Cabbage Companion Plants

Claim. Undersowing cabbage with white clover reduced egg-laying and infestation by several cabbage pests in replicated field trials, and a 2023 meta-analysis of cabbage intercropping found substantially lower pest injury on average.

Mechanism. Ground cover of non-host plants disrupts pest host-finding ("inappropriate landings"): insects that land on clover leave the area more often than they find cabbage.

Studied in. Field trials in the UK and Netherlands; white cabbage undersown with clover; meta-analysis of cabbage intercropping trials. (field)

Conditions. Sow clover 2–4 weeks after transplanting cabbage, or mow established clover before transplanting. Continuous clover cover under and between cabbage plants. Clover must cover the ground while cabbage is vulnerable (transplant to heading).

Management. Mow or trim clover to 5 cm when it reaches 15 cm; Sow clover later than cabbage or keep it in strips to limit competition.

Applies when. Applies to home beds where the ground between cabbages can be fully covered; a few clover plants at one end will not reproduce the effect.

Limitations. The same trials and the meta-analysis found a modest reduction in cabbage head size or yield from competition. The benefit is lower pest injury, not higher yield.

Evidence. Tier A: Systematic review or meta-analysis, or multiple relevant replicated field studies with consistent results. (meta analysis).

Sources. Finch 2000; Theunissen 1995; Carrillo-Reche 2023

Reviewed August 15, 2026 by Garden Planner editorial team (pending independent horticultural review). Record white-clover--cabbage--living_mulch v1. Request a correction.

Claim. Buckwheat flowers are strongly attractive to hoverflies and parasitic wasps; a strip beside cabbage may support natural enemies if it flowers during the pest season.

Mechanism. Nectar for natural enemies.

Studied in. Insectary plant field observations. (field)

Conditions. Sow 4–5 weeks before the pest season. Adjacent strip. Flowering buckwheat during the pest period.

Management. Cut before seed set; Resow every 3 weeks.

Applies when. Simple strip experiment.

Limitations. General evidence; no cabbage-specific outcome.

Evidence. Tier C: Indirect evidence: greenhouse or pot work, a related crop or species, or credible extension guidance with important uncertainty. (field trial).

Sources. Hogg 2011; Letourneau 2011

Reviewed August 15, 2026 by Garden Planner editorial team (pending independent horticultural review). Record buckwheat--cabbage--insectary_support v1. Request a correction.

Claim. Flowering coriander was among the plants most visited by hoverflies and parasitic wasps in field observations; benefit to cabbage depends on flowering during the pest season.

Mechanism. Insectary flowers for natural enemies.

Studied in. California field observations. (field)

Conditions. Sow 3–4 weeks before cabbage; let it bolt. Within a few metres. Flowering must coincide with pest presence.

Management. Allow bolting; Succession sow.

Applies when. Easy experiment.

Limitations. No cabbage-specific trial.

Evidence. Tier C: Indirect evidence: greenhouse or pot work, a related crop or species, or credible extension guidance with important uncertainty. (field trial).

Sources. Hogg 2011

Reviewed August 15, 2026 by Garden Planner editorial team (pending independent horticultural review). Record cilantro--cabbage--insectary_support v1. Request a correction.

Claim. Collards planted around cabbage attracted diamondback moth egg-laying and reduced the need to spray the cabbage in Florida field trials, provided the collard trap rows were maintained and treated.

Mechanism. Diamondback moths prefer to lay eggs on collards; larvae concentrate there instead of on cabbage.

Studied in. Florida, USA; collard rows around cabbage plots. (field)

Conditions. Plant collards 1–2 weeks before cabbage so they are larger and more attractive. A continuous border row of collards around the cabbage block. Collards must be present and attractive throughout the cabbage crop.

Management. Check the collards weekly; Remove or treat larvae on the trap rows before they move to the cabbage.

Applies when. Only where diamondback moth is a known problem; a single collard plant will not protect a bed.

Limitations. An unmanaged trap crop becomes a nursery for the pest.

Evidence. Tier B: One or more relevant controlled field studies or an authoritative synthesis tied to the crop, effect and arrangement. (field trial).

Sources. Mitchell 2000; Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) 2009; Shelton 2006

Reviewed August 15, 2026 by Garden Planner editorial team (pending independent horticultural review). Record collards--cabbage--trap_crop v1. Request a correction.

Claim. Flowering dill is attractive to hoverflies, lacewings and parasitic wasps that attack cabbage pests; an effect on pest numbers in cabbage is plausible but not directly measured.

Mechanism. Small, open umbel flowers supply nectar and pollen to natural enemies.

