Best Lettuce Companion Plants (& What not to Grow with Them)

If you are ready to plant Lettuce in spring and fall, ensure the ideal temperature is between 45°F and 80°F and grow with companion plants. 

Let us look at the best and the worst companion plants for Lettuce.

Why Does Lettuce Need Companion Plants?

Like other plants, Lettuce is prone to several diseases. Companion planting assists in enhancing and protecting such vulnerable crops.

• It helps to enhance the soil nutrients by boosting them with nitrogen, to support healthy Lettuce growth.
• Companion planting is a defense mechanism against beetles, cabbage moths, and many more. 
• While some companion plants might repel pests, others can invite benevolent insects and encourage pollination.
• The plants release compounds that help speed up and enhance the flavors of Lettuce development. 
• The thick growth of companion plants can reduce the temperature of the soil and shield the luscious Lettuce leaves from the sun’s damaging rays.

Best Lettuce Companion Plants

The adaptable plant Lettuce can be cultivated alongside various vegetables, fragrant herbs, and flowers.

Here are some of the most beneficial companion plants to encourage the healthy growth of your Lettuce. 

1. Spinach 

Lettuce and spinach are the best vegetables to pair up to promote each other’s growth and health.

Spinach and Lettuce prefer to grow in moist, well-draining soil with an additional touch of organic materials. 

2. Marigold 

Slugs are known to be one of the common invaders to devour the luscious leaves of Lettuce.

Planting Marigolds near the space of Lettuce works as a shield against these common slugs and Japanese beetles. 

On the other hand, Marigolds are important for attracting beneficial insects like ladybugs. 

Additionally, the edible plant also restrains the invasion of root-knot nematodes, which can burrow into the roots of your Lettuce plants to prevent the absorption of water or nutrients.

3. Beans

Lettuce demands a high concentration of Nitrogen (N) in its soil for its rapid growth in a short amount of time. 

Likewise, Bush and pole beans benefit from nourishing the soil, which aids in creating bigger yields. 

Beans also improve the soil quality and fertility to enhance the growth of your Lettuce in the garden.

4. Onions

Onions ward off common pests and insects such as beetles and aphids. 

Similarly, Onions and Lettuce have compatible soil and grow in well-draining soil with a pH value of 6.0. 

Additionally, Onions are root crops that grow their product underground, whereas Lettuce plants have relatively shallow roots and develop their yield above the earth.

Thus, grow them together to utilize your garden space effectively and efficiently. 

5. Cilantro 

Cilantro is a perfect companion for plants susceptible to pests that eat leaves, including Lettuce. 

Similarly, Cilantro assists Lettuce in luring helpful insects such as hoverflies, wasps, etc. 

At the same time, it also repels hazardous insects such as potato beetles, spider mites, moths, etc., which hinders the growth of Lettuce.

Furthermore, Cilantro and Lettuce thrive in well-draining soil with pH values between 6.0 and 6.5. Thus, the plants are great to pair in the garden. 

6. Tomatoes 

Lettuce and Tomatoes have common growing grounds with conditions such as bright sunlight and well-draining, slightly acidic soil. 

Lettuce also works as mulch for tomatoes, boosts their growth speed and keeps the ground moist and cool.

Maintaining moist soil for both plants will be very fruitful as it will ensure the plants go through a healthy growing season.

7. Mint

The fresh minty smell of the plant is known to draw away the insects and other animals from your Lettuce plant.

Likewise, the blossoms of mint assist the Lettuce by drawing in pollinators which helps with the production of seeds. 

Mints are also compatible with all kinds of soil and prefer moist soil like the Lettuce plant. 

8. Nasturtium

Nasturtium and Lettuce require 6-8 hours of sunlight and thrive in well-draining soil.

The similar growing conditions of both plants make them compatible for growing together.

Similarly, the plant also keeps hungry caterpillars away from your Lettuce plants. 

Additionally, grow Nasturtium at short-distance to act as a trap crop for aphids to shield the Lettuce plant. 

9. Chives

Chives are known to ward off Aphids from their strong smell. 

Plant chives between the row of your Lettuce plant to divert it away from the plant. 

Like Lettuce, chives are easy to maintain, and they both thrive in sunny locations and well-draining soil with organic matter. 

10. Beetroots

Beetroots are famous for enriching the soil with nutritious value.

The plants are packed with magnesium which helps green vegetables like Lettuce to grow lusciously. 

Regarding companion planting, Beetroots grow in well-draining soil with a humidity level above 95%, similar to Lettuce.

Other notable companion plants are Asparagus, Calendula, Carrots, Parsnips, etc.

Some Bad Companion Plants for Lettuce

While some plants might benefit Lettuce’s growth, others might hinder their development. 

These plants are unsuitable for a variety of causes. For example, certain plants thrive in particular conditions while others need more nutrients.

Similarly, some are vulnerable to pests and parasites that might harm other plants.

Here is a list of vegetables that are unsuitable for the Lettuce’s growth: