So , you want to grow some companion plants with your eggplant .
Did you know that companion planting , when decent done , benefits both plant in a harmonious , symbiotic kinship ?
This means that both your brinjal and the partner plant will benefit together .
This can develop larger crop , offer pest protection , put more nutrient in the soil , raise NPK , offer tincture from the sun , or “ grow each other ” in other ways .
In other words , they help each other out just from being planted next to each other . They ’ll produce more yield and grow bigger and salubrious than if constitute on an individual basis .
Is n’t that neat ?
Thevenerable eggplanthas a caboodle of different herbaceous plant , spice , vegetables , and some fruits that can be planted with it .
Let ’s dive in and see which plant eggplant can be implant with .
Guide Contents
What’s companion planting?
Companion planting is the act of simply grouping one or more dissimilar plant species together so they profit as a whole rather than severally . The whole is bang-up than the essence of its parts . countenance that settle in .
In other less - philosophic watchword , companion planting allow you to maturate multiple plants and integrate them together while they do good each other .
It ’s a scientific discipline and an art to equilibrise the ecosystem and benefit all organisms .
Some of the known benefits of comrade planting let in :
Some multitude group by eccentric of plant , like only planting vegetables together , fruits , or herbs together . Others mix it up and put unlike type of veggies with different types of herbs or fruit .
Just check that that the plants are compatible and benefit each other , rather than one parasitically leaching from the other . If that fits the placard , then you ’re good to go for fellow planting .
In this guide , we ’ll talk about what you may spring up with mad apple to get the most out of all the plant species .
How to companion plant with eggplant
Eggplant ’s master business isnitrogen . They appreciate soil with a mellow N percentage composed of atomic number 19 or phosphate .
This is why every guide you interpret tells you to affix with a atomic number 7 - rich fertilizer , normally record as an NPK of 15 - 5 - 10 .
select a plant that helps benefit the garden egg by adding more nitrogen to the soil . Or select something that aid keep germ away . Or both .
This list will underwrite some of the respectable plants to fellow traveler industrial plant with aubergine so you’re able to find fault and select whatever suits your garden .
Is there anything I should know before I start?
aubergine is n’t a good industrial plant for beginners , so if you ’re growing it while attempt to companion plant , you may have some difficulties raise two coinage at the same time .
I would consider eggplant to be a moderate plant in terms of need . It ’s not extremely hard to care for , but at the same time , it ’s not easy . So if you ’re new to grow eggplant , maybe you should focus your efforts on JUST that .
Eggplant requires a lot of sunlight and is picky with its nutritional profile in the dirt . They also have a strict watering regime and are normally infested with insect .
You ’ll have enough on your hands to handle with so planting two at the same time may be too much feat .
But if you ’re up for the challenge or you ’ve done this before , read on .
What can I companion plant with eggplant?
Eggplant is a various flora that can be grow with a wide variety of other plant life type .
Some benefit from being grown with aubergine more than others . Here we ’ll cover those familiar plants that are well plant together .
Additionally , if you develop legumes or pea plant plants , they grow tall . This may block the sunlight your eggplant needs to flourish , so you ’ll have to keep an eye on out for that .
Put your eggplant in the front of the tall plant in the back in a row so they can get the sunlight they need without blocking it .
Choose nightshade plants
eggplant bush is a nightshade , which makes it the ideal nominee to be plant with other members in the same group .
They all have similar soil requirements , sunlight requirements , pH , tearing , and fertilizer pauperization , so they go paw in bridge player .
At the same clock time , a drawback is that if you get a pest transmission , all of your flora will be overrun . There also may be contender between the plants since they all are similar in their alimentary penury .
But if you allow for enough by using high - quality constitutional ground and affix what ’s postulate ( use a territory meter ) , you may have a secret plan of veggies that all can be treated the same way .
Other nightshade plants that are good companion are tomato plant , potatoes , and peppers .
Tomato
Lycopersicon esculentum do well with brinjal and many dishes call for the same ingredient , so you could reap and grow them together . Watch out for tall or large leaves that block the eggplant from get its cute sunlight .
Potato (select cultivars)
Potato is a versatile crop that is passably much a staple for a lot of recipes . Just be indisputable that the variety you ’re planting does n’t suck up all the nutrients and nitrogen from the territory .
You may have read online that potato is n’t compatible with eggplant , but if you do it right , it ’s utterly hunky-dory .
Be sure to stop the grime ’s nutrient penning often and add plant nutrient or supplements as needed .
Mixing in some eggplant can make your dishes more flavourous . These will serve cool down your plants during the heated day by supply refinement and prevent burning at the stake foliage .
Peppers (most cultivars)
Peppers can be planted with eggplants and the case does n’t weigh .
Grow your preferred blistering peppers or mild pepper . Whatever works . They can also help keep bugs out of your flora bed . Both sweet and hot mixed bag have the same growing necessities and will make good better half plants .
