Companion Plants for Kale

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Choosing good companion plants for kale can help control pests, maximize space, and improve the overall health of your garden. Companion planting is all about pairing crops that benefit each other, whether it’s through pest control, soil improvement, or just smart spacing.

Like most crops, kale is even more successful when planted alongside the right companions. Kale is a nutrient-packed superfood that’s easy to grow in most gardens. It tolerates cool weather, grows quickly, and produces leafy harvests that last for months. For kale, smart companions can mean fewer pests like aphids and cabbage worms, tastier leaves, and better yields.

Why Companion Planting Works for Kale

Kale belongs to the brassica family (alongside cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts), which are heavy feeders and often attract similar pests. Companion planting helps balance those challenges.

• Pest Control: Certain plants repel common kale pests like cabbage worms, aphids, flea beetles, and whiteflies.
• Space Efficiency: Fast-growing crops can be interplanted with kale to make the most of limited garden space.
• Soil Support: Some companions add nutrients or prevent soil depletion.
• Biodiversity: Mixing crops creates a healthier garden ecosystem, attracting pollinators and beneficial insects.

Vegetables That Grow Well with Kale

Onions and Garlic

Alliums such as onions, garlic, and chives make excellent neighbors for kale. Their strong smell repels aphids, flea beetles, and cabbage worms, which are notorious kale pests. Tucking a few onion or garlic bulbs between kale rows can help keep the bed healthier.

Beets

Beets and kale don’t compete heavily for nutrients since beets focus on roots and kale on leaves. They grow well side by side, and beets mature quickly, leaving more room for kale as it expands.

Celery

Celery’s scent helps deter cabbage moths and other pests. It also grows upright, making efficient use of bed space while letting kale spread out.

Potatoes

Kale and potatoes are surprisingly compatible. Potatoes discourage many of the insects that target brassicas. Meanwhile, kale’s leafy canopy helps shade soil to keep it cool for potatoes.

Radishes

Radishes make a fantastic trap crop for kale. Pests like flea beetles will target radish leaves instead of kale, protecting your harvest. Since radishes grow quickly, you can plant and harvest them while kale is still maturing.

Herbs That Support Kale

Dill

Dill attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings, which prey on aphids and caterpillars. It also discourages cabbage loopers, making it a great companion herb for kale.

Chamomile

Chamomile is known to improve the flavor of brassicas, including kale. Its small flowers also attract pollinators and beneficial insects, enriching the whole garden.

Rosemary and Sage

These fragrant herbs repel cabbage moths and flea beetles. Plant them around the kale bed as a natural barrier against pests. Bonus: they’re also drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.

Mint (with caution)

Mint is excellent for deterring whiteflies and cabbage moths, but it spreads aggressively. If you want to use mint as a kale companion, keep it in a container placed near the garden bed rather than planting it directly in the soil.

Flowers That Help Kale

Adding flowers to your kale patch not only brightens the garden but also improves its health.

Marigolds

Marigolds are classic pest fighters. Their strong scent repels aphids, nematodes, and beetles. Interplanting marigolds with kale helps protect your greens while adding cheerful color.

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums act as trap crops, attracting aphids and cabbage worms away from kale. They also sprawl as a groundcover, helping to keep weeds at bay.

Calendula

Calendula attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps, both of which keep pest populations under control. Its sticky residue can even trap small insects.

Borage

Borage flowers attract bees and other pollinators. They also help deter hornworms, making them a useful companion for kale and other leafy greens.

Plants to Avoid Near Kale

Not every crop is a good fit for kale. Some either compete for the same nutrients or make pest problems worse.

Other Brassicas

Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts may seem like natural neighbors, but they attract the same pests and deplete the same nutrients. Grouping them together can lead to major infestations and poor soil health.

Strawberries

Strawberries and kale don’t get along well. Strawberries can attract slugs and pests that will happily munch on kale leaves too. They also compete heavily for nutrients in the soil.

Beans and Peas

Legumes like beans and peas fix nitrogen in the soil, which might sound good—but too much nitrogen encourages kale to produce lush leaves that are more attractive to aphids. Kale can end up overrun with pests when paired with beans.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes and kale aren’t the best match. They compete for nutrients, and tomatoes don’t enjoy the cool soil that kale prefers. It’s best to keep them separate.

Tips for Planting Kale with Companions

1. Mix, Don’t Mass Plant: Instead of planting a large block of kale, scatter it among its companion plants to confuse pests.
2. Use Trap Crops: Add radishes or nasturtiums nearby to lure pests away from kale leaves.
3. Add Flowers: Bright blooms like calendula and marigolds attract beneficial insects that naturally reduce pest problems.
4. Keep Spacing in Mind: Kale leaves grow large, so give each plant enough space while interplanting companions in the gaps.
5. Rotate Crops: Don’t grow kale in the same spot year after year, especially near other brassicas. Rotate with root vegetables, legumes, or leafy greens like lettuce.

Designing a Kale-Friendly Bed

When designing your kale bed, think in layers.

• Surround kale with herbs like dill, rosemary, or chamomile for pest control and pollinator attraction.
• Fill gaps with root crops like beets or radishes, which grow quickly and don’t compete with kale’s leafy growth.
• Add a flower border of marigolds, nasturtiums, or calendula to brighten the garden while keeping pests at bay.
• Keep brassicas separate. Instead of grouping kale with cabbage or broccoli, rotate those crops into another part of the garden.

This layered design creates a balanced, productive bed that supports kale growth naturally.

Benefits Beyond the Garden

Companion planting kale isn’t just about pest control or soil health. It also brings long-term benefits:

• Stronger Harvests: Healthy kale plants produce more tender leaves over a longer season.
• Less Chemical Dependence: Natural pest control reduces the need for sprays.
• Biodiversity: A diverse mix of vegetables, herbs, and flowers creates a thriving garden ecosystem.
• Beauty and Function: Flowers, herbs, and veggies together make your garden both productive and visually stunning.

Kale is a powerhouse crop, and with the right companions, it becomes even easier to grow. By pairing kale with onions, garlic, beets, celery, dill, marigolds, nasturtiums, and more, you can naturally reduce pests, improve flavor, and make the most of your garden space.

Just as important, avoid pairing kale with other brassicas, strawberries, beans, or tomatoes, which can cause nutrient competition or pest problems.

Whether you’re planting kale in raised beds, containers, or a backyard plot, companion planting offers a natural way to boost success. With a little planning, your kale will thrive—giving you healthy, delicious greens to enjoy all season long.