Sweet potatoes have only recently become a staple in home gardens, so we’re all still learning the ropes when it comes to the best and worst companion plants. That said, a few clear winners have emerged that play exceptionally well with these tasty tubers.
Sweet Potatoes are Heavy Feeders
Since sweet potatoes are “heavy feeders” (meaning they gobble up nutrients like crazy), you’ll want to pair them with neighbors that have medium to low nutrient needs. Herbs are actually some of the best partners because they’re generally pretty low-maintenance in the fertilizer department.
Great herb companions include:
- Dill
- Chamomile
- Caraway
- Peppermint
- Nasturtiums
A quick tip on nasturtiums: give them a little extra breathing room since they like to spread out just as much as the sweet potatoes do. For other herbs, you can plant them about 8 to 12 inches away from the main rootstock. Don’t worry about the sweet potato vines weaving through your herbs—they won’t compete for space or nutrients!
Be Careful with Root Vegetables
When you’re growing sweet potatoes, try to avoid planting them right next to other aggressive root veggies. Parsnips and horseradish are okay in a pinch, but I’d definitely steer clear of beets or carrots.
There’s also a hidden downside to root veggies: they tend to attract pests like voles. While voles don’t always go for sweet potatoes first, they seem to find certain varieties—especially those gorgeous purple-fleshed ones—to be a total gourmet treat.
Low-Maintenance Partners are Best
The best roommates for sweet potatoes are plants that don’t need much to thrive. Various types of lettuce are perfect for this. Fava beans or kohlrabi also make great “under-plantings” for your vines. If your soil is particularly rich, you can even get away with planting some chard or spinach nearby.
Marigolds are another fantastic choice. Sweet potatoes can sometimes fall victim to slugs if they’re hanging around your garden. Marigolds act as a great “trap crop”—the slugs will usually head for the flowers first, leaving your sweet potato leaves alone.
Neighbors to Avoid
When you start starting your sweet potato slips, it’s already time to start thinking about your garden layout. Most of our favorite summer crops are also heavy feeders, which means you’d have to fertilize like crazy to keep everyone happy. You can save yourself a lot of work by keeping sweet potatoes away from other nutrient-hungry plants.
Avoid planting these nearby:
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Celery
- Squash/Pumpkins
- Sunflowers
- Eggplant
