Companion Plant Guide
Dill
Attracts beneficial parasitic wasps.
Vegetable · Brassica family
Cabbage companion plants
Brassica oleracea
What to plant with cabbage, what to keep apart, and how to grow it — sun, spacing, soil and the reason behind every pairing.
Photo: Anna Evans on Unsplash
Overview
Growing cabbage beside the right neighbour
Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) is a vegetable in the Brassica family. Cool-season brassica that stores well for winter.
Cabbage is a greedy feeder; keep it clear of other brassicas so it need not compete.
Give plants 16–24 in in full sun. Aim for well-draining, fertile, slightly acidic soil. In most gardens the crop sits in USDA zones 2-10 and is ready in about 70-120 days.
Grows well with
What to plant with cabbage
The best companion plants for cabbage in this guide are Dill, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Onion, Beet, and Oregano. 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 cabbage.
Thyme
Pest deterrent and space efficient.
Sage
Aromatic cover that confuses cabbage moths.
Rosemary
Aromatic oils help confuse cabbage moths.
Onion
Strong scent helps hide cabbage from moths.
Beet
Shallow beet roots and brassicas feed at different levels.
Oregano
Aromatic cover said to deter cabbage butterflies.
Cabbage is also a good companion for
Garlic — Strong scent helps hide brassicas from pests.
Keep apart
What not to plant with cabbage
Keep cabbage away from Lettuce, Tomato, and Radish. These neighbours compete for the same food, release chemicals that stunt growth, or otherwise hold the crop back.
Lettuce
Similar pests and nutrient competition.
Tomato
Both heavy feeders — brassicas and tomatoes compete.
Radish
Shares flea beetles and cabbage root fly — they spread between the two.
In the bed
How to grow cabbage
| Sun | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Spacing | 16–24 in |
| Soil | Well-draining, fertile, slightly acidic soil |
| Hardiness | Zones 2-10 |
| Days to maturity | 70-120 |
These notes sit beside the companion lists — they are how cabbage actually occupies the bed, not a substitute for local climate.
- Needs consistent moisture for good head formation
- Mulch to retain soil moisture
- Provide calcium to prevent tip burn
- Harvest when heads are firm
Questions
Cabbage companion planting FAQ
What can I plant next to cabbage?
Plant Dill, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Onion, Beet, and Oregano beside cabbage. Dill: Attracts beneficial parasitic wasps. Thyme: Pest deterrent and space efficient. Sage: Aromatic cover that confuses cabbage moths. Rosemary: Aromatic oils help confuse cabbage moths. Onion: Strong scent helps hide cabbage from moths. Beet: Shallow beet roots and brassicas feed at different levels. Oregano: Aromatic cover said to deter cabbage butterflies.
What should I not plant with cabbage?
Keep cabbage apart from Lettuce, Tomato, and Radish. Lettuce: Similar pests and nutrient competition. Tomato: Both heavy feeders — brassicas and tomatoes compete. Radish: Shares flea beetles and cabbage root fly — they spread between the two.
How much sun do cabbage plants need?
Cabbage plants want full sun. Space them 16–24 in apart in well-draining, fertile, slightly acidic soil.
How long do cabbage plants take to mature?
Most cabbage plants are ready in about 70-120 days. Cabbage grows in USDA hardiness zones 2-10.
Compare every pairing at a glance
Open the guide, pick cabbage, and see what thrives alongside it — and what quietly holds it back.
Open the pairing guide