The Worst Plants to Grow Near Marigolds (That No One Talks About)

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Speak to any gardener, and they’ll tell you about the miraculous benefits of marigolds. These cheerful little plants perform a helpful role in the garden, helping to repel pests that munch on our carefully tended plants. Brightly colored marigold flowers also attract beneficial insects that boost pollination and eat pests such as aphids and caterpillars.

For these reasons, you’ll see marigolds appearing on almost every companion planting list. But the truth is, there are situations where these low-maintenance plants are best avoided. Marigolds aren’t always the garden heroes we think they are!

Why Some Plants Don’t Mix Well with Marigolds

Some plants don’t mix well with marigolds because they release various compounds via their roots and flowers. These compounds repel harmful insects and can hinder the growth of neighboring plants. These effects accumulate in the soil year after year, leading to stunted growth of susceptible plants.

Another issue with marigolds is their vigorous growth habit. They will outcompete other plants for nutrients and moisture, and can quickly crowd out and overshadow more delicate, slower-growing plants. In the right conditions, marigolds self-seed easily and, if left unchecked, may take over your garden.

If you’re confused about the rights and wrongs of companion planting, you’re not the only one! The general rule is that most plants will tolerate and even benefit from being grown close to marigolds, but it is a good idea to avoid planting them in the same location every year. Marigolds also make a fantastic cover crop, helping to cleanse the soil of harmful nematodes, ready for the growing season ahead.

However, there are a small number of plants that really dislike being grown next to marigolds, and these pairings should be avoided. So, let’s take a look at which plants are best kept well away from your colorful marigold patch!

1. Beans

All types of beans are highly sensitive to the compounds that marigolds release into the soil. So, even though intercropping beans with marigolds reduces pests that damage bean crops, the growth of beans is stunted and yields are lower.

So, keep marigolds well away from pole and bush beans, and stick to compatible companions like nasturtiums and bee balm instead. 

2. Cabbage

Cabbages are in the same boat as beans—while marigolds can deter cabbage moths, planting them too close to cabbages may backfire.

Cabbage plants are heavy feeders and do not appreciate competition for nutrients or water. If the roots of marigolds and cabbages are too close together, cabbage growth will be stunted.

Related: What’s Damaging Your Cabbage Plants?

3. Eggplant

Eggplants come from the same family as tomatoes, which thrive in the company of marigolds. However, eggplants are less tolerant of root competition and may struggle if overshadowed by bushy marigold plants. Space them a few feet apart to get the benefits of marigolds without stunting your eggplants.

Related: How to Make the Best Eggplant Caponata

4. Cauliflower

Cauliflowers are very sensitive to competition or stress, and require exactly the right conditions to develop a perfectly formed head. When marigolds are planted nearby, their vigorous root systems compete for nutrients and water, leading to disappointing cauliflower yields.

5. Turnips

Turnips need good-quality soil to develop smooth, round roots. The compounds released by marigold roots can interfere with turnip growth, causing them to grow misshapen or stunted. Marigolds also compete for vital nutrients, further stressing the turnips and leading to a less productive harvest.

6. Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are slow to mature and need plenty of space both above and below ground. Their extensive root systems struggle to compete with neighboring plants with vigorous growth habits like marigolds. Plant your marigolds elsewhere if you want to guarantee a high yield of good-sized sprouts.

Related: Brussels Sprout Salad With Maple Vinaigrette

7. Kale

While kale is somewhat more forgiving than some of its brassica cousins, it will not thrive when forced to compete with aggressive neighbors.

When planted too close to marigolds, kale growth will be stunted due to nutrient competition and root crowding. These conditions can also lead to increased bitterness in the leaves, a sure sign that the plant is stressed.

8. Mustard Greens

Marigolds, despite their pest-repelling benefits, can interfere with the delicate root systems of mustard greens if planted nearby. Due to their rapid growth habit, mustard greens require fertile soil with minimal competition for nutrients.

Pairing these delicious leafy greens with marigolds will lead to slower growth and poor harvests.

9. Peas

Peas form a delicate partnership with the soil and rely on stable conditions to produce pods filled with deliciously sweet peas. When marigolds are introduced into their growing area, their root systems can disrupt this balance, leading to slow growth and disappointing harvests.

10. Broccoli

Like the other brassica crops on our list, broccoli needs moist, nutrient-rich soil to produce a decent harvest. When planted too close together, marigolds compete with broccoli for water, space, and nutrients, potentially triggering premature bolting or low yields.

11. Fennel

Fennel has a reputation for being a poor companion to just about everything in the garden, and marigolds are no exception. In fact, each will stunt the growth of the other!

Both plants produce allelopathic compounds that interfere with the growth of surrounding plants. Fennel is best planted in its own space, far from other herbs and vegetables.

Related: 15 Plants That Can Peacefully Coexist with Fennel

12. Basil

Flavorsome basil is celebrated for its pest-deterring properties and is often recommended as the perfect companion for tomatoes.

However, this doesn’t mean that basil and marigolds will work together as a team! Marigolds can be surprisingly competitive for nutrients and may deprive basil of the resources it needs for healthy growth.

13. Chives

With their dense and spreading root systems, Marigolds will overcrowd chives and reduce their access to nutrients and moisture. For the best results, giving chives their own space or planting them with more compatible neighbors like parsley or basil is wise.

14. Rosemary

The natural habitat for rosemary mimics the Mediterranean climate it hails from – dry, well-drained soil with low levels of nutrients. When planted close together, marigolds can crowd rosemary, raising soil moisture levels and causing root stress and fungal issues.

Related: Rosemary Water With Dried Rosemary

15. Radishes

Radishes need ample levels of sunlight, moisture, and nutrients to support their rapid growth rate. Marigolds will outcompete radishes on all of these, leading to stressed plants and woody, bitter roots.

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