A bountiful harvest of peppers from your own garden is not easy to achieve. One factor on the way there are good neighbors who positively influence pepper plants.
Mixed cultivation is one of the most natural gardening methods. But what has become established in nature over many years is difficult to imitate in the garden. The processes between the plants in a mixed culture are diverse and are still not fully understood. Suggestions for good and bad neighbors for peppers (Capsicum annuum) have resulted primarily from many years of cultivation experience. This is also the reason why some statements differ from source to source. You can only be sure if something will work well in your garden or not after trying it yourself.
Good neighbors for peppers: mixed cultivation works with these plants
Peppers belong to the nightshade family (Solanaceae), which also includes other plants commonly seen in the garden, such as tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), potatoes ( Solanum tuberosum) and Physalis (Physalis peruviana). Good mixed culture partners for peppers are at best members of a different plant family and have similar site requirements but lower nutrient requirements. Ideally, they also have other positive influencing factors:
A good plant partner for peppers is garlic (Allium sativum). The pungent-tasting essential oils it contains can, among other things, prevent aphid infestation.
If you want to grow other vegetables together with peppers, for example carrots (Daucus carota subsp . sativus) or onions (Allium cepa). Lettuce, especially varieties that grow well in semi-shade, are also suitable mixed culture partners for peppers.
Often, the various types of cabbage are recommended as good neighbors for pepper plants. While it may well be that the plants don't affect each other negatively, it's important to keep in mind that cabbage draws a lot of nutrients from the soil. So it can happen that thePepper plants are neglected. That's why you have to be very careful with the mixed culture of peppers with cabbage to ensure sufficient fertilization.
Plants that attract insects and thus allow more pepper flowers to be pollinated include borage (Borago officinalis), chamomile (Matricaria ), Marigold (Calendula officinalis) and Marigold (Tagetes). In addition, chamomile and marigold have an unpleasant odor for many insect pests, so they stay away from your pepper plants. Marigolds and marigolds have a nematode deterrent effect, contributing to chemical-free nematode control in the garden. Herbs that make good neighbors for peppers include basil (Ocimum basilicum), parsley (Petroselium crispum), and dill ( Anethum graveolens).
Peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) grow together in many vegetable gardens - for the simple reason that they all come into the bed at about the same time, have similar location requirements and are usually attached to sticks or climbing aids are allowed to grow up. But can you really plant peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes together? That's where opinions differ. The three are referred to as both good, neutral, and bad neighbors. It's important to keep in mind that peppers and tomatoes belong to the same plant family, the nightshade family. So the two will likely compete for nutrients and may be afflicted by the same diseases and pests. With good care and cultivation, however, it usually works well to plant peppers and tomatoes together, and there are rarely problems with cucumbers either - the only thing is that cucumbers can quickly be attacked by powdery mildew, which can then easily migrate to your pepper plants. In order to do something good for the soil, which is heavily used after this culture, you can sow green manure after removing the plants in autumn. Soil cover, root penetration and possible nitrogen fixation have a positive effect on many soil properties.
Tip: Good neighbors alone do not guarantee a lush pepper harvest. Proper care and maintenance of your pepper plants is crucial here. This also includes appropriate fertilization, especially if you plant peppers together with tomatoes and cucumbers. Pepper plants are optimally cared for, for example, with our Plantura organic tomato fertilizer with a long-term effect.In addition to its optimal nutritional composition, it is primarily organic, animal-free and works for three months.
Good neighbors for peppers in raised beds are various herbs such as basil, parsley or dill. Lettuce, carrots and onions also do well as neighbors in the raised bed.
Bad neighbors for peppers: These plants don't get along
In addition to many good neighbors for peppers, there are also some plants for which mixed cultivation with peppers has not proven itself. For example, peas (Pisum sativum), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), beetroot () are among the bad neighbors for peppers. Beta vulgaris subsp.vulgaris var. , Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum), Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo subsp. pepo convar.giromontiina) and celery (Apium graveolens). Many of these vegetables are said to stunt the growth of pepper plants or compete with them for nutrients. Also, they may be afflicted with the same diseases.
Good neighbors for peppers at a glance:
- borage
- Basil
- parsley
- Dill
- Onion
- Garlic
- Carrot
- Salad
- Chamomile
- Marigold
Bad neighbors for peppers:
- Peas
- Fennel
- Beetroot
- eggplant
- Potatoes
- Zucchini
- pumpkins
- celery
Fruit rotation for peppers
Since pepper plants need warmth, they only come into the bed from May. So before that there is still time for some fast-growing crops. The first batches of lettuce and radishes (Raphanus sativus var. sativus) have usually already left the bed by the time the pepper plants arrive in May. When the plants clear the bed around September, there is still room for a few weakly consuming, cold-tolerant crops, such as spinach (Spinacia oleracea). Green manure such as mustard (Brassica) or clover-grass can also be used after peppers to support the soil. With peppers, you should take a break from growing at the same location for at least three to four years. This avoids soil depletion and fatigue, as well as recurrence of disease.
If you want to delve deeper into the advantages and disadvantages of mixed cultures and learn more about suitable mixed culture partners and combinations, you can read our article on mixed cultures.