Home - Garden
Top 3 Companion Plants For Thriving Cucumbers, According To Our Expert
By SAKSHI KHAITAN
In an exclusive interview with House Digest, gardening expert Shirley Bovshow highlights three standout companion plants for thriving cucumbers: nasturtiums,
dill, and radishes.
Nasturtiums act as dependable "trap crops," drawing pests like squash bugs and cucumber beetles away from the cucumber plants, which significantly reduces insect pressure.
Dill deters squash bugs and attracts beneficial insects such as "lacewings and parasitic wasps that feast on cucumber beetles, aphids, caterpillars, and other harmful pests."
Additionally, dill provides shade for the tender cucumber leaves and draws in pollinators. Meanwhile, radishes protect cucumbers from cucumber and flea beetles.
"During the heat of summer, radishes weaponize their distinct odor to confuse the beetles so they don't find their way to cucumbers," making them an effective natural defense.
Allowing radishes to mature fully enhances their protective benefits. Along with these three plants, marigolds, green beans, and peas are also excellent companions for cucumbers.