In this article: Discover the best corn companion plants to boost your corn’s growth and flavor while keeping pests away!
Companion planting is a tried-and-true organic gardening trick that helps plants thrive, taste better, and resist pests and diseases. It’s been used for generations, and for good reason!
First Things First: What Is Corn?
Corn is a cereal grain from the grass family, alongside wheat, barley, rice, and millet. But what should you plant near it in your veggie garden—and what should stay far away?
Below, you’ll find a list of the best corn companion plants to prevent pests and diseases, plus which plants to keep separate.
Best Corn Companion Plants for a Bigger, Better Harvest
One of the most famous ways to companion plant with corn is the Three Sisters Method, a Native American technique combining corn, squash, and beans. These three crops help each other grow strong.
Squash: Usually winter squash, this plant is a key player in the Three Sisters garden. Its sprawling vines act as a living mulch, suppressing weeds and locking in soil moisture. Plus, the thick vines discourage raccoons and other large pests from raiding your corn..
Beans: The other star of the Three Sisters, beans are perfect for corn because they add nitrogen to the soil—and corn loves nitrogen. Stick with pole beans (not bush beans) so they can climb the cornstalks. Dry beans work better than green beans since they’re easier to harvest in a crowded patch.
Peas: Like beans, peas fix nitrogen in the soil, making them great corn buddies. Since peas and corn grow in different seasons, planting them together saves space.
Cucumbers: These vines grow well near corn and can also help deter raccoons. For best results, grow cucumbers vertically (they do better that way!) beside your corn instead of mixing them in like squash.
Melons: Part of the same family as squash and cucumbers, melons can replace winter squash in a Three Sisters setup. Their long vines provide the same weed-blocking and pest-deterring benefits.
Dill: This herb boosts corn’s flavor and attracts helpful bugs like ladybugs and parasitic wasps.
Potatoes: Planting corn with potatoes actually makes the potatoes taste better—win-win!
Corn Companion Plants for Pest Control
Pests can ruin a garden, but companion planting helps keep them in check. Here’s what to grow near corn to fend off bugs:
Marigolds & Nasturtiums: Must-haves for every garden! They repel pests like aphids and attract beneficial insects. Nasturtiums are especially good at luring aphids away from corn.
Annual Flowers: Don’t skip flowers in your veggie patch! Blooms like cosmos and zinnias draw in pest-fighting bugs like lacewings and parasitic wasps.
Borage: Repels corn-hungry worms and brings in ladybugs.
Summer Savory: Another herb that keeps pests away while attracting helpful insects.
Thyme: The corn earworm is a major nuisance, but thyme helps repel it.
What NOT to Plant with Corn
Some plants just don’t get along with corn. Keep these away:
Tomatoes: Both attract the same pests (like corn earworms and tomato hornworms) and compete for nutrients.
Brassicas (Cabbage Family): Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, and cauliflower struggle near corn because it shades them too much. They also fight for soil nutrients.
After harvesting your corn, check out these guides:
- How to Freeze Corn on the Cob
- How to Can Corn
- How to Dehydrate Corn
Corn Companion Planting FAQ
Can corn and tomatoes grow together?
Nope. They share pests and compete for nutrients.
Are okra and corn good companions?
They won’t harm each other, but they’re not the best pair. Since both are tall, plant them where they won’t block smaller crops. Okra can even replace corn in a Three Sisters garden.
Can I plant corn and potatoes together?
Yes! Corn actually improves potatoes’ flavor.
Do corn and onions grow well together?
Absolutely—they like similar conditions. Just space them properly so corn doesn’t shade the onions.
Want more companion planting tips? Check out my other guides:
- Best Companion Plants for Tomatoes
- Best Cucumber Companion Plants
- Best Companion Plants for Squash
- Best Eggplant Companion Plants