Top 10 Eggplant Companion Plants And 3 You Should Avoid
Are you thinking of the best companion plants for your eggplant this season, here is a list of crops that will do you good?
If you desire a bountiful harvest this eggplant planting season, do not grow them alone.
Why?
Because companion planting does not only give you a bountiful harvest but also wards off diseases and pests that may affect your eggplant.
It is a good idea to take advantage and maximize the benefits of the companion crops we are about to share below.
Most of them are herbs, others are vegetables, and even flowers.
However, the ideal plants to plant with eggplant are peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, nasturtiums etc.
With companion planting, eggplants tend to grow well, also this strategy positively benefits the other plant in close proximity.
Some companions provide eggplants with shade, act as a barrier to the wind, deter certain weeds and pests, aid in moisture retention, or act as a trellis.
In this article, we have put together a list of eggplant companion plants that have been proven to increase your harvest yield.
All you have to do is plant them in close proximity to your eggplant.
So, read on for the best companion plants for eggplant.
What is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is a natural method that has been used by gardeners for years to aid pollination, keep the number of pests down, and maintain a natural balance in your garden.
What this means is that planting some plants close to one another will have a beneficial effect on each other’s growth or just be beneficial to one and not affect the other plant adversely
Companion planting is all about planting some plants together because they have characteristics that complement each other.
Some attract beneficial insects, others repel pests, and some go as far as complementing each other’s nutrient requirements
Companion planting is one of the Gardening Tips And Tricks For Beginners that many often ignore.
This Gardening Tips For Vegetable Planting is a welcome development in the gardener’s world.
However, most gardeners find it suitable for both Raised Bed Vegetable Gardening and Indoor Vegetable Gardening.
Understanding this concept and putting it into use is a great way to make art out of your garden.
I’m pretty sure that is your intention.
Other times, a plant may have a neutral companionship with the primary crop.
Why Should I Use Companion Plants?
It’s no longer news that one of the reasons why most farmers do not plant companion crops is because they don’t know what this singular act brings to them.
For vegetable farmers as well as other gardeners, companion planting is an excellent idea and a great step in the right direction.
Some of the benefits of companion planting include
- Companion Plants wards off certain insects and attracts pollinators.
- Also, companion plants are great for shade and support especially for underground plants.
- Companion crops suppress weeds from thriving in the garden leaving the plants to enjoy the soil nutrients.
- Also, companion plants are a great natural and organic method to improve soil quality as Composting. See Composting For Beginners.
- Companion plants help improve plant growth and improve plant health.
All these will only be possible if you pay attention to the companion chart.
Do not overlook the smallest details, if you do, you’re likely to put the healthy growth of your plant at risk.
10 Best Companion Plants for eggplant.
There are several best companion plants for eggplants.
These plants suit the growth of eggplant and favour its overall survival in the garden.
Some of these plants include herbs such as rosemary and oregano, vegetables like broccoli, and spinach; and flowers like nasturtiums.
Let’s take a good look at most of these favourable plants that you can easily grow with eggplants.
#1. Nightshades:
The eggplant itself is a member of the nightshade family and tends to thrive well when planted together with other nightshades.
Pepper, tomatoes and potatoes are some great nightshade plants you can plant alongside eggplants.
They serve as good companion plants to eggplants although they are of the same family.
Therefore, you can have a double harvest of two or three plants from the nightshade family.
The choice is all yours.
#2. Rosemary:
Rosemary is one amazing herb and a good companion plant for eggplants.
This herb has a strong fragrance and is very efficient in keeping Colorado potato beetles away from your eggplants.
This enables your eggplant to grow well and free from potato bugs and also you won’t have to waste money on pesticides.
When choosing rosemary as a companion plant for your eggplants, it is better to use the ones with a strong scent. This will also help in adding flavour to your eggplant.
#3. Broccoli:
Broccoli is another awesome companion plant for eggplants.
Naturally, eggplants are known to be heavy feeders, therefore they require lots of nutrients to grow well.
Guess what planting Broccoli with eggplant does? It adds more nutrients to the soil for the eggplant to obtain and flourish.
This serves as an additional natural fertilizer to your eggplant which is a welcome bonus for any farmer.
#4. Nasturtium:
Nasturtium is a very attractive flower that can add beauty to your farm alongside your eggplant.
Apart from adding colour to your farmland, these flowers help keep aphids away from your vegetable garden.
It may interest you to know that Nasturtiums are one of the popular companion plants for most plants.
#5. Borage:
Borage is another good companion plant for your eggplant. It helps to attract insects that are beneficial to them. In addition, it keeps away pest worms from your eggplants.
There is nothing as annoying as eating an eggplant infested with worms.
Planting your eggplant alongside Borage helps you prevent this.
#6. Pole beans:
Eggplants basically require a significant amount of nitrogen in the soil for it to thrive well.
This is exactly what planting pole beans together with eggplants does for you.
As a legume plant, pole beans do well to add nitrogen to the soil.
Pole beans help your eggplants by leaching extra nitrogen to the soil.
If you’re looking to plant companion crops with eggplant that can act as a sort of fertilizer, then pole beans are the one for you.
#7. Oregano:
Oregano is that companion plant you need to keep your eggplant away from spider mites, aphids and cabbage moths.
Also, they tend to attract pollinators such as ladybugs and honey bees which are beneficial and valuable to the garden.
Oregano is considered one of the best garden plants.
#8. Spinach:
Another crop to plant with eggplant is Spinach.
This is because they are very compatible and can thrive well alongside each other.
However, there are no other known essential benefits. Nevertheless, be rest assured that there would be no transfer of pests or pathogens.
#9. Mints:
The combination of mints and eggplant provides great companionship.
As a gardener, the best mints to use as companion plants for eggplant are peppermints, spearmints and winter mints.
These mints do a great job in repelling and keeping off pests such as bugs.
#10. Radish:
This is one companion plant that is known to attract flea beetles just like nasturtiums.
They can serve as a trap crop, therefore you can plant them at a safe distance from your eggplant.
They can be used to destroy flea beetles in your garden. However, this is not recommended if you do not know the trap crop method.
Plants You Will Regret Planting With Eggplant.
As much as you’re looking for companion plants to follow through with the benefits of Companion Planting this season, there are crops you should not plant if you’re planting eggplant.
These plants either compete for soil nutrients and space, or they have a toxic nature that can eliminate your desired crop.
That will result in a low harvest as well as poor performance of crops.
Whatever research you want to do, do not plant these plants close to eggplants:
- Corn
- Fennel
- Geraniums.
If you’re intending to get a bountiful eggplant harvest, then do not plant these crops with eggplant.
Frequently Asked Questions About What To Plant With Eggplants.
Why is My Eggplant Not Fruiting?
Eggplants are quite sensitive to temperature, and may not fruit in a very hot atmosphere.
Your eggplant may also stop fruiting if it is stressed.
This is because stress causes blossoms to dry out and fall Without fruits.
Can I Plant Tomatoes and Eggplants Together?
Absolutely!
You can grow tomatoes and eggplants together because brothers are from the nightshade family.
Tomatoes are good companion plants for eggplants and there are benefits in planting them together.
All you need to do is ensure there is enough space and enough compost for each to thrive well.
Can I grow Zucchini together with Eggplant?
No, this is not advisable because both Zucchini and eggplants are heavy feeders.
Therefore they will not make good companion plants as they will surely compete for nutrients and soil space.
You should see the Top 10 Zucchini Companion Plants.
Can I Plant Eggplant In Coffee Grounds?
Used coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, potassium, and magnesium.
Therefore it can serve as fertilizer for eggplants.
Will Eggplants Survive During Winter Seasons?
Eggplants are majorly warm-season vegetables.
Therefore it may tend to slow down during the winter season.
Summary
Eggplants are great vegetable plants to grow in your garden.
They are nutritious and quite easy to grow.
Growing them does not just add beauty to the garden, it also gives you one of the fastest and most bountiful harvests.
To increase your chance of having a great harvest, you need to employ the technique of companion planting and know what plants are best planted with eggplants.
Also do not forget to read this article on How To Prepare The Soil For Planting Vegetables.
It will go a long way for you!!!