Pepper helps aid the tooth root system by total a chemical that facilitate prevent rot and fungus under the soil .
Just be sure to invariably monitor your grease metrics using a soil meter and test it often . The competition will have small crop yield and plant growth in multiple nightshade species planted together , so keep this in mind .
Also , your soul will deplete over clip and will want to be reseeded with fresh dirt .
So practicecrop rotationwhen necessary ( typically every 1 - 3 growing seasons ) . keep your craw constantly rotated and on a docket will prevent reoccurring pests and filth challenger between nightshade members .
What herbs can I plant with eggplant?
Eggplant can be get with a variety of unlike herb . Herbs are eff for their strong redolent olfactory property and can help repel pestilence naturally or attract pollinator to the plot of land .
herb that can be plant with eggplant include basil , dill , and celery . These are all honorable eggplant companion herbs .
Because of the high sunshine and nitrogen requirements , it does n’t dally well with most herbs which will dissolve in direct sunlight for hour a Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .
Some of the most pop herb to engraft are :
All of these herbs can help hold the insect universe around your eggplant and deter other pests from attacking it .
These are all excellent companion plants to grow in the same plant plot . They do n’t educe or compete for nutrient and will symbiotically do good each other .
Catnip
Catnip has a special exception : Do n’t plant any edible bean or peas next to it , because they ’ll vie for the nutrients into the filth and both become stunted and not reach their full crop yield .
Catnip should be engraft with Solanum melongena and no other legumes nearby . If you have cats , keep an eye on out .
They may abuse over the eggplant sprouts to get to the catnip . practice conducting wire or fencing to prevent them from doing so .
St. Basil the Great and Petroselinum crispum both are also for repelling bug .
Greek oregano
Grecian marjoram will attract overlies , which are a piranha of beetles . This can reduce the Colorado beetle population .
Cilantro
Cilantro also brings innate predators to the yard that eat beetle and can help protect your veg from being eaten by pestilence .
They can be used to repulse pests and keep your garden smelling great .
Lemon balm
Lemon balm is another herbaceous plant that goes well with eggplants . It has a natural citrus fruit smell to keep bugs like snail , slugs , spider , pillbugs , and others out of your flora bed .
Beans and more beans
Bush beans , perch beans , and other legumes add nitrogen to the soil .
Eggplant benefits from this and may even rule out the pauperism for you to add nitrogen fertilizer to the soil if you have enough .
Use a soil meter to keep tabs on the dirt ’s nutritious profile because you do n’t desire too much nitrogen either . This can force your eggplant bush to produce smaller flesh and more leaf instead .
This enriches the soil and helps growth and development for more craw fruit .
Peas and legumes
pea will add together more nitrogen to the grime as they collect it from the air and then put it into the substrate . If your grease is caustic potash fat or naturally miss N , you’re able to plant peas to help oneself fertilise the growing medium .
Lentils
Lentils also can be acquire in the same plot as eggplant and will stimulate atomic number 7 yield in the raise substrate . This can eliminate the demand for any N supplements .
Pea plant can be cut off after their growing time of year so your eggplant can take over the fresh space and deplete the roots as compost .
Pole beans and bush beans
Pole bean also help render a innate “ treillage ” for plant life to climb . Vine plants will get runners that of course enwrap around marvellous object , whether they ’re a plant or not .
Be careful of using pole edible bean around eggplants since the stature of these bonce will predominate over them and maybe block sunlight from reaching your lowriding eggplant .
Bush beans serve repel the infamous Colorado white potato mallet as well .
If you ’re dealing with potato beetles eating your veg , pole beans may help keep these beetles out . Some the great unwashed have trouble with Colorado beetles corrode the foliage of their eggplant . Using pole beans can by nature repel them .
Squash
Squash can be planted within the same game because it benefits from full sun to produce large fruit- just like aubergine .
They both like 6 hours or more of sunshine per day , so both plants can be sun dauntless and imbed together . Just determine out for organic matter because squash is a athirst plant .
Green beans
Green beans are promiscuous and cheesy to grow .
Plus , they ’re extremely profitable by propagating them in your chiliad each growing season . you’re able to use them to aid keep Colorado beetles out of your yard and as a natural pest repelling works .
fleeceable beans can be used in the same recipes as eggplant , likeeggplant string - edible bean flurry fry . See ourguide for propagating bean .
What vegetables can I plant with eggplant?
Here ’s a list of vegetable that pair well with eggplants . They offer similar nutrient profiles , pest tribute , or other symbiotic relationship that benefits both in some way .
Find out what acquire well in your hardiness zone and go for it !
Spinach
Spinach is a leafy viridity that can be used for its long leaf . It ’s one of the best associate plants .
The large leaflets can protect your mad apple from the harsh sunshine on gay daylight over the summer .
The shadowiness it offers is a welfare so your harvest does n’t sunburn in the sun , plus it can aid harbour the soil from melt water so you irrigate less often .
