Emily ParkerBy Emily Parker

Updated November 2026

A companion planting chart for vegetables lays out which crops grow well side by side and which ones should be kept apart. By the end of this guide, you will know how to read a chart, build your own version for your beds, and check spacing and timing so your pairings actually work. The chart below covers the most common vegetables, along with the reasons behind each pairing so you can adapt it to your garden.

What a Companion Planting Chart Actually Tells You

A companion planting chart is a reference grid. Crops are listed down one side and across the top, and each cell shows whether two plants are good neighbors, poor neighbors, or neutral. Some charts also note the reason, such as shade, pest deterrence, nitrogen fixing or root depth. Most published charts draw on long-standing gardening practice rather than controlled trials, so treat them as a starting point and watch what happens in your own beds.

Shopping for one? See our guide: 3 Best Companion Planting Books for Vegetable Gardeners (2026).

Good charts usually cover three kinds of relationships. The first is competition: two heavy feeders with similar root zones fight for nitrogen and water. The second is pest and disease interaction, where one plant repels or confuses an insect that targets another. The third is physical fit, meaning height, shade and vining habit. A chart that only lists “good” and “bad” without these reasons is harder to use when you need to make a call on an unusual layout.

Step-by-Step: Building Your Own Chart for Vegetables

You can start with a published chart and then customize it for your climate, bed style and the crops you actually grow. Work through these steps in order.

  1. List the crops you plan to grow this season. Limit the list to 12 to 15 vegetables at first. A smaller list is easier to check.
  2. Sort each crop by feeding level. Heavy feeders include tomatoes, corn, squash, cabbage and brassicas. Medium feeders include peppers, eggplant, cucumbers and lettuce. Light feeders include beans and peas, which fix nitrogen, plus root crops like carrots and radishes.
  3. Note mature height and spread. Tall plants like pole beans and corn shade lower crops. Sprawling plants like winter squash need several feet of room.
  4. Mark known pairings and clashes. Use a three-color system: green for good neighbors, red for keep-apart pairs, and gray for neutral. Add a short reason beside each red or green cell.
  5. Test the chart against your bed layout. Sketch the bed on graph paper at your actual dimensions and check whether the pairings you want can physically fit.
  6. Revise after each season. Note which pairings succeeded, which had pest or yield problems, and update the chart.

Tools and Supplies You Will Need

  • Graph paper or a simple spreadsheet for the grid
  • Colored pencils or highlighters for the three-color system
  • A tape measure to confirm bed dimensions and spacing
  • Plant tags or a garden journal to record outcomes
  • A printed copy of the chart taped inside your shed or to a clipboard

Sample Companion Planting Chart for Common Vegetables

The table below summarizes widely cited pairings. It is organized for quick reference rather than as a complete scientific record.

Crop Good Neighbors Keep Apart Notes
Tomatoes Basil, carrots, parsley, onions Potatoes, fennel, brassicas Potatoes share blight risk; fennel stunts many crops
Corn Pole beans, squash, cucumbers Tomatoes (shared pests) Beans add nitrogen; squash shades weeds
Pole beans Corn, radishes, cucumbers Onions, garlic, leeks Alliums can slow bean growth
Carrots Onions, leeks, peas, lettuce Dill, parsnips Onion scent may deter carrot fly
Cucumbers Beans, corn, radishes, peas Potatoes, sage Radishes may deter cucumber beetles
Peppers Basil, carrots, onions Fennel, kohlrabi Basil is a common companion in mixed beds
Lettuce Carrots, radishes, strawberries Cabbage family in close quarters Tall-growing neighbors can shade lettuce
Cabbage Dill, thyme, onions, beets Strawberries, tomatoes, pole beans Strong herb scents may deter cabbage moths

For a more detailed grid covering more crops, see Free Companion Planting Chart for Vegetables: A Step-by-Step Guide (2026). If you are working with a set of pairings, Companion Vegetable Planting Guide Chart: Pairings, Spacing and Pitfalls (2026) goes deeper on spacing.

Applying the Chart to Your Beds and Containers

Raised Beds and In-Ground Plots

In a 4-by-8-foot raised bed, you can apply the chart by grouping crops in blocks rather than mixing single plants everywhere. Put a tall crop like pole beans on the north edge so it does not shade the rest. Keep heavy feeders in one half and light feeders in the other, then rotate the groupings next season. For a layout example, see Raised Bed Garden Layout Companion Planting: A Step-by-Step Guide and Companion Planting 4×8 Raised Bed Vegetable Garden Layout: A Practical Guide (2026).

Containers

Containers limit root space, so pairing matters more. A 10-gallon pot can handle one tomato with a basil plant at the edge, but two large plants will compete for water. The pairings in Container Companion Planting Chart: 8 Pairings That Work (2026) are written with those space limits in mind.

Timing and Spacing

A good pairing fails if the plants mature at very different times or need different spacing. Plant fast crops like radishes between slower ones such as tomatoes, and harvest them before the neighbor fills in. Use the spacing guidelines on each seed packet as your baseline, then adjust for interplanting. Tomato plants spaced 24 to 36 inches apart leave room for shorter herbs and lettuce in the gaps.

Common Mistakes

  • Treating the chart as a rulebook. A chart shows tendencies. Soil, sun and climate can change the result.
  • Overcrowding for the sake of pairings. Companion plants still need their own space. Crowded beds increase disease.
  • Ignoring shade. A tall neighbor that is a good companion in a cool region can shade out a sun-loving crop in a hot one.
  • Planting alliums next to beans or peas. Onions, garlic and leeks are frequently listed as poor neighbors for legumes.
  • Never recording results. Without notes, you cannot tell which pairings helped you.

Tips for Getting the Most from Your Chart

FAQ

What is a companion planting chart for vegetables?

It is a reference grid showing which vegetables grow well together and which should be kept apart, often with reasons such as pest control, shade or nutrient needs.

Are companion planting charts scientifically proven?

Many pairings come from long-standing gardening practice and some have been studied, but results vary. Treat the chart as a guide and track your own outcomes.

Which vegetables are the best companions for tomatoes?

Basil, carrots, parsley and onions are commonly listed as good neighbors. Keep tomatoes away from potatoes and fennel.

Can I use a companion planting chart in containers?

Yes, but limit each pot to plants that fit its volume. Container pairings need closer attention to water and root space.

Why shouldn’t onions go near beans?

Alliums are often listed as poor neighbors for beans and peas, and the reason is commonly given as slowed legume growth, though results vary by garden.

How often should I update my chart?

Review it after each growing season. Record which pairings succeeded or failed and adjust for the next year.

Do I need a chart if I have a small garden?

A chart helps even in small gardens, since space is tight and pairings can make a bigger difference per square foot.

Conclusion

A companion planting chart for vegetables is most useful when you treat it as a working tool. Start with a short list of crops, check spacing and height against your actual beds, and record what happens each season. Over time your own chart will be more reliable than any printed version.

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Emily Parker

About Emily Parker

Emily Parker is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our vegetable & edible gardening guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.