10 Best (and 5 Worst) Companion Plants for Beetroot

I approach gardening as a way to understand how different plants can work together. By practicing companion planting, I’ve seen my garden flourish in ways it never did before

I find that selecting the best Beetroot companion plants makes gardening a lot easier and more productive.

What is Companion Planting?

Best Companion Plants For Beetroot

Let’s take your gardening to the next level with companion planting! I’ll teach you how to strategically pair plants for better health and yield. Together, we’ll create a garden that’s as beautiful as it is productive.

1. Swiss chard

   I’ve found that planting Swiss chard next to my beetroot helps to deter pests that can damage the beetroot.
   I’ve also noticed that the Swiss chard provides some shade for the beetroot, helping to keep the soil cool and moist.
   In my experience, the two plants seem to complement each other well, with the Swiss chard acting as a natural pest repellent for the beetroot.

2. Onions

   Over the years I have found that planting onions with beetroot has been incredibly beneficial. I have noticed that the onions help deter pests that often attack beetroot, such as aphids and beetles. Additionally, the onions act as a natural weed suppressant, keeping the area around the beetroot clear and allowing them to thrive. Lastly, I have observed that the onions provide shade to the beetroot, protecting them from excessive sunlight and helping to maintain moisture in the soil.

3. Garlic

   I first learned about using garlic as a companion plant for beetroot from an old farmer. I have found that planting garlic near my beetroot helps to deter pests such as aphids and beetles, keeping my beetroot plants healthy. Additionally, the strong scent of garlic helps to mask the smell of the beetroot, making it less attractive to pests.

4. Lettuce

   Over time I figured out through trial and error that planting lettuce alongside beetroot is a great idea. I noticed that the lettuce helps to shade the beetroot, keeping it cool and preventing it from bolting. Additionally, the lettuce acts as a living mulch, suppressing weeds and conserving moisture in the soil, which benefits the beetroot’s growth. Lastly, I found that the lettuce attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs, which help control pests that could harm the beetroot.

5. Cabbage

   This is a pretty common pairing! I’ve found that planting beetroot near cabbage has been a great companion for my cabbage plants. The beetroot helps to deter pests that commonly attack cabbage, such as aphids and cabbage worms. Plus, the deep roots of the beetroot help to improve the soil structure, providing a healthier environment for both plants to thrive.



6. Kohlrabi

   This one comes from the book “Carrots love Tomatoes.” I’ve found that planting Kohlrabi alongside Beetroot has been a great companion for my garden. The Kohlrabi helps deter pests that can harm the Beetroot, while also providing some shade to keep the soil cool and moist. Plus, the two plants seem to thrive together, creating a beautiful and harmonious garden bed.

7. Bush beans

   This was a tip from a reader: I’ve found that planting bush beans next to my beetroot helps to improve the soil quality for both plants. I’ve noticed that the bush beans help to fix nitrogen in the soil, which benefits the growth of my beetroot. Plus, the bush beans provide some shade for the beetroot, helping to keep the soil cool and moist. I’ve had great success with this companion planting combination in my own garden.

8. Radishes

   I’ve found that planting radishes close to my beetroot helps to deter pests like beetles and aphids that can damage the beetroot crop.
   I’ve also noticed that the radishes help to break up the soil, making it easier for the beetroot to grow and absorb nutrients.
   In my experience, the radishes also act as a natural weed suppressor, keeping the area around the beetroot clear and allowing them to thrive.

9. Spinach

   Another tip is to plant spinach near your beetroot. I’ve found that spinach helps to deter pests that can damage beetroot plants. Plus, the leafy greens of spinach provide some shade for the beetroot, helping to keep the soil cool and moist. In my experience, planting spinach alongside beetroot has resulted in healthier and more productive beetroot crops.

10. Marigolds

    I’ve found that planting marigolds alongside my beetroot has been really helpful in keeping pests away. The strong scent of the marigolds seems to deter insects and other critters from munching on my beetroot. Plus, the bright flowers add a pop of color to my garden and make it look even more beautiful. Overall, I highly recommend planting marigolds as a companion to your beetroot.

What Not To Plant With Beetroot

Just like there are plants that play well together, there are others that don’t get along. Here are some plants that you’re going to want to avoid putting into close proximity to each other. Most of these aren’t the end of the world if it happens, we only have so much garden space after all, but where it makes sense, keep these in mind.

