42 Best Sunflower Companion Plants

Raul Cornelius is a Senior Editor at BalconyGardenWeb and an expert in flower and herb cultivation based in Phoenix, Arizona. A frequent speaker at horticultural events, he is also an active contributor to Facebook flower groups. Holding an MBA and a BCom, Raul blends his gardening skills with strong leadership and analytical abilities. Passionate about writing and photography, he enjoys early mornings with coffee and books, and nature bike rides during weekends.
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Discover the Best Sunflower Companion Plants to enhance the beauty and growth of your garden in this guide.

Sunflowers are a cheerful and iconic addition to any garden, with their bright yellow petals and towering stalks. Whether you’re looking to attract pollinators or repel pests, choosing the right sunflower companion plants can make all the difference. Here are the Best Sunflower Companion Plants that can help your garden thrive and create a stunning display that will turn heads all summer long!

Here are the Best White Sunflower Varieties


Best Sunflower Companion Plants

1. Marigolds

Botanical Name: Tagetes

One of the Best Sunflower Companion Plants, Marigolds are known for their pest-deterrent properties and are effective in driving away harmful insects that can damage sunflowers, such as nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies.

Learn a Super Trick to Grow Marigolds here

2. Zinnias

raisedurbangardens

Botanical Name: Zinnia elegans

Zinnias are colorful flowers that attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, which are essential for pollinating sunflowers.

Learn about Growing Zahara Zinnias here

3. Cosmos

Botanical Name: Cosmos bipinnatus

Cosmos attract beneficial insects such as hoverflies and lacewings, which feed on aphids and other harmful pests.

4. Nasturtiums

Botanical Name: Tropaeolum majus

Nasturtiums are easy to grow from seed and are one of the Best Sunflower Companion Plants. They are low-growing plants that can help protect the soil around sunflowers from erosion and weed growth.

Find out the Benefits of Nasturtiums here

5. Sweet Alyssum

Botanical Name: Lobularia maritime

Sweet alyssum can help improve soil health by attracting beneficial insects such as ground beetles and predatory mites.

6. Purple Coneflowers

trowelsanddirtcom

Botanical Name: Echinacea purpurea

They’re excellent for attracting pollinators to the garden. Coneflowers are one of the best choices when choosing the Best Sunflower Companion Plants and provide support for sunflowers.

Look at the Best Coneflower Varieties here

7. Salvia

Botanical Name: Salvia

Salvias are versatile plants that come in a range of colors, from deep purple to bright red. With their distinctive, tube-shaped flowers, they are loved by hummingbirds and bees.

Find out the Common Problems and Their Solutions to Growing Salvias here

8. Cleome

Botanical Name: Cleome hassleriana

Cleomes are unique, spidery flowers that have a wild and whimsical appearance with their long, spindly stems and clusters of pink or white blooms. These are excellent for attracting beneficial insects to the garden, and their pink and white complements the sunflowers beautifully.

9. Dahlias

Botanical Name: Dahlia

Dahlias are showy flowers that range from small, ball-shaped blooms to large plate-sized flowers and make for excellent companion plants for sunflowers as they not only provide a splash of vibrant color but also attract a wide range of pollinators.

Look at the Best Red Dahlia Varieties here

10. Liatris

Botanical Name: Liatris spicata

This flowering plant boasts slender spikes of fluffy, purple blooms that add height and texture to any garden bed, besides serving as one of the Best Sunflower Companion Plants.

11. Nicotiana

Botanical Name: Nicotiana

With its trumpet-shaped flowers and lush green foliage, Nicotiana exudes a sweet, intoxicating fragrance that’s hard to resist. It is a great companion plant for sunflowers as its scent helps to repel pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.

12. Bee Balm

Botanical Name: Monarda

Known for its bright, showy flowers and aromatic leaves, Bee Balm attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to your garden.

Learn the Benefits of Bee Balm here

13. Rudbeckia

thursd

Botanical Name: Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia, or Black-Eyed Susan, is an ideal companion plant for sunflowers as it attracts a diverse range of beneficial insects, such as hoverflies, ladybugs, and lacewings, which help to control pests and improve soil health.

14. Goldenrod

Botanical Name: Solidago

Goldenrod is a wonderful companion plant for sunflowers as it produces a profusion of bright yellow flowers that provide a rich source of nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, helping to increase the yield of both plants.

15. Lavender

Botanical Name: Lavandula

Lavender, with its fragrant purple flowers, is a great companion plant for sunflowers as it repels pests such as mosquitoes, moths, and fleas. Additionally, the beautiful color complements yellow, red, and white sunflowers beautifully.

Find the Best Lavender Varieties here

16. Chamomile

freepik

Botanical Name: Matricaria chamomilla

Chamomile’s small, daisy-like flowers and delicate, fern-like foliage make it a popular choice for soothing teas and natural remedies. It makes a great sunflower companion, too, as its roots help to improve soil quality.

Learn about Growing Chamomile in Pots here

17. Sage

Botanical Name: Salvia officinalis

With its velvety, gray-green leaves and fragrant purple, or blue flowers, Sage is a natural pest repellent that can help to protect sunflowers from common garden pests, earning it a rightful place in the Best Sunflower Companion Plants list.

Look at the Best Sage Companion Plants here

18. Dill

Botanical Name: Anethum graveolens

Dill adds a distinctive flavor and aroma to many culinary dishes, making it one of the Best Sunflower Companion Plants that you can also relish. It also attracts beneficial insects such as ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies.

