Companion Plant Guide
Cucumber
Trap crop for aphids.
Flower · Nasturtium family
Nasturtium companion plants
Tropaeolum majus
What to plant beside nasturtium, what to keep apart, and how to grow it — sun, spacing, soil and the pairings used in this guide.
Photo: Marine Le Gac on Unsplash
Overview
Growing nasturtium beside the right neighbour
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is a flower in the Nasturtium family. Vibrant flower that serves as trap crop for aphids.
A sacrificial crop — let the aphids have it and they will leave the rest alone.
Give plants 12–18 in in sun or part shade. Aim for well-draining, poor to moderate fertility. In most gardens the crop sits in USDA zones 2-11 (annual) and is ready in about 30-40 days.
Grows well with
What to plant with nasturtium
The strongest companions for nasturtium in this guide are Cucumber, Squash, and Kale. Each pairing below is a reason to share a bed — pest masking, roots that do not compete, or insects that hunt the pests nasturtium attracts.
Squash
Pest deterrent for garden.
Kale
Trap crop for cabbage worms.
In the bed
How to grow nasturtium
| Sun | Sun or part shade |
|---|---|
| Spacing | 12–18 in |
| Soil | Well-draining, poor to moderate fertility |
| Hardiness | Zones 2-11 (annual) |
| Days to maturity | 30-40 |
These notes sit beside the companion lists — they are how nasturtium actually occupies the bed, not a substitute for local climate.
- Excellent trap crop for aphids
- Edible flowers and leaves
- Tolerates poor soil
- Attracts beneficial insects
Questions
Nasturtium companion planting FAQ
What can I plant next to nasturtium?
Plant Cucumber, Squash, and Kale beside nasturtium. Cucumber: Trap crop for aphids. Squash: Pest deterrent for garden. Kale: Trap crop for cabbage worms.
What should I not plant with nasturtium?
Nasturtium has no recorded antagonists in this guide.
How much sun does nasturtium need?
Nasturtium wants sun or part shade. Space plants 12–18 in apart in well-draining, poor to moderate fertility.
How long does nasturtium take to mature?
Most nasturtium crops in this guide mature in 30-40 days, in hardiness zones 2-11 (annual).
Compare every pairing at a glance
Open the guide, pick nasturtium, and see what thrives alongside it — and what quietly holds it back.
Open the pairing guide