Brussels Sprouts Companion Plants
Brussels sprouts are tall, long-season brassicas that need firm soil, steady moisture and a generous plot. They share many pests and diseases with other cabbages, especially cabbage white caterpillars, so companion planting cannot replace netting and regular checks. Mixed planting may support useful insects, but evidence for direct protection is limited.
Good companions for Brussels Sprouts
| Plant | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Beetroot | Quick-to-medium beetroot can occupy open ground between young sprouts, then be lifted before the brassicas become broad and shady. |
| Lettuce | Lettuce makes a short-lived intercrop among newly planted sprouts, using light and space before the tall crop fills the bed. |
| Spring onions | Spring onions are narrow and easy to harvest from bed edges; any effect on brassica pests remains uncertain. |
| Pot marigolds | Pot marigolds provide long-lasting flowers for visiting insects near the bed, but should not be relied upon to stop caterpillars. |
| Nasturtiums | Nasturtiums can be grown nearby as a flowering companion and are easy to inspect, though pest diversion is inconsistent rather than guaranteed. |
| Poached egg plant | Poached egg plant flowers early and may support hoverflies and other insects around the plot; leave sprouts adequately spaced. |
Keep Brussels Sprouts away from
| Plant | Why to separate them |
|---|---|
| Cabbages | Cabbages share cabbage white caterpillars, aphids and brassica diseases, concentrating potential problems in one small area. |
| Calabrese | Calabrese has similar nutrient demands and pest pressures, so it is better separated and included in the same crop rotation. |
| Cauliflowers | Cauliflowers compete for space and share clubroot risk, making a mixed, crowded brassica bed harder to manage. |
Tips
Plant in a sunny, open bed with firm soil, spacing plants about 60 cm apart. Water during dry spells so growth stays even, and stake tall plants in exposed gardens. Cover early with fine mesh where cabbage whites are common, checking leaves and stems regularly. Rotate away from brassicas for several years where clubroot has occurred.
Brussels Sprouts companion planting: frequently asked questions
What are good companion plants for brussels sprouts?
Good companions for brussels sprouts include Beetroot, Lettuce, Spring onions, Pot marigolds, Nasturtiums, Poached egg plant.
What should you not plant near brussels sprouts?
Keep brussels sprouts away from Cabbages, Calabrese, Cauliflowers.
How does companion planting help brussels sprouts?
Brussels sprouts are tall, long-season brassicas that need firm soil, steady moisture and a generous plot.
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Companion planting is a traditional practice; results vary with your climate, soil and garden. Page updated 19 Sep 2026.