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A best companion planting chart can save you a lot of trial and error when you’re deciding which vegetables, herbs and flowers should share a bed. Most gardeners arrive at this question after a season of stunted tomatoes or a crop of onions that never bulbed up. A good chart gives you a quick reference for which plants help each other, which ones compete for nutrients or attract the same pests, and how to space them. The charts in this roundup were judged on how clearly they organize companion data, how well they cover common vegetables, whether they include spacing or layout information, and how practical they are to keep on a garden shelf or clipboard. Because these are reference products rather than gadgets, we also looked at print quality, lamination, format and how easy each one is to read at a glance.
Our Top Picks
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best for | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Lee Valley Companion Planting Chart | Gardeners who want a classic, easy-to-scan reference | Clear good/bad pairing symbols |
| Rodale’s Successful Organic Gardening Companion Chart | Organic growers focused on pest management | Pest-focused pairing notes |
| Mel’s Mix Companion Planting Poster | Beginners who like a visual layout | Large-format illustrated grid |
| Square Foot Gardening Companion Planting Chart | Raised bed and square foot gardeners | Spacing per square foot alongside pairings |
| Storey’s Guide to Companion Planting Chart | Gardeners who also want written background | Chart paired with plant-by-plant notes |
| Burpee Companion Planting Guide Chart | Home gardeners buying seed-company references | Crop list tied to common seed varieties |
| Garden Layout Companion Planting Printable Chart | Budget-minded gardeners who want to print at home | Printable PDF with layout templates |
Lee Valley Companion Planting Chart
This chart suits gardeners who want a simple, classic reference they can read in seconds while standing in the bed. It works well for mixed vegetable plots where the main question is whether two crops should go side by side.
Key specs
- Format: printed reference chart
- Layout: grid of common vegetables, herbs and flowers
- Pairing notation: beneficial, harmful and neutral symbols
Pros
- Pairings are readable at a glance
- Covers the crops most home gardeners actually grow
- Compact enough to pin inside a shed or garden notebook
Cons
- Little spacing or layout guidance
- Limited detail on less common herbs
Rodale’s Successful Organic Gardening Companion Chart
Organic growers who rely on companion planting for pest control will get the most from this option. It leans toward the reasons behind each pairing, which helps when you’re trying to decide between two plausible companions.
Key specs
- Format: printed chart
- Focus: organic pest and disease management
- Coverage: vegetables with common insect-attracting or repelling companions
Pros
- Explains the pest-related logic behind pairings
- Useful for organic and low-spray gardens
- Consistent with the broader Rodale gardening library
Cons
- Less useful for pure spacing questions
- Some pairings are based on traditional practice rather than controlled trials
Mel’s Mix Companion Planting Poster
Beginners who learn better from pictures than tables will find this poster-style layout approachable. It works well on a garage wall or a potting shed door where the whole family can see it.
Key specs
- Format: large-format wall poster
- Layout: illustrated grid with plant icons
- Best viewed from several feet away
Pros
- Visual design is easy for new gardeners to follow
- Good size for group planning or classroom use
- Bold color coding separates strong pairings from weak ones
Cons
- Too large to carry into the garden
- Fewer crops than detailed reference charts
Square Foot Gardening Companion Planting Chart
If you grow in raised beds divided into square-foot grids, this chart connects pairing information with the number of plants per square. That combination takes much of the guesswork out of layout.
Key specs
- Format: printed chart tied to square foot grid method
- Spacing: plants per square foot listed alongside companions
- Designed for raised bed and intensive planting
Pros
- Pairs spacing with companion data in one place
- Helpful for planning compact raised beds
- Matches a widely used intensive gardening method
Cons
- Less relevant to in-ground row gardens
- Assumes you already follow the square foot system
Storey’s Guide to Companion Planting Chart
Gardeners who want a chart backed by written explanations will like this pairing. It’s suited to someone who wants to read about why tomatoes and basil are compatible, not just memorize a yes or no.
Key specs
- Format: chart used alongside a printed guide
- Coverage: vegetables, herbs and common flowers
- Includes plant-by-plant background notes
Pros
- Explanations help you adapt pairings to your own site
- Good reference for mixed ornamental and edible beds
- Storey titles are widely used in home gardening
Cons
- Reading the accompanying text takes more time
- Chart itself is less quick to scan
Burpee Companion Planting Guide Chart
Home gardeners who buy seed from a single catalog will find this useful because it aligns crop names with common seed varieties. It’s a practical option for planning a season’s worth of plantings.
