Contact Us

Home Gardening

Outdoor Gardening

Organic Gardening

Modern Gardening

Urban Gardening

Gardening Business

Home Gardening

Onion Companion Plants, Onion Planting Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction to Onion Companion Plants, Planting Guide of Onions: Companion planting is one of the simplest organic ways to promote garden health and growth. You may naturally repel pests and boost growth by just planting certain plants adjacent to others. Because of their ability to repel bugs, onions make excellent partners for certain plants. Continue reading to discover more about onion companion planting.

Onions are excellent planting companions since they enhance the flavour of their companion plants while also deterring pests such as aphids, Japanese beetles, and rabbits. Peas, pole beans, bush beans, and asparagus, on the other hand, do not do well when planted near onions. It’s good to understand which plants pair well with others to attract beneficial insects and generate the best harvest.

A Complete Guide to Onion Companion Plants, Onion Planting Tips, Ideas and Requirements

Onion Companion Plants
Onion Companion Plants (Image credit: pixabay)

Best Onion Companion Plants Table Is Given Below:

PlantBest Companion PlantsUnsuitable Companion Plants
Onion        Chamomile, Cabbage, Strawberries, Summer Savory, Swiss Chard, Leeks, Carrots, Marigold, Beets, Lettuce, Broccoli, Celery, Parsley, and RosesBeans, Peas, Asparagus, Turnips, and Sage    

Onions are a favourite of the vegetable patch since they are one of the easiest plants to grow and give great harvests. They do, however, provide a slew of benefits to other plants, making them an excellent choice for people just getting started with companion planting.

With so many options to choose from, you’ll have no trouble finding the right fit for your room. So, whether you’re growing red onions, sweet white onions, or scallions, we’ve compiled a list of the finest companion plants for onions.

It’s simple to choose the correct onion companion plants, which means you’ll be able to grow more of them and higher quality. Certain plant pairings can even help to create a healthier growing environment. Stick to a few tried-and-true combinations, and your onion yield will skyrocket in no time.

Basic Requirements for Growing Onion Plant

In case if you miss this: How To Start Organic Gardening.

Growing Onions
Growing Onions (pic credit: pixabay)

Onions are a hardy cold-season plant that may be grown in the fall or spring. Whether you start your onions from seed, sets, or seedlings, there are a few tips that can make the difference between a good harvest and a bad one.

  • Soil requirement for growing onions

They thrive in full sun, well-drained, somewhat acidic, fertile soils. Organic matter, such as compost, can be added to heavy soils to improve their quality. Onions necessitate a higher level of fertility than most other vegetables.

Dig over the soil and add manure a few months before planting to prepare it for planting. In the spring, plant the sets in shallow drills with the necks slightly protruding from the earth. Water sparingly and weed regularly. When the foliage starts to turn yellow, it’s time to harvest.

  • Onion plant water requirement

In a small hole, plant each one approximately 1/2 inch deep. Trim the tops to around 4 inches after planting. Onions require roughly 1 inch of water per week, so you’ll need to water them if the weather is dry.

When onion plants grow larger and begin to form bulbs, they require more water. In hotter heat, they also require more water. Water onion plants first thing in the morning or last thing at night. When the onion plant’s leaves turn yellow and fall over, stop watering them.

  • Sunlight requirement for onion plant

Choose a spot for your onions that isn’t shaded by other plants. Onions require soil that is well-drained, loose, and nitrogen-rich. However, they thrive and stay healthy in full sunlight, which means at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days.

  • Suitable fertilizer for onion plant

Onions need a lot of nitrogen to grow. One cup of nitrogen-based fertilizer (ammonium sulphate or ammonium nitrate) per twenty feet of row should be applied. The initial application should be made three weeks after planting, and then every two to three weeks thereafter.

All sorts of bulbs, including onions, benefit from bone meal. Bone meal is more labour-intensive than synthetic fertilizers, but it is organic and the most cost-effective of the phosphorus-rich soil additions.

Top 7 and Best Onion Companion Plants

  • Cabbage

Brassicas and onions go well. Onions are effective at repelling cabbage worms, cabbage loopers, and cabbage maggots, among other insect pests. Broccoli, kale, cauliflower, turnips, kohlrabi, and brussels sprouts are all Brassica vegetables that thrive when grown alongside onions, as the onions deter most of the pests that wreak havoc on cabbage harvests.

  • Strawberries

Strawberries are a particularly pest-prone plant. Aphids love them, and keeping them free of sickness and devastation can be difficult. Onions can help to protect your strawberry plant, resulting in a healthier harvest.

