Sprouts: Garlic bulbs or chive clusters
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Edge Rows: Lettuce, spinach, or radishes
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Perimeter: Marigolds and nasturtiums for pest control
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Strategic Spots: Small herb patches of thyme and sage interspersed near trouble-prone areas
Container Garden Adaptation:
If growing Brussels sprouts in containers, plant nasturtiums or thyme in adjacent pots. Use vertical gardening techniques for herbs like dill to save space.
Managing Common Pests Through Companion Planting
Brussels sprouts are a magnet for chewing and sucking insects. Companion planting can greatly reduce reliance on synthetic pest control.
Common Pests Addressed:
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Cabbage loopers: Attracted to Brassicas but repelled by thyme, dill, and marigolds
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Aphids: Drawn to nasturtiums (trap crop) and repelled by alliums
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Cabbage root maggots: Deterred by strong-smelling herbs and onions
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Flea beetles: Prefer radishes and will bypass other crops if given the option
Using these plant partnerships creates a defense system that is diverse, dynamic, and natural.
Soil Health and Nutrient Management
Brussels sprouts are heavy feeders. Companion planting with deep-rooted or nitrogen-fixing plants needs to be approached carefully. While legumes are usually helpful in crop rotation, their direct proximity to Brussels sprouts isn't ideal.
Instead, improve soil health with:
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Compost
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Aged manure
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Crop rotation between seasons
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Cover crops in the offseason (e.g., clover or buckwheat)
Avoid continuous planting of Brassicas in the same soil, which can deplete nutrients and encourage pest buildup.
Seasonal Planning for Brussels Sprout Companions
Because Brussels sprouts grow best in cool weather, planning the growing season around their companions is critical.
Spring:
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Sow spinach, radishes, and lettuce with early Brussels sprouts
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Interplant garlic if planted in fall
Summer:
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Focus on managing pests with nasturtiums and marigolds
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Herbs like dill and thyme flourish in mid-summer sun
Fall:
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Plant overwintering companions like garlic
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Remove any trap crops before pest populations migrate indoors or to perennial plants
Harvest Timing and Companion Crop Rotation
Brussels sprouts require 80–100+ days to mature. As your companion plants are harvested, consider reseeding or replacing them with new ones that match the changing needs of the season.
For example:
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Harvest radishes after 30 days and reseed with more lettuce
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After pulling early greens, plant dill or sage for late-season protection
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As you harvest Brussels sprouts in late fall, sow a winter cover crop to replenish the soil
Final Thoughts
Companion planting with Brussels sprouts is both science and art. With proper planning, your garden becomes a cooperative space where each plant contributes to the success of others. Brussels sprouts, with their long maturation period and vulnerability to pests, particularly benefit from thoughtful companion pairings.
Choose allies that deter pests, enrich the soil, and make efficient use of space—while avoiding those that compete for nutrients or attract harmful insects. By building a layered and diversified planting scheme, you not only increase yields but reduce the need for chemical interventions.
Incorporate these principles into your gardening strategy, and you’ll be rewarded with robust Brussels sprout plants and a vibrant, healthy ecosystem right in your backyard.