Choosing planting

What are the best companion plants for carrots?

Best companions for carrots

Contents

Modified the 2 February 2026 by Angélique 4 min. Difficulty: Débutant

Appreciated for their sweet flavour, carrots are vegetables often grown in the vegetable garden. They are sown from February to be harvested from summer through to autumn. And to grow them organically, you may have wondered which plants or vegetables to plant beside carrots to benefit them? There are several carrot companion plants that promote their growth. A companion plant is a plant that, by virtue of its composition or growth habit, is beneficial to the cultivation of another plant. These benefits can include protecting the plant from pests and damaging animals through odours or substances produced, enriching the soil, or making better use of garden space by combining plants with complementary growth cycles. Another advantage of plant associations, not least, is avoiding the use of pesticides.

Discover the best companion plants to grow beside carrots for a harmonious and successful vegetable garden.

Difficulty

onion, garlic and shallot

The onion, garlic and shallot belong to the Amaryllidaceae family, also known as Alliaceae. They are reputed to repel the carrot fly, a common pest of carrot crops. Their presence near carrots can significantly reduce infestations thanks to their strong scent. The carrot fly or Chamaepsila rosae is the most well-known pest of the carrot. The larvae of whiteflies bore galleries in the roots, causing damage to your harvest. They are active from spring to autumn. Signs to look for to spot a whitefly attack: yellowing and wilting leaves.

harvest of vegetables in the vegetable garden

Leek

The leek belongs to the same family as garlic and onion, and it also deters whiteflies thanks to its strong scent. That’s why it’s worth planting it next to carrots. But carrots repay it by helping to drive away the leek moth in turn. A complementary, win‑win pairing worth trying!

Harvest of leeks, radishes and carrots

African marigold

Why not pair flowers and vegetables in the vegetable garden? L’African marigold is often grown in a vegetable garden to deter harmful pests. This annual plant gives off a strong scent that repels whiteflies and deters them from carrots. The African marigold, in addition to bringing a floral and colourful touch to the vegetable garden, also has a repellent effect on whiteflies, enemies of the carrot, such as onions, garlic or leeks.

African marigold

Radishes

Radishes, with their rapid growth cycle, are ideal companions for carrots, which have, for their part, slower growth. In addition, these vegetables do not compete for nutrients. They can therefore grow side by side in the garden in harmony, and their combined cultivation allows even space to be freed up for other crops.

Lettuce

Lettuce and carrots also have growth cycles that complement each other. While carrots develop deep roots, those of lettuce stay near the soil surface. Carrot roots also help aerate the soil, making it easier for lettuce to access the nutrients and water present in the soil. And if you interplant carrots and lettuce together, this could even deter pests such as aphids and whiteflies.

Tomatoes

The association of carrots with tomatoes is beneficial to both plants. Carrots loosen the soil and aerate it thanks to their deep roots. Tomatoes thus benefit from a looser soil, which makes access to water and nutrients easier. In return, tomatoes, thanks to their scent, deter whiteflies. They can also provide some shade for carrots. Their joint cultivation finally helps to free up space in the garden, with one occupying the upper layer of soil and the other developing its roots deeper.

Aromatic plants

Aromatic plants also have a beneficial effect on vegetables, particularly carrots. Thanks to their scents, they deter pests. Among aromatic companion plants for carrots, you can plant chives, dill, coriander, rosemary and thyme, which are plants that repel whiteflies in particular. Regarding dill, it is advisable to plant it sparingly beside carrots, as in too large quantities it could have a negative effect on carrot growth.

Other associations

Beans and peas are legumes (Fabaceae) known for enriching the soil with nitrogen. Their association with carrots would be beneficial.

Conversely, some plant pairings should be avoided as they can have adverse effects. For carrots, associations with potatoes, beetroot, chard and mint are sometimes discouraged.
To go further, in addition to the beneficial plant associations, crop rotation is recommended for carrots. It is advised to change the location of their cultivation and not to replant them in the same spot until after 3 to 4 years.

To learn more, read our guide on companion plants in the vegetable garden.

vegetable garden