Did you know that planting the right companions next to your zucchini can help protect it from pests, attract pollinators, and boost your harvest? That’s the beauty of companion planting: it’s a natural, smart way to help your garden thrive.
Certain plants don’t just get along well; they actually help each other grow better. They improve soil health, enhance flavor, increase yields, and make your garden more efficient and vibrant.
For zucchini, pairing it with the right neighbors can make all the difference between a struggling crop and a bountiful summer harvest.
In today’s guide, we’re highlighting the best zucchini companion plants to grow for higher yield, better taste, and a healthier garden overall. Let’s explore which companions will help your zucchini grow its absolute best.
#1 Radishes
Image Credits: Thegreenpinky
Radishes are one of the best companion plants for zucchini. They grow quickly and help repel common zucchini pests like cucumber beetles and squash bugs. Their presence acts like a natural defense shield for your zucchini patch.
Because radishes mature fast and don’t compete for space or nutrients, they’re perfect for planting around the base of your zucchini plants.
While the radishes grow underground, your zucchini thrives above, creating an efficient use of garden space. Bonus: You get a crisp, peppery harvest in just a few weeks.
#2 Spinach
Image Credits: Goodhousekeeping
Growing spinach and zucchini side by side, they will support each other. Zucchini gets benefits from the nutrients that spinach releases back into the soil.
Meanwhile, zucchini also provides shade and protection to spinach plants during the hot days of the summer season.
#3 Nasturtiums
Image Credits: Nicholasjv.blogspot
Nasturtiums act as a natural pest trap, luring aphids and squash bugs away from your vegetables. Their sprawling nature creates a living mulch that helps retain soil moisture and reduce weeds.
Plus, nasturtiums attract pollinators like bees and hoverflies, giving your zucchini flowers a better chance at fruiting.
Bonus? The flowers and leaves are edible, adding a peppery kick to your salads. It’s beauty, function, and flavor all in one plant.
#4 Borage
Image Credits: Asapoth
Borage is one of the best herbs and forms beautiful flowers. It attracts beneficial pollinators like honeybees for zucchini flowers and deters voracious insects at the same time.
#5 Herbs
Image Credits: Almanac
Parsley, mint, oregano, catnip, peppermint, lemon balm, and dill are useful companion herbs with zucchini. They can protect your zucchini plants from pests.
#6 Peas
Image Credits: Gardeningknowhow
Peas make wonderful neighbors for zucchini, especially early in the season. These cool-weather legumes enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen, and feed your zucchini naturally as it begins to stretch out and set fruit.
Their tidy growth habit allows you to tuck them in beside squash plants without crowding. By the time your zucchini really takes off, the peas are usually winding down, leaving behind a bed full of nutrients and space.
It’s a clever way to maximize your garden’s productivity without overwhelming it. Plus, you’ll get two harvests from one patch of soil. Win-win for your taste buds and your garden bed!
#7 Garlic
Image Credits: Gardenbeast
Aphids are harmful pests that can massively damage zucchini and its leaves, and garlic will help you and your plant deal with them.
#8 Beans
Image Credits: Thespruce
Like peas, beans also release beneficial nitrogen back to the soil, which aids in the growth of heavy-feeder zucchini plants. This quiet teamwork beneath the surface creates a more balanced growing environment for both plants.
Because beans grow vertically on trellises or poles, they don’t compete for ground space, making them ideal partners in small garden beds. Their light foliage also provides partial shade, which can help shield zucchini from excessive heat.
#9 Corn
Image Credits: Bestofculinary
Corn, thanks to its tall, sturdy stalks, offers light shade and helps moderate soil temperature. Zucchini, in turn, spreads low to the ground and helps suppress weeds, creating a balanced growing partnership.
When grown together, corn and zucchini use space efficiently, vertical and horizontal layers working in harmony. Corn also attracts pollinators that benefit both crops, and their roots won’t compete aggressively.
Just make sure both get enough room and water to thrive. This duo fits beautifully into a Three Sisters-inspired planting style.
#10 Marigolds
Image Credits: Almanac
Colorful marigold plants can brighten up your garden and also attract beneficial pollinators.
When the neighboring plants are affected by aphids, attracting aphids with their beautiful flowers is a smart use that you can apply as a host to protect them.
