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Companion Plants for Pest Control in Cannabis Gardens

Growing cannabis seeds with companion p

lants—both indoor and outdoor—can make a galaxy of a difference when dealing with pest control in cannabis gardens. Sometimes, no matter what a home grower does, they can never seem to dial in the organic pest control aspect of growing cannabis plants, resulting in less-than-stellar results.

Humanoid home growers and interdimensional aliens like me have one thing in common—we both have green thumbs! Combine some know-how with those green thumbs to make companion plants for cannabis dramatically revolutionize your indoor grow, greenhouse cannabis garden, or outdoor living soil bed.

Why Use Companion Plants With Your Cannabis Seeds?

Home cannabis growers should utilize companion plants for cannabis pest control to confront pest issues organically and efficiently. This time-tested growing trick has numerous advantages that result in an enhanced ecosystem that minimizes mold, maximizes soil quality and health (nitrogen), promotes pollination, and—as discussed here—keeps those annoying cannabis garden pests away! [1][2]

When it comes to cannabis and companion planting, humanoid researchers have slacked hard in the areas of studies and research. Hard, factual evidence is mostly observational and has been passed down from early ancestors, along with their successes using companion plants for other traditional crops.

Though there are many proven varieties to pair with your cannabis seeds, it still requires some trial and error to get them to interact and produce just the way you want.

Terpene Interaction & Enhancement

Terpenes are a natural way for many plant species to fight pests in cannabis grows [3]. They can also be X factors because many companion plants have their own terpene profiles which can also affect the terps, aroma, and flavor of your final cannabis yield.

For example, be aware that cultivating companion plants like onion and garlic in the same cannabis grow bed with your OG Kush may help keep away pests; however, it just might also turn your prized OG Kush into something more like Onion Garlic Kush! I’ll be sure to mention which ones have been shown to affect the terpenes of cohabiting cannabis plants when possible.

When Should I Use Companion Plants?

Companion planting with cannabis can be used indoors, outdoors, or in a big, beautiful greenhouse cannabis grow. As mentioned, if you want the most organic and efficient way to fight common cannabis pests, then get a few new green friends growing close to your weed. A good rule of thumb (green or otherwise) is to start your companions once the cannabis seedling develops its first true leaves. That way the fresh cannabis seedling doesn’t have to compete for nutrients.

Indoor Companion Plants

Along with thinking about how much space you have to grow at your disposal, using companion plants for indoor cannabis grows must also consider other environmental concerns. Before we discuss which to use, here are a few tips:

  • Use small pots—this will help keep your companions contained in a certain area to maximize precious indoor grow space
  • Vertical space is the place, especially with an indoor cannabis garden. Think about any ways in which you can use hanging planters or a vertical stacking system to best take advantage
  • Pay careful attention to airflow and humidity levels, so that your new friends don’t add to it dramatically. If not, you’re going to be battling mold spores non-stop!

Basil

A strong-scented herb that repels aphids, beetles, thrips, houseflies, and spider mites. Also boosts limonene and pinene-heavy strains.

  • Keep 12″ from cannabis
  • Likes acidic soil and good drainage
  • Ready in ~3 weeks

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, and whiteflies; attracts pollinators outdoors. Excellent for enhancing linalool-rich cannabis strains.

  • Needs full light and compost-rich soil
  • Maintain ~1 foot distance
  • Seedlings in ~3 weeks

Peppermint & Spearmint

Menthol-heavy herbs that repel ants, aphids, and beetles. Grow in separate containers to contain spread.

  • Germinate in ~2 weeks
  • Enhance certain Kush and GSC crosses

Rosemary

Repels spider mites, aphids, and mold. Enhances caryophyllene or pinene profiles.

  • Keep 1–2 feet away
  • Likes dry soil and full sun

Greenhouse & Outdoor Companion Plants

Many of the varieties already mentioned above are great for indoor companion planting, and as a bonus, also work well in a greenhouse cannabis grow or outdoor cannabis garden. Just be sure to account for differences in temperature, humidity, available light, and even the size of the pests (deer and rabbits).