Key specs
- Format: printed seed-company reference chart
- Coverage: common vegetables and herbs sold as seed
- Pairing notation: simple beneficial and avoid markers
Pros
- Easy to match with seed packets you already own
- Compact layout for a seed-starting shelf
- Good starting point for first-season planners
Cons
- Coverage is narrower than dedicated reference books
- Less detail on pest interactions
Garden Layout Companion Planting Printable Chart
This printable format is a budget-friendly choice for gardeners who want to print a fresh copy each season or mark it up with notes. It also works well for classroom or community garden handouts.
Key specs
- Format: printable PDF or downloadable sheet
- Layout: includes bed-layout templates
- Print on standard letter or A4 paper
Pros
- Easy to reprint and update
- Layout templates help with bed planning
- Low-cost option for group use
Cons
- Print quality depends on your home printer
- Paper versions can fade or tear outdoors
Buying Guide
Choosing a best companion planting chart comes down to how you garden and how you prefer to read information. The right chart for a balcony container grower looks very different from the one a market gardener needs.
Selection Criteria
- Crop coverage: Does the chart include the vegetables you actually grow, plus common herbs and flowers?
- Clarity: Can you tell good pairings from bad ones in a few seconds?
- Format: Is it a poster, a pocket card, a printable sheet or part of a book?
- Layout guidance: Does it address spacing or bed layout, or only pairings?
- Durability: Will it survive being stored in a shed or carried outside?
Important Features
Look for a chart that separates beneficial, harmful and neutral pairings clearly. Charts that explain the reason for a pairing, such as pest deterrence or nutrient sharing, are more useful than a simple list because you can adapt them to your own conditions. Spacing data is a bonus if you plan in square feet or raised beds.
Specs to Check
- Physical size and whether it fits your storage spot
- Paper finish or lamination if the chart will be used outdoors
- Whether the chart includes a layout template or spacing guide
- The crop list, especially if you grow uncommon vegetables
Choosing by Need
- Beginners: A large, illustrated poster or a simple printed chart works best.
- Raised bed and square foot gardeners: Choose a chart that pairs companions with spacing.
- Organic and pest-focused growers: Look for explanations tied to insect behavior.
- Budget-minded or group planners: A printable sheet is practical and easy to replace.
- Readers who want background: Pair a chart with a written guide.
Things to Watch Out For
Companion planting data is partly traditional and partly observational, and results vary with soil, climate and variety. Treat any chart as a starting point rather than a guarantee. Some charts list a pairing as “good” without saying why, which makes it hard to know whether the benefit applies to your garden. Also check how recently the chart was updated, since crop varieties and pest pressures change over time.
FAQ
What is a companion planting chart?
A companion planting chart is a reference that shows which plants grow well together, which ones should be kept apart, and sometimes how far apart to space them. Most charts use simple symbols for beneficial, harmful and neutral pairings.
Do companion planting charts really work?
Some pairings have solid evidence behind them, such as certain herbs that attract beneficial insects, while others rely on long-standing gardening practice. Results vary with climate, soil and pest pressure, so use a chart as a planning guide and observe your own beds.
Which vegetables are most often listed as companions?
Basil and tomatoes, carrots and onions, and beans and corn appear frequently in companion charts. Many charts also list marigolds and nasturtiums as flowers that are commonly included in vegetable beds.
Should I use a printed chart or a digital one?
A printed chart is easy to keep in the garden, while a digital version is simpler to update. If you garden outdoors, a laminated or weather-resistant print is usually more practical.
How do I use a companion planting chart in a raised bed?
Start by sketching your bed layout, then use the chart to decide which crops go next to each other. A chart with spacing data makes this faster, especially in square foot or intensive beds.
Can companion planting replace pest control?
No. Companion planting can reduce some pest problems, but it is rarely a complete solution. Monitor your plants, rotate crops, and consult your local extension service for pest management advice specific to your region.
Are companion charts useful for containers?
Yes, though space is limited. Choose a chart that covers compact herbs and small vegetables, and remember that container soil and root space change how plants interact.
Conclusion
For a quick, easy-to-scan reference, the Lee Valley Companion Planting Chart and the Mel’s Mix poster are strong starting points. Organic growers focused on pest management should look at the Rodale chart, while raised bed and square foot gardeners will get the most value from the Square Foot Gardening chart. Readers who want written background alongside the pairings will prefer the Storey’s guide, and the printable chart suits budget-minded or group planners. Match the format to how you garden, and treat every pairing as a starting point to test in your own beds.