It offers wraith , water supply retentiveness , and also helps keep weed out of the plot . Harvesting both Spinacia oleracea and eggplant together ?
You get a meal , acquaintance .
They have a symbiotic family relationship as spinach plant serve acquire the garden egg and the aubergine render grease equalization for the spinach plant .
Cabbage
Cabbage can be used as a sand trap craw interchangeable to genus Nasturtium as it ’ll lure insect out from your eggplant and they ’ll go right to the leafy green . This work peculiarly well against mallet like the flea beetle .
Chinese cabbage
Taiwanese boodle attract flea beetle and steers them away from eggplants .
They favor the cabbage over the Solanum melongena so it can be used as a decoy plant life to discontinue pest attacks overall .
While not gaudy nor prosperous to grow , it can still be utilized in the garden .
Radish
Radishes are also a “ rad ” choice to companion plant . If you ’re growing in a compact outer space and do n’t have the room for a bunch of destitute plants , Japanese radish takes up very little quad and can be planted together .
Okra
Okra can serve increase N concentration in the grime and has similar watering requirements as eggplant .
you could water , provender , and plant both at the same time in the same berth . Because their want are so exchangeable to each other , you’re able to care for them the same .
Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi is a acerbic leafy green that can be used as a pest repellent . Aphids and lettuce beetle both will delay away from your plot if you use this as a barrier crop .
Plus , it can help oneself shield your eggplant from the scorching sun on blistering days .
Although eggplant does like full sun , it does n’t like sunlight that burns from direct contact all afternoon .
Amaranth
Amaranth remove up the same amount of Solanum melongena , so they can be divided evenly in the same industrial plant layer .
If you ’re looking for something that goes well in standardised acquire conditions to harvest , amaranth can be an excellent comrade . It also helps keep the soil free for drain and rebuff some dirt ball .
Are there any fruits I can set with mad apple ?
How about flowers?
Flowers can do very well with eggplants .
Marigold
Marigold is one of the good unfolding plant to use as a partner because of its born pestilence repelling properties . It also brings a ton of aid from bees and boo to help pollenate beleaguer plants ( and themselves ) .
If you have aphids , ants , flies , or flea beetles run through your aubergine , sample using some marigold to help deter them . The blossom also helps keep nematode worm aside .
Mexican marigold assist keep beetle off but will acquaint perniciousness to the substratum for beans and peas . So watch out for that if you ’re growing multiple beans near your eggplant . Or if you be after to do so in the future .
Borage (oregano)
Borage helps keep beetle larvae and worm forth . It also bring in bee and bird and can be used if you notice worms or caterpillars eat your garden egg .
Less known than its full cousin , but still definitely can be useful around the garden .
Sunflowers
Another honest choice is helianthus . Versatile , easy to turn , and pretty .
sunflower can help bring in some pollinator to your railyard , but do n’t have the pest repelling index of marigolds . They ’ll attract birds to your garden which will eat the beetle that may be present .
Nasturtium
genus Nasturtium can be grown near eggplants to avail as a decoy ( trap harvest ) to tantalise roving dirt ball .
They ’ll be drawn to the genus Nasturtium rather than the garden egg itself . It ’s cheesy , easy to grow , and can be sacrificed to the pests to keep your eggplant producing .
If you have a problem with aphid in your garden , they will gravitate to this plant rather than your eggplant bush .
Use it around the eggplant as a bulwark to keep aphid away . It also helps prevent weeds from sapping the nutrients in the soil from your harvest .
What about mint plants?
stack are very good at repelling blighter and maintain them away from wherever .
Some pile plants that do well with eggplant are peppermint candy , spearmint , and winter mint . These are all exceedingly well-situated to grow and can keep bugs away- including aphid , whiteflies , flea beetle , and more ..
They also use very little water and can work on a drip system .
you’re able to place the mints around the mad apple like a barrier to keep bugs out .
What can I NOT plant with eggplant?
There are some plants you should avoid raise next to garden egg .
They may stunt the increase , increase competitor for nutrients , or even attract negative insects .
Here ’s a inclination of what to fend off :
Further reading
Some extra acknowledgment to help you get the biggest yield of eggplant every season :
Eggplant is a friendly companion plant
Now you sleep with all the industrial plant that can be planted with eggplant .
This veggie can be grown with a bunch of cooperator plants for beneficial , symbiotic growth .
With the wide mixture of industrial plant that are compatible in the same plot of territory , you should be able to find at least a few herb , veggies , or flowers that go well with eggplant .
I took interest into microflora and microgreens before it became mainstream . The idea of growing an entire ecosystem on a tiny scale simply was staggering . That ’s where I discovered that I actually like upraise plants and was n’t as much of a black thumb as I mean . Now , I ’m relaying what I ’ve learned to others who are getting into the pursuit in a room that anyone can understand .