Greenhouse Companion Planting Tips

Growing cannabis in a greenhouse provides the best of both worlds—indoor and outdoor cannabis cultivation—all in one! Take advantage of the improved space and flexibility that a greenhouse grow provides courtesy of several tips:

  • Varieties like peppermint spread like wildfire, so use raised beds or soil containers to keep them under control
  • Create a protective barrier in your greenhouse cannabis garden with a perimeter of pest-repelling companion plants
  • Beneficial insects like ladybugs can be introduced to add an alternate dimension of cannabis pest control
  • Keep tall companions that create a lot of shade such as sunflowers and dill toward the back of the grow area and out of the light radius of your cannabis plants
  • As always, be sure to keep humidity levels under control when adding more of anything to your grow area

Outdoor Companion Planting Tips

When cultivating cannabis outdoors, you are, of course, exposed to environmental factors, and therefore trying to maintain a solid balance to your ecosystem in response. Here are some additional tips for any of my humanoid growmies looking to do so:

  • Marigolds, basil, and lavender do wonders as a protective perimeter for outdoor cannabis grows
  • Protect your cannabis plants from strong winds by planting tall companion plants like sunflowers or corn
  • Keep trap crops about 10 feet away from your cannabis garden to ensure those pesky critters find the trap first and not the main attraction
  • Flowering herbs for cannabis companion planting like yarrow, dill, and cilantro will attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and pollinators. Intersect them about a foot or so away from your cannabis plants

Best Outdoor Companion Plants For Cannabis

Marigolds

Repels aphids, nematodes, whiteflies, and rabbits.

  • Partial sun, good drainage

Onion, Garlic & Chives

Repels root nematodes and spider mites.

  • Use caution—strong terpenes can influence cannabis flavor

Lemon Balm

Repels mosquitoes, attracts pollinators, and boosts limonene strains.

  • Keep in pots to prevent overgrowth

Sunflowers

Act as aphid magnets and wind barriers.

  • Sow in moist, well-draining soil
  • Blooms in 2–3 months

Dill

Repels caterpillars and attracts parasitic wasps.

  • Plant directly in soil, full sun

Yarrow

Attracts ladybugs and repels aphids.

  • Plant right next to cannabis

Cilantro

Repels spider mites and beetles; boosts terpene profiles.

  • Germinates in 2–3 weeks

Peppers

Hot peppers deter pests with capsaicin and even repel deer.

  • Great for outdoor or greenhouse grows
  • Space 1–2 feet from cannabis

What Companion Plants Should I Use To Grow With Cannabis?

Choosing which companion plants for cannabis cultivation doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out decision. Many perform the same functions while ridding your cannabis grow area of pests. However, some may work better in your particular environment—it’s just a matter of trial and error.

Consider growing a companion plant that supports terpene production, or that you can use after harvest as well. Herbs and plants like basil, lavender, rosemary, mint, peppers, onions, and garlic can be repurposed for food, topicals, or even herbal teas and tinctures. You may also want to choose companion plants based on how they can affect the final aroma and flavor of your cannabis strains. No matter what you choose, give yourself—and your faithful cannabis plants—a new friend that you can rely on!

Need seeds to start your companion planting journey? Explore premium cannabis genetics at Multiverse Beans and build the ultimate grow setup today. Contact us to learn more.

References

  1. Githinji, L. (2017). Companion planting in gardening (Sustainable and Urban Agriculture Series Fact Sheet 08-17). Virginia Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56bb6533c2ea51c6431244f6/t/5995a653f14aa147e173a5dd/1502979667522/Companion+planting+Revised.pdf
  2. Schalau, J. (2011, January 26). Is companion planting scientific? University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County. Retrieved from: https://cales.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/archive/companionplanting.html
  3. Boncan, D. A. T., Tsang, S. S. K., Li, C., Lee, I. H. T., Lam, H. M., Chan, T. F., & Hui, J. H. L. (2020). Terpenes and terpenoids in plants: Interactions with environment and insects. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(19), 7382. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21197382
  4. Bhatwalkar, S. B., Mondal, R., Krishna, S. B. N., Adam, J. K., Govender, P., & Anupam, R. (2021). Antibacterial properties of organosulfur compounds of garlic (Allium sativum). Frontiers in Microbiology, 12, 613077. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.613077