Cilantro is a beginner-friendly plant for gardeners, but with the right companions, this beloved herb can really flourish.
Companion planting helps with:
- Pest control
- Preventing early bolting
- Improving soil fertility
There are so many reasons to plant cilantro with friends. But what can you plant with cilantro? We’re going to share some of the best companions to plant.
First, you need to understand cilantro’s growing requirements.
Caring for Cilantro
Knowing cilantro’s growing requirements can help you find suitable companions.
Generally, this plant thrives in:
- Full sun – 6+ hours is best – but in hot climates, afternoon shade is needed to prevent early bolting
- Well-drained, nutrient-rich soil (a pH of 6.2 to 6.8 is best)
Cilantro needs consistent moisture, but here’s the great news: it won’t take up your whole garden. They need about 6-8 inches of space to grow and thrive.
These cool-season plants really do best when temperatures are 50-85°F.
I know that as soon as summer really heats up, cilantro bolts and flowers right away. That’s why I always recommend planting this delicious herb in spring and late summer/early fall.
What are the Best Companion Plants for Cilantro?
Now that you know a little bit more about cilantro’s growing needs, let’s look at some companion plants that pair well with this crop.
Vegetables That Thrive with Cilantro
There are so many veggies that pair well with this herb, including:
Tomatoes
Can you plant cilantro with tomatoes? Absolutely.
Cilantro’s strong scent deters pests, like aphids, and the tall height of the tomato plant provides some much-needed afternoon sun.
Aim to plant your tomatoes 18-36 inches apart and your cilantro plants a few inches apart.
Peppers (Bell and Hot)
Peppers are a natural companion plant for cilantro, and you can plant virtually any variety you want.
Why do these two plants make such great companions?
- They both have similar water requirements
- Cilantro attracts beneficial pollinators and insects when it’s in bloom
- Cilantro also deters pests
- Pepper plants provide afternoon shade to prevent early bolting
When planting these two together, place the taller pepper plants at the back or center and the shorter cilantro at the front.
Spinach and Lettuce
Other cool-season crops are great companions for cilantro, like spinach and lettuce. The growing requirements for these plants are very similar to cilantro, making them natural friends in the garden.
And this time, cilantro can actually provide the shade lettuce and spinach need in the afternoon to prevent bolting.
Plus, greens like these and cilantro generally have similar harvest times.
Beans (Bush and Pole)
Cilantro and beans are wonderful companion plants. The biggest advantage of this pairing is that beans – whether bush or pole – fix nitrogen into the soil, boosting cilantro’s growth.
Bush beans also benefit from the shade that cilantro plants provide.
Aim to plant your beans 4-6 inches apart in rows that are 15-30 inches apart. Add cilantro nearby and plant them 3-6 inches apart.
Peas
Peas, like greens, are cool-season crops that pair really well with cilantro. And just like bush beans, peas also fix nitrogen into the soil.
These two plants are a match made in heaven.
If you’re growing climbing peas, try planting cilantro around the base or under the trellis. The peas will provide partial shade for cilantro in the afternoon sun.
Carrots
Cilantro and carrots make excellent companions, but carrots benefit the most from this pairing when cilantro is in bloom.
Its flowers attract beneficial insects that keep carrot flies, aphids and nematodes at bay.
Radishes
Radishes and cilantro are a fast-growing combination, helping you reap the rewards of your efforts early on.
These two plants also make great companions because they:
- Don’t compete heavily for nutrients
- Prefer cool seasons
- Have similar water needs
Many varieties of radishes go from seed to harvest in 50 days, so it’s a great filler crop to grow before transplanting your summer veggies.
Cabbage
Planting cilantro with cabbage helps attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps that prey on cabbage pests like cabbage worms and aphids.
But that’s not the only reason to grow these two plants together.
They also prefer cool weather, making them perfect for growing in the fall or spring.
Potatoes
Did you know that potato beetles hate cilantro? But that’s not the only reason to plant potatoes and cilantro together.
