When I first started growing strawberries, I had no idea they were so needy. One day, they’d look great. The next? Pests, dry soil, weird spots. Sound familiar?
Turns out, the real trick wasn’t fertilizer or fancy sprays. It was planting the right neighbors around them.
Once I tried companion planting, things changed fast, healthier plants, fewer bugs, and way juicier berries.
Let me walk you through the 14 plants I now always keep close to my strawberries.
1. Borage
I’ll admit, I only planted borage because someone at the nursery said it was “magic.” Turns out, they weren’t lying.
Borage keeps away nasty bugs and somehow makes strawberries taste better, yes, seriously. It even brings bees into the garden.
It reseeds itself too, so you plant it once and enjoy the help every season after. Zero effort.
2. Lettuce
Lettuce and strawberries make a weirdly good team. I plant lettuce between my strawberry rows to keep weeds down and help the soil stay cool.
It doesn’t hog nutrients or spread too much, so my berries have room to breathe.
Plus, I get to snack on fresh salad while I’m out picking fruit. Win-win.
3. Spinach
When I tried spinach alongside strawberries, I realized how well they played together. They both love cooler soil and don’t compete.
Spinach grows quickly and fills those awkward gaps in the garden bed.
Once it’s ready to harvest, the strawberries are just starting to flower, perfect timing.
4. Bush Beans
I didn’t expect beans to help my strawberries, but they really do. Beans add nitrogen to the soil, which strawberries love.
I always go with bush beans instead of pole beans, they’re compact and don’t shade out the berries.
They grow quietly and do the work underground. You’ll barely notice them, except for the boost.
5. Carrots
Carrots and strawberries work because they keep out of each other’s way. Carrots go down, strawberries stay up.
Their root systems don’t clash, and they enjoy similar soil. I usually plant them side-by-side with no trouble.
It’s an easy way to double up on harvest in a small space.
6. Onions
I once had a serious aphid problem. Onions were the fix. The smell repels so many pests, it’s like natural security.
I don’t plant them right in the middle of my strawberries though, just a border around the patch.
They don’t need much space or attention, which makes them perfect for lazy days.
7. Garlic
Garlic is one of those “set it and forget it” plants. I tuck it into the corners of my strawberry bed and let it do its thing.
It drives away bugs and might even improve flavor, my grandmother swears by it.
You’ll barely notice it’s there until you pull it up and smell that strong, earthy scent.
8. Chives
If you want garlic’s benefits but in a cuter package, chives are it. They’re tiny, they flower, and bees love them.
I like to plant chives in bunches near the edge of my strawberry bed for a little charm.
The smell keeps pests off, and the flowers look adorable in spring.
9. Marigolds
My garden always has marigolds. Always. They’re pretty, bright, and mean to the bad bugs.
I like planting them as a border around my strawberries. It’s like a floral fence that confuses beetles and keeps nematodes away.
Plus, they bloom for ages and give everything a cheerful vibe.
10. Thyme
Thyme is tiny, slow, and steady. I love how it spreads across the soil like a little green rug.
I plant thyme near my berries because it keeps crawling bugs from getting too comfy.
And it smells amazing when the sun hits it, like an herb garden and fruit patch in one.
11. Sage
I have a soft spot for sage. It’s bold, bushy, and tough. But I keep it at the back of the strawberry bed so it doesn’t crowd them.
Sage is a great defender, it repels moths and flying pests that chew through berry leaves.
And the silvery leaves make the whole garden look fancy.
12. Yarrow
Yarrow isn’t just pretty. It attracts ladybugs and lacewings, which are like the cleanup crew of your garden.
They munch on aphids and other nasties, saving your berries the trouble.
I plant yarrow a bit farther from the patch, those tall stems can shade out smaller plants if you’re not careful.
13. Clover
Clover surprised me. I planted white clover once just to cover bare dirt, and the strawberries thrived.
Clover adds nitrogen to the soil and crowds out weeds before they get started.
Stick with the low-growing type. It stays neat and doesn’t take over.
14. Asparagus
Now, this one’s a long-term match. Asparagus pops up early in spring, and strawberries roll in later.
They don’t compete much, and they like the same kind of soil, loose and well-draining.
I plant them in neighboring rows, and they pretty much leave each other alone.
What Not to Plant Near Strawberries
It’s just as important to know what not to grow with strawberries. Avoid these:
Mint – It spreads like wildfire and will take over your garden.
Cabbage family (like broccoli, cauliflower, kale) – They hog the nutrients.
Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants – They attract similar pests and diseases.
Conclusion
Companion planting made my strawberry beds healthier, cleaner, and, let’s be honest, a lot prettier. No more guessing games, just smart neighbors doing their job.
It doesn’t have to be complicated. Pick a few helpers like garlic, marigolds, and lettuce. Mix them in, and watch how much better your strawberries do.
Trust me, once you start planting this way, you’ll never want to go back.