10 Best (and 5 Worst) Companion Plants for Black Beans

I think of gardening as a way to understand the relationships between plants, not just planting them. I use companion planting extensively to help my garden grow healthier and more plentiful.

What is Companion Planting?

Best Companion Plants For Black Beans

Join me as we explore the benefits of companion planting. I’ll guide you through setting up your garden for success, sharing personal tips and strategies that have really made a difference in my own space.

1. Corn

   I’ve found that planting black beans alongside corn has been a great companion planting strategy. The black beans help to fix nitrogen in the soil, which benefits the corn by providing it with a nutrient boost. Additionally, the tall corn stalks provide a natural trellis for the black beans to climb, saving me the trouble of setting up supports. Overall, I’ve had great success with this combination in my garden.

2. Squash

   Over the years, I have found that planting black beans with squash has been incredibly beneficial. I have noticed that the black beans help to deter pests that often attack squash plants, such as aphids and cucumber beetles. Additionally, the black beans provide a natural source of nitrogen to the soil, which helps to promote healthy growth in the squash plants. Lastly, I have observed that the sprawling nature of the squash vines helps to provide shade and protection for the black bean plants, creating a mutually beneficial environment for both plants to thrive.

3. Cucumber

   I first learned about this from an old farmer who told me that planting black beans next to my cucumbers would help improve the soil quality. You’re going to hear me say this a lot in this article, but I’ve found that the black beans help to fix nitrogen in the soil, which in turn benefits the growth of my cucumbers. Plus, the tall, vine-like nature of the black beans provides a natural trellis for the cucumber plants to climb, saving me the trouble of setting up a separate support system.

4. Tomato

   Over time I figured out through trial and error that planting black beans alongside tomatoes is a great idea. The tall and bushy nature of the black bean plants provides shade and support for the tomato plants, preventing them from getting damaged by strong winds.

5. Peppers

   This is a pretty common pairing! I’ve found that planting black beans near peppers has been a great way to support the growth of both plants. The black beans help to fix nitrogen in the soil, which provides a nutrient boost for the peppers.



6. Carrots

   This one comes from the book “Carrots love Tomatoes.” I have personally found that planting black beans alongside carrots has been a great companion planting strategy. The tall and bushy nature of the black bean plants provides shade and acts as a natural weed suppressor, helping to keep the carrot bed weed-free.

7. Radishes

   This was a tip from a reader: I have found that planting black beans by my radishes has been a great companion planting strategy in my garden. They operate at two different level of height so they don’t mess with each other and the radishes can open up the soils for better air infiltration.

8. Marigolds

   I’ve found that planting marigolds close to black beans has been incredibly beneficial. The marigolds attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings, which help control pests that can damage the black bean plants. Additionally, the marigolds act as a natural weed suppressant, keeping the area around the black beans clear and reducing competition for nutrients. Lastly, the vibrant colors of the marigolds add a beautiful touch to the garden, creating a visually appealing and enjoyable space.

9. Sunflowers

   Another tip is to plant sunflowers as a companion for black beans. I have found that sunflowers provide shade and support for the black bean plants, helping them grow tall and strong. In my experience, the sunflowers also attract beneficial insects that help control pests, creating a healthier environment for the black beans. Additionally, the sunflowers’ deep roots help improve soil structure and nutrient availability, benefiting the growth of black beans.

10. Basil

    I’ve  noticed that the aroma of basil seems to attract beneficial insects that help to pollinate the black bean flowers.

What Not To Plant With Black Beans

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. Fennel

   I learned this the hard way – planting black beans near fennel can negatively impact the fennel’s growth and flavor. The fennel release chemicals that can stunt the fennel’s growth and affect its taste.

2. Garlic

   This one came from my neighbor, and I’ve noticed that planting black beans near garlic tends to stunt the growth of the garlic plants.

3. Onion

   This also came from Carrots Love Tomatoes. Black Beans negatively impact Onions because they release chemicals that inhibit the growth of Onions.

4. Chives

   Another one I’ve heard around is that black beans can negatively impact chives by competing for nutrients in the soil, which can stunt the growth of the chives. This is the same reason with garlic and onions, being in the alums family.

5. Leeks

   I’ve heard mixed things on this, but black beans can negatively impact leeks by competing for nutrients in the soil, but I’m guessing its a similar dynamic as the ones above.

What Should You Plant Near Black Beans

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 Black Beans.

Lettuce and Black Beans Companion Planting

Black beans are a good companion plant for lettuce in a vegetable garden. They help improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen, which is beneficial for lettuce growth. Additionally, the tall bean plants provide shade for the lettuce, helping to keep it cool during hot weather.

Carrots and Black Beans Companion Planting

Black beans are a good companion plant for carrots in a vegetable garden. They help improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen, which benefits the growth of carrots. Additionally, the tall bean plants provide shade for the carrots, helping to keep the soil cool and moist.

Tomatoes and Black Beans Companion Planting

Black Beans are a good companion plant for Tomatoes in a vegetable garden. They help improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen, which benefits the tomatoes. Additionally, the tall bean plants can provide shade for the tomato plants, helping to protect them from excessive heat.

Cucumbers and Black Beans Companion Planting

Black beans are a good companion plant for cucumbers in a vegetable garden. They help improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen, which benefits the cucumbers. Additionally, the tall bean plants can provide shade for the cucumber vines, helping to keep them cool during hot summer days.

Zucchini and Black Beans Companion Planting

Black beans are a great companion plant for zucchini in a vegetable garden. They help fix nitrogen in the soil, which is beneficial for zucchini growth. Additionally, they can help deter pests and attract beneficial insects.

Peppers and Black Beans Companion Planting

Black beans are a good companion plant for peppers in a vegetable garden. They help to improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen, which benefits the peppers. Additionally, the tall bean plants can provide shade for the pepper plants, helping to protect them from excessive heat or sun.

Peas and Black Beans Companion Planting

Yes, black beans are a good companion plant for peas in a vegetable garden. They are both nitrogen-fixing plants, which means they can help improve the soil for each other.  Just make sure they each have their own trellis if they’re climbing, so they don’t compete too much

Radishes and Black Beans Companion Planting

Yes, black beans are a good companion plant for radishes in a vegetable garden. They help to fix nitrogen in the soil, which can benefit the growth of radishes. Additionally, their tall, bushy growth can provide shade and protection for the radishes.

Squash and Black Beans Companion Planting

Yes, black beans are a good companion plant for summer squash. They help improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen and also provide shade for the squash plants. This can result in healthier and more productive summer squash in the vegetable garden.

Onions and Black Beans Companion Planting

This is more beneficial for the onions, but their scent and natural chemicals might inhibit black beans. Beans will fix nitrogen in the soil, which benefits the growth of onions.

Tips For Companion Planting With Black Beans

Your Turn!

• What have you learned about companion planting for Black Beans?