One of my favorite aspects of growing strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa) is discovering companion plants that support their growth, protect them from pests, and enhance overall garden biodiversity! Strawberries are native to temperate regions in Europe and North America, forming low, mat-like foliage and sending out runners that sprawl across the soil. However, they can be vulnerable to pests like slugs, aphids, and fungal diseases. By interplanting with companions that deter these issues, improve soil health, and attract beneficial insects, you’ll not only boost strawberry yields but also create a vibrant, balanced garden.
I know how frustrating it is to plant tiny strawberry transplants in early spring only to have slugs munch away their tender leaves or to see crowded berries succumb to gray mold! That’s why I’ve curated thirteen perfect companion plants—each offering unique advantages, from attracting pollinators and ground-nesting bees to repelling harmful insects and suppressing weeds. Throughout this article, I’ll share details on each plant’s native origins, whether it can become invasive, and how it interacts with strawberries. Whether you’re using raised beds, containers, or open garden plots, these companions will help you cultivate healthier, more bountiful strawberry patches that delight both you and the wildlife that visits!
Marigold
Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) hail from Mexico and Central America and are renowned for their vibrant orange and golden blooms. Their strong, pungent scent repels many soil-dwelling pests such as nematodes and root maggots, which could otherwise damage strawberry roots. In my own garden, I often plant French marigolds at the ends of strawberry rows; within days, I notice fewer signs of root disruption and happier, more vigorous strawberry foliage. Marigolds produce compounds called thiophenes in their roots, which have natural nematicidal properties—an excellent match for strawberries, whose shallow roots can be vulnerable to nematode attack.
Beyond pest deterrence, marigolds attract predatory insects like ladybugs and lacewings that feed on aphids and other soft-bodied pests, further safeguarding your strawberries. These bright flowers also draw in ground-nesting solitary bees that seek bare patches of soil to dig tunnels; the accompanying pollination boost can enhance strawberry fruit set when they flower concurrently. Marigolds are not invasive if you deadhead spent blooms regularly. Allowing occasional self-seeding is okay in moderation, but controlling volunteers prevents them from choking out other companions or crowding the strawberry plants.
Lettuce
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa), native to the Mediterranean region, is a cool-season leafy green whose shallow roots complement strawberry plant roots without competing for nutrients. When planted between strawberry crowns, lettuce fills in gaps and suppresses weeds by shading the soil—helping maintain consistent moisture levels that are vital for juicy strawberry fruit. I’ve found that growing crisphead or butterhead lettuce in early spring alongside strawberries provides a dual harvest: tender salad greens while strawberries remain small and establishing. As the days warm, lettuce fades or is harvested, leaving open space for strawberry runners to spread.
Lettuce attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps that prey on aphids and other pests threatening strawberries. Because lettuce grows quickly and can be harvested multiple times, it serves as a dynamic “nurse” crop, covering ground during cooler months and making room for strawberries as the season heats up. Most cultivated lettuce varieties aren’t invasive, though allowing plants to bolt can create volunteer seedlings if you’re not careful. By integrating lettuce as a groundcover, I’ve kept strawberry rows tidy, reduced soil erosion, and fostered a microclimate that discourages slugs seeking moist, bare patches.
Chamomile
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), originally from Europe and Western Asia, is famed for its calming, apple-scented blooms and herbal tea. When planted near strawberries, chamomile’s nectar-rich flowers attract hoverflies and predatory wasps, whose larvae feast on aphids that might otherwise colonize strawberry leaves. I noticed that in my raised strawberry bed, a few chamomile plants nestled at the corners quickly became magnets for these beneficial insects, reducing aphid damage across neighboring strawberries. Chamomile’s small, daisy-like blooms also draw in solitary bees, which nest in ground cavities, bolstering pollination activity for both strawberries and chamomile itself.
Beyond boosting beneficial insect populations, chamomile may improve strawberry flavor: some gardeners believe its aromatic compounds enhance soil microbiology in subtle ways, leading to sweeter, more aromatic berries. Chamomile is not typically invasive; it self-seeds modestly if blooms are left unattended. By cutting back spent flowers, I prevent overcrowding, ensuring chamomile remains a well-behaved companion. Its short stature—rarely exceeding 12 inches—means it won’t overshadow strawberries, but still provides that all-important insect attraction and a touch of herbal charm to the bed!
Spinach
Spinach (Spinacia oleracea), native to Central Asia, thrives in cooler weather and pairs wonderfully with strawberries in early spring. Its shallow, fibrous root system explores the upper soil layer without disturbing strawberry roots. In my garden, I sow spinach seeds between strawberry rows as soon as the soil becomes workable; the tender leaves emerge quickly, offering fresh salad harvests while strawberries are just beginning vegetative growth. As strawberry flower buds form, I thin spinach to prevent shading, allowing strawberries to receive full sun for optimal fruit development.