  • Swiss chard

The broad leaves of Swiss chard can assist keep the ground soil moist, allowing the short-rooted onion to develop in a fertile environment. For a mutually beneficial connection, Swiss chard can be planted alongside most members of the allium family (such as shallots and chives).

  • Carrots

Onions can aid in the prevention of the terrible carrot fly. You may prevent the garden bug from ruining your carrot plant by encircling it with onions.

  • Leeks

While other plants from the same family may not get along, the onion family (commonly known as alliums) does. Onions and leeks are a good match because they have comparable environmental requirements—both require similar nutrients, and leeks are good at fooling onion bugs.

  • Beets

An onion companion plant is beneficial to beets. Insect pests like aphids and sugar beet-flea beetles, as well as mammalian pests like rabbits and deer, can be deterred by onions, which, like leeks and garlic, can be a natural deterrent for some garden pests.

  • Lettuce

Because onions have a shallower root system than lettuce, they may be planted next to one another without competing for resources, allowing you to maximize your vegetable garden planting space.

Best Onion Companion Plants for Pest Control

  • Broccoli

Because broccoli and cabbage belong to the same family, onions will repel the same pests. This is true of Brussels sprouts, kale, collards, and other brassicas, as well.

  • Celery

Celery is a vegetable that belongs to the carrot family. Planting onions beside your celery will help keep pests away from your celery plants.

  • Parsley

Parsley is linked to carrots, thus onions provide it with the same carrot fly protection.

Best Herb Companion Plants for Growing Onions

  • Summer savory

Plant some savoury around your onions to help them grow while also making them tastier. Savory, like onions, prefers well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight, so they’re a great match.

  • Chamomile

Chamomile, in addition to its antibacterial and antifungal capabilities, increases the flavour of onions when planted close by, and its daisy-like blossoms are also attractive. When it comes to onion companion plants, this makes it an excellent choice.

Best Flower Companion Plants for Onions

  • Marigolds

Marigolds make excellent onion companion plants. They’re recognized for repelling aphids because of their powerful aroma, which acts as a natural deterrent. Plant them in between your vegetables.

  • Roses

Planting onions among your rose plants is an easy technique to keep pests away from your roses. Because the strong aroma of onions serves to hide the scent of roses, it can be utilized as a way for getting rid of aphids. This confuses bugs and thus provides some protection for your prized blooms.

What to Avoid Planting with Onion Plants?

Although onions get along with a wide variety of plants, there are handfuls with which they don’t get along.

Some vegetable kinds will compete for space, light, water, and nutrients in the soil. Alternatively, they may attract harmful insects. This means they’re not a good onion companion plant.

As a result, avoid the following companion plants when growing onions:

  • Beans

Any variety of beans should not be planted alongside onions. Beans’ growth may be hampered by onions. This is true of all members of the allium genus.

  • Peas

Peas are legumes, similar to beans. All legumes, including peas, should be kept away from onions.

  • Sage

Many gardeners believe that sage is poisonous to onions. It has the potential to stifle root growth.

  • Asparagus

Onions can cause your asparagus to grow slowly. Onions can taint the flavour of your asparagus as well.

  • Turnips

Onions can harm turnip root growth and flavour. Onions are fine if you’re growing turnips for the greens.

Onion Companion Plants Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

How about this: Top Indoor Plants.

Onion Planting
Onion Planting (pic source: pixabay)

What should onions not be planted with?

Onions are excellent planting companions since they enhance the flavour of their companion plants while also deterring pests such as aphids, Japanese beetles, and rabbits. Peas, pole beans, bush beans, and asparagus, on the other hand, do not do well when planted near onions.

Are onions and potatoes plants that grow well together?

Even though potatoes are nightshade plants, they should not be planted near other nightshade plants. Potatoes appear to be stunted by asparagus, carrots, fennel, turnips, and onions.

What is the greatest companion plant for onions?

Onions – To enhance the flavour of onions, plant chamomile, and summer savoury alongside them. Beets, Brassicas, carrots, dill, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, strawberries, and tomatoes go nicely with onions. Planting onions near asparagus or peas of any kind is a bad idea. Carrot rust fly is repelled by onions.

Is it okay if I plant lettuce after the onions?

Alliums, such as onions and shallots, are root plants that grow their yield underground, whereas lettuce plants have shallow roots and grow their plant above ground. To make the most of your garden area, plant onions, and lettuce close together.

Is it possible to plant cucumbers after onions?

There are a variety of veggies that go well with cucumbers. Your cucumber plants, as well as many other garden plants, will benefit from this. Radishes, beets, carrots, and onions are other ideal vegetable companions.

Join Us on WhatsApp
Last Updated:
Author: Jagdish

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here