12 Companion Plants for Sunflowers (With Pictures)

Sunflowers are one of the most cheerful flowers you can develop in your yard. But did you know that there are many other vegetation that make wonderful companions for sunflowers?

In this report, we will introduce some of the greatest companion plants for sunflowers.

The 12 Great Companion Plants for Sunflowers

1. Lettuce

lettuce
Image Credit: juliacasado1, Pixabay

Lettuce is a great-climate crop that does well when planted following to sunflowers. The two vegetation can give shade for each other, and the lettuce will reward from the sunflower’s nutrition.

There are numerous various versions of lettuce, so you can decide on the a single that ideal suits your garden—and your sunflowers.

Several gardeners really like increasing lettuce and sunflowers with each other simply because the two plants enhance every single other so effectively. The sunflower’s massive leaves offer shade for the lettuce, and the lettuce assists to preserve the sunflower’s roots amazing.

But be conscious that critters enjoy lettuce as much as we do. You may want to shield your crop with netting or a fence, so prepare ahead just before you plant.


2. Cucumbers

Sugar Crunch Cucumber
Image Credit: DMC-13, Shutterstock

Cucumbers are yet another outstanding companion plant for sunflowers. They can climb up the sunflower’s stem, and the two crops will provide shade for each and every other. Cucumbers also advantage from the sunflower’s vitamins and minerals.

Like lettuce, the big leaves of cucumbers help offer shade and keep the floor moist. This is particularly useful in very hot weather conditions when cucumbers and sunflowers are more probably to suffer from warmth pressure.


3. Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums
Image Credit: pasja1000, Pixabay

Nasturtiums are one particular of the ideal companion vegetation for sunflowers. They help to preserve the sunflower plants healthy and also incorporate a splash of coloration to the yard. Nasturtiums are simple to grow and care for, and they will bloom all summer time prolonged.

If you are hunting for a plant that can brighten up your garden, then take into account planting nasturtiums. They are a beautiful addition to any yard and will definitely include some pizzazz to your sunflowers.


4. Summer Squashes

squash on the ground
Image Credit: Innviertlerin, Pixabay

If you are looking for a sunflower companion plant that will insert a contact of shade to your backyard garden, take into account planting summer squash.

Summer time squash will come in a selection of colours, including yellow, green, and orange. The squash plants are also relatively minimal-routine maintenance, generating them a good option for rookie gardeners.

In addition to their visual appeal, summer time squash crops can also aid to hold your sunflowers healthful. Squash plants make a chemical that repels several typical backyard pests, including aphids, cucumber beetles, and squash bugs.

This signifies that your sunflowers will be less likely to be attacked by these pests if you have squash crops increasing close by.


5. Impatiens

Impatiens Indoor
Image Credit: Rebecca Niver, Pixabay

Impatiens are 1 of the most well-known bedding crops, and they make fantastic companions for sunflowers. Impatiens appear in a broad range of shades, and they are very effortless to expand. Impatiens are also heat- and drought-tolerant, which tends to make them perfect companions for sunflowers.

If you are looking for a plant that will include coloration and interest to your yard, try out increasing impatiens. You can discover impatiens in most nurseries and backyard garden facilities, and they are relatively simple to expand. Just be certain to give them lots of water, as they are inclined to drought.


6. Peppers

Banana peppers in home garden
Image Credit: Nilanka Sampath, Shutterstock

Peppers appear in all designs and measurements, and they make a fantastic companion plant for sunflowers. Not only do they include color and desire to your garden, but they also assist to preserve the sunflowers healthy by deterring pests and offering nutrients.

Here are a few tips on how to grow peppers as companion plants for sunflowers:
  • Choose the right pepper for your sunflowers. Some varieties of peppers, such as jalapeños, are more heat-sensitive than others and may not do well in the same environment as sunflowers. If you’re not sure which variety of pepper to choose, ask your local nursery or gardening center for advice.
  • Plant the peppers in a sunny spot. Peppers need full sun to thrive, so make sure they have plenty of space to grow and receive direct sunlight for at least six hours each day.
  • Fertilize the plants. Peppers are heavy feeders and will benefit from being fertilized every few weeks. Use a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer to avoid leaves growing too much and at the expense of fruit production.
  • Harvest the peppers when they’re ripe. Peppers are ready to harvest when they’ve reached their full size and color. Cut them from the plant with a sharp knife, being careful not to damage the sunflower’s roots.

By following these tips, you can successfully increase peppers as companion vegetation for sunflowers.


7. Garlic and Onions

onions and garlic bulb
Image cCredit: Miss Pop, Shutterstock

If you are searching to include some aptitude to your backyard garden, contemplate developing garlic and onions as companion plants for sunflowers. These two pungent greens make a excellent staff, and they’ll add some additional taste to your foods even though they’re at it.

Garlic is recognized for its ability to prevent pests, so it is a fantastic plant to have around if you are attempting to defend your sunflowers from critters.

