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Companion planting is a worthful scheme , not just for veg gardens and raised beds , but also for backyard landscape gardening . Growing the right plants together allow you to utilize a give space more efficiently . It also enable you to appeal good insects , while also gross out the big I . Because old maid are so easy to grow , they make great companion plants . But what are the good old maid flower companion flora , and which plants should you debar growing near zinnias ?
tomato , cuke , asparagus , and peppers are just a few garden darling that grow well with old maid flower . Ornamental plant can also be grown as zinnia associate plant , including dahlias , marigolds , and salvias , however , herbs that prefer to rise in dry , flaxen soil , like lavender , should be avoided .
ascertain out our favorite old maid flower seeds !
What are the best zinnia companion plants?
Zinnias are easy to grow andbloom for long periods , piss them highly attractive tobees , butterflies , hummingbirds , and other good pollinators . These flowers rise well when planted in somewhat acidic to neutral soil that ’s full of moisture - retain constitutive matter but still debilitate well . While zinnias are resistant of partial afternoon shade in warmer growing region , these flowers need to be found in full sunshine in cooler climates .
Zinnias are some of the best companion plants out there , and not just for your veggie temporary hookup , but for the flowers in your landscaping , too . Let ’s take a look at 13 of the best zinnia fellow traveller plants for your backyard .
Basil
One of the independent reasons why zinnias and Basil of Caesarea work so well together is because these two plants portion out the same growing requirement . Both basil and zinnias are well-chosen to originate in full sun and in moist ( but not soggy ) stain . So they ’re often grown together because of that alone .
Of course , basilmakes a bang-up old maid companion industrial plant for other reasons . For starter , its pungent odor help repel prejudicious insects , keep old maid flower and surround plants safe from infestation . Plus , basil ’s sweetly fragrant flowers work with zinnia ’s vivacious blooming to draw hoverflies , leechlike wasps , and other predatory insects that not only support pollination but also prey on harmful bug .
Cauliflower
Zinnias are tolerant of cauliflower ’s produce requirements , which are very like to its own . Using zinnias to fill in the spread between your Brassica oleracea botrytis plants helps keep the ground below in the ghost . This allows the zinnias to act as a live on mulch , preventing rapid evaporation and celebrate the groundcool so cauliflowers can grow well .
you could also imbed zinnias near yourcauliflower plantsto act as a trap crop . Many of the insect that feed on cauliflowers , include aphids , looper , beetles , slugs , and snails , will eat zinnias , instead , if they ’re useable . So growing rows of zinnia in between rows of Brassica oleracea botrytis is an first-class agency to proffer these cruciferous veggie some protection .
Salvias
Culinary sage and cosmetic sage , often call salvia , both crop well as zinnia companions . Zinnias and sage are both tolerant of full sun , so they ’re perfect for implant in the hottest parts of your garden , where many plants ca n’t live .
Like zinnias , salvias are easy to spring up , and they’revery democratic with pollinator . Just be sure to infinite salvias and zinnias far enough apart to allow for adequate airwave circulation . This helps forestall fungal infections and othersalvia job . And , as is the case with zinnias , even deadheadingcan serve salvias extend blooming longer , supporting pollination in your garden throughout the acquire season .
Cucumbers
Like cucumbers , zinnias grow well in full sun and prefer to be imbed in loamy soil that can be kept moist but wo n’t persist dowse soused . Zinnias welfare cucumber by attract pollinators needed to affirm craw output . These flowers also attract ladybugs and lacewing , which feed on many of the pests that are drawn to cucumbers .
Because Cucumis sativus are vining plants , they may smother neighboring crops if they are n’t given something to latch onto . So to keep your old maid in adept shape , civilize your cucumber vine to grow up a trellis . And be sure to space the plants far enough aside to promote air circulation , so yourcucumbers do n’t develop powdery mould .
Melons
Watermelons , cantaloupes , and honeydew melon also benefit from being plant near zinnias . All of these flora get along great because they can permit full sunshine , and prefer to grow in loose , dampish soil . Zinnias keep pesky bug , like aphid and thrips , off melons , while their burnished flowers attract right louse that tending in pollination .
As with cucumbers , melons should also be discipline to grow up a treillage if you prefer to use zinnias as companion plant for them . This is especially necessary for melons that are being grown in dope or othersmall spaces .
Dahlias
If bringing morebutterflies into your gardenis your top priority , turn dahliasand zinnias together as a border for your flower beds . Butterflies are attracted to their vivid blossoms and are happy to visit neighboring plant , too , which can dramatically boost pollination rates in your garden .
But , be advised . While Dahlia pinnata and zinnias can certainly appeal pollinators , they may capture the eye of wanderingdeer , too . Should you notice any thirsty foragers nibbling on these peak , spray them with ahomemade dish soap repellentto further the animals to find a repast elsewhere .
