10 Best Brussel Sprouts Companion Plants

Brussels sprouts are a cool-season crop in the brassica family that thrive with the right garden companions. Whether you’re looking to deter pests, boost growth, or make the most of your garden space, pairing your Brussels sprouts with the right companion plants is a smart move.

In this guide, you’ll learn which plants work well with Brussels sprouts, how they help, and what soil and growing conditions to consider for a healthy, productive garden.

Good Companion Plants for Brussels Sprouts

Companion Plant	Benefits
Carrots	Enhances flavor
Celery	Repels bugs
Peas	Loosens soil, fixes nitrogen
Onions	Repels rust flies
Mint	Repels aphids and flea beetles
Basil	Repels flies, mites, mosquitoes, aphids
Rosemary	Repels moths and rust flies
Beans	Fixes nitrogen in the soil
Marigold	Repels nematodes and whiteflies
Chamomile	Improves flavor
Dill	Attracts bees for pollination
Garlic	Repels aphids, maggots, whiteflies
Sage	Repels moths and rust flies.

1. Carrots

• How it helps: Carrots help loosen the soil, improving drainage and root growth for Brussels sprouts.
• USDA Zones: 3–10
• Soil Needs: Loose, sandy, well-drained soil

Tip: Carrots don’t compete for surface nutrients, making them excellent neighbors.

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2. Celery

• How it helps: Celery repels pests like cabbage white butterflies and aphids.
• USDA Zones: 4–10
• Soil Needs: Moist, fertile soil rich in compost

Bonus: Both enjoy consistent moisture and can be watered together.

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3. Peas

• How it helps: As legumes, peas fix nitrogen in the soil, which benefits Brussels sprouts’ leafy growth.
• USDA Zones: 2–11
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, fertile soil

Note: Plant early in the season so peas don’t compete for space later.

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4. Onions

• How it helps: Their pungent smell deters cabbage loopers and other brassica pests.
• USDA Zones: 3–9
• Soil Needs: Loose, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil

Tip: Onions have shallow roots, so they won’t compete much underground.

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5. Mint

• How it helps: Strong aroma repels pests like flea beetles and cabbage moths.
• USDA Zones: 3–11
• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained soil

Caution: Mint spreads aggressively — grow it in containers near your Brussels sprouts.

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6. Basil

• How it helps: Deters thrips and enhances flavor of nearby crops.
• USDA Zones: 10–11 (grow as annual elsewhere)
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, fertile soil

Pro Tip: Plant in warmer months when Brussels sprouts are still young.

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7. Rosemary

• How it helps: Repels cabbage moths and beetles with its strong scent.
• USDA Zones: 7–11
• Soil Needs: Sandy, well-drained soil; drought-tolerant

Tip: Excellent for pest control in warmer zones — grow in pots in colder climates.

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8. Beans

• How it helps: Like peas, beans fix nitrogen and improve soil fertility.
• USDA Zones: 3–10
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, slightly acidic soil

Note: Avoid pole beans — bush varieties are better to avoid shading Brussels sprouts.

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9. Marigold

• How it helps: Naturally repels nematodes, whiteflies, and aphids.
• USDA Zones: Annual in all zones
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil

Tip: Marigolds also attract beneficial pollinators and predatory insects.

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10. Chamomile

• How it helps: Improves the flavor of Brussels sprouts and attracts hoverflies and wasps (natural pest control).
• USDA Zones: 3–9
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, average soil

Bonus: Can act as a living mulch when planted densely.

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11. Dill

• How it helps: Attracts predatory insects like ladybugs and lacewings.
• USDA Zones: 2–11
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, slightly acidic soil

Note: Allow it to flower for maximum beneficial insect attraction.

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12. Garlic

• How it helps: Naturally deters aphids, slugs, and cabbage worms.
• USDA Zones: 3–9
• Soil Needs: Loose, well-drained, fertile soil

Tip: Interplant cloves between Brussels sprouts to maximize space.

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13. Sage

• How it helps: Repels cabbage moths and beetles, plus adds fragrance to your garden.
• USDA Zones: 5–9
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil

Note: Prefers slightly dry conditions — don’t overwater.

Benefits of Good Companions

• Flavor Enhancement: Certain companions like carrots and chamomile can improve the flavor of Brussels sprouts.
• Pest Control: Plants like mint, basil, and garlic repel harmful pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
• Soil Improvement: Legumes such as peas and beans enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen.
• Pollinator Attraction: Dill attracts bees, crucial for pollination and enhancing overall garden health.

Bad Companion Plants for Brussels Sprouts

Companion Plant	Risks
Eggplants	Depletes nutrients
Peppers	Reduces sunlight
Potatoes	Attracts harmful pests
Tomatoes	Takes away nutrients
Mustard Greens	May attract pests

Risks of Bad Companions

• Nutrient Competition: Plants like eggplants and tomatoes can deplete essential nutrients, hindering the growth of Brussels sprouts.
• Shade and Light Reduction: Tall or bushy plants like peppers may block sunlight, impacting Brussels sprouts’ development.
• Pest Attraction: Certain plants, including potatoes and mustard greens, may attract pests that could harm Brussels sprouts.

Scientific Perspective

• Diverse Ecosystem: Incorporating a variety of plants encourages a balanced ecosystem, attracting beneficial insects for pest control and pollination.
• Plant Interactions: Different plant species can disrupt pests’ ability to find their host plants, adding an extra layer of protection for Brussels sprouts.

Conclusion and References

Companion planting for Brussels sprouts involves a strategic selection of plants that can enhance growth, flavor, and pest control, while avoiding those that might compete for resources or attract harmful pests. Implementing these practices based on scientific understanding of plant interactions can lead to a healthier and more productive garden.

• University of Delaware Cooperative Extension. (n.d.). The New Companion Planting: Adding Diversity to the Garden. Retrieved from University of Delaware.