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Top 14 Lettuce Companion Plants, Planting Guide

Introduction to Top 14 Lettuce Companion Plants, Planting Guide, and Growing Requirements: Lettuce is one of the most popular vegetables in most vegetable gardens and for good reason. It’s simple to grow, delicious, and one of the first things to sprout in the spring. However, not every vegetable grows well with every other vegetable. Lettuce, like many other plants, has some neighbors that it likes and others that it despises. On the other hand, it is a better neighbor to some plants than others. You need to continue reading to find out more about how to develop lettuce companion plants.

Lettuce benefits from the presence of most veggies. Chives and garlic, in particular, make excellent neighbors since they naturally repel aphids, which are frequent lettuce pests. Similarly, marigolds, one of the most potent insect repellents, can be planted near lettuce to keep bugs at bay.

A Complete Guide To Top 14 Lettuce Companion Plants, Lettuce Planting Tips, Tricks, Ideas and Requirements

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

Basic Requirements for Growing Lettuce Plant

  • Suitable soil for growing lettuce

Provide lettuce with healthy, well-drained, wet soil that is rich in organic matter and has a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Because lettuce is a quick and easy plant that doesn’t stay forever, it doesn’t require a large container or garden space. This plant can be grown with just one bag of potting soil. You can either purchase lettuce plants from a local garden center or start lettuce seeds in cell trays yourself.

  • Sunlight requirement for growing lettuce

Although lettuce will grow if given fewer than 6 hours of sunlight every day, it will still grow if given less than that. In the spring and fall, a place that receives full sunlight is perfect for growing lettuce. If you’re growing lettuce in the summer or in a hot climate, some shade can help to keep the heat at bay.

In case if you miss this: Bamboo Planting Ideas.

Light Requirement for Growing Lettuce
Light Requirement for Lettuce (pic credit: pixabay)
  • Water requirement for growing lettuce

For the majority of its growing span, lettuce should be watered roughly twice a week, or once every four or five days. For the first two weeks following planting, it will need to be watered softly but more regularly, possibly daily, depending on your environment. Water your lettuce plants at least once a day, and more frequently if the weather is really hot and dry. Because lettuce leaves are mainly water, they will dry out and wilt when exposed to direct sunlight and dry soil. Because lettuce roots are shallow, regular watering is more vital than deep irrigation.

  • Suitable fertilizer for growing lettuce

Fertilize every two weeks using a watering can full of liquid fertilizer or granules sprinkled around the plants and watered in. Fertilizer helps to plump up the leaves and combat the bitterness that is common in lettuce grown in the garden. For proper lettuce growth, all macronutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and even potassium, as well as several micronutrients, are required. You’ll need the correct hydroponic fertilizer to provide your plants with the right balance of nutrients. The best fertilizer is one that is heavy in nitrogen and potassium.

Top 14 and Best Lettuce Companion Plants

From vegetables to aromatic herbs to flowers, here’s a fast companion planting guide to help you pick what to grow alongside lettuce:

  • Calendula

Calendula is an unusual lettuce companion plant in that it attracts slugs, which are one of the biggest threats to lettuce plants. To keep slugs away from your lettuce, you need to plant calendula apart from the rows.

  • Asparagus

When growing asparagus, you need to leave a portion of the product to continue growing in your garden so that the plant can store energy for the next year. If your lettuce plants are receiving too much light in the afternoons and starting to wilt, these remaining asparagus plants will grow tall and spread out fern-like leaves, which are a fantastic source of natural shade.

  • Chervil

Chervil is an excellent slug repellent, keeping lettuce-eating slug away from your plant.

  • Carrot

Carrots, as a root plant, grow their yield underground, whereas lettuce plants have shallow roots and grow their crop above ground. To make the most of your garden area, you need to plant carrots and lettuce close together.