Tomatoes
The average love apple flora can produce upwards of 100 tomato plant in a growing time of year . Smaller varieties , include Romas andcherry Lycopersicon esculentum , can produce near 200 fruit . Tomato plants appease incredibly busy , so they necessitate all of the help that they can get from neighboring flora . as luck would have it , zinnia make excellent companions for tomato . Their vibrant flowers attract pollinator as well as predatory insects , like hoverflies and parasitical wasps , who feed on the aphids , dirt ball , and beetles that care to prey on tomatoes .
Pro gratuity : test develop Basil the Great , zinnias , and love apple within the same raised bottom or garden infinite . Zinnias and sweet basil work together to support the pollination of the tomato plants , while basil helps improve the flavors of the tomatoes .
Beans
Likecollard greenness , zinnias like to grow near beans thanks to theirnitrogen fixation . edible bean and other legumes take the nitrogen that ’s already in the soil and turn it into a shape of nitrogen that ’s easier for plant to use . Sincezinnias swear on adequate N storey to bloom , zinnia and beans enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship , as zinnia ’s efflorescence work to attract pollinators needed to assist beans reproduce .
Marigolds
Together , marigolds and zinnia are the dream team when it comes to pest control . All of the harmful bugs that can devastate a garden — aphids , thrips , soupcon , flies , and mallet — are rebuff by the marigold ’s pungent smell . Of course , zinnias do n’t smell out too good to worm , either .
But , as big as marigolds and zinnias smell to the wrong bugs , these heyday are downright resistless to the ripe single . Butterflies , in exceptional , are drawn to these flowers thanks to their vibrant , easy - to - daub blooms .
Peppers
Whether you growbanana peppersorornamental varieties , all types of peppercorn can be employ as old maid flower companion plants . Peppers benefit from old maid ’s ability to attract pollinators . Just be deliberate about which varieties you choose . Some zinnia can grow up to 4 feet tall , and can cursorily overshadow your capsicum pepper plant plants . So only use nanus varieties of old maid as neighbors for your white pepper plant , which top out at around 12 inches .
Asparagus
Asparagusseeds can take a long time to germinate . Up to three years , to be exact . And the very last matter you want , once they sprout up , is to see them fall prey to bugs . develop zinnias near your asparagus will avail rebuff harmful insects . But it also allow for the zinnias to work as a trap crop for the beetles , insect , and fly that like to nibble on asparagus plant .
Alternate rows of asparagus in between row of zinnias to force insects out from your veggie . you could also expend old maid flower as a border around your asparagus plants , which is especially helpful if you’regardening in elicit metallic element beds .
Kale
A nutritious garden veggie that ’s much easier to grow than you might ask , one of the major pitfalls that shekels can run is insect plague . Harlequin beetles , whitefly , and cutworms can quickly prove to be devastating to vernal loot plants . Even mature kale plants are n’t resistant to these insect . But zinnias supportkale throughout its various increase stagesby attract predatory insects that will run to protect your shekels from pests so you have plentitude to reap for yourself later on .
Black-eyed Susans
If you ’re trying to play local pollinator to your backyard by implant morenative works specie , consider growing ignominious - eyed Susans as a old maid fellow traveller plant . Both of these species have open - face flowers , so they give thirsty bees and philander a place to take a breather and warm up while they feed in ( although , butterfly can also shaketo increase their body temperature if they need to ) .
Plus , both black - eyed Susans and zinnias can be uprise in full sun . Plant dustup of zinnias in between rows of black - eyed Susans for a more manicured show , or strewing seed randomly together withred sunflowersto make a raw event .
Which plants should you avoid growing near zinnias?
Not all plants get along with zinnias . When plan your garden for the upcoming growing season , be certain to avoid growing the following plant as zinnia familiar .
Lavender
Fragrant and elegant , lavender can be tremendously helpful in attract pollinators , especially when it’sgrown as a low hedgearound the margin of your garden . regrettably , because lavendergrows best in dry soils , it may not spring up well when planted near zinnias , which prefer moist soils . While zinnias are tolerant of occasional overwatering , lavender is prone to developing stem rot when the dirt ride out dampish for too long . So , for best result , plant these two beauty on different incline of your garden .
Rosemary
Rosemaryis native to the Mediterranean region , where it thrive in full sun and waterless conditions . But because rosemary also prefer to grow in dry soils , it may not have what it carry to live on next to zinnias . Although both of these plants can helpdraw local pollinators , they do n’t perform very well when grow together .
Thyme
Easy to propagateand even well-off to care for , thyme is a fast - growing undercoat cover that does n’t postulate much attention . This herb ’s predilection for ironical soils means it wo n’t fly high when plant near zinnias . But you should still debate keeping this culinary favorite in your garden thanks to its ability to repel harmful worm , including whiteflies .
Is growing zinnia companion plants worth all the trouble?
If you ’ve had trouble with worm infestation and harvest yield due to a lack of pollinators , then planting zinnias is well deserving the time and try . Although companion planting guide more oeuvre initially , it cuts down on labor in the retentive streamlet . So do yourself a favor and include old maid flower in your vegetable patch and landscaping . Your industrial plant will thank you — and so will your local wildlife !
