Pepper
Capsicum annuum
SolanaceaeCompanion plants for peppers
The best companion plants for peppers are onions, corn, basil, radishes and cilantro. Kale and Brussels sprouts are best kept away. Of the 28 plants we have data on, 14 are good neighbours, 2 are bad ones and 10 are contested. 22 of these verdicts rest on field trials or research papers; the rest come from traditional companion-planting charts.
- 14 good
- 2 to avoid
- 10 contested
- 22 tested in trials or papers
Neighbours of peppers 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 peppers
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 peppers | Tested by | Garden charts |
|---|---|---|---|
 Carrot |
127% more harvest from the same space | Field trial1 study | Not listed |
 Radish |
69% more harvest from the same space | Field trial2 studies | Not listed |
 Sweet corn |
Lures pests away, better soil and nutrient uptake and less disease44% more harvest from the same space | Field trial5 studies | Not listed |
 Onion |
20% more harvest from the same space | Field trial6 studies | Recommend |
 Basil |
Fewer pests and draws in pest-eating insectsMixed results on harvest | Field trial6 studies | Recommend |
 Cilantro |
Fewer pests and draws in pest-eating insects | Field trial2 studies | Not listed |
 Rosemary |
Fewer pests | Greenhouse or pot trial2 studies | Not listed |
 Turnip |
Fewer pests | Greenhouse or pot trial1 study | Not listed |
 Celery |
Better soil and nutrient uptake | Field trial1 study | Not listed |
 Dill |
Draws in pest-eating insects | Field trial1 study | Not listed |
 Fennel |
Less disease | Greenhouse or pot trial1 study | Not listed |
 Chives |
Fewer pests | Greenhouse or pot 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 peppers. They may still work; nobody has measured it.
What not to plant with peppers
| Plant | What trials found with peppers | Tested by | Garden charts |
|---|---|---|---|
 Kale |
No trial found | Not tested | Advise against |
 Brussels sprouts |
No trial found | Not tested | Advise against |
Relatives that share pests and diseases
| Plant | What trials found with peppers | Tested by | Garden charts |
|---|---|---|---|
 Potato |
No trial foundSame family (Solanaceae): 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 peppers | Tested by | Garden charts |
|---|---|---|---|
 Bean |
191% more harvest from the same space | Field trial2 studies | Disagree |
 Garlic |
55% more harvest from the same spaceMixed results on soil and nutrients and plant chemistry | Field trial3 studies | Not listed |
 Cabbage |
Fewer pests and better soil and nutrient uptake10% less harvest from the same space | Field trial3 studies | Advise against |
 Watermelon |
Bigger combined harvestSmaller combined harvestMixed results on harvest | Field trial3 studies | Not listed |
 Okra |
Mixed results on harvest | Field trial1 study | Recommend |
 Broccoli |
Mixed results on pests | Field trial1 study | Not listed |
 Parsley |
Mixed results on harvest | Field trial1 study | Not listed |
 Lettuce |
Mixed results on harvest | Field trial1 study | Not listed |
 Cucumber |
Mixed results on disease | Greenhouse or pot trial1 study | Not listed |
 Tomato |
No trial foundSame family (Solanaceae): shares pests and diseases | Not tested | Disagree |
No measurable effect
| Plant | What trials found with peppers | Tested by | Garden charts |
|---|---|---|---|
 Pea |
About the same harvest as separate beds | Field trial1 study | Not listed |
Sources
34 sources behind the verdicts on this page. 10 chart entries cite no source and are marked as tradition only.
Show all 34 sources
Crop Rotation in the Vegetable Garden (Steil · 2025 · Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Yard and Garden)
Exploring companion plants such as coriander, pea, pepper, and turnip for aphid management in Brassica under controlled conditions (Wang J · 2026 · Crop Protection)
Intraspecific trait variation mediates intercropping productivity under different spatial arrangements (Ye J · 2025 · Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment.)
