Origanum vulgareOriganum vulgarerepels pests
Oregano's aromatic foliage helps confuse cabbage moths in mixed plantings.
What to plant with Wild Cabbage
Brassica oleracea
Wild Cabbage grows best when paired with plants that repels pests, competes for resources, fixes nitrogen. We've catalogued 26 beneficial companions and 3 antagonists to avoid. Every pairing below cites its mechanism — pest deterrence, nitrogen fixing, allelopathy, or shared disease.
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Plant near these for better growth
26 plantsPotatoSolanum tuberosumcompetes for resources
Cabbage-family crops are traditionally listed as compatible with potatoes when spacing is adequate.
Satureja hortensisSatureja hortensisrepels pests
Summer savory is a small aromatic companion for cabbage-family crops.
ThymeThymus vulgarisrepels pests
Thyme deters cabbage worms.
Allium cepaAllium ceparepels pests
Strong aromatics like basil, garlic, and marigold mask the olfactory cues that pests use to find their target crop.
CatmintNepeta catariarepels pests
Catmint is traditionally used to deter flea beetles and aphids; keep it managed.
PeaPisum sativumfixes nitrogen
Legumes pull atmospheric nitrogen into the soil through root nodules, feeding heavy-feeding neighbours like maize or brassicas.
CeleryApium graveolensrepels pests
Strong aromatics like basil, garlic, and marigold mask the olfactory cues that pests use to find their target crop.
SageSalvia officinalisrepels pests
Sage deters cabbage moth.
Pot marigoldCalendula officinalisacts as a trap crop
Calendula attracts aphids away from brassicas.
Pot marigoldCalendula officinalisacts as a trap crop
Calendula attracts aphids and beneficial insects around cabbages and kales.
Aniseedy celeryAnethum graveolensattracts pollinators
Dill attracts parasitic wasps that prey on cabbage worms.
ChamomileMatricaria chamomillaattracts pollinators
Chamomile supports small beneficial wasps and hoverflies in brassica plantings.
SpearmintMentha spicatarepels pests
Mint deters cabbage moth. Keep mint in pots — invasive.
Pot marigoldCalendula officinalisattracts pollinators
Lower-confidence guild pairing: insectary flowers support pollinators, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps around mixed vegetable beds.
BorageBorago officinalisattracts pollinators
Lower-confidence guild pairing: insectary flowers support pollinators, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps around mixed vegetable beds.
YarrowAchillea millefoliumattracts pollinators
Lower-confidence guild pairing: insectary flowers support pollinators, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps around mixed vegetable beds.
Anise HyssopAgastache foeniculumattracts pollinators
Lower-confidence guild pairing: insectary flowers support pollinators, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps around mixed vegetable beds.
Fagopyrum esculentumFagopyrum esculentumattracts pollinators
Lower-confidence guild pairing: insectary flowers support pollinators, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps around mixed vegetable beds.
HyssopHyssopus officinalisrepels pests
Lower-confidence guild pairing: aromatic foliage can confuse pests in dense polyculture beds when spacing and airflow are maintained.
Artemisia dracunculusArtemisia dracunculusrepels pests
Lower-confidence guild pairing: aromatic foliage can confuse pests in dense polyculture beds when spacing and airflow are maintained.
GarlicAllium sativumrepels pests
Lower-confidence guild pairing: aromatic foliage can confuse pests in dense polyculture beds when spacing and airflow are maintained.
ChivesAllium schoenoprasumrepels pests
Lower-confidence guild pairing: aromatic foliage can confuse pests in dense polyculture beds when spacing and airflow are maintained.
White CloverTrifolium repenslives as mulch
Lower-confidence guild pairing: low ground covers protect soil, reduce bare patches, and can be cut back if they compete.
NasturtiumTropaeolum majusacts as a trap crop
Lower-confidence guild pairing: trap crops can draw aphids or flea beetles away from the main crop when monitored and removed if overloaded.
RadishRaphanus sativusacts as a trap crop
Lower-confidence guild pairing: trap crops can draw aphids or flea beetles away from the main crop when monitored and removed if overloaded.
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Keep away from these they fight
3 plantsStrawberryFragaria × ananassacompetes for resources
Brassicas stunt strawberries.
TomatoSolanum lycopersicumcompetes for resources
Heavy feeders that compete; brassicas can stunt tomato.
FennelFoeniculum vulgareinhibits growth
Management warning: fennel is traditionally grown apart because it can inhibit neighbouring crops and disrupt guild balance.
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Neutral neighbours safe but no boost
1 plantSpinachSpinacia oleraceageneral guidance
Leafy greens can share cool-season beds if fertility is maintained.
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How these mechanisms work
pest repellent
Strong aromatics like basil, garlic, and marigold mask the olfactory cues that pests use to find their target crop.
resource competitor
Two heavy feeders side-by-side starve each other of nitrogen, water, or light.
nitrogen fixer
Legumes pull atmospheric nitrogen into the soil through root nodules, feeding heavy-feeding neighbours like maize or brassicas.
trap crop
A sacrificial crop draws pests away from the main harvest.
pollinator attractor
Flowering herbs draw bees, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps — improving fruit set and biological pest control.
living mulch
A low-growing perennial covers bare soil under taller crops, reducing evaporation and weed pressure.
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Frequently asked
What are the best companion plants for Wild Cabbage?
The top companions are Origanum vulgare, Potato, Satureja hortensis. 23 more pairings are catalogued above with their mechanisms.
What should I NOT plant near Wild Cabbage?
Avoid Strawberry, Tomato, Fennel. Reasons vary — allelopathy, shared pests, or resource competition. See the section above for each plant's specific issue.
Does Wild Cabbage need nitrogen-fixing companions?
Yes — pairing with legumes that fix atmospheric nitrogen reduces fertiliser need and improves yield. Check the "Plant near these" section above for nitrogen-fixing companions.
Can companion planting reduce pest damage on Wild Cabbage?
Aromatic companions deter many pests through scent masking and alarm pheromones. Effect varies by pest species and density — most effective as part of a polyculture, not a one-plant solution.
Is companion planting scientifically proven?
Some mechanisms are well-documented (legume nitrogen fixation, allelopathy in walnut and fennel, nematode suppression by marigolds). Others are traditional pairings with anecdotal support. We cite both, but mark mechanism strength where available.
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Other Brassicaceae
Plants in the same botanical family — often share cultivation needs and pest sensitivities.
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