Certain plants can significantly enhance the growth and health of rhubarb by deterring pests and improving soil quality. Companion planting, a strategic practice where compatible plants are grown together, has been shown to boost garden productivity and biodiversity.1
Rhubarb, a beloved perennial known for its tart stalks, thrives when paired with the right companions. Planting these companions can transform your garden into a thriving ecosystem, ensuring robust rhubarb plants and a bountiful harvest.
Here are the top 15 companion plants that will help your rhubarb flourish.
1. Strawberries
Strawberries and rhubarb are a classic duo in the garden, just as they are in the kitchen. Planting strawberries near rhubarb is a smart move as these plants complement each other perfectly. Strawberries act as ground cover, helping to retain soil moisture and reduce weed growth around rhubarb plants.
Moreover, strawberries’ shallow root systems don’t compete heavily with rhubarb’s deeper roots, allowing both plants to thrive without vying for nutrients. Strawberries’ sweet red berries are also ready for harvest around the same time rhubarb stalks are at their best.
2. Garlic
Garlic is an excellent companion plant for rhubarb due to its natural pest-repellent properties. The strong aroma of garlic deters various insects that might otherwise damage rhubarb, including aphids and spider mites. This natural pest control can help maintain the health and vigor of your rhubarb plants.
Additionally, garlic helps improve the overall soil health. As it grows, garlic releases sulfur compounds into the soil, which can help suppress soil-borne diseases. Planting garlic around rhubarb ensures both plants benefit from improved growth conditions and reduced pest pressures.
3. Onions
Like garlic, onions are members of the allium family and offer fantastic pest-repellent qualities. Planting onions near rhubarb can ward off harmful insects and even some small mammals that might be tempted to nibble on your plants. This protective barrier ensures your rhubarb remains healthy and productive throughout the growing season.
Onions also benefit from minimal competition for resources with rhubarb. Their different root depths and nutrient needs mean they can coexist harmoniously, each drawing what they need from the soil without depriving the other. This symbiotic relationship enhances the overall health of your garden ecosystem.
4. Beans
Beans are nitrogen-fixing plants, meaning they can convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can absorb and use. This characteristic makes beans excellent companions for rhubarb, which is a heavy feeder and benefits from the added nitrogen in the soil. The improved nutrient availability can lead to more robust and productive rhubarb plants.
Additionally, beans provide ground cover that helps retain soil moisture and reduce weed competition. This mulching effect keeps the soil around rhubarb plants cool and moist, creating an ideal growing environment. Nutrient enhancement and soil protection make beans a valuable addition to any rhubarb patch.
5. Cabbage
Cabbage and other brassicas make excellent companions for rhubarb. These plants can help shade the soil, keeping it cooler and moist, which benefits rhubarb’s growth. The large cabbage leaves also act as a natural mulch, suppressing weeds that might compete with rhubarb for nutrients and water.
Moreover, rhubarb’s strong roots help to break up heavy soils, improving soil structure for cabbage and other neighboring plants. This mutually beneficial relationship ensures that both rhubarb and cabbage grow healthily, with improved soil conditions and reduced weed pressure enhancing their overall productivity.
6. Broccoli
Broccoli, another member of the brassica family, shares many benefits with cabbage when planted near rhubarb. It provides shade and ground cover, helping to maintain soil moisture and reduce weed competition. This protective environment is ideal for rhubarb, which prefers consistent moisture and minimal competition.
In return, rhubarb’s robust and somewhat toxic leaves can deter certain pests that might otherwise target broccoli. This natural pest deterrent makes the duo a strong team in the garden, each supporting the other’s growth and health.
7. Kale
Kale is an excellent companion for rhubarb, offering benefits similar to those of cabbage and broccoli. It provides ground cover that helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds, creating a favorable growing environment for rhubarb. Kale’s dense foliage also helps protect rhubarb from harsh weather conditions, providing a microclimate that can boost growth.
Furthermore, kale’s presence can attract beneficial insects that prey on common rhubarb pests. This natural pest control helps keep rhubarb healthy without the need for chemical interventions, promoting a more sustainable and eco-friendly garden.
