Bean
Phaseolus vulgaris
FabaceaeCompanion plants for beans
The best companion plants for beans are corn, squash, okra, basil and dill. Kohlrabi and chives are best kept away. Of the 28 plants we have data on, 18 are good neighbours, 2 are bad ones and 6 are contested. 19 of these verdicts rest on field trials or research papers; the rest come from traditional companion-planting charts.
- 18 good
- 2 to avoid
- 6 contested
- 19 tested in trials or papers
Neighbours of beans at a glance
Inner rings are backed by trials or papers, outer rings by charts only. Pick a plant to see its sources.
The interactive map needs JavaScript. Every plant on it is listed below with its evidence.
Good companion plants for beans
Biggest harvest gain first, then the plants tested without a yield count. Each row links to the full evidence for the pair.
| Plant | What trials found with beans | Tested by | Garden charts |
|---|---|---|---|
 Lettuce |
48% more harvest from the same space | Field trial2 studies | Recommend |
 Sweet corn |
Draws in pest-eating insects, fewer pests and better soil and nutrient uptake43% more harvest from the same space | Field trial22 studies | Recommend |
 Okra |
25% more harvest from the same space | Field trial2 studies | Recommend |
 Radish |
21% more harvest from the same space | Field trial1 study | Recommend |
 Basil |
Fewer pests21% more harvest from the same space | Field trial3 studies | Not listed |
 Tomato |
18% more harvest from the same space | Field trial2 studies | Recommend |
 Squash & pumpkin |
Fewer pests and better soil and nutrient uptake17% more harvest from the same space | Field trial7 studies | Recommend |
 Cucumber |
14% more harvest from the same space | Field trial1 study | Recommend |
 Eggplant |
13% more harvest from the same space | Field trial1 study | Recommend |
 Dill |
Fewer pests, better soil and nutrient uptake and bigger combined harvest | Field trial5 studies | Not listed |
 Cauliflower |
Bigger combined harvest | Field trial1 study | Recommend |
 Cilantro |
No effect on pest-eating insects | Field trial1 study | Recommend |
 Garlic |
Draws in pest-eating insects | Field trial1 study | Not listed |
Harvest from the same space compares a bed with both crops against the same area split into single-crop beds, counting the harvest of both crops (the land equivalent ratio in yield trials).
Recommended by garden charts, not tested yet
We found no trial or paper on these pairs with beans. They may still work; nobody has measured it.
What not to plant with beans
| Plant | What trials found with beans | Tested by | Garden charts |
|---|---|---|---|
 Kohlrabi |
No trial found | Not tested | Advise against |
 Chives |
No trial found | Not tested | Advise against |
Relatives that share pests and diseases
| Plant | What trials found with beans | Tested by | Garden charts |
|---|---|---|---|
 Pea |
No trial foundSame family (Fabaceae): shares pests and diseases | Not tested | Not listed |
 Fava bean |
No trial foundSame family (Fabaceae): shares pests and diseases | Not tested | Not listed |
Contested pairings
The sources disagree, or the charts say one thing and the trials another. Open a pair before you plant it.
| Plant | What trials found with beans | Tested by | Garden charts |
|---|---|---|---|
 Pepper |
191% more harvest from the same space | Field trial2 studies | Disagree |
 Onion |
43% more harvest from the same space | Field trial1 study | Advise against |
 Potato |
36% more harvest from the same spaceMixed results on soil and nutrients | Field trial4 studies | Recommend |
 Cabbage |
28% more harvest from the same spaceMixed results on plant chemistry | Field trial7 studies | Recommend |
 Beet |
7% more harvest from the same space | Field trial1 study | Disagree |
 Broccoli |
Mixed results on harvest | Field trial1 study | Not listed |
Sources
68 sources behind the verdicts on this page. 17 chart entries cite no source and are marked as tradition only.
Show all 68 sources
Crop Rotation in the Vegetable Garden (Steil · 2025 · Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Yard and Garden)
Intercropping and cover cropping differentially alter maize secondary metabolism and affect herbivore resistance (Jordán JP · 2026 · Journal of Applied Ecology.)
