The Best Companion Plants to Make Your Onions Thrive

2) Radishes

2) Radishes, 4) Lettuce, 5) Peppers, 6) Beets, 7) Spinach, 8) Celery, 9) Chamomile, 12) Roses, 13) Marigold, 15) What NOT to Plant With Onions

Radishes mature more quickly than onions, which means you can use all your garden space effectively throughout the growing season if both are planted strategically. Once the radishes are ready, you can harvest them before your onions need that extra space to continue growing. It's almost like getting double from the same amount of space.

4) Lettuce

2) Radishes, 4) Lettuce, 5) Peppers, 6) Beets, 7) Spinach, 8) Celery, 9) Chamomile, 12) Roses, 13) Marigold, 15) What NOT to Plant With Onions

Lettuce grows at a much speedier pace than onions, which helps ensure the two don't interfere with one another or fight for space. "Leafy greens, like lettuce, grow low to the ground and grow fast. Their roots don't crown the onion's roots, and they can be harvested before the onions get big enough to need that extra space," says Chastain.

5) Peppers

2) Radishes, 4) Lettuce, 5) Peppers, 6) Beets, 7) Spinach, 8) Celery, 9) Chamomile, 12) Roses, 13) Marigold, 15) What NOT to Plant With Onions

Because onions naturally repel certain pests, most varieties of peppers tend to grow well beside them. Still, make sure to give your onions and peppers some breathing room. Although they don't typically fight for space, proper sunlight and airflow is still essential.

6) Beets

2) Radishes, 4) Lettuce, 5) Peppers, 6) Beets, 7) Spinach, 8) Celery, 9) Chamomile, 12) Roses, 13) Marigold, 15) What NOT to Plant With Onions

Beets and onions share a few key similarities in terms of growing conditions. "Beets work with onions because they like the same kind of soil, grow in the fall just like onions and share space well. And again, the onions help keep away pests that would go after the beets," says Chastain.

7) Spinach

2) Radishes, 4) Lettuce, 5) Peppers, 6) Beets, 7) Spinach, 8) Celery, 9) Chamomile, 12) Roses, 13) Marigold, 15) What NOT to Plant With Onions

Like lettuce, spinach is another leafy plant that can benefit from growing near onions. "Because they grow low to the ground, they act as a kind of mulch, retaining moisture in the soil. They benefit from the onion's pest deterring of aphids and other bugs that like to eat leaves," says Chastain.

8) Celery

2) Radishes, 4) Lettuce, 5) Peppers, 6) Beets, 7) Spinach, 8) Celery, 9) Chamomile, 12) Roses, 13) Marigold, 15) What NOT to Plant With Onions

Celery has a deeper root system than onions, which means the two plants can share space without fighting over essential soil nutrients or water. Plus, both celery and onions prefer full sun and plenty of water, making them easy to care for side by side.

9) Chamomile

2) Radishes, 4) Lettuce, 5) Peppers, 6) Beets, 7) Spinach, 8) Celery, 9) Chamomile, 12) Roses, 13) Marigold, 15) What NOT to Plant With Onions

Plant a few chamomile flowers next door to onions for a pretty — and tasty — combination. "It's not very well known, but chamomile actually improves the flavor of the plants it lives near. It attracts beneficial bugs to the garden and makes a delicious tea," says Chastain.

12) Roses

2) Radishes, 4) Lettuce, 5) Peppers, 6) Beets, 7) Spinach, 8) Celery, 9) Chamomile, 12) Roses, 13) Marigold, 15) What NOT to Plant With Onions

Roses face a few common pests, including aphids and spider mites. Fortunately, onions naturally deter those species while simultaneously inviting beneficial insects and pollinators to the garden.

13) Marigold

2) Radishes, 4) Lettuce, 5) Peppers, 6) Beets, 7) Spinach, 8) Celery, 9) Chamomile, 12) Roses, 13) Marigold, 15) What NOT to Plant With Onions

Marigolds are the perfect companion plant for a variety of fruits and veggies. "I like to plant marigolds near all my edible plants in corners or around the outside because they draw in bees and other pollinators, help keep bad bugs at bay and are just happy garden companions," says Chastain.

15) What NOT to Plant With Onions

2) Radishes, 4) Lettuce, 5) Peppers, 6) Beets, 7) Spinach, 8) Celery, 9) Chamomile, 12) Roses, 13) Marigold, 15) What NOT to Plant With Onions

Now that you know what works with onions, it's time to cross these plants off your list. Chastain discourages gardeners from planting the following alongside onions:

Legumes: "Legumes, like peas and beans, don't like some of the compounds that onions release. It keeps them from properly absorbing the nitrogen in the soil so they just won't grow well."

Aromatic herbs: "Even though onions are aromatics, aromatic herbs like sage, rosemary, basil, oregano and lavender won't thrive near onions because they compete for the chemicals in the soil they need to grow."

Asparagus: "Asparagus and onions are terrible bedfellows because their roots fight for space under the soil. They are also both nutrient hogs. It's best to just give them their own bed with their own blanket of soil."

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