The Best Companion Plants for Celery and What to Avoid

Companion planting has always been one of my favorite ways to boost the health and yield of my vegetables. After decades of gardening, I’ve seen firsthand how the right companions help celery thrive by deterring pests, improving soil, and even enhancing flavor. But not all plants make good neighbors—some compete for nutrients or attract pests that celery can’t handle. Let’s look at the best companion plants for celery and which ones you should avoid.

Table of Contents

Why Companion Planting Matters for Celery

Celery is a heavy feeder with shallow roots. It thrives in moist, nutrient-rich soil but is vulnerable to pests like aphids, leaf miners, and slugs. Good companions can:

Attract beneficial insects that prey on celery pests.
Provide light shade to keep soil moist.
Improve flavor and growth through soil balance.
Reduce competition from weeds.

The Best Companion Plants for Celery

Onions, Leeks, and Garlic

Alliums help deter aphids, carrot root flies, and other common celery pests. Their strong scent acts as a natural repellent.

Cabbage Family (Broccoli, Kale, Brussels Sprouts)

These leafy crops grow tall and wide, helping shade celery’s shallow roots and maintain soil moisture.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes help deter aphids and provide light shade. I often plant celery between tomato rows for efficient use of space.

Beans and Peas

Legumes fix nitrogen in the soil, providing celery with extra nutrients for steady growth.

Nasturtiums and Marigolds

These flowers act as trap crops, luring aphids away from celery while also attracting pollinators and beneficial insects.

Dill and Other Herbs

Dill attracts parasitic wasps and hoverflies, which control aphid populations. Plant herbs nearby but not so close that they crowd celery.

Plants to Avoid Near Celery

Corn

Tall corn competes heavily for water and nutrients, leaving celery stunted.

Parsley and Carrots

These are celery’s close relatives in the Apiaceae family. Growing them side by side encourages pest and disease buildup.

Potatoes

Potatoes are heavy feeders and compete with celery for nutrients. They may also increase the risk of fungal diseases.

Turnips and Rutabagas

These root crops don’t mix well with celery, often crowding it and draining soil nutrients too quickly.

My Experience Tip

I’ve had my best celery harvests when interplanting with leeks and marigolds. The leeks keep aphids away, and the marigolds attract beneficial insects, all while making the garden more colorful.

Final Thoughts

Celery grows best when surrounded by supportive companions like onions, tomatoes, beans, and herbs. Avoid planting it near heavy feeders or close relatives that invite pests and diseases. With smart companion planting, you can grow healthier, more flavorful celery with fewer problems naturally.

Celery Companion Planting Chart

Plant	Benefit or Drawback	Notes
Onions, Leeks, Garlic	Repel aphids and pests	Strong scent masks celery, reducing insect pressure
Cabbage family (broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts)	Provide shade, conserve soil moisture	Pair well with celery’s shallow roots
Tomatoes	Repel aphids, light shade	Plant celery between tomato rows for efficiency
Beans and Peas	Fix nitrogen, enrich soil	Help feed celery’s nutrient needs
Nasturtiums, Marigolds	Attract beneficial insects, trap aphids	Add color while protecting celery
Dill and Herbs	Attract pest predators	Plant nearby, but avoid crowding celery
Corn	Competes for nutrients and water	Avoid planting near celery
Parsley and Carrots	Attract shared pests and diseases	Both belong to the Apiaceae family
Potatoes	Compete for nutrients, increase disease risk	Heavy feeders that stunt celery
Turnips, Rutabagas	Compete for nutrients and space	Not good companions for shallow-rooted celery