Milpa polyculture enhances productivity through crop complementarity and potential carry over effects (Bustos-Segura C · 2026 · bioRxiv)
Associational resistance in the milpa: herbivore-induced maize volatiles enhance extrafloral nectar-mediated defenses in common bean via shared parasitoids. (Grof-Tisza P · 2025 · The New phytologist)
Photosynthetic response and agronomic performance of maize intercropped with beans using different planting patterns and fertilizers under the ambient conditions of the Colombian Amazon. (Suárez JC · 2025 · PloS one)
Bush Basil Companion Plants Act as Plant Defense Potentiators for Cultivated Plants. (Rahimian S · 2025 · Journal of agricultural and food chemistry)
Genotype Combinations Drive Variability in the Microbiome Configuration of the Rhizosphere of Maize/Bean Intercropping System. (Lanzavecchia G · 2024 · International journal of molecular sciences)
'The Three Sisters' (maize/bean/squash) polyculture promotes the direct and indirect defences of maize against herbivores (Liao H · 2024 · European Journal of Agronomy.)
A comparative analysis of the performance of common cropping systems used in the production of maize and selected grain legumes in Cameroon (Nkongho · 2024)
The Mesoamerican milpa agroecosystem fosters greater arthropod diversity compared to monocultures (Grof-Tisza P · 2024 · Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment.)
Additive intercropping system or acaricides: which one is more efficient to prevent population buildup of two-spotted spider mite? (Rahimi V · 2024 · Environmental entomology)
Reuniting the Three Sisters: collaborative science with Native growers to improve soil and community health. (Kapayou DG · 2023 · Agriculture and human values)
Experimental dataset of the impact assessment of vegetable intercropping on agroeconomic performances, pests and beneficials, and soil resources. (Perrin B · 2023 · Data in brief)
Effect of combining organic manure and inorganic fertilisers on maize-bush bean intercropping (Ndengu · 2022)
Optimizing maize-bean cropping systems for sustainable intensification in southern ethiopia (Yimer · 2022)
The Best Onion Companion Plants (2022 · Growfully)
Vermicompost Application in Different Intercropping Patterns Improves the Mineral Nutrient Uptake and Essential Oil Compositions of Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) (Rezaei-Chiyaneh · 2021)
Evaluation of the effect of strip intercropping green bean/garlic on the control of Tetranychus urticae in the field. (Mohammadi K · 2021 · Experimental & applied acarology)
Revisiting intercropping indices with respect to potato-legume intercropping systems (Gitari · 2020)
Cascading effects of combining synthetic herbivore-induced plant volatiles with companion plants to manipulate natural enemies in an agro-ecosystem. (Salamanca J · 2018 · Pest management science)
Nitrogen and phosphorous uptake by potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and their use efficiency under potato-legume intercropping systems (Gitari HI · 2018 · Field Crops Research.)
Reduce pests, enhance production: benefits of intercropping at high densities for okra farmers in Cameroon. (Singh A · 2017 · Pest management science)
A Study on Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) Based Intercropping System (Kabiraj · 2017)
The intercropping common bean with maize improves the rhizobial efficiency, resource use and grain yield under low phosphorus availability (Latati · 2016)
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi induced changes in rhizosphere, essential oil and mineral nutrients uptake in dill/common bean intercropping system (Weisany W · 2016 · Annals of applied biology.)
Can arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi improve competitive ability of dill+common bean intercrops against weeds? (Weisany W · 2016 · European Journal of Agronomy.)
Funneliformis mosseae alters seed essential oil content and composition of dill in intercropping with common bean (Weisany W · 2016 · Industrial Crops & Products.)
Mixed cropping of vegetables to improve organic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production in small farmer systems (Reynafarje · 2016)
Response of a maize or dry bean intercrop to maize density and dry bean arrangement under rainfed conditions (Nthabiseng · 2015)
As the level of crop productivity increases: Is there a role for intercropping in smallholder agriculture (Temesgen · 2015)
Changes in the essential oil yield and composition of dill (Anethum graveolens L.) as response to arbuscular mycorrhiza colonization and cropping system (Weisany W · 2015 · Industrial Crops & Products.)
