Rhubarb Companion Plants

Growing rhubarb is a rewarding way to start your perennial garden. Choosing the right rhubarb companion plants can make your patch healthier and more productive. Good companions help deter pests, improve soil, and make the best use of your garden space. This guide will help you pick the ideal partners for your rhubarb.

Companion planting is the practice of placing plants near each other for mutual benefit. For rhubarb, this means selecting neighbors that won’t compete with its deep roots. The right companions can attract helpful insects or even repel common pests. It’s a natural way to support your garden’s health.

Why Companion Planting Works for Rhubarb

Rhubarb is a heavy feeder with a large root system. It needs space and nutrients to thrive. Some plants can actually help meet these needs. Others might provide a living mulch to keep roots cool. Understanding this helps you make smart choices.

Good companions also help with pest management. Rhubarb can sometimes attract beetles and aphids. Certain plants can draw these pests away or bring in insects that eat them. This reduces the need for any chemical interventions.

Best Companion Plants for Rhubarb

Here are some of the most effective and reliable plants to grow with your rhubarb. These choices are based on traditional gardening knowledge and observed benefits.

1. Alliums (Onions, Garlic, Chives)

Alliums are perhaps the best companions for rhubarb. Their strong scent is known to deter many pests. This includes the rhubarb curculio, a beetle that can damage stalks. Planting garlic or chives around your rhubarb creates a protective barrier.

They help mask the scent of rhubarb from pests.
They have shallow roots that don’t compete with rhubarb.
Chives can improve soil health when their leaves decompose.

2. Legumes (Beans, Peas)

Beans and peas are excellent nitrogen-fixers. They take nitrogen from the air and convert it into a form plants can use. Rhubarb, as a heavy feeder, benefits greatly from this natural fertilizer. Plant bush beans around your rhubarb for a simple boost.

Adds nitrogen to the soil naturally.
Bush varieties provide light ground cover.
They generally have few shared pests with rhubarb.

3. Brassicas (Cabbage, Kale, Broccoli)

This partnership is a classic example of pest confusion. The strong smell of rhubarb may help repel white cabbage moths. These moths are a common problem for brassica plants. Planting kale or cabbage near your rhubarb can lead to healthier leaves on both plants. Just ensure the brassicas don’t shade the rhubarb to much.

4. Flowers (Marigolds, Nasturtiums)

Don’t overlook the power of flowers in your vegetable garden. Marigolds are famous for repelling nematodes and other soil pests. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop, luring aphids away from your rhubarb. They also add a beautiful splash of color.

Marigolds: Plant French marigolds directly in the rhubarb bed.
Nasturtiums: Let them sprawl at the base of your rhubarb plants.
Both attract pollintors which is good for the whole garden.

5. Herbs (Mint, Rosemary)

Many aromatic herbs make good companions. Mint’s strong scent deters flea beetles and aphids. However, mint is very invasive. It’s best to plant it in a pot and then sink the pot next to your rhubarb. Rosemary can also deter some pests with its fragrance.

Plants to Avoid Near Rhubarb

Some plants are bad neighbors for rhubarb. They may compete aggressively for resources or attract harmful pests. Knowing what not to plant is just as important.

1. Sunflowers and Corn

These plants are very heavy feeders. They will compete directly with rhubarb for nutrients and water. Sunflowers can also cast to much shade, which rhubarb does not like. It’s best to keep them in a different garden section.

2. Root Vegetables (Potatoes, Turnips)

Potatoes and rhubarb are a particularly poor match. They are both susceptible to similar blights and pests. Harvesting root vegetables also disturbs the soil around rhubarb’s permanent roots. This can stress the plant and reduce its yeild.

3. Cucumbers and Melons

These vines can spread quickly and smother rhubarb. They also require lots of water, which might lead to overwatering the rhubarb crown. Rhubarb prefers consistent moisture but not soggy conditions, which cucumbers often create.

How to Plant Companions with Rhubarb

Follow these steps to successfully establish your companion planting scheme. Proper spacing is the most critical factor for success.

Prepare the Bed: Ensure your rhubarb bed has rich, well-drained soil. Add compost before planting companions.
Respect the Crown: Keep all companion plants at least 12-18 inches away from the rhubarb crown. This avoids damaging the growing point.
Consider Height: Plant taller companions (like garlic) on the north side. This prevents them from shading the sun-loving rhubarb.
Use Succession: Plant quick-growing companions like lettuce early. They’ll be harvested before the rhubarb leafs out fully.
Mulch Lightly: After planting, apply a light mulch of straw or shredded leaves. This conserves moisture and suppresses weeds.

Long-Term Care with Companions

Companion planting changes your maintenance routine slightly. You’ll need to water and feed the bed according to the rhubarb’s needs, as it is the permanent resident. The companions should adapt to these conditions.

Each season, rotate your annual companion plants. Don’t plant beans in the exact same spot every year. This prevents soil-borne diseases and balances nutrient use. Your rhubarb will remain in place, but its annual friends can move around it.

Observe your garden regularly. Watch for signs that a companion is helping or hindering. If a plant seems to be competing to aggressively, simply remove it and try a different one next season. Gardening is always an experiment.

Common Questions About Rhubarb Companions

Can I plant strawberries with rhubarb?

It’s not generally recommended. They can both be susceptible to similar fungal diseases like verticillium wilt. They also have different harvesting times, which can lead to soil disturbance.

Do rhubarb companion plants improve flavor?

There is no strong evidence that companions change the flavor of rhubarb stalks. The main benefits are for plant health, pest reduction, and garden efficiency.

Should I companion plant around new or established rhubarb?

For new rhubarb plants, wait until the second year. Let the crown get established first. Then you can carefully introduce companions. Established plants are more resilient and can handle neighbors better.

What is a good low-maintenance companion for rhubarb?

Garlic or chives are excellent low-effort choices. Plant them once and they’ll come back each year. They require little extra care and provide consistent pest-deterring benefits.

Choosing the right rhubarb companion plants is a simple way to work with nature. It helps you create a more resilient and productive garden. Start with one or two companions, like garlic and marigolds, and see the difference it makes. Your rhubarb will thank you with many seasons of robust, tart stalks for your favorite recipes.