Companion Planting for Chillies

Companion planting helps chilli plants grow stronger, deter pests, and improve flavour. By matching your chillies with the right neighbours, you can boost yield and keep your garden naturally balanced without relying on chemical control.

Why Companion Planting Works

Chillies attract beneficial insects like pollinators but are also prone to aphids, thrips, and whiteflies. The right companion plants provide a layer of natural pest protection and create a more resilient soil ecosystem.

Improves pollination by attracting bees and hoverflies.
Repels common pests like aphids and nematodes.
Enhances soil health with nitrogen-fixing plants.
Balances shade and airflow for even ripening.

Companion planting doesn’t replace good feeding — use a balanced fertiliser like CompleteGrow NPK 20-20-20 to keep your chilli base strong while companion plants support pest control and growth naturally.

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Best Companion Plants for Chillies

The best chilli companions complement root depth, soil nutrient use, and pest balance. Many aromatic herbs deter common insects while improving the flavour of fruit grown nearby.

Basil: Deters thrips and whitefly, enhances growth, and improves flavour of nearby chillies.
Marigold: Repels nematodes and aphids with its natural scent barrier.
Onion & Garlic: Excellent for deterring sap-sucking pests and fungal diseases.
Spinach & Lettuce: Provide ground cover that keeps roots cool and soil moist.
Carrots: Deep roots loosen soil and prevent compaction around chilli roots.

Keep a 30–40 cm gap between chillies and companion herbs to maintain airflow and reduce disease risk. This spacing also allows for even watering and sunlight distribution.

Plants to Avoid Near Chillies

Capsicum and Tomatoes: Share similar diseases — avoid planting close together.
Fennel: Releases chemicals that stunt chilli growth.
Potatoes: Compete for nutrients and attract similar pests like aphids and thrips.

Combining good spacing with consistent feeding — such as CompleteGrow 4-18-38 + Calcium & Magnesium — ensures both chillies and their companions thrive without competing for nutrients.

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Maintaining Balance & Long-Term Soil Health

Rotate chillies each season with light feeders such as leafy greens or legumes to prevent soil fatigue. Companion plants like basil and spinach can be replaced yearly to keep soil fresh and free of pest build-up.

Feed chillies every 7–10 days using NPK 20-20-20 during early growth, switching to 4-18-38 + CaMg once flowering begins. Healthy feeding keeps chillies productive even in mixed beds.

Mulch around plant bases to reduce weeds and retain moisture.
Harvest regularly to encourage more pods and stronger regrowth.
Prune lightly to maintain airflow between companion plants.

FAQs — Companion Planting with Chillies

What grows best with chillies? Basil, marigold, garlic, onion, and spinach are top choices for pest control and soil health.
What should not be planted near chillies? Avoid tomatoes, fennel, and potatoes — they share pests or slow growth.
Do companion plants affect heat or yield? Indirectly yes — better soil health and pest balance help chillies grow hotter and larger.
Can I grow herbs with potted chillies? Yes, small herbs like basil and chives pair perfectly in larger containers.
Should I fertilise companions too? Yes, but lightly — they’ll share nutrients from each chilli feed cycle.