Nothing says summer quite like a sweet, juicy cantaloupe fresh from the garden! While these melons are often grown on their own, pairing them with the right companion plants can make a big difference. The right neighbours can help keep pests away, improve growth, increase fruit production, and make the most of your garden space.
Since cantaloupe needs frequent watering and can spread out quite a bit, the best companions for it are those that won’t mind moist soil and won’t take up too much room either.
Herbs like basil and dill can help repel pests, while flowers such as marigolds and nasturtiums attract beneficial insects. Radishes make great companions too, as they deter pests like cucumber beetles.
In this post, we’ll go over the best companion plants to grow alongside your cantaloupe and, just as importantly, which ones to avoid!
The Best Companion Plants for Cantaloupe
Herbs
Basil
Basil helps repel thrips, which are tiny pests that can stunt cantaloupe growth by feeding on the leaves. The shallow roots of basil won’t compete for water or nutrients either, making it easy to grow alongside melons. Plus, its strong scent may deter other pests while attracting helpful pollinators.
Borage
Borage is a powerhouse companion for cantaloupe! As it grows, it attracts beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, helping to boost pollination. But its real magic happens when it breaks down, releasing potassium and calcium into the soil. Both of which are important for strong vines and sweet, juicy melons.
Resow borage throughout the season, and once older plants flower, chop and drop them before they set seed. This keeps nutrients cycling back into the soil, helping your cantaloupes thrive!
Chives
Chives are a wonderful companion for cantaloupe. They take up very little space and can help repel pests like aphids, ants, and beetles. Their mild onion scent is a natural deterrent to these unwanted visitors, keeping your cantaloupe safe and healthy. Chives also attract pollinators like bees, which is great for boosting melon production.
Cilantro
Cilantro helps protect cantaloupe by attracting beneficial insects like bees, butterflies, and hoverflies, which boost pollination. It also draws predators such as ladybugs and parasitic wasps, which eat pests such as aphids and beetles. Plant cilantro in shady spots near your cantaloupe to keep it from bolting in hot weather.
Dill
Dill is an amazing companion for cantaloupe because it brings in some of the garden’s best helpers—ladybugs and pollinators! Ladybugs love to snack on aphids that can damage melon vines, while bees and butterflies ensure plenty of flowers get pollinated for a better harvest. To make the most of this pairing, plant dill along the edges of your melon patch or in nearby containers. This way, it won’t compete for space but will still work its magic in attracting beneficial insects to your garden.
Marjoram
Marjoram is a great companion for cantaloupe because it helps repel pests like aphids and beetles while attracting lots of pollinators.
Vegetables
Beans
Growing beans alongside cantaloupe is a great way to improve soil health naturally. As beans grow, they fix nitrogen from the air and store it in their roots. When the season ends, cut back the bean plants at the soil level, leaving the roots. This allows them to break down and release the stored nitrogen for your cantaloupes.
To maximize space, plant bush beans around the edges of your melon patch or train pole beans up a trellis, keeping the ground clear for the cantaloupe to spread out.
Carrots
Carrots help loosen the soil, improving drainage and making it easier for your cantaloupe to grow. They also thrive in the same sunlight and soil conditions, making them an easy pairing. Plant carrots around your cantaloupe early in the season, then harvest them as the melons start to take up more space.
Corn
Corn is a great companion for cantaloupe when planted using the Three Sisters method, an old gardening technique used by the Native Americans. The tall corn stalks provide natural support and light shade for your cantaloupe and beans, while the beans fix nitrogen in the soil. In return, the sprawling cantaloupe vines act like a living mulch, keeping weeds down.
Garlic
The strong scent of garlic repels pests like cucumber beetles, aphids, and nematodes, which can damage your melons. Unlike larger crops, garlic has a small root system (unless you’re growing elephant garlic), so it won’t compete for space or nutrients. You can plant it close to your cantaloupe or along the borders of your garden to create a protective barrier.
Lettuce
Lettuce acts as a natural mulch, keeping the soil cool and helping to suppress weeds. It grows quickly and takes up little space, making it an easy crop to plant between melon vines. As the cantaloupe spreads, its leaves will provide shade for the lettuce, keeping it tender for longer. Just be sure to harvest the lettuce before the melons need more room to grow. If you live in a very hot climate, consider planting lettuce in a shadier spot to prevent it from bolting too soon.
Onions
If you’re looking for a natural way to protect your cantaloupe from pests, onions are the perfect choice. Their strong, pungent scent helps repel pests like beetles, aphids, and caterpillars. Just be sure not to plant them too close, as onions need space to grow and develop their bulbs properly. Giving them some room will allow both your onions and cantaloupe to grow to their full potential.