Studied in. Field observation of insect visits to insectary plants (California); diversity meta-analysis. (field)

Conditions. Sow dill 2–3 weeks before cabbage so it flowers during the pest season. Within a few metres of the cabbage. Dill must be flowering while cabbage pests are present; leafy dill does nothing for beneficials.

Management. Let dill flower; Stagger sowings for continuous bloom.

Applies when. Low-cost experiment with a documented mechanism.

Limitations. No cabbage-specific outcome trial found; dill is tall and self-seeds.

Evidence. Tier C: Indirect evidence: greenhouse or pot work, a related crop or species, or credible extension guidance with important uncertainty. (field trial).

Sources. Hogg 2011; Letourneau 2011

Reviewed August 15, 2026 by Garden Planner editorial team (pending independent horticultural review). Record dill--cabbage--insectary_support v1. Request a correction.

Claim. Mustard is used on farms as a perimeter trap crop for several brassica pests because it is more attractive than cabbage; the practice depends on early planting and destroying pests in the trap rows.

Mechanism. Pest preference for mustard over cabbage.

Studied in. Farm-scale guidance and trap-crop reviews. (field)

Conditions. Sow mustard 1–2 weeks before the cabbage. Border rows. Both plants must be present at the same time.

Management. Monitor and treat or remove infested mustard.

Applies when. Large beds with a clear perimeter.

Limitations. In a small garden, mustard more often simply hosts the same pests.

Evidence. Tier C: Indirect evidence: greenhouse or pot work, a related crop or species, or credible extension guidance with important uncertainty. (extension synthesis).

Sources. Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) 2009; Shelton 2006

Reviewed August 15, 2026 by Garden Planner editorial team (pending independent horticultural review). Record mustard-greens--cabbage--trap_crop v1. Request a correction.

Claim. Lavender is said to repel cabbage moths. No controlled evidence; lavender needs dry, lean soil that cabbage would not tolerate.

Mechanism. Proposed by tradition; not demonstrated in a controlled comparison.

Conditions. Planted together Both plants must be present at the same time.

Applies when. Optional experiment, not a guarantee.

Limitations. Soil and water conflict.

Evidence. Tier D: Traditional knowledge or structured community observations without a controlled comparison. (tradition).

Sources. University of Minnesota Extension 2023

Reviewed August 15, 2026 by Garden Planner editorial team (pending independent horticultural review). Record lavender--cabbage--pest_suppression v1. Request a correction.

Claim. Marigolds are widely claimed to repel cabbage pests. The marigold evidence concerns glasshouse whitefly on tomatoes (limonene) and soil nematodes (cover crop); neither transfers to cabbage caterpillars or root fly.

Mechanism. Proposed by tradition; not demonstrated in a controlled comparison.

Conditions. Planted together Both plants must be present at the same time.

Applies when. Optional experiment, not a guarantee.

Limitations. No brassica-specific evidence found.

Evidence. Tier D: Traditional knowledge or structured community observations without a controlled comparison. (tradition).

Sources. University of Minnesota Extension 2023; Conboy 2019

Reviewed August 15, 2026 by Garden Planner editorial team (pending independent horticultural review). Record marigold--cabbage--pest_suppression v1. Request a correction.

Claim. Mint is said to repel cabbage pests, ants and aphids. No controlled evidence found, and mint spreads aggressively into vegetable beds.

Mechanism. Proposed by tradition; not demonstrated in a controlled comparison.

Conditions. Planted together Both plants must be present at the same time.

Applies when. Optional experiment, not a guarantee.

Limitations. Grow mint in a container regardless.

Evidence. Tier D: Traditional knowledge or structured community observations without a controlled comparison. (tradition).

Sources. University of Minnesota Extension 2023

Reviewed August 15, 2026 by Garden Planner editorial team (pending independent horticultural review). Record mint--cabbage--pest_suppression v1. Request a correction.

Claim. Nasturtiums are said to draw cabbage white butterflies and aphids away from brassicas. They are certainly colonised by both pests; the review found no controlled trial showing that nearby cabbage benefits.

Mechanism. Proposed by tradition; not demonstrated in a controlled comparison.

Conditions. Planted together Both plants must be present at the same time.

Applies when. Optional experiment, not a guarantee.

Limitations. Unmanaged, a nasturtium covered in caterpillars or aphids is a nursery, not a trap. Trap cropping needs the pests on the trap plant to be removed.

Evidence. Tier D: Traditional knowledge or structured community observations without a controlled comparison. (tradition).

