Learn about the best companion plants that will boost the health and growth of your arugula!
Arugula, also known as rocket, is a delicious leafy green with a peppery and tangy flavor! It’s perfect for cooler seasons which is why many gardeners love to grow it in the spring and fall. Arugula brings a fun and savory twist to all kinds of dishes, whether you’re tossing it into a fresh salad or using it as a topping for pizzas and pasta.
As a member of the Brassica family—alongside cabbage, kale, and broccoli— arugula and brassicas share many of their growth habits and vulnerabilities. While this hardy green is relatively easy to grow, pests like flea beetles, aphids, leafminers, and whiteflies can sometimes cause trouble.
That’s where companion planting comes in! By pairing arugula with the right plants, you can attract helpful pollinators, deter pesky insects, maximize garden space, improve the flavor of your arugula, and even create natural mulch.
In this post, we’ll explore the best companion plants for arugula, as well as a few you’ll want to avoid planting nearby. Let’s make your arugula patch thrive!
Table of Contents
The Best Companion Plants for Arugula
Alliums
Arugula thrives when interplanted with plants from the allium family such as garlic, chives, and onions. Their strong scent helps to repel aphids and whiteflies, keeping your greens safe and healthy.
Leafy Greens
Leafy greens like spinach, lettuce, and Swiss chard are excellent companions for arugula because they share similar growing preferences (thrive in cool weather and partial shade). These crops have shallow root systems, which means they won’t compete heavily with arugula for nutrients or space. Moreover, interplanting these leafy greens with arugula can help create a natural living mulch, reducing weed growth and maintaining soil moisture.
As they all grow quickly, you can enjoy a continuous harvest of fresh, tender greens throughout the season. Their varied flavors and textures also make them a perfect addition to salads, especially when paired with peppery arugula!
Peas
Peas make fantastic companions for arugula, offering a little boost to its growth by fixing nitrogen in the soil—an essential nutrient for healthy leaf growth. Since both are cool-weather crops, peas and arugula grow in similar conditions, making them a natural pairing in your garden. Plus, their different growth habits mean they won’t compete for space—peas climb upwards while arugula stays low, maximizing your garden space!
Celery
Both celery and arugula thrive in similar cool, moist conditions. Celerey’s tall, leafy stalks can provide light shade, helping to prevent arugula from bolting in warm weather. Additionally, celery’s strong scent can deter pests like aphids and flea beetles.
Carrots and Beetroot
The growth of root veggies naturally improves soil structure and aeration, creating healthier conditions for arugula and other nearby plants. During hot weather, when arugula is prone to bolting and turning bitter, the lush tops of carrots and beets provide much-needed shade, helping to keep the soil cool and delaying flowering.
Herbs
Herbs are a perfect choice to pair with arugula, not only because they grow well together but also because they help deter common pests like aphids, flea beetles, and slugs with their strong scents. Rosemary and sage, for example, repel many pests with their aromatic oils, while dill and cilantro attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps that can keep harmful pests in check. Borage is another standout companion—it repels unwanted insects while also attracting pollinators, improving the overall health of your garden. Additionally, these herbs don’t compete heavily with arugula for nutrients or space, making them an ideal pairing for a thriving and pest-resistant garden bed.
Chamomile
Chamomile is known to improve the flavor and growth of nearby plants, and its dainty flowers attract beneficial insects like hoverflies and bees that help keep pests away from arugula.
Nasturtiums and Marigolds
Nasturtiums and marigolds are wonderful companions for arugula, bringing beauty and benefits to your garden. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop, drawing aphids and flea beetles away from your arugula, while their vibrant flowers attract pollinators. Marigolds, on the other hand, repel nematodes and other pests with their strong scent, helping protect your arugula. The best part is that both of these flowers are edible!
Companion Plants to Avoid
Strawberries
Strawberries and arugula aren’t the best companions due to their similar shallow root systems, which can lead to competition for nutrients and space. Strawberries also have a spreading habit that can crowd out your arugula, inhibiting its growth. On top of that, strawberries attract pests like slugs, which may also target your arugula, making it more challenging to keep both crops thriving.
Mint
Just like strawberries, mint also tends to spread rapidly and can quickly take over the space needed for arugula. Its strong, spreading roots may also outcompete arugula for water and nutrients.
Fennel
Fennel is a poor companion for arugula because it releases allelopathic chemicals into the soil, stunting nearby plants’ growth.
Nightshades
Nightshades which include tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and potatoes aren’t the best match for arugula because they prefer slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5–6.5), while arugula thrives in neutral soil (pH 6.5–7). Trying to keep both happy in the same bed can be tricky and might leave one or both plants struggling to grow their best.
Other Brassicas
Avoid planting arugula with other brassicas such as cabbage, kale, or broccoli, as they attract the same pests. Growing them together can make it easier for these pests to spread, leading to a bigger infestation.
FAQ
Can you plant arugula with cucumbers?
Yes, arugula can be planted with cucumbers as they have different growth habits and won’t compete for space. The cucumbers can provide partial shade, which helps prevent arugula from bolting in hot weather.
Can arugula be grown close together
Yes, arugula can be grown close together, but spacing them at least 4-6 inches apart allows better airflow and reduces the risk of fungal disease.
Can arugula and basil be planted together?
Yes, arugula and basil can be planted together as they thrive in similar conditions and basil may help repel pests like aphids.
What is the difference between arugula and rocket?
There’s no difference—arugula and rocket are the same plant. The name “rocket” is commonly used in British English, while “arugula” is more common in American English.
Does arugula regrow after cutting?
Yes, arugula is a “cut-and-come-again” crop, meaning you can harvest the outer leaves, and the plant will regrow new ones for continuous harvesting.
Do slugs eat arugula leaves?
Yes, slugs are attracted to arugula and can chew holes in its tender leaves, so protective measures like slug traps or barriers are helpful.
