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Companion planting with strawberries means choosing plants that grow well beside your berry patch, helping to reduce pests, attract pollinators, and make better use of space. Done well, it can keep your strawberry bed healthier and more productive without relying on heavy spraying. This guide covers the best partners, the plants to keep away, and the layout and spacing details that make the system work.
Why Pair Strawberries With Other Plants?
Strawberries are low, spreading perennials that form dense mats of leaves. That habit creates shade and humidity at the soil line, which can invite slugs, sowbugs and fungal problems like gray mold (Botrytis). Companion plants help in a few specific ways: some draw beneficial insects, some repel certain pests through strong scent, some act as living mulch that keeps soil cool and moist, and some simply use vertical or edge space that strawberries leave unused.
Shopping for one? See our guide: Layout Strawberry Companion Planting: 5 Best Picks for Your Garden (2026).
It is worth being realistic. Many companion claims come from older garden lore rather than controlled trials. The strongest benefits are the ones you can observe in your own bed: fewer aphids, better pollinator visits, or less weeding. Treat each pairing as an experiment and keep notes. For background on the underlying idea, see Definition of Companion Planting: What It Means and How It Works and What Does Companion Planting Mean? Pairings and Pitfalls.
Best Companion Plants for Strawberries
Borage
Borage is one of the most frequently recommended strawberry companions. Its blue star-shaped flowers attract honeybees and bumblebees, which improves pollination of strawberry blossoms. Borage self-seeds readily, so cut back spent plants before they set seed if you do not want it spreading. Plant it at the edge of the bed rather than in the middle, since mature plants can reach 2 to 3 feet tall and shade the berries.
Bush Beans
Bush beans fix nitrogen through root nodules, and strawberries are heavy feeders that respond well to a nitrogen-rich soil. Sow bush beans in the gaps between strawberry crowns in spring, after the last frost, at about 3 to 4 inches apart. Keep them from crowding the berries by planting along the bed’s border or in a separate row.
Spinach and Lettuce
Leafy greens make good ground cover between strawberry rows in early spring and fall. They use the same cool-season window and have shallow roots that do not compete heavily with strawberry roots. Harvest them before the strawberries fill out in late spring, when the berries need full sun and airflow.
Thyme and Other Low Herbs
Low-growing thyme forms a living mulch along the edge of the bed. It suppresses weeds, stays compact, and its flowers draw pollinators. Thyme prefers well-drained soil and full sun, which matches strawberry needs. Keep it trimmed so it does not climb onto the crowns.
Marigolds
French marigolds (Tagetes patula) are often placed near strawberries and other crops for their reputation against certain nematodes and soil pests. Evidence for nematode suppression depends on the marigold variety and soil conditions, so do not rely on them as your only pest control. Still, their flowers attract hoverflies, whose larvae eat aphids. For seed options, see Marigold Seeds for Companion Planting: 8 Best Picks for Vegetable Gardens (2026).
Onions and Garlic
Alliums are commonly planted near strawberries because their strong scent is thought to deter some pests and their roots do not compete directly with the shallow strawberry root zone. Plant onions or garlic along the edge of the bed, roughly 6 inches apart, leaving a clear strip around each strawberry crown. Onions also keep well alongside lettuce, as covered in Onions and Lettuce Companion Planting: 8 Best Picks for Your Garden (2026).
Plants to Keep Away From Strawberries
Some plants compete badly with strawberries or share diseases that cause trouble. Avoid planting these within 2 to 3 feet of your berry bed:
- Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, kale): heavy feeders that compete for nutrients and can harbor pests that also attack strawberries.
- Fennel: releases compounds that inhibit the growth of many nearby plants.
- Potatoes: share soil-borne diseases and pests with strawberries. Keep them in a separate bed or rotation, though some growers have success with garlic and potatoes together, as noted in Garlic and Potatoes Companion Planting: 6 Best Picks for Your Garden (2026).
- Tall sweet corn: casts heavy shade and can crowd out berries.
- Other berries in the same bed: raspberries and blackberries share pests and diseases. If you grow them, give them their own space.
How to Lay Out a Strawberry Companion Bed
Step 1: Set Your Strawberry Spacing First
Place strawberry plants 12 to 18 inches apart in rows spaced 3 feet apart for matted-row systems, or 12 inches apart in hill systems for everbearing or day-neutral types. Leave the paths between rows clear for picking and airflow. Companions go into the gaps you have left, not on top of the crowns.
Step 2: Choose Your Companions by Role
Assign each companion one job. A common setup uses borage or marigolds for pollinators, thyme for ground cover, and garlic or onions along the edges. Avoid stacking too many functions into one small bed, because crowding reduces airflow, which is one of the main factors behind gray mold.
Step 3: Mind the Timing
Plant cool-season companions like spinach and lettuce in early spring. Sow heat-loving companions like bush beans after the last frost. Set out marigolds and borage once nighttime temperatures stay above about 50°F. Harvest or remove leafy companions before strawberries begin to ripen in late spring.