Sources. University of Minnesota Extension 2023; Shelton 2006

Reviewed August 15, 2026 by Garden Planner editorial team (pending independent horticultural review). Record nasturtium--cabbage--trap_crop v1. Request a correction.

Claim. Rhubarb is said to deter brassica pests, sometimes by using its leaves as a spray. No controlled evidence; rhubarb leaf sprays are not recommended.

Mechanism. Proposed by tradition; not demonstrated in a controlled comparison.

Conditions. Planted together Both plants must be present at the same time.

Applies when. Optional experiment, not a guarantee.

Limitations. Rhubarb shades neighbours heavily.

Evidence. Tier D: Traditional knowledge or structured community observations without a controlled comparison. (tradition).

Sources. University of Minnesota Extension 2023

Reviewed August 15, 2026 by Garden Planner editorial team (pending independent horticultural review). Record rhubarb--cabbage--pest_suppression v1. Request a correction.

Claim. Sage is said to deter cabbage moths and carrot fly. No controlled evidence found. Sage also needs far drier soil than cabbage.

Mechanism. Proposed by tradition; not demonstrated in a controlled comparison.

Conditions. Planted together Both plants must be present at the same time.

Applies when. Optional experiment, not a guarantee.

Limitations. Water needs conflict.

Evidence. Tier D: Traditional knowledge or structured community observations without a controlled comparison. (tradition).

Sources. University of Minnesota Extension 2023

Reviewed August 15, 2026 by Garden Planner editorial team (pending independent horticultural review). Record sage--cabbage--pest_suppression v1. Request a correction.

Claim. Thyme is said to deter cabbage white butterflies. No controlled evidence found; thyme prefers much drier soil.

Mechanism. Proposed by tradition; not demonstrated in a controlled comparison.

Conditions. Planted together Both plants must be present at the same time.

Applies when. Optional experiment, not a guarantee.

Limitations. Water needs conflict.

Evidence. Tier D: Traditional knowledge or structured community observations without a controlled comparison. (tradition).

Sources. University of Minnesota Extension 2023

Reviewed August 15, 2026 by Garden Planner editorial team (pending independent horticultural review). Record thyme--cabbage--pest_suppression v1. Request a correction.

Claim. Tomatoes and cabbage-family crops are traditionally kept apart. The one field test of this tradition (tomato with Brussels sprouts) found ordinary competition and no harmful interaction.

Mechanism. Claimed by tradition; no harmful interaction demonstrated.

Conditions. Planted together Both plants must be present at the same time.

Applies when. The planner does not separate these plants on this claim; it evaluates space, light, water and timing normally.

Limitations. See the conflicting-evidence record for Brussels sprouts.

Evidence. Tier D: Traditional knowledge or structured community observations without a controlled comparison. (tradition).

Sources. Bomford 2009; University of Minnesota Extension 2023

Reviewed August 15, 2026 by Garden Planner editorial team (pending independent horticultural review). Record tomato--cabbage--root_competition v1. Request a correction.

Claim. Unmanaged clover competes with cabbage for water and nutrients and reduced head size in field trials; the 2023 meta-analysis found a modest average productivity reduction.

Mechanism. Competition for water, nitrogen and light at the soil surface.

Studied in. Netherlands field trials; global meta-analysis. (field)

Conditions. Worst when clover is established before the cabbage. Full ground cover. Both plants must be present at the same time.

Management. Mow clover regularly; Delay clover sowing until cabbage is established; Irrigate in dry spells.

Applies when. A manageable trade-off, not a reason to avoid the pairing: accept a smaller head in exchange for lower pest pressure, or manage the clover.

Limitations. Yield cost varies with clover management, soil moisture and fertility.

Evidence. Tier B: One or more relevant controlled field studies or an authoritative synthesis tied to the crop, effect and arrangement. (field trial).

Sources. Theunissen 1995; Carrillo-Reche 2023

Reviewed August 15, 2026 by Garden Planner editorial team (pending independent horticultural review). Record white-clover--cabbage--root_competition v1. Request a correction.

Claim. We did not find a source that establishes a benefit or harm between celery and cabbage.

Mechanism. None documented.

Conditions. Planted together Both plants must be present at the same time.

Applies when. The planner evaluates spacing, light, water and timing normally.

Limitations. Traditionally paired; no evidence found.

Evidence. Unknown: No source meeting the inclusion rules. (none).

Sources. University of Minnesota Extension 2023

Reviewed August 15, 2026 by Garden Planner editorial team (pending independent horticultural review). Record celery--cabbage--other v1. Request a correction.