Peas Companion Plants
Peas are commonly combined with low, quick crops that use the bare ground before pea roots and stems fill out. Traditional advice also keeps peas away from onions and related alliums, although evidence for this incompatibility is uncertain. Good support, an open site and timely picking are more dependable foundations for a productive pea row.
Good companions for Peas
| Plant | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Carrots | Carrots can occupy the ground between pea rows, while pea foliage may provide modest shade during dry weather. |
| Lettuce | Lettuce is a quick, low companion that can be picked before pea stems create a dense canopy. |
| Radishes | Radishes make a fast catch crop at the base of pea supports and are usually harvested early. |
| Cucumbers | Cucumbers can follow early peas in a warm bed after the pea crop is cleared, rather than competing at once. |
| Pot marigolds | Pot marigolds nearby provide flowers for insects and can sit at row ends without obstructing supports. |
| Nasturtiums | Nasturtiums are traditionally grown close by as a possible sacrificial trap for blackfly, with variable results. |
Keep Peas away from
| Plant | Why to separate them |
|---|---|
| Onions | Onions are traditionally kept away from peas because many gardeners believe alliums can inhibit pea growth. |
| Leeks | Leeks are also alliums, so they are commonly placed in a different bed from peas. |
| Garlic | Garlic is another traditional poor partner for peas and prefers a separate, sunnier planting scheme. |
Tips
Sow peas in a sunny, open bed and support taller varieties with pea sticks or netting before they flop. Keep the base weeded, but avoid deep cultivation around roots. Interplant only low crops that can be harvested easily. Check tender shoots for slugs and blackfly, and pinch out badly infested tips if needed.
Peas companion planting: frequently asked questions
What are good companion plants for peas?
Good companions for peas include Carrots, Lettuce, Radishes, Cucumbers, Pot marigolds, Nasturtiums.
What should you not plant near peas?
Keep peas away from Onions, Leeks, Garlic.
How does companion planting help peas?
Peas are commonly combined with low, quick crops that use the bare ground before pea roots and stems fill out.
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Companion planting is a traditional practice; results vary with your climate, soil and garden. Page updated 19 Sep 2026.