Companion planting promotes a healthier, more balanced growing environment. It allows plants to support each other, leading to better growth and reduced dependency on artificial aids. This method is valuable for small and large gardens, contributing to more sustainable and productive agriculture.

In the case of eggplants, many plants can be planted close to them. However, being a part of the nightshade family, avoid planting eggplants near other nightshade plants like tomatoes, potatoes, or peppers. They can share diseases like blight and pests, reducing health and yield for both.

Also, avoid planting eggplants near non-compatible crops like:

• Peas
• Beets
• Pumpkin
• Zucchinis
• Cucumber
• Raspberries
• Sunflowers

What plants will complement eggplants? Try these crops instead.

10 of the Best Plants to Pair with Eggplants in the Garden

Beans: Beans, being nitrogen-fixing plants, can convert atmospheric nitrogen into

a form that plants can use. This natural fertilization process enriches the soil, providing essential nutrients for eggplants and promoting their growth.

Additionally, beans can act as living mulch, shading the soil and helping to retain moisture. This reduces the need for frequent watering and helps maintain a stable soil temperature, both of which are beneficial for eggplant health.

Beans grow vertically, which maximizes garden space. This vertical growth allows eggplants to spread out more comfortably, ensuring they receive adequate sunlight and air circulation. Proper air circulation is crucial for preventing fungal diseases that can affect eggplants.

Cabbage: Cabbage is a low-lying plant that creates natural shade as it grows and spreads its leaves. This helps keep the soil cool and moist, which benefits the taller eggplants, especially during hot weather, by reducing the need for frequent watering and protecting their roots from overheating.

Cabbage can act as a barrier to certain pests while attracting pollinators. For instance, its strong smell can repel pests that typically target eggplants, such as aphids and spider mites. But it can also attract beneficial insects. Its deep roots help break up the soil, improving soil structure and allowing better water penetration and nutrient absorption for eggplants.

Lettuce: Lettuce has a shallow root system that does not compete with the deeper roots of eggplants. This ensures that both plants can access the nutrients and water they need without hindering each other’s growth.

Lettuce also works as a living mulch, keeping the soil cool on hot days with its broad leaves and keeping weeds at bay so they do not compete with the taller eggplants.

Lettuce grows quickly and matures faster than eggplants. By harvesting lettuce regularly, you can maintain space around the eggplants, ensuring they have enough room to expand and receive adequate sunlight and airflow. This helps prevent diseases that thrive in crowded, poorly ventilated conditions.

Spinach: Spinach has a shallow root system, ensuring it doesn’t compete with eggplants’ deeper roots for nutrients and water. This allows both plants to thrive without hindering each other’s growth. Spinach also grows quickly and can be harvested early.

This early harvest opens up space around the eggplants, giving them more room to grow and ensuring they receive sufficient sunlight and air circulation. Good air circulation helps prevent diseases that can affect eggplants.

Additionally, spinach attracts beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and predatory beetles, which feed on common eggplant pests like aphids. This natural pest control reduces the need for chemical pesticides, promoting a healthier garden environment.

Radish: Radishes’ roots improve the soil structure by breaking up and aerating the soil. This makes it easier for eggplants to access water and nutrients.

Radishes can serve as a trap crop for pests. They attract certain pests, such as flea beetles, away from the eggplants. By drawing these pests to themselves, radishes help protect the eggplants from potential damage, ensuring healthier plants and better yields.

Because radishes mature quickly, they’re not depleting soil nutrients. You can harvest radishes earlier, giving eggplants more room to grow in one growing season.

Basil: Basil is a relatively low-growing plant that does not overshadow eggplants. This ensures that eggplants receive adequate sunlight and can grow without obstruction.

Some gardeners believe that planting basil near eggplants improves the taste of eggplants nearby, although this effect is more anecdotal.

As an aromatic herb, its strong scent repels common pests that target eggplants, such as aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. It can also attract beneficial insects like bees and other pollinators. These insects help pollinate eggplants and prey on harmful pests, further protecting the eggplants and encouraging better fruit production.

Marigolds: Marigolds have a non-invasive growth habit and will not compete with your eggplants for nutrients. The plant also emits strong scents that repel many pests that usually attack eggplants, such as aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes. This flowering plant is also known to suppress harmful nematodes in the soil, which can otherwise damage eggplant roots.

Marigolds provide a vibrant ground cover that helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. This benefits eggplants, as consistent moisture and reduced competition from weeds support their growth and fruit production.

Tarragon: Tarragon is a natural pest deterrent that reduces the need for chemical pesticides. Its strong aroma repels many eggplant pests, including aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. It also attracts beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and predatory wasps.

Because it doesn’t compete with nutrients and sunlight with eggplants, tarragon can live in harmony with all kinds of aubergines. It can also improve the flavor of eggplants and nearby vegetables.

Because tarragon is a perennial herb, it can provide ongoing benefits throughout multiple growing seasons, reducing the need for replanting and offering consistent support to eggplants.

Thyme: Like most aromatic herbs compatible with eggplants, thyme’s strong scent helps deter pests that nibble on eggplant fruits and leaves. This natural pest deterrent reduces the need for chemical pesticides, fostering a healthier garden environment.

It also offers natural protection from weeds because thyme grows low. As it spreads, it serves as a living mulch, helping shade the soil and maintain soil moisture. Its shallow root system ensures that it does not interfere with the deeper roots of eggplants, allowing both plants to access the nutrients and water they need.

The presence of thyme can enhance the microbial activity in the soil, contributing to a more fertile and well-balanced growing environment for eggplants.

Jerusalem artichoke: Jerusalem artichoke provides shade for eggplants, which helps protect them from the sun’s intense heat. This shading can reduce the risk of heat stress and improve overall plant health. Its tall and sturdy stalks act as a windbreak. By shielding eggplants from strong winds it helps prevent damage to their delicate stems and leaves, ensuring they remain upright and healthy.

With its extensive root system, Jerusalem artichoke can improve soil health. These roots help aerate the soil, enhancing its structure and making it easier for eggplants to access water and nutrients.

Jerusalem artichoke has minimal nutrient requirements and does not compete heavily with eggplants for resources. This allows eggplants to thrive without significant competition for soil nutrients or water.

Companion Plants for Eggplants

Companion planting promotes a healthier, more balanced growing environment. This method is valuable for both small gardens and large farms, contributing to more sustainable and productive agriculture. But, not all plants are compatible with each other. That’s why it’s essential to research before trying companion planting!