10 Best (and 5 Worst) Companion Plants for Yams

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

Selecting the best Yams companion plants is key to a productive garden. Knowing what to plant next to Yams and what to plant between Yams can protect your crops from pests and diseases. Consider plants that protect Yams to maintain a healthy and thriving garden.

What is Companion Planting?

Best Companion Plants For Yams

Ready to dive into companion planting? I’ll guide you step by step, showing you how to pair plants for the best results. Let’s work together to make your garden a vibrant and productive place.

1. Beans

   I’ve found that planting beans alongside yams has been incredibly beneficial. The beans help to fix nitrogen in the soil, which provides essential nutrients for the yams to thrive.  Overall, I’ve had great success with this companion planting combination.

2. Sweet potatoes

   Over the years, I have found that planting yams with sweet potatoes has been incredibly beneficial. I have noticed that yams help to suppress weeds, keeping the soil around the sweet potatoes clean and free from competition. Additionally, yams act as a natural ground cover, providing shade and moisture retention for the sweet potatoes, which thrive in these conditions. Lastly, I have observed that yams attract beneficial insects, such as pollinators, which ultimately enhance the overall health and yield of the sweet potato plants.

3. Okra

   I first learned about the benefits of planting okra alongside yams from an old farmer. I have found that okra helps to deter pests that can damage yams, such as nematodes and aphids. Additionally, the tall and bushy nature of okra provides shade and helps to retain moisture in the soil, which is beneficial for the growth of yams. Lastly, the deep root system of okra helps to improve soil structure and nutrient uptake, creating a healthier environment for yams to thrive.

4. Corn

   Over time I figured out through trial and error that planting yams alongside corn has been a great companion for my corn plants. The yams help suppress weeds around the corn, making it easier for me to maintain the garden. Additionally, the yams’ sprawling vines provide shade and act as a natural mulch, helping to conserve moisture for the corn plants.

5. Cucumbers

   This is a pretty common pairing in my garden because yams provide ground cover and help retain moisture, which is great for cucumbers that need consistent watering. I’ve found that yams also help suppress weeds, which can compete with cucumbers for nutrients and sunlight. Plus, the sprawling nature of yams helps create a natural mulch that keeps the soil cool and protects the cucumber roots.

6. Squash

   This one comes from the book “Carrots love Tomatoes.” I have found that planting yams alongside squash has been a great companion for my squash plants. The yams help to deter pests that commonly attack squash, such as squash bugs and vine borers. Additionally, the sprawling vines of the squash provide shade for the yams, helping to keep the soil cool and moist. Overall, I have seen healthier and more productive squash plants when I plant them alongside yams.

7. Tomatoes

   This was a tip from a reader: Yams are a great companion plant for tomatoes, as I have personally experienced. Firstly, yams help suppress weeds around tomato plants, making it easier to maintain a clean and tidy garden. Secondly, yams have deep roots that help improve soil structure, allowing tomatoes to access nutrients more easily. Lastly, yams provide shade to the soil, which helps to keep the roots of tomato plants cool during hot summer days.

8. Peppers

   I’ve found that planting yams close to peppers has been a great companion for my pepper plants. The yams help to provide shade and create a microclimate that keeps the peppers cool during hot summer days. Additionally, the yams’ sprawling vines act as a natural mulch, suppressing weeds and conserving moisture for both plants.

9. Marigolds

   Another tip is to plant marigolds alongside yams. I have found that marigolds help to repel pests that can damage yams, such as nematodes and aphids. Additionally, marigolds attract beneficial insects like ladybugs, which can help control any pests that do manage to find their way to the yams. In my experience, planting marigolds with yams has resulted in healthier and more productive yam plants.

10. Sunflowers

    I’ve found that planting sunflowers near yams has been mutually beneficial. The tall sunflowers provide shade for the yams, helping to keep the soil cool and moist. Additionally, the sunflowers attract beneficial insects that help to pollinate the yams, resulting in a higher yield.

