9 Companion Plants That Boost Cucumber Growth & Keep Pests Away

To anyone new here, I’m a huge advocate of companion planting! 

And, it isn’t because I’m pushing some kind of agenda or new movement. It’s just one of those “tricks”, as many gardeners call it, that truly worked for me and brought positive changes to my garden. 

In this article, we’ll be going over 9 companion plants that boost cucumber growth and keep pests away at the same time. 

9 Companion Plants for Cucumbers

1: Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums, as some of you might already know, are planted as trap crops in close proximity to your main crops. Not only do they work, but they work incredibly well! 

As pests like aphids, beetles, and whiteflies come to attack your main crops, they’re distracted by the nasturtiums, allowing the main crops to grow undisturbed. 

2: Marigolds

Marigolds deter nematodes and pests, helping cucumbers grow bigger and stronger. This vibrant flowering plant releases certain chemicals/compounds in the air that confuse these pests and keep them at bay. 

3: Radishes

Like nasturtiums, radishes too work quite effectively as trap crops. They lure pests away from your precious cucumber patch so that they can develop juicy, whole fruit without hindrance.

Cucumbers and radishes are also compatible together and share similar growing requirements, making them even better companion plants in the garden. 

4: Dill

Dill actually does something pretty unique in the garden. It attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs, mealybugs, and predatory wasps that prey on cucumber pests.

These beneficial insects also indirectly improve your garden’s overall ecosystem leading to the suppression of pest-related chaos and disruption. 

5: Basil

As much as I love basil for the fragrant aroma it adds to the garden, it also works wonders as a companion plant for cucumbers. Pairing these two together means your cucumbers will develop a much better and sharper flavor profile as well as remain safe from mosquitoes and flies which is a common issue cucumber growers face. 

6: Beans

As many of you may already know, beans are nitrogen-fixing and they do tend to fix nitrogen in the soil that may directly or indirectly benefit the crops around them. In the case of beans and cucumbers, beans can fix nitrogen in the soil for cucumbers to thrive and produce delicious yields for you. 

7: Lettuce

Although quite bland and green-tasting, this common leafy green provides natural ground cover in the garden if planted in large enough quantities. Pairing it with cucumbers will help keep the soil cool and retain moisture which cucumbers benefit from. 

8: Sunflowers

Because of their excellent vertical growth, sunflowers act as natural trellises for cucumbers to climb. If your sunflower stems aren’t sturdy enough to support such heavy climbers, simply add a stake for better structure. 

Sunflowers also attract pollinators due to their rich, vibrant colors, meaning they help cucumbers with pollination as well which only further establishes them as a meaningful companion. 

9: Oregano

I’ve been talking about the polarizing aroma of oregano in many of my articles lately. I don’t think it’s unpleasant; just incredibly strong to my nose. I’ve grown oregano quite a few times in my life, and every time I do, pests and mosquitoes are nowhere to be found in my garden. 

If you want to keep your cucumbers safe from aphids, spider mites, cucumber beetles, and other harmful pests and insects, just plant oregano nearby and everything will be taken care of. 

Conclusion

Pairing plants and herbs is my new favorite time-pass activity. I can tell you at least 10 more plants that would go well alongside cucumbers but since I had to keep this list short, these are all you’re going to get for today. 

Happy planting!