Watermelons are one of the most garden-friendly plants since they grow well with a variety of other plants.
Companion planting is a gardening technique that allows neighboring plants to help one another in different ways, such as by repelling harmful pests or attracting helpful pollinating insects to the area.
Although there is no specific companion recommended plants for watermelons, there are plants that are beneficial to watermelon plants when they’re planted nearby.
1. Borage
Borage is an annual herb that is easy to grow and grows quickly. It has bright blue flowers that attract pollinating insects to the garden. This herb tastes and smells like cucumbers.
Optimal watermelon development depends on pollinating insects like bees. Therefore, pleasant-smelling flowering plants like borage make ideal companion plants for growing watermelons.
Borage plants also repel aphids, which can be harmful to watermelon plant leaves.
2. Radishes
Radishes come in different colors and can have a spicy or peppery flavor. They have short roots and grow quickly, which makes them easy to pick when they’re ready for harvest.
It’s a good idea to plant radishes near watermelon plants before watermelons start spreading to fill any empty garden space.
Radishes are good for controlling pests that target cucumber and watermelon plants. Notably, the striped cucumber beetle can spread bacterial wilt, which can devastate growing watermelon plants.
3. Onions
The onion is a biennial bulb with green tubular leaves. Onions act as natural pest repellents, protecting watermelon vines from predatory animals and insects through their pungent odor.
Onions don’t create much shade, which is good for watermelon plants. Plus, onion bulbs can be easily pulled once watermelons are harvested.
Onions also have anti-fungal qualities that can protect growing watermelon plants from disease.
4. Beans
Bush or pole beans make excellent companion plants for many plants and vegetables. This is because bean plants increase the amount of nitrogen in the soil, thus giving nearby plants a nutritional boost.
5. Corn
Sweet corn is a fragile annual crop that grows during the warm season. Its kernels can be yellow, white, or a combination of both colors.
Corn stalks provide support for watermelon vines as they grow. Keep in mind that corn stalks will cast some shade, so take note of where their shadows are cast before planting watermelons nearby since watermelon plants require lots of sunlight.
6. Tansy
Tansy is known for its frond-like leaves and its brilliant clusters of button-like yellow flowers that grow during the summer.
Tansy is a tenacious companion plant that increases the amount of potassium in the soil, which is ideal for watermelon plants and other plants in the garden.
This plant is also effective in warding off a wide variety of pests, including mice, ants, flies, fleas, moths, mosquitoes, and ticks. Tansies also attract bees, which help with plant pollination.
7. Oregano
Oregano is a blooming herb that emits an aroma that attracts pollinators and repels pests, thus attributing to the growth of healthy neighboring plants, including watermelon.