1. Swiss chard

   This is a mixed bag and sometime it doesn’t seem to impact things, but other times I get the feeling that planting Swiss chard near my beetroot caused the beetroot to have stunted growth and smaller yields. The Swiss chard seemed to be taking up all the nutrients from the soil, leaving the beetroot struggling to grow.

2. Spinach

   Again, depending on the planting times, the beetroot tends to overshadow and crowd out the spinach, making it difficult for the spinach to thrive.

3. Rhubarb

   This also came from Carrots Love Tomatoes. Rhubarb negatively impacts Beetroot because they both compete for nutrients in the soil, leading to stunted growth and reduced yields.

4. Mustard greens

   Another one I’ve heard around is that mustard greens can negatively impact beetroot by competing for nutrients in the soil, potentially stunting its growth.

5. Cabbage

   I’ve heard mixed things on this but beetroot can negatively impact cabbage by competing for nutrients in the soil. Additionally, some studies suggest that beetroot may release certain compounds that can inhibit the growth of cabbage.

What Should You Plant Near Beetroot

In addition to the list below, there are some common plants you likely already have in your garden that I thought you might want to know. These veggies make up much of my garden, so here is what you need to know about companion planting them with Beetroot.

Lettuce and Beetroot Companion Planting

Yes, beetroot is a good companion plant for lettuce in a vegetable garden. They both have similar soil and watering requirements, and beetroot can help deter pests that may harm lettuce. Additionally, beetroot leaves provide shade for lettuce, helping to keep it cool during hot weather.

Carrots and Beetroot Companion Planting

Yes, beetroot is a good companion plant for carrots in a vegetable garden. They both have similar soil and watering requirements, and beetroot helps deter pests that can harm carrots. Additionally, beetroot leaves provide shade for the carrots, preventing them from getting sunburned.

Beans and Beetroot Companion Planting

Beetroot is a good companion plant for beans in a vegetable garden. It helps deter pests like aphids and bean beetles, while also improving the soil with its deep taproot. Additionally, beetroot leaves provide shade for the beans, helping to keep the soil cool and moist.

Tomatoes and Beetroot Companion Planting

Yes, Beetroot is a good companion plant for Tomatoes in a vegetable garden. They both have similar soil and watering requirements, and Beetroot can help deter pests that commonly affect Tomatoes. Additionally, Beetroot leaves provide shade to the soil, helping to retain moisture and prevent weed growth.

Cucumbers and Beetroot Companion Planting

Beetroot is a good companion plant for cucumbers in a vegetable garden. They both have similar soil and water requirements, and beetroot can help deter pests that commonly affect cucumbers. Additionally, beetroot leaves provide shade for the cucumber plants, helping to keep the soil cool and moist.

Zucchini and Beetroot Companion Planting

Beetroot is a good companion plant for zucchini in a vegetable garden. It helps repel pests and attracts beneficial insects. Additionally, beetroot has a shallow root system that won’t compete with zucchini for nutrients.

Peppers and Beetroot Companion Planting

Yes, beetroot is a good companion plant for peppers in a vegetable garden. They both have similar soil and watering requirements, and beetroot can help deter pests that may harm peppers. Additionally, beetroot leaves provide shade for the pepper plants, helping to prevent sunscald.

Peas and Beetroot Companion Planting

Beetroot is a good companion plant for peas in a vegetable garden. They both have similar soil and watering requirements, and beetroot can help deter pests that may harm peas. Additionally, beetroot leaves provide shade for the soil, helping to retain moisture and prevent weed growth.

Radishes and Beetroot Companion Planting

Yes, beetroot is a good companion plant for radishes in a vegetable garden. They both have similar soil and watering requirements, and beetroot can help deter pests that commonly affect radishes. Additionally, the leafy tops of beetroot can provide shade for radishes, helping to prevent them from bolting in hot weather.

Squash and Beetroot Companion Planting

Beetroot is a good companion plant for summer squash in a vegetable garden. It helps deter pests like aphids and beetles, while also improving the soil with its deep taproot. Additionally, beetroot leaves provide shade for the squash plants, helping to keep the soil cool and moist.

Onions and Beetroot Companion Planting

Beetroot is a good companion plant for onions in a vegetable garden. They both have similar soil and water requirements, and beetroot can help deter pests that commonly affect onions. Additionally, beetroot leaves provide shade for the onion bulbs, helping to prevent them from becoming sunburned.

Tips For Companion Planting With Beetroot

Your Turn!

• What have you learned about companion planting for Beetroot?