Aubergines are also known by the name of eggplants are an essential part of the summer garden. With their shiny, purple skins, and their delicious taste they are a favorite among people who garden at home and food lovers alike. However, like other vegetables, aubergines are difficult to grow if don’t provide them with the right conditions. This is where the concept of companion planting comes into.
Companion planting is an age-old gardening method of putting plants in a group to help each other. Certain plants increase soil nutrients, while other plants can repel insects or draw pollinators. If chosen with care, companion plants will increase yields, enhance the health of your plants, and make gardening more environmentally sustainable.
This guide will help you identify the most effective and least effective companion plants for aubergines covering practical designs, crop rotation strategies as well as expert advice for maximising the harvest you can get.
Benefits of Companion Planting for Aubergines
Companion planting has many advantages apart from saving the space you have in your yard. Particularly for aubergines they offer the following significant benefits:
1. Improved Soil Fertility
- Legumes such as beans and peas help to fix nitrogen in the soil, which helps the heavy feeders such as aubergines to thrive.
- Green leafy vegetables like lettuce are a good source of “living mulch,” protecting soil moisture.
2. Pest Control
- Marigolds are aphid and nematode repellents.
- Herbs like basil and thyme can confuse pests due to their strong fragrance.
3. Pollinator Attraction
- Calendula and nasturtium flowers are attractive to bees, and boost the production of fruit and pollination by aubergines.
4. Microclimate Benefits
- Plants with tall heights like Jerusalem artichokes or corn provide a soft shade for aubergines in hot climates.
5. Sustainable Gardening
Companion planting can reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, making a more natural and sustainable garden ecosystem.
Best Companion Plants for Aubergines
Foods that go well with Aubergines
- Beans: Fix nutrients in your soil and increase fertility.
- Lettuce and Spinach provide a ground protection and help keep it cool.
- Radishes grow quickly to deter pests and help loosen soil.
- The cabbage family (kale broccoli, kale, and cauliflower) Their growth cycle is in sync with aubergines.
- Turnips Improve the structure of soil and maturity timing works well with aubergines.
Herbs as Companions
- Basil – Repels mosquitoes and flies while enhancing flavor.
- Thyme – Defeats whiteflies and draws pollinators.
- Tarragon is a great herb that helps to increase the growth of crops in close proximity thanks to the aromatic oils.
- Parsley and Dill – Attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs and Lacewings.
Flowers to Support Aubergines
- Marigolds – Guard against Aphids and nematodes.
- Nasturtiums act as trap crops, and lure bugs away from aubergines.
- Calendula attracts pollinators and beneficial insects.
Bad Companion Plants to Avoid
While certain plants can assist aubergines to thrive, other are more harmful than beneficial:
- Tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes – All belong to the nightshade group and are all susceptible to diseases like verticillium wilt and verticillium blight.
- Peas compete with aubergines for water and nutrients.
- Beets – Their robust root systems compete with soil resources.
- It is also known as Zucchini as well as Cucumbers can attract insects like cucumber beetles.
- Raspberries – They can transmit infection with fungal spores to aubergines.
- Sunflowers secrete allopathic chemicals that hinder aubergine growth.
Tip: If you need to plant nightshades (like tomatoes and aubergines) in the same space Separate the two plants by a minimum of two years during the cycle of cycle to prevent soil-borne illnesses.
Companion Planting Herbs and Flowers
The flowers and herbs of your garden are not just a way to repel pests, but enhance the diversity of your garden.
- Basil and Aubergine: Basil is a natural insecticide that can ward off spider mites and improves the flavor of fruits.
- Thyme and Aubergine a strong fragrant thyme odors confuse pests.
- Marigolds and Aubergine A classic pair to control pests organically.
- Nasturtiums and Aubergine: Excellent trap crops to keep flea beetles out.
The result is a natural balanced garden that is pest managed without the use of chemicals.
