Strawberries are a favorite among gardeners for their sweet flavor, ease of cultivation, and vibrant presence in any garden setting. However, to ensure a strong harvest and healthy plants, it’s essential to give some thought to what’s growing nearby. Certain plants can offer strawberries critical support in the form of pest control, improved soil structure, and better pollination. This practice is known as companion planting.
In this guide, you'll discover which companion plants are most beneficial for strawberries and which ones to avoid, along with strategies for planting layouts and seasonal planning to get the most out of your strawberry patch.
Understanding the Role of Companion Plants
The idea behind companion planting is based on the natural relationships between various plant species. When chosen wisely, neighboring plants can enhance each other’s growth, reduce pest populations, and make better use of garden space. For strawberries, the benefits of companion planting are especially significant.
Benefits of Companion Planting for Strawberries:
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Enhanced pest control: Some plants naturally repel insects that commonly affect strawberries.
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Boosted pollination: Flowering companions can attract bees and other pollinators, leading to higher fruit yields.
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Soil improvement: Certain species improve the soil by fixing nitrogen or adding organic matter.
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Microclimate management: Ground cover and shade from other plants can help strawberries conserve moisture.
Let’s look at some of the best companion plants for strawberries and why they work so well.
Top Companion Plants for Strawberries
Borage
Borage is widely recognized for its compatibility with strawberries. This flowering herb not only draws bees to the area, increasing pollination rates, but it’s also believed to enhance the flavor and health of strawberry plants.
Advantages:
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Attracts pollinators like bees and beneficial insects
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Improves strawberry taste
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Acts as a green manure when tilled into the soil
Placement Tips: Position borage around or between strawberry rows. Its height and flowers provide a striking visual contrast while benefiting the crop.
Lettuce
Lettuce is a fast-growing crop that coexists well with strawberries. It offers ground cover that helps control weeds and maintain soil moisture.
Advantages:
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Quick to grow and harvest
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Competes minimally for nutrients
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Helps prevent soil from drying out
Planting Strategy: Sow lettuce seeds between strawberry plants early in the season. As strawberries mature, lettuce will be ready for harvest, freeing up space.
Spinach
Spinach provides another great companion option for strawberries. It matures rapidly and requires little maintenance, allowing for dual-purpose gardening in shared plots.
Advantages:
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Suppresses weeds
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Doesn’t crowd strawberry roots
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Efficient use of space
Planting Strategy: Plant in the same raised bed or plot as strawberries in spring. Remove after harvest and allow strawberries to spread into the cleared area.
Garlic and Onions
These alliums release a strong scent that masks the smell of strawberries, making it harder for pests to find the fruit. They’re particularly effective against aphids, spider mites, and even rabbits.
Advantages:
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Repels pests naturally
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Easy to grow alongside strawberries
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Low-growing, so they don’t block sunlight
Planting Strategy: Border your strawberry beds with garlic or onions. Leave several inches between them and the berries to avoid crowding.
Chives
Chives share many of the same pest-deterrent properties as garlic and onions. They also add a beautiful burst of purple when in bloom, bringing in pollinators.
Advantages:
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Aphid deterrent
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Adds color and visual appeal
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Minimal maintenance required
Planting Strategy: Use chives as edging around strawberry beds or plant in pots placed nearby.
Thyme
Thyme grows close to the ground, making it an effective living mulch. Its strong aroma also helps deter insects like cabbage worms and whiteflies.
Advantages:
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Provides low-maintenance ground cover
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Deters various garden pests
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Aromatic and edible
Planting Strategy: Grow thyme in clusters between strawberry plants or use it as a border herb around your patch.
Marigolds
Marigolds are widely used in gardens to prevent nematode infestations. Their scent also keeps beetles and other pests at bay. Their vibrant color is an added benefit.
Advantages:
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Repels nematodes and beetles
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Attracts pollinators
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Adds ornamental value
Planting Strategy: Scatter marigolds throughout the strawberry bed or plant them at row ends for visual and functional balance.
Beans and Peas
As nitrogen fixers, legumes like beans and peas can enrich the soil naturally. Strawberries don’t need heavy nitrogen, but a mild enrichment can still be beneficial when managed properly.
Advantages:
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Improve soil health
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Don’t compete for root space
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Support diverse garden ecosystems
Planting Strategy: Grow bush varieties near strawberries or install a trellis for pole beans slightly away from the berry beds to avoid shading.
Carrots
Carrots grow vertically underground, which minimizes competition with strawberries for nutrients. Their presence can even improve soil texture.
Advantages:
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Efficient vertical growing habits
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Break up compacted soil
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Easy to harvest alongside strawberries
Planting Strategy: Alternate rows of strawberries and carrots in raised beds for optimal space use.
Plants to Avoid Near Strawberries
Just as some plants are helpful companions, others can hinder your strawberry crop due to competition, shared diseases, or disruptive growth patterns.
Brassicas (Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower)
These heavy feeders compete aggressively for soil nutrients and can stunt the growth of strawberries. Additionally, they may attract pests that affect both types of plants.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are prone to diseases like verticillium wilt, which also affect strawberries. Their tall growth can block sunlight from reaching low-growing berries.
Eggplants and Peppers
These relatives of tomatoes carry similar disease risks and also compete for space and nutrients.
Melons and Squash
Their sprawling vines can overshadow strawberries and make harvesting difficult. They also consume large amounts of water and nutrients.
Mint (when uncontained)
While mint can deter pests, it spreads rapidly and can quickly overtake a strawberry patch unless kept in containers.
Garden Layout Suggestions
Raised Beds
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Center: Strawberry plants
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Border: Thyme, garlic, or chives
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Between rows: Lettuce or spinach
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Corners: Marigolds or borage
Container Gardens
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Main container: Strawberries
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Small nearby pots: Mint (in containers), basil, or chives
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Vertical trellis nearby: Pole beans for nitrogen-fixing support
Traditional Rows
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Alternate rows of strawberries and carrots or lettuce
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Interplant with herbs like thyme and garlic
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Edge the garden with marigolds for a natural pest barrier
Seasonal Companion Planting Strategy
By rotating plants throughout the year, you can keep your soil healthy and your strawberries thriving.
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Spring: Start with spinach, lettuce, and radishes alongside strawberries.
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Summer: Swap out early crops for herbs and beans.
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Fall: Introduce garlic and onion sets to overwinter and support next season’s growth.
Natural Pest Control with Companion Plants
Companion planting can help reduce or eliminate the need for chemical pesticides. Plants like chives, garlic, and marigolds deter common threats such as:
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Aphids
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Slugs
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Japanese beetles
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Spider mites
Additionally, flowering companions attract helpful predators like:
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Ladybugs
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Hoverflies
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Lacewings
These insects feed on harmful bugs and maintain a balanced garden ecosystem.
Mulching and Soil Health Using Companions
Some companion plants can serve a dual purpose by acting as mulch. When trimmed and placed around strawberries, they can:
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Suppress weeds
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Retain soil moisture
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Decompose into organic fertilizer
Thyme, lettuce, and spinach are especially effective when cut back and used in this way.
Final Thoughts
Companion planting is a valuable approach for gardeners seeking to grow healthy, productive strawberry plants. Whether you're working with a small raised bed, an expansive traditional garden, or a set of containers on a balcony, choosing the right companions can dramatically influence the success of your strawberry crop.
From pest control and pollination to soil enrichment and space management, these partner plants serve multiple functions that support strawberries throughout the growing season. With careful planning and thoughtful placement, your strawberry garden can thrive naturally—full of color, aroma, flavor, and life.