Sunflowers are big, bright flowers that make any garden look happy. But did you know they also like having friends? Planting other plants with sunflowers can help them grow even better! These special friends, called companion plants, can do all sorts of helpful things, like keeping away bugs or giving shade. Let’s learn about ” What to plant with sunflowers? ” some easy plants that you can plant alongside sunflowers to make your garden a happy place for everyone!
15 Best Sunflowers Companion Plants
When considering companion planting with sunflowers, there are several options that can complement their vibrant presence in the garden while providing various benefits. Here are some excellent choices for plants to grow alongside sunflowers,
1.Corn:
Tall and sturdy, corn provides shade and support for sunflowers while sunflowers attract pollinators to help corn grow better.
2.Beans:
Climbing beans like pole beans or bush beans can grow up the sunflower stalks, making efficient use of garden space and enriching the soil.
3.Nasturtiums:
Colorful nasturtium flowers not only look pretty but also keep away pests like aphids and beetles that might bother sunflowers.
4.Marigolds:
These bright flowers not only add color but also repel pests like nematodes and aphids, keeping your sunflowers safe.
5.Zinnias:
Zinnias attract bees and butterflies, which help pollinate sunflowers, leading to better seed production.
6.Cosmos:
Easy to grow and attractive to pollinators, cosmos flowers complement sunflowers and support a healthy garden ecosystem.
7.Lettuce:
Plant lettuce at the base of sunflowers to benefit from the shade they provide, keeping the soil cool and moist.
8.Alyssum:
Low-growing alyssum flowers attract beneficial insects like ladybugs, which eat pests that might harm sunflowers.
9.Borage:
With beautiful blue flowers, borage attracts bees and other pollinators, making it a great companion for sunflowers.
10.Radishes:
Planting radishes nearby can deter pests like cucumber beetles, protecting your sunflowers from damage.
11.Dill:
Dill attracts beneficial insects like predatory wasps, which prey on pests like aphids, helping to keep your sunflowers healthy.
12.Peas:
Peas can climb up sunflower stalks, providing shade for their roots and fixing nitrogen in the soil, which sunflowers can benefit from.
13.Morning Glory:
These fast-growing vines add beauty to the garden and can grow alongside sunflowers, enhancing the vertical space.
14.Chamomile:
Chamomile flowers attract hoverflies and parasitic wasps, which control aphids and other pests, making them good companions for sunflowers.
15.Squash:
Sunflowers can provide a sturdy trellis for squash vines to climb, saving space and keeping pests away from both plants.
By planting these companion plants with sunflowers, you can create a thriving garden that supports biodiversity and helps your sunflowers grow strong and healthy.
What not to plant with sunflowers?
Some plants just don’t get along with sunflowers. It’s like having a friend who always causes trouble! These plants can compete with sunflowers for space, water, and nutrients, making it hard for them to grow big and strong. Also, some plants might attract pests or diseases that could harm sunflowers. So, it’s important to avoid planting certain things near sunflowers to keep them healthy and happy.
1.Don’t Plant Big Trees:
Big trees like oak or maple can shade sunflowers too much, making it hard for them to grow tall and strong.
2.Avoid Water-Loving Plants:
Plants like water lilies or cattails drink a lot of water, leaving sunflowers thirsty. Sunflowers need their fair share of water to grow well.
3.Stay Clear of Tomato Plants:
Tomato plants can attract bugs like aphids and caterpillars, which can harm sunflowers by eating their leaves and flowers.
4.Keep Mint Plants Away:
While mint smells nice, it can spread quickly and take over the garden, crowding out sunflowers and stealing their nutrients.
By avoiding these types of plants, we can help our sunflowers stay healthy and happy in the garden!
What vegetables to plant with sunflowers?
Planting vegetables alongside sunflowers can be a smart idea for a healthy and vibrant garden,
Some good choices are,
1.Plant Beans:
Beans like bush beans or pole beans are great friends for sunflowers. They grow tall and use the sunflower stems for support, while their roots add nitrogen to the soil, which helps sunflowers grow.
2. Corn:
Corn and sunflowers make a good team. Corn provides shade for sunflowers, while sunflowers attract pollinators that help corn grow big and healthy.
3.Consider Squash:
Squash, like zucchini or pumpkins, can grow around sunflowers, using their sturdy stems as a trellis. This saves space and helps both plants thrive.
4.Plant Radishes:
Radishes are quick-growing and don’t take up much space. They can be planted between sunflowers, helping to keep pests away and adding some variety to the garden.
By planting these vegetables with sunflowers, you can create a happy and healthy garden where plants help each other grow strong.
What to Plant with Dwarf Sunflowers?
Planting companion plants alongside dwarf sunflowers can enhance their growth and create a balanced garden ecosystem. Some great options for companion plants include marigolds, petunias, and zinnias, which add pops of color and attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies. Additionally, herbs like basil and thyme can deter pests while providing fragrance and flavor to your garden.
Vegetables such as lettuce and radishes can be planted around dwarf sunflowers, utilizing the available space effectively and adding diversity to your garden harvest. By choosing the right companion plants, you can create a beautiful and productive garden that complements the charm of dwarf sunflowers.
What to Plant with Mammoth Sunflowers?
When planting mammoth sunflowers, it’s beneficial to choose companion plants that complement their towering height and large size. Some great options include tall flowering plants like cosmos and cleome, which add color and attract pollinators to your garden.
Additionally, vines such as morning glories or climbing beans can grow alongside mammoth sunflowers, utilizing their sturdy stalks for support. Marigolds and nasturtiums are also excellent companions, as they help repel pests while adding beauty to the garden. By selecting the right companion plants, you can create a vibrant and harmonious garden environment that enhances the majestic presence of mammoth sunflowers.
What to Plant with Mexican Sunflowers?
When planting Mexican sunflowers, it’s a good idea to choose companion plants that complement their vibrant blooms and attract pollinators. Some great options include other pollinator-friendly flowers like zinnias, cosmos, and bee balm, which can enhance the beauty of your garden while supporting biodiversity.
Additionally, herbs like basil and oregano can be planted nearby to deter pests and add fragrance to the garden. Vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers can also thrive alongside Mexican sunflowers, creating a diverse and productive garden space. By selecting the right companion plants, you can create a colorful and thriving garden that celebrates the beauty of Mexican sunflowers.
What to plant with sunflowers in pots?
When planting sunflowers in pots, it’s important to choose companion plants that can thrive in the limited space and soil of a container. Some great options include trailing plants like trailing petunias or trailing lobelia, which can spill over the edges of the pot, adding a cascading effect and complementing the height of the sunflowers.
Additionally, herbs like thyme or rosemary can be planted alongside sunflowers, providing fragrance and flavor while deterring pests. Dwarf marigolds or nasturtiums are also excellent choices, as they add color and attract beneficial insects to your container garden.
FAQs
1.What grows well with sunflowers?
Sunflowers grow well with companion plants like marigolds, zinnias, cosmos, beans, and corn. These plants attract pollinators, repel pests, and create a diverse and vibrant garden ecosystem.
2.Are sunflowers good or bad for the garden?
Sunflowers are generally good for the garden. They attract pollinators, add beauty, provide shade, and can help improve soil health. However, they may overshadow smaller plants if not spaced properly.
3.What is the best month to plant sunflowers?
The best month to plant sunflowers depends on your location and climate. In most regions, planting in late spring after the last frost or early summer provides optimal conditions for sunflower growth.
4.Can I plant sunflowers in June?
Yes, you can plant sunflowers in June. While it’s later in the growing season, sunflowers can still thrive if planted in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight and water.
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