What Not To Plant With Yams

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 in 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. Potatoes

   I learned this the hard way: planting yams next to potatoes can negatively impact their growth. The yams tend to spread aggressively and compete for nutrients, resulting in smaller and less productive potato plants.

2. Sweet potatoes

   This one came from my neighbor. He noticed that planting yams next to sweet potatoes can negatively impact their growth. The yams tend to compete for nutrients and space, which can stunt the growth of sweet potatoes.

3. Tomatoes

   This also came from “Carrots Love Tomatoes”. Yams negatively impact tomatoes because they release chemicals that inhibit their growth.

4. Cucumbers

   Another one I’ve heard around is that yams negatively impact cucumbers because they release chemicals that can inhibit the growth of cucumber plants.

5. Squash

   I’ve heard mixed things about this, but yams can negatively impact squash by competing for nutrients and sunlight, potentially stunting the squash plant’s growth.

What Should You Plant Near Yams

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 Yams.

Lettuce and Yams Companion Planting

Yams are not a good companion plant for lettuce in a vegetable garden. They have different growth requirements and can compete for resources, such as water and nutrients. It’s best to keep them separate to ensure optimal growth and yield for both plants.

Carrots and Yams Companion Planting

Yams are not a good companion plant for carrots in a vegetable garden. They have different growth requirements and can compete for nutrients and space, potentially affecting the growth and yield of both plants. To ensure optimal growth for both crops, it’s best to avoid planting yams alongside carrots.

Beans and Yams Companion Planting

Yams are a good companion plant for beans in a vegetable garden. The beans help to fix nitrogen in the soil, which provides essential nutrients for the yams to thrive.

Tomatoes and Yams Companion Planting

Yams are a good companion plant for tomatoes. Yams help suppress weeds around tomato plants, making it easier to maintain a clean and tidy garden. Plus, yams have deep roots that help improve soil structure, allowing tomatoes to access nutrients more easily.

Cucumbers and Yams Companion Planting

Yes, yams are a good companion plant for cucumbers in a vegetable garden. They help suppress weeds and improve soil structure, which can benefit cucumber growth. Additionally, yams have a different root depth and growth habit than cucumbers, allowing them to coexist without competing for resources.

Zucchini and Yams Companion Planting

Yams are not a good companion plant for zucchini in a vegetable garden. They have different growth habits and nutrient requirements, which can lead to competition for resources. Additionally, yams can spread and take up space, potentially crowding out the zucchini plants.

Peppers and Yams Companion Planting

Yams are a good companion plant for peppers in a vegetable garden. They help provide shade and create a microclimate that keeps the peppers cool during hot summer days. Additionally, the yams’ sprawling vines act as natural mulch, suppressing weeds and conserving moisture for both plants.

Peas and Yams Companion Planting

Yams are not a good companion plant for peas in a vegetable garden. They have different growth habits and nutrient requirements, which can compete for resources and hinder each other’s growth. To ensure optimal growth for both plants, it’s best to avoid planting yams alongside peas.

Radishes and Yams Companion Planting

Yams are not a good companion plant for radishes in a vegetable garden. Yams require a lot of space and can shade out smaller plants like radishes. Additionally, yams have different nutrient needs than radishes, which can lead to competition for resources.

Squash and Yams Companion Planting

Yams are a good companion plant for summer squash in a vegetable garden. They help deter pests that commonly attack squash, such as squash bugs and vine borers. Additionally, the squash’s sprawling vines provide shade for the yams, helping to keep the soil cool and moist.

Onions and Yams Companion Planting

Yams are not a good companion plant for onions in a vegetable garden. They have different growth requirements and can compete for nutrients and space. It’s best to keep them separate to ensure the optimal growth of both plants.

Tips For Companion Planting With Yams

Your Turn!

• What have you learned about companion planting for Yams?