Onions, on the other hand, attract beneficial bugs like ladybugs and hoverflies. So not only will they add taste to your foods, but they’ll also assist maintain your backyard healthful.


8. Corn

Ambrosia Hybrid Sweet Corn
Image Credit: dmitro2009, Shutterstock

Expanding corn as companion vegetation for sunflowers is a fantastic way to incorporate top and dimension to your yard. Not only do they appear wonderful collectively, but they also assist to preserve every other wholesome.

Sunflowers are recognized for their potential to draw in pollinators like bees and butterflies, which can assist enhance the overall health of your corn crop. Furthermore, the large leaves of the sunflower can assist offer shade and defend your corn from too much sunlight publicity.

When choosing types of corn to plant alongside your sunflowers, search for people that are shorter in top. This will support stop the tall sunflowers from shading out your corn plants. Some good alternatives consist of ‘Dwarf Honeycomb’ and ‘Baby Doll.’


9. Basil

fully grown basil herb plant
Image Credit: Pitsch, Pixabay

Basil and sunflowers are two of the most common summertime crops. And although they may possibly appear like an unlikely pair, they truly make wonderful companions!

Not only does basil support repel pests from sunflowers, but it also gives them with some much-needed shade. In addition, the fragrant herb can include a delightful flavor to sunflower seeds!

So if you’re hunting for a enjoyable and distinctive way to spruce up your summer season backyard garden, take into account planting some basil alongside your sunflowers. You will not be let down!


10. Marigolds

African Marigold
Image Credit: sarangib, Pixabay

Marigolds and sunflowers are two of the most popular summertime flowers. But did you know that they can also make excellent companion crops for every single other?

Marigolds have long been recognized to prevent pests from attacking other vegetation. Their robust scent confuses and repels a lot of typical backyard garden pests, generating them a wonderful addition to any garden.

Sunflowers, on the other hand, are acknowledged for their capacity to entice pollinators like bees and butterflies. By planting these two flowers jointly, you can develop a stunning and successful yard that is also resistant to pests.


11. Peas

snap peas
Image Credit: Trygve Finkelsen, Shutterstock

If you’re hunting for a way to incorporate some vertical curiosity to your garden, why not try increasing peas as companion crops for sunflowers? Not only do they search wonderful collectively, but they also offer each other with some much-required support.

Peas can climb sunflowers and provide them with shade, even though sunflowers will help preserve the peas from getting as well considerably sunshine. Plus, you’ll get to appreciate a bountiful harvest of each greens at the conclude of the season!


12. Vine Tomatoes

red tomatoes on vines
Image Credit: kie-ker, Pixabay

As you might know, vine tomatoes can be very a handful. They need a whole lot of area and they need to have to be staked or trellised in get to increase correctly. But did you know that they make great companion plants for sunflowers?

That is proper! These two crops actually complement every other very nicely. The sunflowers will give the vine tomatoes with some significantly-needed shade and support, although the vine tomatoes will support to hold the sunflowers’ roots awesome and moist.

So if you are searching for a enjoyable and simple way to grow both of these vegetation, then consider increasing them jointly! You will be glad you did.

The 3 Worst Companion Plants for Sunflowers

You want your sunflowers to be the star of the display, but these other vegetation will try out to steal their thunder. Listed here are the worst companion plants for sunflowers.

1. Potatoes

newly harvested potatoes
Image Credit: Jai79, Pixabay

Planting potatoes with sunflowers can have adverse results on both vegetation. The sunflower’s large leaves can block out the potatoes’ obtain to daylight, and the potatoes’ roots can contend with the sunflowers for vitamins and h2o.

Steer clear of this combination if you want your sunflowers and potatoes to thrive on their own.


2. Fennel

fennel bulb in garden bed
Image Credit: nnattalli, Shutterstock

Fennel is one more plant that can contend with sunflowers for sources. The fennel’s aggressive roots can invade the sunflower’s root system and inhibit your sunflower’s progress.

Aside from, fennel prefers increasing away from other plants, so it’s not the very best applicant for a sunflower companion plant—or any plant, for that issue.


3. Pole Beans

pole beans
Image Credit: Robinotof, Shutterstock

Sunflowers have harmful toxins in them that can stunt the growth of pole beans. The two vegetation can nonetheless coexist, but you are going to have to be extra vigilant about watering and fertilizing the beans.

It’s greatest to steer clear of their companionship altogether and plant your pole beans elsewhere in the yard.

Conclusion

There are numerous diverse varieties of companion vegetation that can be used in conjunction with sunflowers to create a lovely and bountiful backyard.

By having the time to pick the proper crops for your particular growing problems, you can develop a spectacular exhibit that will supply you with an abundance of clean flowers all season lengthy. With a minor bit of organizing and treatment, your sunflower backyard garden can be the envy of the community.

Sources

Highlighted Impression Credit history: ulleo, Pixabay

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