  • Beets

Beets are a root plant, which means they grow their produce underground, whereas lettuce plants have shallow roots and grow their plant above ground. Because they don’t fight for the same place, beets and lettuce can be grown relatively near together. Better to plant them together to maximize your garden space.

  • Chives

Chives can operate as an aphid-repellent plant. Aphids will not be able to get to your lettuce leaves if you plant chives between the rows.

  • Eggplant

You need to plant eggplant near your growing lettuce so that it can take over the space after your lettuce harvest. Eggplant is a summer plant that usually thrives in weather that would be far too hot for healthy lettuce—plant eggplant near your growing lettuce so that it can take over the space after your lettuce harvest.

  • Cilantro

Aromatic herbs are excellent in repelling pests while attracting beneficial insects. To keep pests away from your lettuce, you need to plant fragrant coriander or cilantro.

  • Mints

Slugs are a hazardous pest to lettuce growers, and the aroma of several mint plants (including hyssop and sage) will deter them.

  • Nasturtiums

Nasturtium blooms are attractive to aphids. Many gardeners put nasturtiums a short distance away from their vegetable garden to entice pests away from their plants, which may sound illogical.

  • Parsnips

Parsnips, as a root crop, grow their produce underground, whereas lettuce plants have shallow roots and grow their crop above ground. To make the most of your garden area, you need to plant parsnips and lettuce near together.

  • Alliums

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

  • Turnips

Aphids, which can cause major damage to lettuce leaves, are naturally repellent to turnips. To keep pests away from your lettuce plant, the plant turnips alongside it.

  • Radish

Radishes, which grow quickly, can be used to designate rows of slower-growing lettuce. Simply plant a few radish seeds along the lettuce row, and the radishes will germinate immediately, indicating where the lettuce row will eventually develop. At the same time, lettuce can help a radish plant will last longer in the summer by making it softer and tastier.

Plants to Avoid Growing With Lettuce (Bad Companions)

Plants that will struggle to grow with lettuce—or will prevent your lettuce from growing properly—as well as plants that will struggle to grow alongside lettuce. Lettuce does not thrive in the vicinity of:

  • Fennel

Fennel is a garden plant that will not mix well with most other vegetable garden plants, thus most home gardeners avoid it. While it can even attract helpful insects, it can also hinder the growth of most other plants, slowing or even killing them.

  • Cabbage family plants

Avoid planting lettuce near broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, or kohlrabi; while some lettuce types may aid in the growth of this cabbage-family (brassicas) plants, their root secretions can prevent lettuce seeds from germinating.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lettuce Companion Plants

How about this: Vegetable Gardening Ideas At Home.

Questions about Lettuce Companion Plants
Questions about Lettuce Companion Plants (pic credit: pixabay)

What should you not plant lettuce with?

Avoid planting lettuce near broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, or kohlrabi; while some lettuce types may aid in the growth of this cabbage family (brassicas), their root secretions can prevent lettuce seeds from germinating.

Is it possible to grow lettuce and basil together?

Plants like basil thrive when mixed with a variety of garden plants. They enhance the flavor of tomatoes and lettuce while also repelling insects like mosquitoes.

In the summer, how do you keep lettuce growing?

Lettuce doesn’t require direct sunlight; in fact, it thrives in indirect light and chilly shade. Summer lettuce can be planted behind tall plants or arbours, or you can build your shade structure. Some gardeners grow lettuce in container gardens that may be moved to shadier areas throughout the summer.

Is it necessary for lettuce to be shaded?

Even though lettuce grows best in direct sunlight, it is one of the few vegetables that can withstand slight shadow. As the season progresses, a spring plant that is sheltered from the afternoon light frequently lasts longer. In a small space, even a container, you can grow a lot of lettuce.

Why is it that my lettuce is always dying?

If you give your lettuce too much or too little water, it will start to die. The plant’s growth will be stunted, and the foliage may be yellow or wilt. Plants can suffer fungal disease if the soil is excessively wet, and if the problem persists, the root system can be harmed by root rot.

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