How Environmental Fluctuations Affect Volatile Emissions from Basil and French Marigold and their Consequences on the Fecundity of the Green Peach Aphid on Pepper Plants. (Gautier H · 2025 · Journal of chemical ecology)
Effects of pepper-maize intercropping on the physicochemical properties, microbial communities, and metabolites of rhizosphere and bulk soils. (Chen Z · 2024 · Environmental microbiome)
Experimental dataset of the impact assessment of vegetable intercropping on agroeconomic performances, pests and beneficials, and soil resources. (Perrin B · 2023 · Data in brief)
Influence of Companion Planting on Microbial Compositions and Their Symbiotic Network in Pepper Continuous Cropping Soil. (Gao J · 2023 · Journal of microbiology and biotechnology)
Pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) suppression on jalapeño pepper using non-host insect repellent plants (Adeleye VO · 2022 · Crop Protection)
Antimicrobial Terpenes Suppressed the Infection Process of Phytophthora in Fennel-Pepper Intercropping System. (Yang Y · 2022 · Frontiers in plant science)
Effect of border crops and intercropping on aphid infestation and the associated viral diseases in hot pepper (Capsicum sp.) (Waweru BW · 2021 · Crop Protection)
Parasitoids diversity in organic Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum) associated with Basil (Ocimum basilicum) and Marigold (Tagetes erecta ). (Souza IL · 2019 · Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia)
Component crop physiology and water use efficiency in response to intercropping (Franco JG · 2018 · European Journal of Agronomy.)
Influence of neighbouring companion plants on the performance of aphid populations on sweet pepper plants under greenhouse conditions (Ben Issa R · 2017 · Agricultural and Forest Entomology)
Effect of bokashi and vermicompost leachate on yield and quality of pepper (Capsicum annuum) and onion (Allium cepa) under monoculture and intercropping cultures (Álvarez-Solís · 2016)
Which companion plants affect the performance of green peach aphid on host plants? Testing of 12 candidate plants under laboratory conditions (Ben Issa R · 2016 · Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata.)
Garlic exerts allelopathic effects on pepper physiology in a hydroponic co-culture system. (Ding H · 2016 · Biology open)
Plant functional diversity improves short-term yields in a low-input intercropping system (Franco JG · 2015 · Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment.)
Plant-plant-microbe mechanisms involved in soil-borne disease suppression on a maize and pepper intercropping system. (Yang M · 2014 · PloS one)
Effect of intercropping chili (Capsicum annuum L.) with onion (Allium cepa L.) in sandy regosol (Brintha · 2012)
Effects of intercropping with flowering plants on predation of Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) eggs by generalist predators in bell peppers. (Bickerton MW · 2012 · Environmental entomology)
Screening plants resistant against Meloidogyne incognita and integrated management of plant resources for nematode control (Dong L · 2012 · Crop Protection)
Responses of Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) Population on Tomato Lycopersicon esculentnm Mixed with Other Crops under Glasshouse Conditions (Mansour · 2012 · APCBEE Procedia)
Agronomic Performance of Collards under Two Intercrops and Varying Nitrogen Application Levels as Assessed Using Land Equivalent Ratios (Mutiga · 2011)
Intercropping for field production of peppers (Kahn · 2010 · HortTechnology)
Evaluation of the Yield Components and Yield of Onion (Allium cepa L.)-Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Intercrop in the Sudan Savanna (Kabura · 2008)
Yield and economics of chilli based intercropping system (Suresha · 2007)
Effect of irrigation, fertiliser and manure on yield and economic return of okra/pepper intercrops (Lawal · 2007 · Tropical Science)
Economic Returns and Yield of Chilli as Intercropped with Varying Onion Population (Tarafder · 2003)
Broccoli growth parameters and level of head infestations in simple and mixed plantings: impact of increased flora diversification. (Hooks CRR · 2001 · Annals of applied biology.)
Studies on the eco-economic efficiency of high beneficial intercropping models in upland (Wang Ying · 1998 · Acta Ecologica Sinica)
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)
Interseeding snap pea into stands of chile pepper reduces yield of pea more than that of chile (Guldan · 1998)
Aspects of biologically based pest management in commercial pepper production (Frantz · 1997 · Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society)
What grows well with your peppers?
Share what worked next to your peppers 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.