The Best and Worst Companion Plants for Cilantro
Companion plants for cilantro
If you're looking for companion plants for cilantro, you've come to the right place. In this blog post, we will discuss the best and worst companions to plant with cilantro. We'll also provide some helpful tips on how to grow fresh cilantro successfully in your garden!
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What is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is the practice of growing different plants together in order to promote their growth. In fact, companion planting has been practiced for centuries.
Companion planting can be used to improve the yield of a crop, deter pests and diseases, or attract beneficial insects. Companion planting is often used in organic gardening, as it is a natural way to improve the health of a plant without the use of chemicals.
In companion planting, the key is to choose plants that will complement each other in some way.
To companion plant successfully, it is important to choose plants that have compatible root systems, as well as those that will not compete for light, water, or nutrients. In addition, it is important to keep in mind the mature size of each plant when choosing companions, as some plants can quickly become overcrowded.
With a little bit of planning, you can create a beautiful and bountiful garden using the principles of companion planting.
The Benefits of Companion Planting with Cilantro
Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum), sometimes referred to as Mexican parsley or coriander is an annual herb in the Apiaceae family, and it's known for its strong, pungent flavor. It's commonly used in Mexican and Asian cuisine, but cilantro is also an excellent companion plant.
Cilantro is a versatile and easy-to-grow herb that provides many benefits to the home gardener. Not only does it add a fresh, zesty flavor to food, but it also can be used as a natural pest control.
Cilantro discourages potato beetles and helps get rid of spider mites. Cilantro also attracts hoverflies, which feed on aphids.
Cilantro is known to attract helpful insects like ladybugs, parasitic wasps, and lacewings.
This makes cilantro an excellent companion plant for most gardens. Whether you are looking to add flavor to your food or deter predatory insects, cilantro is a valuable addition to any garden.
RELATED: Growing Cilantro from Cuttings
The Best Companion Plants for Cilantro
If you're looking for cilantro companion plants, there are a few that stand out as being particularly well-suited to this flavorful herb. Some of the best companions to plant with cilantro include:
Legumes
When companion planting with cilantro, legumes are a great option.
This is because legumes have the ability to fix nitrogen in the soil. Nitrogen is an essential element for plant growth, so this is a huge benefit.
Additionally, legumes help to increase the diversity of beneficial microbes in the soil. These microbes help to break down organic matter and make nutrients more available to plants.
Legumes such as pole beans, bush beans, and peas can also grow fairly tall, helping to shade the cilantro and reduce water loss.
Leafy green vegetables
When planted alongside leafy greens, cilantro can help to attract beneficial insects that feed on pests.
This means fewer problems with pesky pests in your garden, and more juicy, delicious veggies for you to enjoy.
Some good companion plants for cilantro include kale, collards, spinach, cabbage, and lettuce.
Tall Flowers
Tall flowers make great companion plants to cilantro.
Not only do they provide cilantro with the support it needs to grow tall and strong, but they also help to keep the plant from toppling over in the wind.
In addition, tall flowers can help to shade cilantro from the hot summer sun, preventing the leaves from burning.
Finally, tall flowers can serve as a trap crop for pests, attracting them away from cilantro and protecting the plant.
Some of the best tall flowers to plant alongside cilantro include marigolds, borage, nasturtium, chamomile, cosmos, yarrow, zinnias, sunflowers, and sweet alyssum.
Together, these plants will form a beautiful and productive garden that is sure to please any gardener.
Herbs
Anyone who has spent any time gardening knows that not all plants get along.
Some plants need more water, while others prefer shade. Some attract pests, while others repel them.
Knowing which plants to put together can be the key to a healthy and thriving garden.
When it comes to cilantro, there are a few herbs that make great companions. Anise is one of them - planting cilantro close to anise, the anise seeds will be more likely to germinate quicker.
It is also important to consider growing conditions when planting cilantro. In general, cilantro thrives in well-drained soil and full sun, so it is important to choose companion plants that prefer these growing conditions as well.
Basil, parsley, and chervil need like similar growing conditions, making them a great choice for companion planting with cilantro.
So if you're looking for a few good companion plants for cilantro, these herbs are a great place to start.
