Best Companion Plants for Cauliflower (And What to Avoid)

Cauliflower is one of the most rewarding cool-season crops, but it doesn’t like to grow alone. In my 30+ years of gardening, I’ve learned that planting cauliflower alongside the right companions boosts growth, improves flavor, and helps reduce pest problems. On the other hand, pairing it with the wrong neighbors can lead to competition, stress, and smaller harvests.

This guide highlights the best companion plants for cauliflower—and what to avoid—based on both experience and proven horticultural practice.

Table of Contents

Why Companion Planting Matters for Cauliflower

Cauliflower belongs to the brassica family (alongside broccoli, cabbage, and kale). Like its relatives, it’s a heavy feeder and attracts common pests such as cabbage worms and aphids. Companion planting helps by:

Repelling harmful insects
Attracting beneficial pollinators
Improving soil health
Maximizing garden space

From my garden: I’ve noticed that planting cauliflower near aromatic herbs like dill and thyme greatly reduces cabbage worm pressure without the need for sprays.

Best Companion Plants for Cauliflower

🥕 Root Vegetables

Beets, carrots, onions, garlic: These don’t compete heavily with cauliflower and help deter pests with their scents.

🌿 Herbs

Dill, sage, thyme, mint: Their strong aromas confuse pests like aphids and cabbage moths.
Chamomile: Believed to enhance flavor and vigor in brassicas.

🥬 Leafy Greens

Spinach and lettuce: Fast-growing, shallow-rooted crops that fill space while cauliflower matures.

🌼 Flowers

Marigolds: Repel nematodes and attract pollinators.
Nasturtiums: Work as a trap crop for aphids, drawing them away from cauliflower.

Plants to Avoid Near Cauliflower

Other brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts): They compete for nutrients and attract the same pests and diseases.
Strawberries: Compete for space and may slow cauliflower growth.
Corn: Grows tall and shades cauliflower, which needs full sun.
Tomatoes and peppers: Heavy feeders that compete for nutrients in the same soil.

Personal note: I once planted cauliflower next to broccoli in a raised bed—both suffered from cabbage worm infestations and produced undersized heads. Now, I keep brassicas separated by at least one bed rotation.

Tips for Successful Companion Planting

Rotate crops yearly: Don’t plant cauliflower or its brassica relatives in the same bed season after season.
Use intercropping: Pair slow-growing cauliflower with quick crops like radishes or lettuce to maximize space.
Incorporate herbs: Scatter dill, thyme, or sage around cauliflower to repel pests naturally.

Final Thoughts

Companion planting is one of the easiest ways to improve cauliflower success. Plant cauliflower alongside herbs, root crops, and flowers to deter pests and enrich your garden ecosystem. Keep it away from other brassicas and heavy feeders to avoid competition.

From decades of experience, I’ve found that thoughtful companion planting reduces pest damage and makes for healthier, more productive cauliflower harvests—without extra sprays or fuss.