Cilantro, also known as coriander, is a popular herb used in many cuisines around the world. It has a unique flavor that adds a refreshing touch to any dish. However, cilantro can be a challenging herb to grow, and it requires careful attention to thrive. One way to ensure that cilantro grows well is by planting it alongside compatible companion plants.
Companion planting is a popular gardening technique where different plants are grown together to benefit one another. Companion plants can help improve soil quality, repel pests, and attract pollinators. When it comes to cilantro, there are several ideal companion plants that can help it grow better. These include tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, potatoes, and asparagus. Tomatoes, for example, provide shade to cilantro, which can help extend the growing season. Peppers and eggplants are also good companions as they have similar growing requirements to cilantro. On the other hand, there are also some plants that cilantro does not get along with. These include fennel, dill, and anise, which can stunt cilantro’s growth.
Knowing which plants to grow alongside cilantro can help ensure a successful harvest. By planting cilantro alongside the right companion plants, you can help improve its growth, flavor, and overall health. In this article, we will explore the best and worst companion plants for cilantro, as well as some tips for successful companion planting.
The Benefits of Companion Planting for Cilantro
Companion planting is the practice of growing two or more plant species together for mutual benefit. When it comes to cilantro, companion planting can be an effective way to improve growth, health, and flavor. Here are some of the benefits of companion planting for cilantro:
Nitrogen Fixing Plants
Cilantro is a heavy feeder that requires a lot of nutrients, especially nitrogen. To ensure that cilantro gets the nutrients it needs, consider planting it alongside nitrogen-fixing plants like beans, peas, and clover. These plants have a symbiotic relationship with bacteria in their roots that convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use. As a result, they enrich the soil with nitrogen, which cilantro can then access.
Attracting Pollinators and Beneficial Insects
Cilantro produces small, delicate flowers that are attractive to pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. By planting cilantro alongside other flowering plants like lavender, cosmos, and zinnias, you can create a pollinator-friendly environment that encourages cross-pollination and increases crop yield. Additionally, cilantro can attract beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps, which prey on pests like aphids, spider mites, and potato beetles.
Natural Pest Control
Companion planting can also be an effective way to control pests naturally. For example, planting cilantro alongside tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes can help repel pests like aphids, spider mites, and asparagus beetles. Similarly, planting cilantro alongside herbs like thyme, rosemary, anise, and mint can help control pests like cabbage moths, carrot flies, and onion maggots. Additionally, planting cilantro alongside flowers like yarrow, sweet alyssum, and coreopsis can attract hoverflies and lacewings, which feed on aphids and other pests.
In conclusion, companion planting can be a great way to improve the growth, health, and flavor of cilantro. By planting cilantro alongside nitrogen-fixing plants, flowering plants, and pest-repelling plants, you can create a thriving herb garden or vegetable garden that benefits both your cilantro and your other crops. For more information on companion planting, check out this companion planting chart.
Cilantro’s Ideal Companion Plants
Cilantro, also known as coriander, is a popular culinary herb that is easy to grow in containers or herb gardens. Like other plants in our vegetable and herb gardens, there are companion plants that seem to help cilantro to flourish. Here are some of the best companion plants for cilantro:
Fennel
Fennel is a great companion plant for cilantro because it repels aphids and attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings. Additionally, fennel and cilantro have similar growing requirements, making them a great match.
Peppers
Peppers are another great companion plant for cilantro. Peppers grow well in hot weather and provide shade to cilantro, which prefers cooler temperatures. Additionally, peppers and cilantro complement each other well in Mexican and other cuisines.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a good companion plant for cilantro. Tomatoes grow well in hot weather and provide shade to cilantro, which prefers cooler temperatures. Additionally, tomatoes and cilantro complement each other well in salsa and other dishes.
Beans
Beans are a great companion plant for cilantro, which loves nitrogen, thanks to their nitrogen fixing abilities. Legumes have a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobia bacteria, which can fix nitrogen in the soil and make it available to plants like cilantro.
Lettuce
Lettuce is a good companion plant for cilantro because it grows quickly and helps to shade cilantro, which prefers cooler temperatures. Additionally, lettuce and cilantro complement each other well in salads and other dishes.
Spinach
Spinach is a good companion plant for cilantro because it grows quickly and helps to shade cilantro, which prefers cooler temperatures. Additionally, spinach and cilantro complement each other well in salads and other dishes.
Asparagus
Asparagus is a good companion plant for cilantro because it grows quickly and helps to shade cilantro, which prefers cooler temperatures. Additionally, asparagus and cilantro complement each other well in salads and other dishes.
Parsley
Parsley is a good companion plant for cilantro because it grows quickly and helps to shade cilantro, which prefers cooler temperatures. Additionally, parsley and cilantro complement each other well in salads and other dishes.
In conclusion, cilantro has many ideal companion plants that can help it grow and thrive. By planting cilantro with these companion plants, you can create a healthy and productive herb garden.
Cilantro’s Worst Companion Plants
When it comes to companion planting, some plants can help each other grow, while others can hinder growth. Cilantro is no exception, and there are certain plants that should not be planted near it. Here are some of the worst companion plants for cilantro:
Cabbage Family
The cabbage family, which includes broccoli, cauliflower, and kale, should not be planted near cilantro. These plants release chemicals that can inhibit cilantro’s growth and flavor.
Anise Family
The anise family, which includes fennel, dill, and anise itself, should also be avoided when planting cilantro. These plants are from the same family as cilantro and can cross-pollinate, producing hybrid offspring that are less hardy and flavorful than their parents.
Potatoes
Potatoes should not be planted near cilantro because they release chemicals that can inhibit cilantro’s growth. Additionally, cilantro can attract the potato beetle, which can cause damage to both the cilantro and the potatoes.
Carrots
Carrots should also be avoided when planting cilantro. These two plants compete for the same nutrients in the soil, and planting them together can result in stunted growth for both.
Celery
Celery should not be planted near cilantro because it can attract the same pests that cilantro is susceptible to, such as aphids and spider mites. Additionally, celery can inhibit cilantro’s growth and flavor.
In summary, when planning your cilantro garden, it is important to avoid planting it near the cabbage family, anise family, potatoes, carrots, and celery. By avoiding these plants, you can help ensure that your cilantro grows healthy and flavorful.