Vegetables and Fruits
Cilantro is a wonderful companion plant for many vegetables and fruits. The fragrant leaves of cilantro help to repel pests, and the plant also attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings.
Some of the best companion plants for cilantro include tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, potatoes, and asparagus.
Tomatoes are a good companion plant for cilantro. Tomatoes grow well in hot weather and provide shade to cilantro, which can help extend the growing season.
Some argue that this duo shouldn't be planted too close together, as tomatoes don't like nitrogen-rich soil. However, if you follow the correct guidelines and plant them at appropriate distances apart, they can be a great pair in your garden.
Potatoes and eggplants also benefit from cilantro plants. Cilantro naturally attracts predators of the Colorado potato beetle, which in turn protects your potatoes and eggplants from becoming infested.
Cilantro repels asparagus beetles, making it an ideal companion plant for asparagus. Asparagus is a slow-growing plant, and beetles can damage the plants and make them more difficult to grow. By keeping the beetles away from the asparagus plants, cilantro helps to improve the growth of asparagus.
In addition, asparagus and cilantro plants are the perfect complements to each other because neither plant has to compete with the other for food or water since their root systems are different. Asparagus has deep roots and cilantro has shallow roots, so they don't interfere with each other.
RELATED: Best Grow Lights for Herbs
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Bad Cilantro Companion Plants
While there are many great companion plants for cilantro, there are also several that can actually work against the plant. Some plants can compete with cilantro for sunlight and water, while others may harbor pests that can harm your cilantro plants.
Dill
One of the worst companion plants for cilantro is dill.
This is because they can interfere with each other's growth or cross-pollinate, producing hybrid offspring that are less hardy and flavorful than their parents.
These two herbs are from the same family (Apiaceae) and will readily cross-pollinate if given the opportunity.
As a result, it is best to avoid planting them together in your herb garden.
Fennel
If you're a fan of cilantro, you might want to think twice before planting fennel in your garden. These two plants don't make good companions, for a number of reasons.
First of all, they compete for nutrients. This is bad news for both plants, as they'll both end up being stunted in growth.
But it gets worse: The fennel plant secretes a natural chemical into the surrounding soil that effectively prevents other plants, like cilantro, from growing nearby. So not only will your cilantro plants be competing with the fennel for nutrients, but they'll also be fighting against an invisible enemy.
In the end, it's better to keep these two plants separate if you want them both to thrive.
Lavender, Rosemary, and Thyme
When it comes to cilantro, not all herbs make good companions.
Mediterranean herbs such as lavender, rosemary, and thyme require more direct sunlight and drier soil conditions than cilantro.
Cilantro is a plant that thrives in moist conditions due to its shallow roots. When these herbs are planted together, the cilantro will struggle to grow and thrive.
So if you're looking for herbs that can be planted alongside cilantro, make sure they need similar growing conditions. It is best to keep cilantro separate when planting herbs like lavender, rosemary, and thyme.
Cilantro Companion Planting Chart
Tips for Growing Cilantro
Cilantro is a short-lived plant, and will often bolt or flower within a few weeks of planting. To keep your cilantro plants producing for longer, try these tips:
Water regularly to maintain moist soil conditions. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to fungal diseases that will kill the plant. Instead, aim for regular but moderate water levels.
Plant cilantro seeds in a location that receives full sunlight. While cilantro likes the sun it doesn't like the heat. For this reason, plant in early spring, or if planting in areas with hot summers it is best to plant cilantro in shadier locations.
Harvest cilantro regularly this will help prolong their bearing period and keep them producing fresh, flavorful leaves for you to enjoy.
In order to have a never-ending cilantro supply, plant seeds every other week or so. That way, once it flowers or "bolts," there won't be long to wait for the next batch.
Looking for an easy reference guide? Then check out this dedicated sheet outlining the MOST beneficial companion plants on Etsy.
Summing Up Companion Planting With Cilantro
Overall, when it comes to choosing cilantro companion plants, there are many options to choose from. Whether you're looking to attract beneficial insects, add flavor and nutrients to your garden soil, or simply need support for your ever-growing cilantro plant, these companion plants are sure to help you achieve your gardening goals. With the right combination of companion plants, you can be confident that your cilantro crop will thrive and flourish.