Spinach attracts pollinators such as honeybees and small native bees when it bolts and produces inconspicuous greenish flowers. These bees often wander to nearby strawberry blossoms, improving pollination rates and fruit set. Spinach also helps suppress weeds by covering exposed ground, making it harder for unwanted plants to establish. Most spinach varieties are non-invasive, though allowing plants to bolt can create volunteer seedlings if you’re not careful. By harvesting spinach promptly before flowering—often by keeping heat-sensitive varieties in cooler spring conditions—you maintain a tidy strawberry patch and enjoy a dual harvest of greens and berries!
Chives
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum), native to Europe and Asia, are a hardy perennial onion relative that makes an ideal strawberry companion. Their slender, grassy leaves release sulfur compounds that deter aphids, Japanese beetles, and spider mites—pests prone to munching on strawberry foliage and fruit. I’ve planted clumps of chives along the edges of my strawberry beds, and I’ve found that nearby strawberry crowns remain remarkably free from aphid infestations throughout the season. Chives’ attractive purple flower heads also draw beneficial insects like syrphid flies, whose larvae feed on aphids lurking on strawberry plants.
Because chives are perennial and non-invasive (spreading slowly by bulb division rather than aggressive rhizomes), they provide long-term pest protection without overtaking the bed. Their shallow root systems rarely compete with deeper strawberry roots, making them a low-maintenance addition. I typically leave chive clumps undisturbed for several years, dividing them only when they become crowded. This practice not only rejuvenates the chive plantings but also ensures that strawberries retain ample space for runners and crown enlargement. Visitors to my garden often stop to admire both the chive blossoms and the glistening ripe strawberries—proving that practicality and beauty can go hand in hand!
Thyme
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), native to the Mediterranean, is a low-growing herb whose tiny, aromatic leaves deter pests like whiteflies and aphids that threaten strawberry plants. Its aromatic oils—terpenes—emit volatile compounds that confuse pest insects and make it harder for them to locate ripe berries. In my experience, interspersing thyme between strawberry rows creates a fragrant groundcover that emits volatile oils—terpenes—that confuse and repel many garden pests. This subtle masking effect can significantly reduce pest pressure, allowing strawberries to ripen without being dotted by insect feeding damage.
Thyme’s tiny, pinkish-purple flowers attract pollinators like honeybees and native solitary bees that nest in bare, sandy soil patches nearby. These bees not only keep thyme in bloom but also enhance strawberry pollination when both flower types overlap. Thyme is non-invasive and thrives in well-drained soils—conditions that also suit strawberries. Once established, it requires minimal care: a light trim after flowering ensures it remains neat and prevents woody growth. By combining thyme’s pest-repellent properties with its pollinator-attracting blooms, I’ve noticed a marked improvement in both strawberry fruit quality and yield!
Nasturtium
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus), native to South America, is a vibrant companion plant whose bright, peppery flowers and foliage repel aphids, whiteflies, and squash bugs from nearby strawberries. Ochre-orange and sunny-yellow blooms act as a trap crop, luring pests away from strawberries and encouraging them to feed on nasturtium leaves instead. One season, I planted nasturtiums at the corners of my strawberry patch; by midsummer, my strawberries were nearly aphid-free, while nasturtiums bore the brunt of pest attention, protecting the more delicate berries.
Beyond pest control, nasturtium flowers draw pollinators like hummingbird moths and bumblebees, which later visit the small white strawberry blossoms, boosting pollination. Their sprawling growth habit provides natural mulch, shading the soil between strawberry crowns—helpful for moisture retention and weed suppression. Nasturtiums are not invasive in temperate climates, as their seeds generally require conditions similar to their native Andean foothills to germinate prolifically. However, to prevent excessive self-seeding, I pinch off seed pods once blooms fade. In my mixed bed, nasturtiums serve as both a decorative and functional partner, adding a splash of color and hearty pest resistance for my strawberries!
Beans
Beans (Phaseolus spp.), native to Central and South America, are nitrogen-fixing legumes that enrich the soil—an ideal benefit for nutrient-hungry strawberries. When I plant pole or bush beans near strawberries, the beans’ root nodules harbor rhizobia bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into forms accessible to surrounding plants. After harvesting a flush of beans, my strawberry beds show noticeably greener foliage and heavier fruit set without additional fertilization.
Moreover, beans’ tall vines and broader leaves provide dappled shade to strawberry plants, moderating soil temperatures and conserving moisture around strawberry crowns—especially valuable in midday sun. Beans also attract beneficial predatory insects: ladybugs feed on bean aphids, and parasitic wasps parasitize caterpillars that occasionally feed on strawberry leaves. Because beans typically occupy space above ground, their roots don’t interfere with the shallow strawberry roots. I rotate bean varieties each season to prevent soil-borne diseases, ensuring both the beans and strawberries continue to thrive in my beds!
Oregano
Oregano (Origanum vulgare), originally native to the Mediterranean, is a woody perennial herb with tiny, fragrant leaves that deter pests such as aphids and slug infestations around strawberry plants. Its aromatic oils—especially carvacrol and thymol—emit volatile compounds that confuse and repel many garden pests. In my garden, strewing oregano transplants around the edges of my strawberry patch resulted in fewer slug damage incidents, even after heavy rains that typically encourage slug activity.