Radish
You can maximize your garden’s productivity by planting radishes alongside cantaloupe. They don’t need much space and grow very quickly, so you can harvest them before your cantaloupe plants get big! Radishes also attract helpful insects like ladybugs and lacewings, which love to munch on aphids.
Flowers
Chamomile
Chamomile is a wonderful companion for just about anything! Its sweet scent attracts pollinators, helping to boost fruit production. It’s also known to enhance the flavor of nearby plants. Chamomile has natural pest-repelling properties, keeping away aphids and other harmful insects. Plus, it can improve soil health by adding nutrients as it grows. Plant chamomile near your cantaloupes to enjoy its beautiful blooms and help your melons thrive!
Marigold
Planting marigolds near your cantaloupe is a great way to keep pests away naturally. Their strong scent acts as a repellent for many harmful bugs. Marigolds can also deter mosquitoes that are attracted to the moisture from frequently watering your melons.
These bright flowers help control nematodes in the soil and can even act as a trap crop for aphids, preventing them from getting to your precious melons. Planting them in shadier areas will keep the flowers compact and allow them to thrive without getting too big and competing for space.
Nasturtium
These vibrant edible flowers attract beneficial insects like bees, which assist with pollination, giving you a better cantaloupe harvest. They also serve as trap crops for aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. Since nasturtiums vine out and can grow quite large, it’s best to plant them in the corners of your beds or rows. Nasturtiums not only shield your melons from pests but can also enhance their flavor and overall growth, making them an excellent addition to your garden.
Sweet Alyssum
The fragrant flowers of sweet alyssum attract beneficial insects like bees and hoverflies, which help pollinate your cantaloupe. Additionally, sweet alyssum acts as a natural ground cover, helping to suppress weeds and keep the soil cool and moist, which is perfect for cantaloupes. Its ability to attract predatory insects also helps control pests like aphids, ensuring a healthier garden.
Companion Plants to Avoid
Cucumber
Cucumbers and cantaloupe will compete for nutrients and water. Since they are both vigorous growers, they can quickly overcrowd each other, reducing airflow. This creates the perfect environment for pests and diseases to thrive.
Pumpkin and Squash
Pumpkins and squash may be part of the same plant family as cantaloupe, but they don’t make great companions, either. Their sprawling vines quickly take over, competing for space, sunlight, and nutrients. Plus, they attract similar pests, like squash bugs and cucumber beetles. Overcrowding also reduces airflow, increasing the risk of mildew and rot. To get the best harvest, it’s best to plant pumpkins and squash away from your cantaloupes!
Watermelon
Watermelon might seem like a good match for cantaloupe, but they don’t make the best companions. Since both are heavy feeders, they’ll compete for nutrients, which can lead to smaller or less flavorful fruit. They also attract the same pests and diseases, increasing the risk of issues like powdery mildew and cucumber beetles spreading quickly between them.
Plus, their sprawling vines can tangle together, making it harder to manage your plants. If you want to grow both melons, plant them in separate areas so they have plenty of space and can grow nice and big!
Potatoes
Potatoes have dense foliage that can block sunlight and stunt melon growth. They also need a lot of water, which can lead to soggy soil and increase the risk of root rot for cantaloupes. Growing these two plants in separate beds is best!
FAQ
Can I plant cantaloupe next to strawberries?
It’s not the best idea. Strawberries and cantaloupe both spread out and can compete for space, nutrients, and water. Plus, strawberries can attract pests that may also go after your melons.
Are cantaloupes self-pollinating?
Not exactly! Cantaloupes have separate male and female flowers on the same plant, so they need bees or other pollinators to transfer pollen for fruit to develop. You can also hand pollinate cantaloupe flowers.
Does cantaloupe need a trellis to grow on?
No, but it can help! Cantaloupe vines naturally sprawl on the ground, but a sturdy trellis can save space, improve air circulation, and reduce pest issues. Just be sure to support the growing melons with slings if they get too heavy.
Can cantaloupes grow in partial shade?
Cantaloupes need full sun (at least 6–8 hours a day) to thrive. While they might survive in partial shade, they’ll struggle to produce sweet, juicy fruit.
How far apart should I plant melon seeds?
Space melon seeds about 18–24 inches apart in rows or hills, with at least 3 feet between rows. Giving them room ensures good air circulation and healthy growth.
Do cantaloupe need a lot of space to grow?
Yes! Cantaloupe vines spread several feet, so they need plenty of room to sprawl. If space is tight, try growing them vertically on a trellis.
What animals eat cantaloupe in the garden?
Deer, raccoons, squirrels, and even rabbits love sweet melons! To protect your crop, use fencing, netting, or deterrents like motion-activated sprinklers.
