Companion Plants for Bok Choy: Boost Growth and Reduce Pests

Bok choy thrives not only with proper soil, water, and care but also with strategic companion planting. Companion plants can improve growth, enrich soil, attract beneficial insects, and reduce pest pressure naturally. Drawing on decades of hands-on gardening experience, here’s a guide to the best companions for healthy, productive bok choy.

Table of Contents

Best Companion Plants for Bok Choy

1. Herbs

Dill, cilantro, and mint attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps
Help repel aphids, cabbage loopers, and flea beetles

2. Alliums

Garlic, onions, and chives deter pests such as aphids and cabbage worms
Plant around edges of beds for natural protection

3. Leafy Greens

Lettuce and spinach act as living mulch, keeping soil cool and moist
Reduce weed competition without shading bok choy too heavily

4. Marigolds

Natural pest deterrent through root compounds and scent
Helps control nematodes and aphids

5. Avoid

Other brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale) can encourage shared pests and diseases
Space bok choy apart from these to minimize infestations

My Experience

In my Sonoma Valley garden, pairing bok choy with dill and garlic consistently reduces aphid pressure while improving plant vigor. Marigolds along bed edges further protect young plants without chemicals, resulting in tender, abundant leaves for harvest.

Strategic companion planting enhances bok choy growth, deters pests naturally, and promotes a healthy, flavorful harvest.

Bok Choy Learning Hub

Start here: The Ultimate Guide to Growing Bok Choy

Bok Choy Planting & Timing

Starting, Transplanting & Direct Sowing

Bok Choy Care

Pests & Diseases

Common Bok Choy Pests and Diseases and How to Prevent and Control Them

Harvest & Storage

Containers & Small Spaces

How to Grow Bok Choy in Containers, Troughs, and Small Beds

Varieties

Companion Planting

Companion Plants for Bok Choy: Boost Growth and Reduce Pests

Stephen Albert

Stephen Albert is a horticulturist, master gardener, and certified nurseryman who has taught at the University of California for more than 25 years. He holds graduate degrees from the University of California and the University of Iowa. His books include Vegetable Garden Grower’s Guide, Vegetable Garden Almanac & Planner, Tomato Grower’s Answer Book, and Kitchen Garden Grower’s Guide. His Vegetable Garden Grower’s Masterclass is available online. Harvesttotable.com has more than 10 million visitors each year.

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