ChamomileMatricaria chamomillaattracts pollinators
Chamomile supports small beneficial wasps and hoverflies in brassica plantings.
What to plant with Wild Cabbage
Brassica oleracea
Wild Cabbage grows best when paired with plants that attracts pollinators, repels pests, acts as a trap crop. 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 plantsGarlicAllium sativumrepels pests
Lower-confidence guild pairing: aromatic foliage can confuse pests in dense polyculture beds when spacing and airflow are maintained.
Origanum vulgareOriganum vulgarerepels pests
Oregano's aromatic foliage helps confuse cabbage moths in mixed plantings.
Pot marigoldCalendula officinalisattracts 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.
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.
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.
Pot marigoldCalendula officinalisacts as a trap crop
Calendula attracts aphids and beneficial insects around cabbages and kales.
Satureja hortensisSatureja hortensisrepels pests
Summer savory is a small aromatic companion for cabbage-family crops.
Artemisia dracunculusArtemisia dracunculusrepels pests
Lower-confidence guild pairing: aromatic foliage can confuse pests in dense polyculture beds when spacing and airflow are maintained.
SpearmintMentha spicatarepels pests
Mint deters cabbage moth. Keep mint in pots — invasive.
YarrowAchillea millefoliumattracts pollinators
Lower-confidence guild pairing: insectary flowers support pollinators, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps around mixed vegetable beds.
ThymeThymus vulgarisrepels pests
Thyme deters cabbage worms.
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.
BorageBorago officinalisattracts 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.
Aniseedy celeryAnethum graveolensattracts pollinators
Dill attracts parasitic wasps that prey on cabbage worms.
Anise HyssopAgastache foeniculumattracts pollinators
Lower-confidence guild pairing: insectary flowers support pollinators, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps around mixed vegetable beds.
ChivesAllium schoenoprasumrepels pests
Lower-confidence guild pairing: aromatic foliage can confuse pests in dense polyculture beds when spacing and airflow are maintained.
Allium cepaAllium ceparepels 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.
PotatoSolanum tuberosumcompetes for resources
Cabbage-family crops are traditionally listed as compatible with potatoes when spacing is adequate.
Pot marigoldCalendula officinalisacts as a trap crop
Calendula attracts aphids away from brassicas.
CeleryApium graveolensrepels 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.
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Keep away from these they fight
3 plantsStrawberryFragaria × ananassacompetes for resources
Brassicas stunt strawberries.
FennelFoeniculum vulgareinhibits growth
Management warning: fennel is traditionally grown apart because it can inhibit neighbouring crops and disrupt guild balance.
TomatoSolanum lycopersicumcompetes for resources
Heavy feeders that compete; brassicas can stunt tomato.
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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
pollinator attractor
Flowering herbs draw bees, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps — improving fruit set and biological pest control.
pest repellent
Strong aromatics like basil, garlic, and marigold mask the olfactory cues that pests use to find their target crop.
trap crop
A sacrificial crop draws pests away from the main harvest.
living mulch
A low-growing perennial covers bare soil under taller crops, reducing evaporation and weed pressure.
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.
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Frequently asked
What are the best companion plants for Wild Cabbage?
The top companions are Chamomile, Garlic, Origanum vulgare. 23 more pairings are catalogued above with their mechanisms.
What should I NOT plant near Wild Cabbage?
Avoid Strawberry, Fennel, Tomato. 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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