The Best Companion Plants for Growing Sweet Peas

Sweet peas are one of the most popular annual climbing vines grown in home gardens. Their beautiful flowers come in a wide range of colors and they have a lovely, sweet fragrance that makes them a delight to grow.

When planting sweet peas, choosing the right companion plants is an important consideration. Companion planting is the practice of strategically planting different plants together so they can benefit each other. The right companions can help deter pests, attract pollinators, provide support, and maximize garden space.

Here are some of the best companion plant options to grow with sweet peas:

Vegetables and Herbs

Several vegetable and herb varieties pair well with sweet peas:

• Beans – Pole beans and bush beans are great nitrogen-fixing companions Their climbing growth habit complements sweet peas,

• Spinach – The shade from sweet pea vines helps keep spinach cool while the spinach roots help aerate soil.

• Lettuce – Lettuce thrives in the dappled shade under sweet peas. Its shallow roots don’t compete for nutrients.

• Radishes – Radishes have shallow roots so they don’t compete for water and nutrients They help repel pests.

• Carrots – Carrot foliage provides shade for sweet pea roots while carrots roots break up and aerate the soil.

• Basil – Basil deters common sweet pea pests like aphids and Japanese beetles.

Flowers and Ornamentals

Several flowering plants, both annuals and perennials, make good companions:

• Marigolds – Marigolds repel aphids, beetles, and other insects that may prey on sweet peas.

• Nasturtiums – Nasturtiums attract aphids and beetles away from sweet peas. Their trailing habit complements vines.

• Sunflowers – Tall sunflowers provide support for climbing sweet peas.

• Cosmos – Cosmos attract pollinators like bees to the garden. Their bright blooms complement sweet peas.

• Zinnias – Zinnias attract ladybugs and other beneficial insects that prey on sweet pea pests.

• Petunias – Petunias’ spreading growth habit makes a nice ground cover under sweet peas.

Supportive Structures

Certain plants can provide physical support for climbing sweet peas:

• Corn – Sweet peas can be trained up corn stalks. Corn foliage provides dappled shade.

• Grapevines – Both plants benefit from shared trellising and vertical space utilization.

• Trees and shrubs – Larger plants like trees or shrubs can provide support for sweet peas to climb.

Plants to Avoid

Some plants inhibit the growth of sweet peas and should not be planted nearby:

• Onions and garlic – Alliums stunt the growth of sweet peas and other legumes.

• Brassicas like cabbage – Competition for nutrients may cause poor growth.

• Peppers – Can harbor wilt disease that spreads to sweet peas.

• Shade plants like impatiens – Require different light levels than sweet peas.

Companion Planting Tips

Follow these tips for successful companion planting with sweet peas:

• Use trellises, fences, poles, or supports so sweet peas can climb vertically and not outcompete other plants.

• Allow at least 8 inches between sweet peas and neighboring plants to prevent crowding.

• Grow companion plants from seed at the same time as sweet peas for synchronized planting times.

• Interplant sweet peas and companions in alternating rows or patches for efficient use of space.

• Choose companion plants with similar sunlight, water, and soil preferences.

• Mix early and late-blooming companions to provide ongoing color after sweet peas fade.

• Use fast-growing companions as living mulches to suppress weeds and retain moisture.

• Plant fragrant herbs and flowers to attract pollinators to your sweet peas.

With the right companion plant choices, your sweet peas will thrive! Thoughtful companion planting leads to healthy, vibrant, productive gardens. Try pairing your sweet peas with some of these beneficial friends and enjoy their beauty.