Eggplant companion plants are mainly aimed at repelling pests, as the leaves and fruits are surprisingly delicate. Unlike a lot of other crops, eggplants don’t need a lot of help with growing conditions, which is another reason for companion planting.
So, let’s look at some of the best companion plants for eggplant that are suitable for balcony gardening.
Eggplant Companion Plants
1. Oregano
Oregano is a very aromatic herb, which helps repel pests such as aphids and spider mites. It can also help attract pollinators and predatory insects, such as ladybugs, bees, and butterflies. Plus, oregano and eggplant are perfect partners in a wide range of Italian dishes.
2. Pole Beans
Beans add nitrogen to the soil, which makes them great eggplant companion plants, as eggplants are heavy feeders. Plus, you can grow both up supports in the same pot (such as this setup). Bear in mind, though, that they might compete for growing room if you do this.
3. Spinach
When it comes to companion plants for eggplant, it’s not always about benefitting the eggplants. Spinach is ideal for growing in the same pot because the larger eggplant provides its delicate leaves with shade in the height of summer. You don’t need a specific pot for this, as you can easily pop a few spinach seeds in the soil.
4. Marigold
Marigolds are one of the best all-round companion plants for crop gardens. They help attract pollinators and deter a range of pests. For best results, grow them nearby as many crops as you can.
5. Borage
Borage is another useful herb for repelling pests. Specifically, it can repel worms, so it’s worth growing in the same soil. As with spinach, you don’t need a special planter for this.
What Not to Grow with Eggplants
There are numerous plants that you should keep away from your eggplants, as some plants just don’t get on with each other. Here are some of the main things you should not grow with eggplants.
1. Nightshades
Eggplants are nightshades, as are potatoes, peppers and tomatoes. While they have similar growing conditions, they’re also susceptible to the same pests and diseases. If you have an outbreak, you could potentially lose your entire crop. If you want to grow different nightshades on the same balcony, keep them as far away from each other as possible.
2. Cucurbits
Cucurbits include pumpkins, melons and cucumbers. The main issue with these is that they feed on the same nutrients and are similarly heavy feeders. As such, growing them together with eggplants can impact the crops you get from both plants. Luckily, you can grow cucurbits nearby as long as the soil is separate.
Final Thoughts on Companion Plants for Eggplant
So there you have it, some of the best eggplant companion plants. Although there are various plants you should keep away from them, this shouldn’t prove a problem when gardening on a balcony. After all, you’d need a pretty massive pot to grow potatoes and eggplants together!