Companion plants for zucchini

What to grow next to zucchini, what to keep away from them, and why. Each reason is tagged by how well it’s supported.

Good companions

  • Beans Practical reason

    Light feeders that share the bed well.

  • Sweet corn Garden tradition

    Classic squash–corn pairing; zucchini covers the soil.

  • Borage Practical reason

    Heavily visited by bees, which helps pollinate squash flowers.

Keep apart

  • Potatoes Practical reason

    Compete hard for water and nutrients.

  • Pumpkins and other squash Backed by research

    Share pests and diseases; saved seed of the same species crosses.

Planning the bed

Space zucchini 30 inches apart; the spacing calculator works out how many fit. For timing, see when to plant zucchini, and the full companion planting chart compares all 16 vegetables at once.

Questions gardeners ask

What are the best companion plants for zucchini?

Beans, Sweet corn, Borage. Beans: Light feeders that share the bed well.

What should you not plant with zucchini?

Potatoes, Pumpkins and other squash. Potatoes: Compete hard for water and nutrients.