42 Best Sunflower Companion Plants

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Discover the Best Sunflower Companion Plants to enhance the beauty and growth of your garden in this guide.

 Sunflower Companion Plants

If you are 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 flourish 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

Marigold Best Sunflower Companion Plants

Botanical Name: Tagetes

Marigolds are popular for their pest-deterrent properties; they effectively drive away harmful insects that can damage sunflowers, such as nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies.

2. Zinnias

Zinnias Best Sunflower Companion Plants
raisedurbangardens

Botanical Name: Zinnia elegans

Zinnias attract many types of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, which are essential for pollinating sunflowers.

3. Cosmos

Best Sunflower Companion Plants cosmos

Botanical Name: Cosmos bipinnatus

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

4. Nasturtiums

top Sunflower Companion Plants

Botanical Name: Tropaeolum majus

Nasturtiums are low-growing plants that can help protect the soil around sunflowers from erosion and weed growth.

5. Sweet Alyssum

Sunflower Companion Plants

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

Sunflower Companion Plants in garden
trowelsanddirtcom

Botanical Name: Echinacea purpurea

They’re excellent for attracting pollinators to the garden. Coneflowers provide support for sunflowers.

7. Salvia

top Sunflower Companion Plants

Botanical Name: Salvia

Salvias are versatile plants that come in various colors, from deep purple to bright red. The tube-shaped flowers are loved by hummingbirds and bees.

8. Cleome

Sunflower Companion Plants

Botanical Name: Cleome hassleriana

Cleomes are unique, spidery flowers with a wild look they have long, spindly stems and clusters of pink or white blooms. They are excellent for attracting beneficial insects to the garden, and their pink and white color complement the sunflowers beautifully.

9. Dahlias

 Best Sunflower Companion Plants Dahlias

Botanical Name: Dahlia

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

10. Liatris

Liatries Are Sunflower Companion Plants

Botanical Name: Liatris spicata

This flowering plant boasts slender spikes of fluffy, purple blooms that add height and texture to any garden bed.

11. Nicotiana

Nicotiana are Sunflower Companion Plants

Botanical Name: Nicotiana

The trumpet-shaped flowers and lush green foliage of Nicotiana exude a sweet, intoxicating fragrance that’s hard to resist. It is a great companion plant for sunflowers as the scent helps to repel pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites.

12. Bee Balm

bee balm Are Sunflower Companion Plants

Botanical Name: Monarda

Monarda is known for its bright, showy flowers and aromatic leaves; it attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to your garden.

13. Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia are Sunflower Companion Plants
thursd

Botanical Name: Rudbeckia

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

Goldenrod are Sunflower Companion Plants

Botanical Name: Solidago

Goldenrod is a wonderful companion plant for sunflowers as it produces bright yellow flowers that provide a rich source of nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

15. Lavender

Lavender are Sunflower Companion Plants

Botanical Name: Lavandula

Lavender repels pests such as mosquitoes, moths, and fleas. Additionally, the beautiful color complements yellow, red, and white sunflowers beautifully.

Find the Best Lavender Varieties 

16. Chamomile

Chamomile are Sunflower Companion Plants
freepik

Botanical Name: Matricaria chamomilla

The small, daisy-like flowers and delicate, fern-like foliage make chamomile a popular choice for soothing teas and natural remedies. It makes a good sunflower companion, too, as the roots help to improve soil quality.

17. Sage

Sage Are Sunflower Companion Plants

Botanical Name: Salvia officinalis

The velvety, gray-green leaves and fragrant purple or blue flowers of sage are a natural pest repellent that can help protect sunflowers from common garden pests.

18. Dill

Dill are Sunflower Companion Plants

Botanical Name: Anethum graveolens

Dill adds a distinctive flavor and aroma to many culinary dishes. It also attracts beneficial insects such as ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies.

19. Chives

Chives are Sunflower Companion Plants
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 vitality of sunflowers. Chives help sunflowers by repelling pests such as aphids and thrips.

20. Borage

Borage are Sunflower Companion Plants

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

calendula are Sunflower Companion Plants

Botanical Name: Calendula officinalis

The Calendula helps control garden pests such as aphids and whiteflies by attracting pollinators near sunflowers.

22. Phlox

Phlox are Sunflower Companion Plants

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

celosia are Sunflower Companion Plants

Botanical Name: Celosia argentea

The striking, flame-shaped blooms and velvety foliage of Celosia add drama and texture to any flower bed or container garden.

Look at the Stunning Types of Celosia 

24. Nigella

nigella are Sunflower Companion Plants

Botanical Name: Nigella damascene

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

25. Yarrow

yarrow are Sunflower Companion Plants

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 neighboring plant for sunflowers as it attracts ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps.

26. Verbena

verbena are Sunflower Companion Plants

Botanical Name: Verbena

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

27. Mexican Sunflower

Mexican Sunflower are Sunflower Companion Plants

Botanical Name: Tithonia diversifolia

Orange blooms and tall, branching stems of Mexican Sunflowers add a splash of tropical color to any landscape. These fiery blooms also attract a ton of pollinators that are beneficial for sunflowers.

28. Milkweed

Milkweed are Sunflower Companion Plants

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

Best Sunflower Companion Vegetables

Botanical Name: Phaseolus vulgaris

The nitrogen-fixing properties of beans make them a great companion for sunflowers, which require nitrogen to grow.

30. Spinach

Top Best Sunflower Companion Vegetables

Botanical Name: Spinacia oleracea

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

31. Cucumbers

Top Sunflower Companion Vegetables

Botanical Name: Cucumis sativus

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

32. Squash

amazing Sunflower Companion Vegetables

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.

33. Tomatoes

Tamatoes are Sunflower Companion Vegetables

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 

34. Peppers

Peppers are Sunflower Companion Vegetables
gardenphoto

Botanical Name: Capsicum annuum

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

35. Lettuce

Lettuce are Sunflower Companion Vegetables

Botanical Name: Lactuca sativa

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

36. Radishes

Radishes are Sunflower Companion Vegetables

Botanical Name: Raphanus sativus

Sunflowers can attract beneficial insects to the garden, which can help to control pests that may damage radish plants.

37. Melons

melons are Sunflower Companion Vegetables

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 

38. Peas

Peas are Sunflower Companion Vegetables

Botanical Name: Pisum sativum

Sunflowers can support pea plants to grow on, and their tall stalks can also provide shade for the soil.

39. Carrots

carrots Sunflower Companion Vegetables
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.

40. Broccoli

broccoli are Sunflower Companion Vegetables
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.

41. Kalekale is best companion plant of sunflower

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.

42. Corn

Corn are Sunflower Companion Vegetables

The sunflowers shade the corn, keeping it from drying out and giving it a more even temperature. They also provide a windbreak, keeping the corn from being damaged by the wind.

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