- Cilantro attract beneficial insects, especially when it’s flowering
- This herb’s strong scent masks the smell of potatoes, helping protect it from other pests
- Different root depths minimize competition
Try planting cilantro in borders or between rows to protect your potato crop.
Herbs to Plant with Cilantro
Veggies aren’t the only type of plants that make great companions for cilantro. There are plenty of herbs that pair well, too.
If you want to maximize your herb garden this season, try planting cilantro with:
Basil
This garden-favorite herb pairs well with cilantro. Both need:
- Plenty of sunshine
- Moist, well-draining soil
Plus, they can work together to deter different pests. And of course, there’s a culinary benefit to planting these two herbs in your garden – they’re delicious together.
Dill
Cilantro and dill share a love for cool weather, and they both attract beneficial insects that help your garden thrive.
Try planting them together and enjoy both the benefits and the flavors of this pairing.
Chervil
Cilantro and chervil are both cool-season plants that enjoy similar growing conditions.
They both:
- Tolerate shade
- Have similar moisture needs
Plant them in the cooler shoulder seasons to see your garden thrive.
Parsley
Parsley and cilantro make the perfect pair. Here’s why: they’re in the same family (Apiaceae). Both plants thrive in the same environment.
They both prefer:
- The cooler temperatures of spring and fall
- Moist, well-draining soil
- Lots of sun with some afternoon shade
When allowed to flower, these herbs also attract beneficial insects like predatory wasps, hoverflies and lacewings.
Chives
Apart from their delicious culinary uses, chives also bring something great to your garden when planted with cilantro: pest control.
The strong, sulfurous scent of chives drives away aphids, slugs and other pests, like the carrot fly, which cilantro is susceptible to.
Both cilantro and chives share the same preferences for cool weather, soil conditions and sunlight.
But if you do plant chives, be mindful of their growth. They can easily become space hogs because they spread over time. The good news? They’ll come back next year.
Flowers That Benefit Cilantro
Veggies aren’t the only thing that you can grow with cilantro. There are plenty of flowers that pair well with this herb, including:
Marigolds
When paired with cilantro, marigolds create a push-pull effect. Marigolds produce a strong scent that pushes pests away, while cilantro’s blooms pull in beneficial predatory insects.
Marigolds also make great shade for cilantro, especially if you plant tall varieties.
Plus, they add some gorgeous color.
Just be mindful of their water needs. Marigolds prefer drier soil, while cilantro prefers moist soil.
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are considered a trap crop because they attract aphids like crazy. Think of these flowers as a sacrificial plant to protect your cilantro.
They share similar growing needs, so they’re a natural pair.
Another benefit of planting these flowers? They’re edible – and tasty, too.
Calendula
Did you know that calendula and cilantro are often paired together in beneficial insect seed mixes? When paired together, they create a self-sustaining pest control system.
Calendula is known for its sticky stems and leaves that act as a biological flypaper. Pests like aphids and whiteflies get trapped before they can even reach your cilantro.
Plus, calendula has medicinal uses (like treating wounds and burns) and prefers the same growing conditions as cilantro.
What Not To Plant With Cilantro
So far, we’ve shared plenty of plants that make excellent companions for cilantro. But which plants should you avoid?
Some crops don’t pair well with cilantro, including:
Fennel
Cilantro and fennel don’t play nice together.
Both are heavy feeders, so they’ll compete for nutrients. Fennel also releases chemicals that stunt cilantro’s growth.
While some gardeners have reported success, it’s best not to take the chance and keep them separated.
Lavender
If you want to add lavender to your herb garden, be sure to keep it away from cilantro.
Why?
Because they have opposite water requirements.
- Lavender prefers dry soil
- Cilantro prefers moist
They both have different soil pH preferences, too.
Rosemary and Thyme
Just like lavender, rosemary and thyme are Mediterranean herbs that prefer drier soil conditions compared to cilantro.
Keep these herbs far away from cilantro to keep your garden thriving.
The Takeaway
Cilantro is a versatile herb that makes a great addition to any garden. With the right companions, it thrives and attracts beneficial insects to your plants.
Use the companion plant chart below to start building your garden with cilantro as the star of the show.