8. Peas
Peas, like beans, are nitrogen-fixing plants that can enhance soil fertility. Planting peas near rhubarb ensures a steady supply of nitrogen, which is crucial for rhubarb’s vigorous growth. This nutrient boost can result in healthier plants and higher yields of those prized tart stalks.
Additionally, peas can serve as a living mulch, shading the soil and reducing weed growth around rhubarb. This ground cover helps maintain soil moisture and temperature, creating optimal growing conditions. The combined benefits of nitrogen enrichment and soil protection make peas a valuable ally for rhubarb.
9. Spinach
Spinach is a fast-growing leafy green that makes a great companion for rhubarb. It can be planted between rhubarb crowns, utilizing the space efficiently and providing ground cover that helps retain soil moisture and reduce weed competition. Spinach’s shallow root system ensures it doesn’t compete heavily with rhubarb for nutrients.
Moreover, spinach matures quickly and can be harvested before rhubarb peaks, making it an excellent interim crop. This staggered harvesting schedule maximizes garden productivity and ensures a continuous supply of fresh produce from early spring through summer.
10. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are a favorite companion plant for many gardeners due to their pest-repellent properties and bright, attractive flowers. When planted near rhubarb, nasturtiums can deter aphids, beetles, and other common pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides and promoting a healthier garden environment.
In addition to their pest control benefits, nasturtiums attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, which can enhance the overall health of your garden. Their vibrant flowers add a splash of color and beauty, making the garden more visually appealing while supporting rhubarb’s growth.
11. Marigolds
Marigolds are renowned for repelling nematodes, aphids, and other harmful insects. Planting marigolds near rhubarb can protect your plants from these pests, ensuring they remain healthy and productive. Their natural insecticidal properties make them an invaluable companion for rhubarb and other garden plants.
Furthermore, marigolds can enhance soil health by attracting beneficial insects that prey on garden pests. This biological pest control method helps maintain a balanced ecosystem, reducing the need for chemical interventions and promoting sustainable gardening practices.
12. Chives
Chives are a versatile herb that offers numerous benefits when planted near rhubarb. Their pungent aroma can deter many common pests, including aphids and Japanese beetles, helping to keep rhubarb plants healthy and pest-free. Chives also attract beneficial insects like bees, improving pollination and boosting overall garden health.
Additionally, chives have shallow roots that don’t compete with rhubarb for nutrients, allowing both plants to thrive. Their edible leaves and flowers add culinary value, making them a practical and attractive addition to any rhubarb patch.
13. Thyme
Thyme is another herb that pairs well with rhubarb, providing natural pest control and enhancing garden biodiversity. Its aromatic foliage can repel cabbage worms, aphids, and other pests that might otherwise target rhubarb. Thyme’s presence helps create a more balanced and resilient garden ecosystem.
Besides its pest-repellent properties, thyme is a low-growing plant that acts as a living mulch, helping to retain soil moisture and reduce weed growth. This ground cover is particularly beneficial for rhubarb, which thrives in consistently moist soil conditions.
14. Catnip
Catnip is an excellent companion for rhubarb, especially when dealing with pest issues. Its strong scent can repel various insects, including aphids and squash bugs, keeping rhubarb plants safe from these common garden pests. Catnip also attracts beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, enhancing pollination and garden biodiversity.
In addition to its pest-repellent properties, catnip can add ornamental value to your garden with its attractive foliage and flowers. It’s a hardy plant that requires minimal care, making it an easy and effective companion for rhubarb.
15. Borage
Borage is a dynamic companion plant that offers multiple benefits for rhubarb. Its beautiful blue flowers attract pollinators, which can enhance your garden’s overall health and productivity. Borage also acts as a natural deterrent for pests like tomato hornworms and cabbage worms, protecting rhubarb from potential damage.
Moreover, borage is known for improving soil health. As it grows, it accumulates minerals and nutrients, which are then released back into the soil when the plant decomposes. This nutrient cycling enriches the soil, providing a fertile environment for rhubarb and other garden plants to thrive.
Incorporating companion plants into your rhubarb patch enhances its growth and productivity and creates a thriving, biodiverse garden. By selecting the right companion plants, you support your rhubarb’s health and contribute to a more sustainable gardening practice.
Start integrating these beneficial plants into your garden and watch your rhubarb—and your entire garden—flourish with vitality and abundance.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.