Until last spring, I’d never experimented with growing blueberries in my backyard garden.
When I planted my first bush, I was filled with excitement at the thought of harvesting sweet, plump fruit. But, as the weeks passed, that excitement quickly faded. My once-promising plant began to show signs of distress — yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and absolutely no blooms in sight.
That’s when I turned to my past experiences with companion planting. Reflecting on its success in other parts of my garden, I wondered if the same approach could help my blueberries thrive. To my delight, it worked!
9 Perfect Companion Plants For Happier, Healthier Blueberries
Here are nine perfect companion plants to look into if you want happier, healthier blueberry harvests:
9 – Cranberries
The reason to plant another berry alongside your blueberries is that many berries, like raspberries and cranberries, thrive in the same acidic soil conditions that blueberries prefer, creating a harmonious environment where both can grow without competing for resources.
8 – Garlic
Garlic works well as a companion plant because its strong aroma tends to keep unwanted pests and insects at bay. If you’re dealing with pest issues in the garden or just want to be careful, you can’t really go wrong with pairing garlic with your blueberries.
7 – Strawberries
Strawberries work well as ground cover, helping to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture for blueberries to thrive. They also share a preference for similar growing conditions and their low growth habit will ensure garden space is productively occupied.
6 – Azaleas
Azaleas, like blueberries, prefer soil that’s slightly more on the acidic side. Because these plants grow tall, they can provide shade for your blueberries and protect them from harsh sunlight.
5 – Oregano
Oregano has a naturally strong aroma that helps deter ants, aphids, and other kinds of pests. The herb doesn’t require much space in the garden and can grow close to your blueberry bushes without any problems.
4 – Dandelions
Not only do dandelions add immense beauty and depth to the garden but they can also help break up compacted soil thanks to their deep taproots. Planting them in the same radius as your blueberries will benefit soil health and encourage healthier blueberry bushes.
3 – Thyme
Like basil and other strong herbs, thyme also acts as a natural pest repellent in the garden, especially for aphids that can seriously damage your blueberry bush. This herb grows low near the ground meaning it can also help with maintaining soil moisture and keeping your blueberries hydrated during long watering breaks.
2 – Fennel
Fennel typically attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs that can actually improve the overall garden ecosystem. Beneficial insects feed on harmful ones and drive them out of the garden, creating a safer environment that supports optimal blueberry growth.
1 – Clover
Clovers are known as natural nitrogen fixers. They can enrich the soil for blueberries, supporting better growth and fruiting. They also provide important nutrients without competing for space.
If you have patchy, empty spaces in your garden, clovers can help you cover them up thanks to their low growth and spreading habit. Many gardeners, like myself, use them as ground cover for this exact reason. In fact, I even have clovers growing on my garden fence!
Final Words
Since incorporating the right companion plants, my blueberry bushes have never looked healthier or more vibrant. Their growth is vigorous, fruit is abundant, and my garden feels more alive and productive than ever. Give some plants from the list above a shot for yourself; you’ll see what I mean.
Call it what you want — I call it the magic of companion planting.