Beyond pest deterrence, oregano’s tiny, pinkish-purple flowers attract pollinators like honeybees and native solitary bees. These pollinators then move on to strawberry blossoms, improving fruit set. Oregano is non-invasive when trimmed regularly; its spreading habit can otherwise smother neighboring plants. I prune oregano back after its initial flowering to maintain a low, tidy form without letting it overshadow strawberries. Because oregano thrives in well-drained soils—similar to strawberries—both crops enjoy the same conditions, benefiting from mutual pest protection and pollinator support!
Calendula
Calendula (Calendula officinalis), native to southern Europe, features cheerful orange and yellow daisy-like flowers that attract predatory insects such as lacewings and hoverflies—devastating to aphid populations on strawberries. When planted near strawberry edges, the bright blooms become beacons for these beneficial insects, which then forage on strawberry leaves, dramatically reducing aphid infestations. I recall one summer when aphids threatened to overwhelm my strawberry runners; a border of calendula near the beds brought in lacewings, whose larvae cleaned up the rogue aphid colonies in just days!
Calendula also has mild antifungal properties in its petals and foliage, helping deter powdery mildew and gray mold that often plague strawberry patches under humid conditions. Its continuous succession of blooms from early summer into fall provides a long-lasting resource for pollinators, including mason bees, which nest in small ground cavities nearby. Calendula is non-invasive when spent flowers are removed before seed set, ensuring it remains a harmonious companion. By combining pest suppression, disease deterrence, and pollinator attraction, calendula offers a trifecta of benefits for robust, juicy strawberries!
Borage
Borage (Borago officinalis), native to the Mediterranean, is an excellent pollinator magnet whose star-shaped blue flowers draw in bumblebees and honeybees—perfect for enhancing strawberry fruit set. In my raised strawberry beds, I intersperse borage among the crowns, and within weeks of bloom, I see bumblebee traffic increase tenfold. Borage leaves also release trace minerals into the soil as they decompose, enriching the substrate for strawberries, which thrive in slightly alkaline conditions similar to borage’s Mediterranean origins.
Furthermore, borage’s coarse foliage provides a light mulch, shading the soil around strawberry plants to maintain cooler soil temperatures during hot summers. This shading reduces water evaporation, helping strawberries remain well-hydrated. Borage can self-seed freely if left unchecked, but I manage volunteers by cutting off seed heads once blooms fade, preventing overcrowding. Because borage grows tall—often reaching two feet—it can also serve as a living trellis for strawberry runners, keeping them off the ground and reducing berry rot. Its dual role as pollinator attractant and dynamic mulch makes borage a superstar companion!
Garlic
Garlic (Allium sativum), native to Central Asia, is a tried-and-true companion for strawberries. Planted in fall among strawberry crowns, garlic cloves develop robust bulbs by spring and release allicin, a sulfur compound that repels spider mites, aphids, and even some fungal pathogens. In my garden, garlic transplants surrounded by strawberries yield large garlic bulbs and noticeably fewer incidences of spider mite webs on adjacent strawberry leaves. The strong garlic aroma also masks the scent of ripe strawberries, confusing raspberry weevils and other pests that might otherwise locate your berries and feast on them!
Garlic’s scapes (flower stalks) and unopened bud clusters attract hoverflies and other beneficial predatory insects during late spring when strawberries are setting fruit. These hoverflies lay eggs in aphid-infested areas; the resulting larvae voraciously consume aphids, keeping strawberry foliage pristine. Garlic is non-invasive: any leftover cloves produce predictable, easy-to-manage bulbs the following year. I always follow a rotation strategy, moving garlic to a new strawberry bed each season to avoid soil-borne diseases. This rotation, combined with garlic’s pest-protective qualities, helps my strawberries stay lush, pest-free, and bursting with flavor!
Alyssum
Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima), native to the Mediterranean region, is a low-growing border flower whose tiny white or lavender blossoms carpet the ground near strawberry beds. Alyssum’s profuse blooms attract predatory wasps and hoverflies, whose larvae feed on aphids and other small pests that infiltrate strawberry foliage. In my raised bed, a fringe of alyssum around the edges has consistently reduced aphid pressure, as the hoverfly adults are drawn to alyssum first and then patrol into the strawberry patch.
Alyssum also serves as an effective weed suppressant, covering bare soil and preventing weed seeds from gaining a foothold. Its shallow root system leaves the deeper soil layers accessible to strawberry roots, ensuring both plants coexist without competition. Although alyssum can self-seed if left to set seed, it’s easy to manage by deadheading spent flower clusters. This not only prevents volunteer seedlings but also prolongs the flowering period—often extending from early spring into fall. By providing continual blooms for beneficial insects and suppressing weeds around strawberries, alyssum is an indispensable, low-maintenance companion in my garden!
