Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are versatile perennial herbs valued for their mild onion flavor and attractive purple blooms. Companion planting involves strategically placing different plant species near each other to create a mutually beneficial environment. This natural technique aims to improve plant health, deter pests, and enhance crop yields without synthetic chemicals. Chives are often included in garden plans because they are exceptional partners for many common vegetables and flowers.
Chives as Pest and Disease Deterrents
The effectiveness of chives in the garden stems from the powerful aromatic compounds inherent to the Allium family. These plants produce sulfur-containing volatile chemicals, such as allicin, which are released when their tissues are disturbed or leach into the surrounding soil. This strong, pungent scent serves as a natural deterrent to many common garden pests by disrupting their sensory systems.
The resulting aroma can also confuse insects that locate their preferred host plants primarily through smell. This masking effect is effective against specialized pests, such as those that target root crops. Beyond simple deterrence, the released compounds are thought to have a direct negative impact on pests such as aphids and Japanese Beetles.
Chives are also associated with inhibiting certain fungal diseases. Their presence near vulnerable plants helps suppress conditions like black spot on roses and apple scab on fruit trees. The sulfur compounds are believed to interfere with the fungal spores’ ability to germinate and spread. Using chives for deterrence represents a sustainable method for integrated pest and disease management.
Ideal Plant Partners for Chives
Chives are a highly beneficial companion for several garden crops, directly contributing to their health and productivity.
Carrots
One classic pairing is with Carrots, where the chives’ strong scent repels the Carrot Rust Fly (Psila rosae). This pest lays eggs near carrot crowns, and the resulting larvae bore into the roots, causing significant damage. Planting chives around the carrot patch helps ensure a cleaner, more harvestable root crop by confusing the adult flies.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are an excellent partner, as they often struggle with infestations of aphids and spider mites. The volatile sulfur compounds released by chives help keep these sap-sucking insects away from the tomato foliage. The shallow root system of chives also prevents competition for water and nutrients with the deeper-rooted tomato plant.
Brassicas
Chives offer significant protection to the Brassica family, which includes cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. These plants are frequently targeted by cabbage worms and aphids. The strong aroma of the chives acts as an effective repellent, discouraging the adult pests from landing and laying their eggs on the brassicas.
Roses
The ornamental garden benefits from chives planted near Roses, which are susceptible to aphids and the fungal disease black spot. Chives help keep aphid populations low, which is a major benefit since aphids can weaken the rose and spread disease. The herb’s presence is also used by gardeners to reduce the incidence of black spot.
Incompatible Pairings
While chives are generally good neighbors, they should be kept separate from a few specific plants due to potential negative interactions.
Legumes
The most important plants to avoid pairing with chives are Legumes, such as beans and peas. Legumes rely on a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobia bacteria in root nodules to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form.
The allelochemicals, particularly sulfur compounds, released by chives into the soil can interfere with the growth and function of these beneficial nitrogen-fixing bacteria. This disruption prevents the legumes from accessing the nitrogen they need, resulting in stunted plant growth and a reduced harvest. Any member of the Allium family will cause a similar negative effect on beans and peas.
Asparagus
Another pairing that requires caution is planting chives directly alongside Asparagus. Both are long-lived perennial crops that establish extensive root systems over many years. This leads to intense competition for soil nutrients and water as both plants mature.