Companion Planting
Companion planting suggestions appear automatically based on what's already in a bed. The app uses the plant library's companion data to flag synergies and conflicts before you add a new planting.
How it works
1
Bed contents read
The app reads what's already in the bed — e.g. tomatoes, basil.
2
You select a new plant
The app checks the plant profile for that species — good companions (tomatoes ✓, roses ✓) and plants to avoid (peas ✗, beans ✗).
3
Result shown
Garlic is a GOOD companion for this bed — shown as a suggestion or confirmation in the planting form.
Where companion suggestions appear
- Bed detail page — shows a companion planting summary for the current bed contents, flagging beneficial combinations and conflicts
- Add planting form — when you select a plant, the form flags any conflicts with existing bed occupants
Companion categories
| Category | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Beneficial | Actively helps — repels pests, improves growth, fixes nitrogen | Basil next to tomatoes repels aphids and whitefly |
| Neutral | No significant interaction either way | Most leafy greens together |
| Avoid | Competes for nutrients, attracts shared pests, or inhibits growth | Fennel inhibits most vegetables — keep it isolated |
Data quality note
Companion data comes from the plant library, which is AI-enriched. Some companion relationships are well-established in horticultural literature; others are traditional or anecdotal. Confidence scores on plant profiles indicate data reliability. Treat low-confidence suggestions as a prompt to investigate, not a firm rule.
Tip: Classic high-value companions worth knowing: tomatoes + basil, corn + beans + squash (Three Sisters), brassicas + dill/nasturtium (pest trap crop), carrots + onions (each deters the other's pests).
See also