You can fit carrots (Daucus carota subsp. sativus) almost anywhere in the garden. They don’t take up much space, and the long taproots help to break up and aerate the soil for other plants. Some plants also make good companions for carrots, either by repelling pests or creating the conditions that carrots like to grow in.
Gardeners have become more and more interested in companion planting, or growing certain crops together that will help each other thrive. Carrots are one of those plants that make easy companions, though there are a few vegetables and herbs you shouldn’t grow with them.
Below, we’ve listed the best companion plants for carrots and what you shouldn’t plant near them.
Companion Plants To Repel Pests
Carrots have soft, ferny foliage that can be plagued by pests like aphids, flea beetles, and leaf hoppers. Underground pests can ruin your harvest by digging into carrot roots. Plant carrots side-by-side with these companions to help repel insects.
Onions And Leeks
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Botanical Name: Allium cepa, A. porrumSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Type: Well-drained, loamySoil pH: Slightly acidic, neutral (6.0-7.0)
Onions and leeks have a strong scent that repels the carrot rust fly. The larvae of this small, slender black fly will tunnel into carrots to feed, resulting in an unpleasant discovery when you harvest. Plants in the allium family can also repel aphids. Carrots benefit onions and other veggies in turn by attracting ladybugs, which help to control many garden pests. Try alternating your rows of carrots and onions; both like to be planted in loose, well-draining soil during cool weather.
Chives
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Botanical Name: A. schoenoprasumSun Exposure: Full sun to partial sunSoil Type: Well-drained, loamy, sandy
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0)
Chives are also in the onion family and provide many of the same pest-repelling benefits for carrots. This mild, oniony herb is said to improve the flavor of many crops, including carrots. Chives and carrots enjoy the same cool, moist growing conditions and can easily be grown together.
Rosemary And Sage
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Botanical Name: Salvia rosmarinus, S. officinalisSun Exposure: Full SunSoil Type: Well-draining, loamySoil pH: Acidic (5.8-6.8)
Rosemary and sage also give off a strong scent that can repel carrot rust flies. Slugs don’t like these herbs, either. Plant rosemary and sage at the end of your rows of carrots, or create a “fence” around them. But pay attention to where water drains to before growing these together. All of these plants like light, well-draining soil, but carrots need moisture while these Mediterranean herbs prefer much less.
Companion Plants To Help Carrots Grow
Carrots can be easy to grow but require certain conditions to mature quickly while staying tender and sweet. This root vegetable needs consistent moisture, cool weather, and full sun for the best harvest. The companion plants listed below will help carrots grow in the best conditions.
Radishes
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Botanical Name: Raphanus sativus var. radiculaSun exposure: Full sunSoil type: Rich, moist, well-drained sandy loamSoil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.5-7.0)
Radishes can help nurse carrot seedlings and give them a good start in the spring. Plant your radish seedlings first, and they will sprout within a few days, shading the soil from intense sun and rain. Then you can intersperse your row of radishes with carrot seeds, which develop much more slowly. Soon you’ll be harvesting the radishes, leaving behind well-aerated soil for the carrots.
Lettuce
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Botanical Name: Lactuca sativaSun Exposure: Full sun, partial shadeSoil Type: Well-drained, loamy, richSoil pH: Slightly acidic, neutral (6.0-7.0)
Lettuce and other greens make a good companion for carrots by shading the soil. The ground-hugging leaves act like a living mulch, and the shallow roots won’t compete with carrots as long as they have sufficient space. All of these plants like growing together in rich, moist soil.
Spinach
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Botanical Name: Spinacia oleraceaSun Exposure: Full, partialSoil Type: Loamy, moist, well-drained
Soil pH: Neutral (6.5-7.5)
Spinach is another crop that can help carrots get off to a good start early in the season. Spinach seedlings pop up a little more quickly than carrots and help conserve soil moisture. The shallow-rooted greens will be ready to harvest before your carrots fully develop.
Tomatoes
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Botanical Name: Solanum lycopersicumSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Type: Loamy, well-drainedSoil pH: Slightly acidic (5.8-6.8)
Carrots can turn bitter in the heat. so they benefit from a little shade from tall tomato plants once the temperature starts to rise. At the same time, carrots help break up the soil for a tomato plant’s deep roots. Place your tomatoes so they will provide carrots some protection from the sun during the hottest part of the day. Just make sure to plant them at a good distance. Tomatoes are heavy feeders, and you don’t want to stunt the growth of your carrots.
What Not To Plant With Carrots
There are several crops that you shouldn’t plant with carrots because they attract the same pests. Parsley, celery, dill, and parsnips are all in the same plant family as carrots and can attract carrot flies. Dill is a wonderful plant for attracting pollinators and other beneficial insects, but this herb can also stunt the growth of some deep-rooted plants. Don’t plant carrots next to dill, or their growth could be affected.
Potatoes also don’t make a good companion for carrots, as the large underground tubers take up a lot of resources. Plant potatoes and carrots in separate parts of your garden.
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