8 Plants That Boost Cilantro Yield when Grown Together
Cilantro, renowned for its divisive flavor, plays an advantageous role in the vegetable garden as a mutually beneficial companion plant. This versatile herb thrives alongside various fruits, vegetables, and other plants that add nitrogen to the soil, provide shade, and deter unwanted pests. To unearth the top companion plants for a bountiful harvest of fresh cilantro, we consulted garden experts.
Sara Rubens, a certified garden coach and the founder of Seed to Sanctuary, and Adam Weiss, a gardener and the founder of Pike Lane Gardens, offer the following recommendations:
Bush Beans
Fast-growing bush beans, including the multi-hued varieties such as Provider, Goldilocks, and Amethyst, make excellent partners for cilantro. These nitrogen-rich allies support the growth of cilantro, while taller beans provide the necessary shade to prolong the herb's life during hot summer months.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 8
- Growth: 18 to 24 inches tall and 18 inches wide
- Care: Full sun; well-drained soil
Snap Peas
Consider planting snap peas alongside cilantro for added nitrogen in the soil and an array of complementary gains. Similar to bush beans, snap peas also extend cilantro's life by offering shade and add value as both plants share similar growth requirements.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 11
- Growth: 18 to 30 inches tall and 8 to 24 inches wide
- Care: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained, loamy soil
Lettuce
As cilantro plants mature, they produce small flowers known as bolting. When this occurs, the herb's leaves become too tart for consumption. Tall blossoms, however, may benefit nearby lettuce plants, particularly those sharing similar growing needs.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
- Growth: 8 to 10 inches tall and 8 to 12 inches wide
- Care: Full sun to light shade; well-drained soil
Tomatoes
Tomatoes provide an excellent shield against excessive heat for cilantro plants during warm weather, preventing early seeding. An additional perk is the mutual pest-repelling benefits enjoyed by both plants.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 10
- Growth: 1 to 10 feet tall and 1 to 4 feet wide
- Care: Full sun; well-drained soil
Garlic and Onion
The pungent aroma of garlic and onion not only complements a myriad of dishes but also makes these allium plants a desirable garden companion for many vegetables, including cilantro. Their odor acts as a natural deterrent against pests like aphids and spider mites.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: Varies
- Growth: 1 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 6 inches wide
- Care: Full sun; moist, loamy soil
Broccoli
Broccoli, a member of the cool-weather brassicas, appreciates the spicy scent of cilantro which helps to deter common pests. As the herb flowers and attracts insects, it serves as a trap crop, directing those pests away from the vegetable.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 10
- Growth: 1 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide
- Care: Full sun; well-drained soil
Marigolds
Vibrant and fragrant marigolds don't just brighten the garden, but they also ward off various garden pests, such as aphids, whiteflies, and root-knot nematodes, with their distinct scent. This natural pest deterrent boosts the resistance of cilantro, resulting in healthier plants.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 11
- Growth: 6 to 36 inches tall and 6 to 12 inches wide
- Care: Full sun; well-drained soil
Strawberries
Strawberries are another compatible companion for cilantro as both plants share similar growing conditions and warmth preferences. Cilantro's scent even offers added protection against unwelcome pests looking to snack on strawberries.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
- Growth: 8 to 12 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide
- Care: Full sun; well-drained soil
Cilantro, with its assortment of companion plants, becomes an integral part of a lush, balanced vegetable garden. The unique combination of these plants creates a symbiotic alliance, resulting in a healthier, more productive garden while yielding a steady supply of fresh cilantro for a multitude of culinary applications.
- To create a vegetable garden that thrives, consider incorporating various companion plants suggested by gardening experts, such as bush beans, snap peas, lettuce, tomatoes, garlic and onion, broccoli, marigolds, and strawberries.
- Martha Stewart, a renowned authority in the realm of home-and-garden, food-and-drink, lifestyle, health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and cooking, advocates for companion planting strategies to enhance garden productivity, citing cilantro as a prime example.
- By growing cilantro alongside compatible plants like bush beans, snap peas, lettuce, and tomatoes, gardeners can ensure optimal nitrogen levels, shade, and pest control, fostering a bountiful harvest of fresh cilantro.
- Pungent alliums like garlic and onion, whose aromatic qualities complement a variety of dishes, make for excellent garden companions, deterring unwanted pests from attacking cilantro and other susceptible plants.
- Broccoli, a cool-weather brassica that appreciates cilantro's spicy scent, benefits from the herb's ability to deter common pests while cilantro basks in the added protection.
- Marigolds, with their vibrant colors and aromatic qualities, not only beautify the garden but also serve as natural pest deterrents, boosting the resistance and overall health of cilantro plants.