Learn about Growing Dill in Pots here

19. Chives

ruralsprout

Botanical Name: Allium schoenoprasum

These slender, grass-like plants are prized for their mild, onion-like flavor and delicate, pink-purple blooms that boost the vibrancy of yellow sunflowers. Chives are a great companion plant for sunflowers as they repel pests such as aphids and thrips.

Learn How to Grow Chives Year-Round here

20. Borage

baltimoresun

Botanical Name: Borago officinalis

Borage is an ideal companion plant for sunflowers as it attracts beneficial insects to control garden pests such as tomato hornworms.

21. Calendula

Botanical Name: Calendula officinalis

Another of the Best Sunflower Companion Plants, the Calendula, helps to control garden pests such as aphids and whiteflies by attracting pollinators.

22. Phlox

Botanical Name: Phlox paniculata

Phlox is a great companion plant for sunflowers as it produces a profusion of colorful flowers that attract butterflies and moths.

23. Celosia

Botanical Name: Celosia argentea

With its striking, flame-shaped blooms and velvety foliage, Celosia adds drama and texture to any flower bed or container garden. It is undoubtedly one of the Best Sunflower Companion Plants on our list.

Look at the Stunning Types of Celosia here

24. Nigella

Botanical Name: Nigella damascene

This delicate flower, also known as “love-in-a-mist,” features intricate, lacy foliage and whimsical blue or white flowers that resemble delicate pom-poms. It also attracts beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies.

25. Yarrow

Botanical Name: Achillea millefolium

Yarrow is a hardy perennial with feathery, fern-like foliage and clusters of tiny, flat-topped flowers in shades of pink, white, and yellow. Yarrow is a great companion plant for sunflowers as it attracts ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps.

26. Verbena

Botanical Name: Verbena

Another of the Best Sunflower Companion Plants, Verbena is a low-growing, spreading plant that produces clusters of fragrant, purple, or pink flowers that attract bees and butterflies to your garden to aid sunflower pollination.

Do Deer Eat Verbena? Learn here

27. Mexican Sunflower

Botanical Name: Tithonia diversifolia

With its vibrant orange blooms and tall, branching stems, Mexican Sunflower adds a splash of tropical color to any landscape. These vibrant blooms also attract a ton of pollinators beneficial for sunflowers.

28. Milkweed

Botanical Name: Asclepias

Growing milkweed and sunflowers together is beneficial for both species. Milkweed provides food and shelter for monarch butterflies, while sunflowers provide nectar for many types of pollinators.


Best Sunflower Companion Vegetables

29. Beans

Botanical Name: Phaseolus vulgaris

The nitrogen-fixing properties of beans make them a great companion for sunflowers, which require nitrogen to grow. These are one of the Best Sunflower Companion Plants.

Learn about Growing Cluster Beans here

30. Spinach

Botanical Name: Spinacia oleracea

Sunflowers can provide shade for spinach plants, which prefer cooler temperatures, and can also attract beneficial insects to the garden.

Learn the Secret to Grow Sweeter Spinach here

31. Cucumbers

Botanical Name: Cucumis sativus

Cucumbers benefit from the shade provided by sunflowers, and they also attract pollinators to the garden.

Find some DIY Cucumber Trellis Ideas here

32. Squash

Botanical Name: Cucurbita pepo

Sunflowers can provide support for squash vines to expand on, and the large leaves of the squash help to shade the soil. These are one of the Best Sunflower Companion Plants.

Get the Best Fig Leaf Squash Care Guide here

33. Tomatoes

Botanical Name: Solanum lycopersicum

Sunflowers can attract pollinators to the garden, which can help to increase the yield of tomato plants that are nearby, as birds or bees can aid in pollination.

Learn about Growing Spoon Tomatoes here

34. Peppers

gardenphoto

Botanical Name: Capsicum annuum

Sunflowers can help to provide shade for pepper plants, which prefer a slightly cooler environment.

Learn the Best Pepper Growing Tips here

35. Lettuce

Botanical Name: Lactuca sativa

The shade provided by sunflowers can help to prevent the lettuce from bolting or going to seed too quickly.

Find some DIY Lettuce Garden Ideas here

36. Radishes

Botanical Name: Raphanus sativus

Sunflowers can attract beneficial insects to the garden, which can help to control pests that may damage radish plants. These are one of the Best Sunflower Companion Plants.

Are Radish Leaves Edible? Learn here

37. Melons

Botanical Name: Cucumis melo

Sunflowers can provide shade for melon plants, and their tall stalks can be used as a trellis for the vines to grow on.

Learn about Growing Kajari Melons in Pots here

38. Peas

Botanical Name: Pisum sativum

Sunflowers can provide support for pea plants to grow on, and their tall stalks can also provide shade for the soil. These are one of the Best Sunflower Companion Plants.

39. Carrots

shutterstock/Jurga Jot

Botanical Name: Daucus carota

Sunflowers can attract beneficial insects to the garden, which can help to control pests that may damage carrot plants, making them one of the Best Sunflower Companion Plants.

Learn about Growing Carrots in Pots here

40. Broccoli

walkersgardennursery

Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea

Sunflowers can provide shade for broccoli plants, which prefer cooler temperatures, and can also attract beneficial insects that prey on pests that may damage the broccoli.

Learn about Broccoli Sprouts here

41. Kale

Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea var. acephala

Sunflowers can provide shade for kale plants, which can help to prevent them from bolting too quickly in hot weather. These are one of the Best Sunflower Companion Plants.

Learn about Best Kale Varieties here

42. Corn

The sunflowers provide shade for the corn that keeps it from drying out and gives it a more even temperature. The sunflower also provides a windbreak, which keeps the corn from getting damaged by the wind.

Want to Grow the Most Beautiful Corn? Click here

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