Step 4: Plan for Raised Beds
Raised beds suit strawberries well because they drain quickly and keep crowns out of wet ground. For a 4 by 8 foot raised bed, two rows of strawberries with a border of thyme and garlic works well. More layout ideas appear in Raised Bed Companion Planting Vegetable Garden Layout: 8 Best Picks for 2026 and Companion Planting for Raised Garden Beds: 8 Best Picks for 2026.
| Companion | Main Benefit | Where to Place It | Watch For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Borage | Attracts bees for pollination | Bed edge | Self-seeds; grows 2 to 3 feet tall |
| Bush beans | Adds nitrogen | Gaps or separate row | Can crowd berries |
| Thyme | Living mulch, weed suppression | Edges and gaps | Keep trimmed off crowns |
| Garlic or onions | Strong scent may deter pests | Bed borders | Leave space around crowns |
| Marigolds | Attracts hoverflies | Corners or edges | Benefits vary by variety |
| Spinach or lettuce | Ground cover in cool months | Between rows, early season | Harvest before berries ripen |
Checklist Before You Plant
- Confirm your soil drains well and has a pH between about 5.5 and 6.8.
- Mark strawberry crown positions at 12 to 18 inches apart.
- Leave 2 to 3 feet of clearance from brassicas, fennel and tall crops.
- Plan one pollinator plant and one ground cover, not more than three companions per bed.
- Water deeply at planting, then keep soil evenly moist, about 1 inch per week.
- Mulch with straw around the berries once the soil warms, leaving crowns exposed.
- Keep a simple log of what you planted and what pests or problems appeared.
Common Mistakes
- Burying crowns. Companions should never be mounded over the strawberry crown. Crown rot follows quickly.
- Overcrowding. Too many companions block airflow and increase gray mold.
- Ignoring the mulch. Straw mulch keeps berries off wet soil. Without it, fruit rots and slugs increase.
- Trusting every claim. Some companion benefits are anecdotal. Watch your own bed before drawing conclusions.
- Letting borage seed out. It can take over a bed within a season if not deadheaded.
Tips for Better Results
- Rotate strawberries to a new bed every three to four years to reduce soil-borne disease.
- Remove runners you do not need so the plant puts energy into fruit.
- Check the undersides of leaves weekly for aphids and spider mites.
- Pick ripe berries promptly to prevent rot and reduce slug attraction.
Recommended gear
A few supplies make companion beds easier to manage. A simple straw mulch keeps berries clean and suppresses weeds. A soil thermometer helps you time cool- and warm-season companions. A hand-held hoe or stirrup hoe lets you weed between tight rows without disturbing shallow strawberry roots.
- Straw mulch (certified weed-free wheat or oat straw): keeps berries off soil and reduces rot; View on Amazon
- Digital soil thermometer: helps you decide when it is safe to sow beans and transplant warm-season companions; View on Amazon
- Stirrup hoe: lets you clear weeds between strawberry rows without digging near crowns; View on Amazon
FAQ
Can I plant strawberries and garlic together?
Yes. Garlic is one of the most common companions for strawberries. Plant it along the bed edges and leave space around each crown so the bulbs do not compete with the shallow roots.
Do marigolds really keep pests away from strawberries?
Marigolds may help with some soil pests and attract beneficial insects, but results vary by variety and conditions. Treat them as one part of an overall pest plan rather than a guaranteed fix.
What is the best ground cover for strawberries?
Straw mulch is the most practical choice for keeping berries clean. Living ground covers like thyme work well along the edges, while strawberries themselves form a matted row if you allow runners.
Should I plant tomatoes near strawberries?
Generally, no. Tomatoes cast shade and can share soil-borne problems with strawberries. Keep them in separate beds with good spacing.
How far should companions be from strawberry crowns?
Keep companions at least 6 inches from the crown for low plants like garlic or thyme, and 12 inches or more for taller ones like beans. Never let anything cover the crown itself.
Can I grow strawberries in containers with companions?
Yes. A large container with strawberries around the rim and a small herb like thyme in the center can work well. Make sure the container has good drainage and at least 12 inches of depth.
When should I remove companion plants from a strawberry bed?
Remove or cut back leafy companions before the berries begin to ripen, usually late spring in most regions. This improves airflow and sunlight for fruit.
Are these companions safe to eat?
Borage flowers, thyme, garlic and onions are commonly eaten, but always confirm plant identity before consuming anything from the garden, and consult a professional if you have allergies or medical concerns.
Conclusion
Companion planting with strawberries works best when each companion has a clear purpose, such as pollination, ground cover or pest deterrence. Start with one or two partners like borage and thyme, keep crowns clear, and maintain good airflow. Track what happens in your bed, then adjust for your own conditions.