Crop Rotation and Succession Planting
Good Pre-Crops (before aubergines)
- Lettuce and radishes, as well as spinach – Quick cultivators that leave the soil in good shape.
- Legumes (peas beans, peas) can enrich soils with nitrogen.
Good Follow-Up Crops (after aubergines)
- Garlic and spinach Use the any remaining nutrients.
- Winter lettuce is a perennial plant that can thrive in cooler soil after the aubergines have been picked.
- Green manure (clover and the rye) helps to improve fertile soils naturally.
Avoid planting aubergines following potatoes, tomatoes, or peppers due to the shared health risks.
Planting Plans and Layout Ideas
Raised Bed Layout
- Center row of aubergines alternately marigolds and basil between them.
- Side rows of spinach or lettuce to provide the ground cover.
- Lined borders with nasturtiums are used to keep pests out.
Row Planting Layout
- Aubergines are planted in a single row, with beans along one end (for fixing nitrogen) with cabbages and beans on the opposite.
- A few companion herbs include thyme or basil sprinkled along rows.
Greenhouse Tips
- Combine aubergines and basil for pest control.
- Put marigold flowers within pots, to deter whiteflies.
- Make sure you have adequate ventilation to minimize the chance of getting fungal.
Aubergine Care Tips for Successful Companion Planting
- Soil well-drained, fertile and full of compost.
- The soil should be kept damp, but do not allow it to get too wet.
- Mulching helps retain soil moisture and helps prevent the growth of weeds.
- Fertilizers: Organic compost and liquid feeds rich in potassium.
- Pest Control Rotate the crops and plant them in a row with plants that repel pests.
Case Study: Companion Planting in Action
In a 2×3 meter garden bed:
- Six aubergine plants were planted with marigolds, basil and a few spinach.
- The results: Basil reduced flea beetles and marigolds ward off nematodes. greens covered soil and yields were up by 25% when as compared to monoculture plants.
This illustrates how easy methods of companionship can alter the harvest results.
Quick Reference: Aubergine Companion Planting Table
| Good Companions | Why They Help |
| Beans | Fix nitrogen in soil |
| Lettuce & Spinach | Cover the soil with shade and provide shade |
| Basil | Repels pests, improves flavor |
| Marigolds | To deter nematodes and aphids, use aphid |
| Nasturtiums | Remove pests from aubergines |
| Thyme & Tarragon | Use aroma to confuse pests |
| Bad Companions | Why to Avoid |
| Tomatoes & Peppers | Pests and diseases are shared. |
| Potatoes | Attract Colorado potato beetle |
| Peas | In the race for nutrients, you must compete |
| Pumpkins & Zucchini | Attract beetles and occupy space |
| Sunflowers | Release growth inhibitory chemicals |
FAQs
1. Can aubergines be grown alongside tomatoes?
It is not recommended, as both are nightshades, and they could be a source of Blight.
2. What herbs work best for aubergines?
Thyme, basil and tarragon are the top options for controlling pests and flavor improvement.
3. What flowers shield aubergines from insects?
Marigolds, nasturtiums and calendula are great companions.
4. Are aubergines able to be grown in pots along with other plants?
Yes you can pair potted aubergines with marigolds or basil to control pests.
5. How far from each other should aubergines and their relatives be placed?
Space aubergines 45-60cm apart. Likewise, companion plants such as basil may be planted between them with a 30cm space.
Conclusion
Aubergines thrive when they are supported by the right kind of neighbors. By combining them with nitrogen-fixing beans, pest-repelling herbs, and pollinator-attracting flowers, you can grow healthier plants and enjoy larger harvests. Avoid using them in conjunction with nightshades and heavy feeders in order to reduce the risk of diseases and compete.
By utilizing smart cultivars, companion planting with crop rotation, plant layouts Your aubergine patch could turn into among the best-performing zones in your garden.
Also check : Vegetable Yield Calculator