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Raspberries might not always get the same attention as blueberries or strawberries, but their sweet-tart flavor and generous yields make them a favorite in many home gardens. A healthy raspberry patch can keep producing for years, giving you fresh berries to eat, preserve, or freeze for later.
But getting the most from your raspberry plants isn’t just about sunlight and pruning—it also depends on what you grow nearby. While some companion plants can support raspberries by improving the soil or keeping pests in check, others can do more harm than good.
Certain plants compete for nutrients, attract the same pests, or spread diseases that can weaken or even destroy your raspberry crop. Knowing which plants to avoid is just as important as knowing what to plant. Below are some of the worst companion plants for raspberries—and why it’s best to keep them far from your berry patch.
Tomatoes
While tomatoes and raspberries may look like they’d be a great pairing, they’re a terrible match in the garden.
Tomatoes are notorious for harboring fungal diseases like late blight, which can easily spread to raspberries. Once introduced, blight can quickly take hold in the soil and devastate both crops.
Potatoes
Potatoes share more with raspberries than just a spot in the vegetable patch—they’re also vulnerable to many of the same fungal diseases, especially verticillium wilt. Planting them near each other raises the risk of cross-contamination and creates a hotspot for disease to linger season after season.
Eggplants
These nightshades carry their own set of problems. Like potatoes and tomatoes, eggplants are susceptible to verticillium wilt, a soil-borne fungus that affects raspberries, too. This disease doesn’t just slow growth—it can wipe out your raspberry crop entirely if the soil becomes infected.
Peppers
Peppers may seem harmless, but they attract many of the same pests and pathogens as raspberries. Growing them close together makes it easier for insects and diseases to travel from one plant to the other, increasing the chances of infestation or infection on both sides.
Black Walnuts
This tree is an enemy to many in the garden, including raspberries. Black walnuts release a chemical called juglone through their roots and fallen leaves. Juglone is toxic to many plants, including raspberries. If raspberries are grown within range of a black walnut’s root system, they may suffer stunted growth, yellowing leaves, or even die off entirely.
Strawberries
Although they seem like a natural match—both are sweet, red berries—strawberries are actually fierce competitors. They have shallow root systems that aggressively soak up nutrients and water, depriving raspberries.
Strawberries are also prone to fungal issues like verticillium wilt and powdery mildew, which can easily spread to raspberries in close quarters.
Mint
Mint has a reputation for being a strong natural insect repellent, and it can be useful in the garden if contained. Unfortunately, mint is incredibly invasive. It can quickly spread underground and entangle itself with raspberry roots, choking out your canes and stealing vital nutrients. If you’re tempted to use mint as a companion, grow it in a pot and keep it well away from your berry beds.
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