Best Outdoor Container Plant Combinations

Some container gardens feature plants that help each other to grow better. These plant combos are known as companion plants. The thought behind companion plants is that one may have a scent or color that repels or helps disguise its partner from pests. In other cases, a companion plant may attract beneficial insects, which eat any problem pests that arrive.

Container vegetable gardens that feature companion plants often include herbs or flowers. For instance, plant cabbage or broccoli with mint, which helps to deter pesky cabbage moths. These combinations can look beautiful, too. Try planting white and green variegated mint alongside red cabbage. Keep in mind that mint spreads out in whatever space you give it, so it's best to plant mint in a smaller, separate container, then plant the small container in your larger container.

Try planting bush beans with marigolds, a natural Mexican bean beetle deterrent, together in a pot. If you want cucumbers, plant a container with a bush or compact cucumber (with trellis) encircled by yellow nasturtiums, edible flowers with a peppery bite that will also lure aphids away from your cucumbers and deter cucumber beetles. Dill partners well with cucumbers and scallions in a container, as its flowers attract hover flies and predatory wasps, which feed on other insect pests.

A shallow bowl-type planter provides an easy home for leaf lettuce and chives, which deter aphids. Or go for a classic combination of companion plants: tomato and basil, which repels flies, thrips, and mosquitoes. Many gardeners will tell you the basil makes the tomatoes taste better, too. In a large container, plant a determinate (bush) tomato and basil. Choose purple basil to add another layer of color to your container garden.

While companion planting is an excellent way to garden, you don't have to get caught up in finding the perfect pairings that'll deter pests. You can also create gardens based on your favorite flavors!

For instance, try out a pizza garden with tomato, oregano, and basil to cook into your sauce and chives to garnish your favorite pizza combinations. You can get creative with a half-whisky barrel or other large container to give your garden a unique look.

Herbs that you use in your kitchen everyday grow well in containers, so why not fill up your garden with them? Not only do you get a fun and beautiful planting combination, but you also have access to fresh flavor. Plant cilantro, oregano, thyme, parsley, and mint together in a container for a Mexican Herb Garden that elevates your salsas, tacos, enchiladas, and more! Also, enrich the flavor of your soups (and many other dishes) with a Bouquet Garni herb garden of rosemary, thyme, sage, and small bay laurel plants.

For those who love a sweet treat, you can even plant a container full of sweet herbs that'll brighten up your homemade ice cream. Try lemon verbena, anise hyssop, rose geranium or mint, and thyme together in a container. If you're dreaming of summer days on the porch with a cool glass of lemonade, plant stevia, lemon balm, lemon mint, and lemon basil together.