10 Chives Companion Plants That Naturally Repel Pests

10 Chive Companion Plants That Naturally Repel Pests

Thanks to their fragrant leaves, chives are excellent companion plants that can repel garden pests. They also attract pollinators and other beneficial insects with their purple-pink flowers. Although chives don't grow well with beans and peas, they do well in garden beds or containers with most vegetables, herbs, and other flowering plants. Here are some of the best chive companion plant pairings you can try, along with companion planting tips for a pest-free and problem-free garden.

01. Strawberries

At first glance, strawberries and chives may seem like an odd combination. However, their growing requirements are similar, and the sulfur-like scent of chives can repel a variety of common strawberry pests, including slugs and aphids. Additionally, studies indicate that interplanting strawberries with chives and other alliums can reduce soil pathogens and help protect strawberry plants from fungal diseases.

02. Carrots and Parsnips

When carrot rust flies attack carrot and parsnip crops, they can stunt plant growth, cause leaf wilting, and render developing carrot roots inedible. However, placing chives near root crops can repel these pesky pests and help your carrots and parsnips grow better. If you want to make your garden more attractive to predatory insects like ladybugs, allow your chive plants to flower and only remove the blossoms when they begin to wilt.

03. Tomatoes

Chives also promote tomato growth and naturally repel tomato pests like aphids and slugs. Whether you're growing tomatoes in pots or in the garden, chives can be planted in the soil beneath tall tomato plants and grow beautifully in the full sun and moist soil that tomatoes need. Best of all, chives also pair well with tomatoes in the kitchen, and you can use these two ingredients together in sauces, salads, pasta dishes, and other delicious meals.

4. Roses

Like tomatoes and strawberries, roses are sometimes attacked by aphids, slugs, and Japanese beetles. However, placing rose plants near chives can reduce problems with these pests and prevent serious damage to rose blossoms. Even better, chives add a unique look to flower gardens and rose beds, and chives planted near rose plants can protect roses from fungal problems like black spot.

5. Basil

Whether you're growing herbs outdoors in your garden or indoors in pots, it makes sense to keep basil with chives. These two herbs require similar care, and chives' insect-fighting properties can protect basil plants from aphids and other pests. Just remember that chives grow as perennials in most areas, while basil is usually grown as an annual and will need to be replanted every spring.

06. Cabbage

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and other cruciferous plants are among the most pest-prone plants in the garden. However, interplanting cabbage with chives can deter slugs, aphids, and other pests that can bore holes in cabbage leaves and destroy the vegetable crop before it matures. Allowing your chives to flower may encourage predatory insects like thrips to visit your garden and feed on cabbage worms.

07. Lettuce

Lettuce plants also benefit from the strong scent of chives, which repels many common lettuce pests. Both chives and lettuce are low-growing, sunlight-requiring plants and won't compete with each other for soil nutrients or sun. You can also use fresh chives and chive blossoms as a delicious salad garnish when you're making a fresh salad from your lettuce crop.

08. Parsley

While woody-stemmed herbs like lavender and rosemary prefer drier conditions than chives, soft-stemmed herbs like parsley typically thrive alongside chives. Like chives, parsley grows best in moist soil and full sun and doesn't take up much space in herb beds or container gardens. However, parsley is typically grown as a biennial, so you'll need to replant parsley seeds every one to two years to keep this companion plant in tact.

09. Fruit Trees

Many gardeners never think about planting companion trees, but apple trees and other fruit trees can reap numerous benefits from companion planting, such as low-growing vegetables and flowers. For example, planting chives near fruit trees reduces the incidence of apple scab and repels certain types of tree borers that can cause significant damage to home gardens. For best results, plant a ring of chives near the base of the fruit trees you want to protect and allow the chives to bloom.

10. Mums

If you're planning to grow chrysanthemums in your garden, window boxes, or flower pots this year, reserve some space for some chives. Chrysanthemums are particularly attractive to aphids, but keeping chives nearby can repel these pests and keep your chrysanthemums looking their best.

Tip:

Soak chopped chives in hot water, let the mixture cool, then sprinkle this "chive tea" over your chrysanthemums to reduce the incidence of powdery mildew and downy mildew.