Here is the list of 13 Best Endive Companion Plants that not only improve the health of your garden but also enhance the flavorful yield.
Gardening enthusiasts often seek ways to optimize plant growth and create a thriving, harmonious garden. One way to achieve this is through companion planting, which involves strategically placing plants together to benefit each other. In this article, you will explore the 13 Best Endive Companion Plants.
CHECK Black Walnut Companion Plants
What is Endive?
Endive (Cichorium endivia) is a cool-season vegetable popular for its curly leaves and slightly bitter flavor. It is a member of the chicory family and is often used in salads, soups, and sautés. There are two main types of endive: curly endive (frisée) and escarole. Both of them grow in cool, moist conditions and are a great addition to any garden.
Looking for Viola Companion Plants, click HERE
Endive Companion Plants
1. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
Lettuce is an ideal companion for endive because both are cool-season greens that share similar growing requirements. They can be planted in close proximity, which maximizes space in your garden and results in lush, healthy leaves.
SEE Gaillardia Companion Plants
2. Radishes (Raphanus sativus)
Planting radishes near endive can help deter aphids, a common pest that can harm your endive crop. Radishes grow quickly and can act as a natural pest repellent.
3. Beans Phaseolus vulgaris)
Beans, like bush beans or pole beans, can provide shade to the endive during the hotter parts of the day, which helps prevent the endive from bolting (going to seed prematurely).
Look at the Companion Plants for Okra HERE
4. Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus)
Nasturtiums are not only visually appealing but also help to deter aphids and whiteflies, which are common endive pests. Their vibrant orange and yellow flowers add a pop of color to your garden.
5. Marigolds (Tagetes)
Marigolds are well-known for their pest-repelling properties. Plant them near your endive to discourage nematodes, which can be harmful to the roots of endive and other vegetables.
READ the marigold uses in the garden
6. Dill (Anethum graveolens)
Dill is an excellent companion for endive, as it attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps, which can help control aphids and other pests in your garden.
Check plants that look like Dill HERE
7. Onions (Allium cepa)
Onions can help protect endive from various pests, thanks to their pungent aroma. Additionally, onions can be grown in the same garden bed, as they require similar soil and climate conditions.
Here is the list of Companion Plants for Lavender
8. Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)
Cilantro’s scent can deter aphids and spider mites, making it a suitable companion for endive. It can also be used to enhance the flavor of your salads.
Learn Growing Cilantro in Pots
9. Radicchio (Cichorium intybus var. foliosum)
It’s a cool-season vegetable, making it an excellent companion for endive, as they share similar growth requirements. The presence of radicchio can help deter pests and improve the overall health of your garden.
10. Turnip (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa)
Turnips can be grown alongside Endive and offer an added advantage as they act as a natural pest deterrent for Endive. Their rapid growth can also help provide shade to endive leaves during the heat of the day, preventing premature bolting.
CHECK Companion Plants for Pest Control
11. Tatsoi (Brassica rapa subsp. narinosa)
Tatsoi can be a great companion for endive due to its similar growing requirements and resistance to pests like aphids and cabbage worms. Additionally, its compact growth can help conserve space in your garden beds.
12. Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)
This is another root vegetable that can be paired with an endive in your garden. These creamy-white, sweet-flavored roots grow well alongside endive, and their deep roots help improve soil structure.
Find HOW TO GROW parsley from Division
13. Mustard Greens
Mustard greens, such as mustard spinach or Mizuna, are leafy vegetables with a slightly spicy flavor. When grown alongside endive, these greens can create a diverse mix of flavors in your salads and other dishes. Mustard greens can attract beneficial insects, like ladybugs and hoverflies, which help control pests in your garden. This can further support the health of your endive plants.
Read the Difference between Fennel vs. Celery
Conclusion
Endive companion plants can significantly enhance the health and yield of your endive crop, as well as contribute to a vibrant and diverse garden. By selecting the right companions and following some basic gardening principles, you can create a thriving ecosystem that fosters the growth of your endive while keeping pests and diseases at bay. So, get your hands in the soil, start planting, and enjoy the benefits of companion planting with Endive in your garden.
