This guide is great to prevent bugs, but when a problem bug is already part of your ecosystem, you may have to take more drastic measures. See our Guide to Bad Bugs on our website.
- 🟩 Deterrent
- 🟧 Attractor of bad bugs (sacrificial plant)
- 🟪 Attractor of good bugs (beneficials)
- 🟥 Bad combo
| Vegetable | Target Pest(s) | Herb Companion | Flower Companion |
| Tomato | Aphids, whiteflies, hornworms, thrips | 🟩 Basil – hornworms, flies🟩 Garlic – aphids, mites, thrips🟩 Borage – hornworms 🟪Borage – pollinators 🟪 Fennel (border only) – parasitoid wasps | 🟧 Marigold – thrip attractor 🟧 Nasturtium – aphids, whiteflies |
| Peppers | Aphids, thrips, beetles | 🟩 Oregano – generalist🟩 Garlic – aphids, thrips🟪 Fennel (border only) – parasitoid wasps | 🟧 Marigold – thrip attractor 🟪Marigold – soil pest deterrent🟪 Alyssum – hoverfly attractor |
| Cucumber | Cucumber beetles, aphids | 🟧 Dill – predatory insects🟩 Garlic – aphids | 🟧 Nasturtium – aphids, beetles🟧 Marigold – thrip attractor 🟪Marigold nematode deterrent🟩 Tansy – cucumber beetles |
| Squash / Zucchini | Squash bugs, vine borers | 🟩 Mint – squash bugs🟩 Garlic – aphids, beetles 🟩Borage – squash pests🟪 Borage –pollinators | 🟧 Nasturtium – squash bugs🟧 Marigold – thrip attractor🟩 Tansy – squash bugs |
| Cabbage Family (Brassicas) | Cabbage moths, loopers, aphids | 🟩 Thyme – cabbage worms🟩 Garlic – aphids, caterpillars🟪 Fennel (border only) – parasitoid wasps | 🟧 Calendula – aphids🟪 Sweet Alyssum – hoverflies |
| Vegetable | Target Pest(s) | Herb Companion | Flower Companion |
| Carrots | Carrot rust fly | 🟩 Rosemary – rust fly🟩 Onions – rust fly🟩 Marigold – soil pests🟪 Fennel (border only) – parasitoid wasps | 🟪 Cosmos – predatory insects |
| Lettuce | Aphids, slugs, thrips | 🟩 Chervil – slugs🟩 Garlic – aphids, thrips | 🟧 Marigold – thrip attractor🟪 Alyssum – hoverflies |
| Beans | Bean beetles, aphids | 🟩 Summer Savory – bean beetles🟩 Garlic – aphids | 🟧 Marigold – thrip attractor🟧 Nasturtium – aphids |
| Corn | Earworms, aphids | 🟩Dill – predatory wasps🟩 Garlic – aphids🟪 Fennel (border only) – parasitoid wasps | 🟧 Sunflowers – earworms🟪 Cosmos – predatory insects🟧 Tansy – Japanese beetles |
| Potatoes | Colorado potato beetle | 🟩 Catnip – potato beetles🟩 Garlic – generalist | 🟧 Marigold – thrip attractor🟧 Nasturtium – aphids, beetles🟧 Tansy – potato beetles |
| Onions | Onion fly, thrips | 🟩 Chamomile – thrips🟥 Garlic – not recommended (allelopathy) | 🟧 Marigold – thrip attractor🟪 Alyssum – beneficials |
| Garlic | Aphids, mites, beetles | 🟩 Chamomile – growth companion🟥 Onions – not recommended | 🟧 Marigold – thrip attractor🟧 Calendula – aphids |
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