Productivity, weed dynamics, nutrient mining, and monetary advantage of maize-legume intercropping in the eastern himalayan region of india (Choudhary · 2014)
Root foraging elicits niche complementarity-dependent yield advantage in the ancient 'three sisters' (maize/bean/squash) polyculture. (Zhang C · 2014 · Annals of botany)
Effects of Intercropping System of Tomato and Common Bean on Growth, Yield Components and Land Equivalent Ratio in New Valley Governorate (El-Gaid · 2014)
Intercropped red beet and radish with green bean affected microbial communities and nodulation by indigenous rhizobia (Ugrinovic · 2014)
Production guide for organic snap beans for processing (2013 · NYS IPM Publication)
Companion planting chart for home & market gardening (2013 · UCCE Master Gardeners Fresno County)
Maize-Bean Intercrop Weed Suppression and Profitability in Southern Ethiopia (Workayehu · 2011)
Effect of intercropping on the performance of some summer vegetable crops grown under different row arrangements (Hadidi · 2011 · Lucrări ştiinţifice)
Effect of intercropping on the performance of some summer vegetable crops grown under different row arrangements (Hadidi · 2011)
Companion planting: Myth or reality? (2010 · Utah Pests News)
Yield-density relationship for potato (Solarium tuberosum) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in intercropping (Raey · 2009 · New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science)
Studies on Maize-Vegetable Intercropping Systems (Hugar · 2008)
Optimum plant population for maize-bean intercropping system in the Brazilian semi-arid region (Morgado · 2008)
Effect of Intercropping Collard with Beans or Onions on Aphid Populations and Yields of Collard Under High Altitude Conditions in Kenya (Saidi · 2008)
The Effects of Intercropping Sowing Systems with Dry Bean and Maize on Yield and Some Yield Components (Çiftçi · 2006)
Increasing Productivity with Intercropping Systems in Cabbage Production (Guvenc I · 2006 · Journal of sustainable agriculture)
Productivity, Quality and Profit of Sole or Intercropped Green Beau (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) (Abou-Hussein Sd · 2005)
Intercropping with eggplant for proper utilisation of interspace under greenhouse conditions (Güvenç · 2005)
Intercropping based on cauliflower: More productive, profitable and highly sustainable (Yildirim · 2005)
Intercropping in cucumber (Cucumis sativus) under greenhouse conditions (Yildirim · 2004)
Effects of plant population and nitrogen fertilizer on yield and efficiency of maize-bean intercropping (Morgado · 2003)
The effect of planting combinations and weeding on the growth and yield of component crops of maize/bean and maize/pumpkin intercrops (Tembakazi Silwana · 2002)
Crop interactions in broccoli intercropping (Santos RHS · 2002 · Biological agriculture & horticulture)
Effect of silver reflective mulch and a summer squash trap crop on densities of immature Bemisia argentifolii (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on organic bean. (Smith HA · 2000 · Journal of economic entomology)
Effects of Bean Population and Row Arrangement on the Productivity of Chilli/Dwarf Bean (Capsicum annuum/Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Intercropping in Sri Lanka (De Costa · 1998 · Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science)
Garden bugs: Insect pest management in the home vegetable garden (ANR-1045) (Zehnder · 1997 · Alabama Cooperative Extension System)
Intercropping allelopathic crops with nitrogen-fixing legume crops: a tripartite symbiosis perspective (Kluson RA. · 1996 · Allelopathy : organisms, processes, and applications)
Competitive ability of maize and common bean (phaseolus-vulgaris) cultivars intercropped in different environments (Rezende · 1994)
Companion Plants (Alabama Cooperative Extension System)
The Best Time to Plant Fava Beans (Maier · SFGate)
Microenvironmental effects on potato and bean yields grown under intercropping system (Sharaiha · Lucrări ştiinţifice)
What grows well with your beans?
Share what worked next to your beans and what did not, or ask other growers a question. Reader notes are not checked by us and do not change the verdicts on this page.