4 Companion Planting Combinations That Improved Garden Health and Yield
Growing a thriving garden often depends on which plants are placed side by side, and the right combinations can significantly boost both health and productivity. This article explores four proven companion planting strategies that have delivered measurable results in real gardens, backed by insights from experienced horticulturists and gardening experts. These practical pairings offer solutions for pest control, increased yields, and stronger plants without relying on chemicals or complex techniques.
Marigolds with Nasturtiums Guard the Entrance
My favorite companion combo has been a little "door hedge" in our polytunnel: marigolds and nasturtiums planted right by the entrance, guarding the tomatoes like cheerful bouncers. The marigolds' scent seemed to confuse the usual gate-crashers, and the nasturtiums acted as a decoy buffet. Aphids parked themselves on the nasturtium leaves, ladybirds and hoverflies showed up for lunch, and the tomatoes stayed clean. We saw fewer sticky patches, less leaf curl, and a steadier harvest with no heroic spraying. As a bonus, the kids raided the nasturtiums for peppery leaves to toss in salads, which felt like culinary victory disguised as pest control.
We turned it into a home ed lesson. The children sketched a simple plan, planted the border, and kept a tally of visitors: aphids, ladybirds, and how many trusses made it to the sandwich stage. They learned that placement matters and that prevention beats cure. From a home-ed point of view, this is the kind of everyday science that sticks. You observe, nudge the system, and watch it respond. In our world at Strew, we try to help families make this sort of learning visible, so a quiet idea like "flowers by the door" becomes a record of thinking, tasting, and growing that you can point to and say, we did that.
Basil Ring Boosts Output and Fragrance
I found this summer, the best companion planting combination that really improved my yield of tomatoes. I paired tomatoes with basil, it's not just a great food combination, it also works wonders in your garden. I grew basil in a loose ring around every tomato plant, rather than tucked nearby. This allowed the root systems to really interact and their scents worked in great combination with each other. My tomatoes suffered less pest pressure because of the scents, less whiteflies and aphids. The basil also grew fuller and more fragrant which was a great treat. Basil is a great pollinator, which helps reduce plant stress for tomatoes. Tomato and basil are a simple but effective pairing when you introduce properly into your garden.
Tomato Trio Elevates Harvest and Resilience
One companion planting combination that made a dramatic difference in my garden was pairing tomatoes with basil and marigolds in the same bed. I had tried the tomato-basil duo before, but adding marigolds created an unexpectedly strong synergy.
The first benefit was pest reduction. The marigolds released compounds that deterred whiteflies and nematodes, and I noticed far fewer leaf issues compared to previous years. This allowed the tomato plants to put more energy into fruit production instead of recovery.
The second benefit was healthier growth from improved microclimate. Basil's compact structure helped shade the soil, keeping moisture levels more consistent during hot days. The tomatoes responded with less stress-related yellowing and more steady, even growth.
The biggest surprise was a noticeable increase in tomato yield. With pests under control and the soil environment more stable, the plants produced more fruit clusters and fewer dropped blossoms.
This trio taught me that companion planting works best when each plant contributes something different—pest control, soil support, or microclimate regulation. I now design beds around functional pairings instead of aesthetics alone.
Albert Richer, Founder, WhatAreTheBest.com.
Chives Shield Roses and Apple Trees
Chives are the cheap-as-chips chemical-free weapon when it comes to companion planting, and I've seen them work wonders in both my own garden here in Liverpool and my clients. The secret lies in their pungent sulphur compounds that naturally repel aphids and other sap-sucking pests that would otherwise start munching on your beloved roses, apple trees and tomatoes.
Gardeners often overlook chives as a true companion plant, and I'm not sure why, as I find them brilliant. The strong onion scent confuses aphids and makes it harder for them to locate their target. You can grow chives super cheaply from seed and they germinate really easily.
I've tested this in dozens of gardens I work on, and the difference is noticeable: more flowers on shrub roses and less wilting on outdor tomatoes, which are often attacked by aphids. Roses companion-planted with chives show significantly less aphid damage than those planted alone. Plus, the purple pompom flowers look gorgeous nestled amongst rose blooms in early summer, and even better, they self-seed for free if you leave the seed heads intact.
What most gardeners and allotment holders don't realise is that apple trees benefit from chives in much the same way. The aromatic oils released by chives help mask the apple tree's scent, deterring aphids and even apple scab. This can cause unsightly blotches on fruit come autumn. I always recommend planting a clump of chives around the base of young apple trees or in a pot nearby. They're low-maintenance, come back year after year, provide an edible harvest whilst protecting your fruit crop, and taste great in salads.
The beauty of using chives as a companion plant is that they're perennial, edible, and genuinely effective all for a couple of quid!
