Best companion plants for sunflowers

Sunflowers are vibrant annuals that attract pollinators and beneficial insects. There are several varieties of sunflowers and they come in different colours as well. They are great companion plants that can be grown near vegetables and herbs. They help to attract pollinators and beneficial insects that can help in pollination and reducing pest attack. In this article we well discuss about the best companion plants for sunflowers.

Best companion plants for sunflowers:

1. Corn

Sunflowers and Corn make great companion plants. Both these plants grow tall and don’t compete for sunlight with one another. The deep roots of sunflowers help the short root system of corn. Sunflowers help to attract pollinators and beneficial insects that help pollinate and control pests in corn.

2. Beans

Beans are great nitrogen fixers and help improve soil fertility which benefits sunflowers. Beans use sunflowers as a trellis to climb. Growing beans and sunflowers can help to save space.

3.Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are great trap crops. Planting them at a distance from sunflowers can lure pests away from sunflowers. Planting nasturtiums can increase garden diversity.

4.Lavender

Planting sunflowers and lavenders together creates a pollinator habitat for beneficial insects and pollinators. Lavender can also help repel mosquitoes, moths, and other insects from your sunflowers. Lavenders are drought tomerant so they do not compete with sunflowers for water. They also grow well in average soil conditions so they do not compete with sunflowers for nutrients.

5.Pepper

Peppers help to repel aphids, spider mites, whiteflies and other pests. Sunflowers help to attract pollinators and beneficial insects that help in pollination.

6.Tomatoes

Sunflowers are great companion plants for tomatoes as they help to trap stink bugs, which are a threat to sunflowers. Sunflowers can help to attract pollinators and beneficial insects. But both these plants are heavy feeders so make sure the soil is fertile when planting these two near one another.

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7. Basil

The strong scent produced by basil repels the pests like spider mites, whiteflies and mealy bugs that attack sunflowers. Sunflowers also provide the necessary shade that basil requires during the summer season.

8. Cucumber

Both cucumbers and sunflowers are summer-loving plants. Cucumbers use sunflowers as a stalk to climb. Growing these two near one another can save space in your garden. But make sure the soil is fertile as they are both heavy feeders.

9. Squash

Squash makes a great companion plant for sunflowers. Squash’s long vines help keep the soil moist and cool. Squash acts as a ground cover and helps to improve the biodiversity in the garden.

10.Marigold

Marigolds and sunflowers help to attract pollinators and beneficial insects. The pungent smell produced by marigold can help to repel pests that attack sunflowers. Marigolds grow well in average soil conditions and they do not compete with sunflowers for nutrients.

Practising companion planting with your sunflowers is a great way to reduce pest attacks and improve soil fertility. Hope you found this article helpful.

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