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Garlic chives (Allium tuberosum) are a hardy perennial herb in the onion family. Also known as Chinese chives, they have flat, grass-like leaves with a mild garlic flavor, making them perfect for both culinary and ornamental gardens.
This delicious herb is commonly used in Asian cuisine, particularly in stir-fries, dumplings, and soups. Its edible flowers add a delicate touch to salads and garnishes. They taste delicious and are super-easy to grow, making them ideal for gardeners of all abilities.
Garlic chives are a worthwhile addition to any garden, but which plants like to grow near this fragrant herb? As a companion plant, garlic chives offer several beneficial properties and can help to boost the growth of many other plants. The leaves and flowers emit a strong aroma that can deter various pests, including aphids, carrot flies, and Japanese beetles. It is also believed that garlic chives can help reduce fungal diseases like mildew and black spots. In addition, garlic chives also improve the growth and flavor of neighboring plants by enhancing soil health.
Let’s take a look at some of the best garlic chives companion plants in ornamental and vegetable gardens:
1. Tomatoes
Plant garlic chives around tomato plants to enhance their flavor and deter pests like aphids. For the best results, interplant garlic chives between tomato plants or in between rows.
2. Carrots
Carrots and garlic chives complement each other well in terms of pest deterrence, making this a mutually beneficial relationship. Plant alternating rows of carrots and garlic chives to boost growth and flavor and keep pests such as carrot fly at bay.
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3. Grapes
Grapes are highly susceptible to mildew and fungal diseases, but planting clumps of garlic chives at the base can help to increase their resilience. If possible, plant garlic chives on the south side of the base of each grapevine to ensure they receive enough sunlight to thrive.
4. Cilantro
Cilantro can deter spider mites from garlic chives, helping to keep the plants healthy and disease-free. Interplant them in rows or as a border to enhance pest control and improve the health of both herbs.
5. Roses
Garlic chives planted near roses can repel aphids and reduce black spot fungus. Plant them around the base of roses or in rows alongside them to maximize their pest-repelling properties.
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6. Strawberries
Plant garlic chives in small clusters among strawberry plants to improve their growth and deter pests. Space the plants far enough apart so they are not overcrowded, as this can increase the risk of slugs and rotten fruit.
7. Thyme
Thyme and garlic chives are excellent mutual companions, with each repelling pests and preventing fungal diseases in the other. These two plants are often grown together in containers or herb gardens to maximize their beneficial relationship.
8. Cabbage
Cabbageworms, small green caterpillars that infest cabbages and other brassica crops, are deterred by the strong onion-garlic smell of garlic chives. Plant garlic chives in alternating rows or in clusters around cabbage plants to create a protective barrier.
9. Lettuce
Garlic chives have been shown to repel aphids, a troublesome pest that often infests lettuce plants. Interplant garlic chives between rows of lettuce or as a border around lettuce patches to maximize their pest-repelling effects.
10. Peppers
Plant garlic chives near pepper plants to repel aphids and other harmful insects and boost plant growth. Space plants about 12-18 inches apart in rows or clusters around pepper plants for optimal pest control.
11. Cucumbers
Garlic chives can be interplanted with cucumbers to deter cucumber beetles and improve cucumber growth. Plant them in rows or alternating hills with cucumber plants to maximize their benefits.
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12. Broccoli
Interplant garlic chives in rows or clusters around broccoli plants to create a protective barrier against pests like cabbage worms.
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13. Spinach
Garlic chives can help boost soil health, resulting in healthy spinach plants with vigorous growth. Spinach will also benefit from the pest-repellent properties of garlic chives.
14. Squash
Interplant garlic chives in rows or clusters around squash plants to create a natural barrier against squash bugs and other pests.
15. Eggplant
Aphids are a common problem in eggplants, but the strong smell of garlic chives is an effective repellent. Interplant clumps of garlic chives between rows of eggplants to enhance soil health and deter pests.
16. Beets
Root vegetables such as beets are often grown next to alliums to enhance their growth and flavor. Grow clumps of garlic chives 6-8 inches apart between rows of beets.
17. Marigolds
Marigolds may be the answer if your garlic chives seem to be struggling. Marigolds can repel pests harmful to garlic chives, so plant them together to create a protective barrier and improve soil health.
18. Apples
When planted near the base of apple trees, garlic chives can help reduce scab and fungal issues. This method works best with younger apple trees, as the shade from larger trees may be detrimental to garlic chive plants.
19. Basil
Both basil and garlic chives help repel aphids and planting them together in rows or clusters maximizes their pest-repelling properties. This planting technique also enhances the flavor of both herbs.
20. Peas
The pungent smell of garlic chives can help deter troublesome pests that damage pea plants and reduce crop yields. Plant garlic chives in rows or as a border around pea patches to create a natural pest deterrent and enhance soil fertility.
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