Companion Plant Guide
Thyme
Pest deterrent for brassicas.
Vegetable · Brassica family
Broccoli companion plants
Brassica oleracea
What to plant with broccoli, what to keep apart, and how to grow it — sun, spacing, soil and the reason behind every pairing.
Photo: Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash
Overview
Growing broccoli beside the right neighbour
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea) is a vegetable in the Brassica family. Cool-season brassica that needs consistent moisture.
Aromatic herbs around broccoli confuse the cabbage moth long enough for heads to set.
Give plants 18–36 in in full sun. Aim for well-draining, fertile, moist soil. In most gardens the crop sits in USDA zones 2-11 and is ready in about 70-100 days.
Grows well with
What to plant with broccoli
The best companion plants for broccoli in this guide are Thyme, Dill, Onion, Rosemary, Sage, Nasturtium, and Beet. Each pairing below is a reason to share a bed — pest masking, roots that do not compete, or insects that hunt the pests drawn to broccoli.
Dill
Attracts beneficial insects.
Onion
Strong scent helps hide brassicas from pests.
Rosemary
Aromatic oils help confuse cabbage moths.
Sage
Aromatic cover that confuses cabbage moths.
Nasturtium
Trap crop for aphids and caterpillars.
Beet
Different root depths; beets use the gaps between plants.
Broccoli is also a good companion for
Oregano — Aromatic cover said to deter cabbage butterflies.
Keep apart
What not to plant with broccoli
Keep broccoli away from Tomato and Strawberry. These neighbours compete for the same food, release chemicals that stunt growth, or otherwise hold the crop back.
Tomato
Both heavy feeders — brassicas and tomatoes compete.
Strawberry
Brassicas are said to slow strawberries.
In the bed
How to grow broccoli
| Sun | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Spacing | 18–36 in |
| Soil | Well-draining, fertile, moist soil |
| Hardiness | Zones 2-11 |
| Days to maturity | 70-100 |
These notes sit beside the companion lists — they are how broccoli actually occupies the bed, not a substitute for local climate.
- Start indoors or direct sow
- Keep soil consistently moist
- Provide shade in hot weather
- Harvest main head first for side shoots
Questions
Broccoli companion planting FAQ
What can I plant next to broccoli?
Plant Thyme, Dill, Onion, Rosemary, Sage, Nasturtium, and Beet beside broccoli. Thyme: Pest deterrent for brassicas. Dill: Attracts beneficial insects. Onion: Strong scent helps hide brassicas from pests. Rosemary: Aromatic oils help confuse cabbage moths. Sage: Aromatic cover that confuses cabbage moths. Nasturtium: Trap crop for aphids and caterpillars. Beet: Different root depths; beets use the gaps between plants.
What should I not plant with broccoli?
Keep broccoli apart from Tomato and Strawberry. Tomato: Both heavy feeders — brassicas and tomatoes compete. Strawberry: Brassicas are said to slow strawberries.
How much sun do broccoli plants need?
Broccoli plants want full sun. Space them 18–36 in apart in well-draining, fertile, moist soil.
How long do broccoli plants take to mature?
Most broccoli plants are ready in about 70-100 days. Broccoli grows in USDA hardiness zones 2-11.
Compare every pairing at a glance
Open the guide, pick broccoli, and see what thrives alongside it — and what quietly holds it back.
Open the pairing guide