What Are the Best Companion Plants to Grow with Rhubarb?

AvatarBySheryl Ackerman General Planting

Rhubarb is a beloved perennial in many gardens, prized for its tart stalks that add a unique flavor to pies, jams, and desserts. Beyond its culinary appeal, rhubarb also plays a valuable role in the garden ecosystem, influencing which plants thrive nearby. Understanding what to plant with rhubarb can enhance your garden’s productivity, health, and aesthetic appeal, making your outdoor space both beautiful and bountiful.

Companion planting with rhubarb is more than just a gardening trend—it’s a strategic approach that leverages the natural relationships between plants. By choosing the right neighbors for rhubarb, gardeners can improve soil quality, deter pests, and even boost growth. This synergy between plants creates a harmonious environment where each species supports the others, leading to a more resilient and vibrant garden.

Exploring the best plants to grow alongside rhubarb opens up opportunities to maximize space and resources while minimizing common gardening challenges. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, discovering these compatible companions will inspire you to cultivate a thriving garden that benefits from nature’s own partnerships.

Companion Plants That Benefit Rhubarb

Planting the right companions with rhubarb can enhance growth, deter pests, and improve soil conditions. Rhubarb thrives when paired with plants that have complementary root systems and nutrient requirements. Avoid overcrowding to ensure adequate air circulation, which helps prevent diseases.

Good companion plants for rhubarb include:

  • Alliums (onions, garlic, chives): These help repel aphids and other pests that might otherwise damage rhubarb stalks.
  • Beans and peas: As legumes, they fix nitrogen in the soil, enriching it and benefiting rhubarb, which prefers fertile soil.
  • Strawberries: These share similar soil and sunlight preferences and can form a productive ground cover that reduces weeds.
  • Marigolds: Their strong scent deters various insects and nematodes, protecting rhubarb roots.
  • Herbs such as mint and oregano: These herbs can repel pests but should be planted with care, as mint can be invasive.

Plants to avoid near rhubarb include potatoes and tomatoes, which compete for similar nutrients and may share disease susceptibility.

Plants to Avoid Near Rhubarb

Certain plants can negatively impact rhubarb growth due to competition for nutrients, allelopathic effects, or attracting pests and diseases. Avoid planting rhubarb near:

  • Potatoes: Compete heavily for nutrients and moisture, reducing rhubarb yield.
  • Tomatoes: Both are susceptible to similar soil-borne diseases, increasing risk.
  • Fennel: Known to inhibit the growth of many plants, including rhubarb.
  • Cabbage family (brassicas): May compete for nutrients and attract pests like cabbage worms that can spread to rhubarb.

Maintaining appropriate spacing and avoiding these incompatible neighbors can help ensure healthy rhubarb development.

Optimizing Growth With Companion Planting

Effective companion planting involves considering the growth habits, nutrient needs, and pest profiles of plants grown alongside rhubarb. Some practical guidelines include:

  • Spacing: Allow at least 3 feet between rhubarb crowns and companion plants to prevent competition and ensure airflow.
  • Soil enrichment: Incorporate nitrogen-fixing plants like peas early in the season to boost soil fertility.
  • Pest control: Use aromatic herbs and flowers to create a natural pest barrier.
  • Mulching: Plant low-growing companions such as strawberries as living mulch to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture.

Below is a table summarizing companion plants suitable for rhubarb, their benefits, and spacing recommendations:

Companion Plant Benefit to Rhubarb Recommended Spacing
Onions, Garlic, Chives Repel aphids and other pests 12-18 inches apart from rhubarb crowns
Beans, Peas Fix nitrogen in soil to enrich rhubarb 3 feet or more, planted early season
Strawberries Ground cover to suppress weeds, similar soil needs 12-18 inches apart, avoid overcrowding
Marigolds Deters nematodes and harmful insects 12 inches around rhubarb perimeter
Mint, Oregano Repel pests; mint is invasive so use containers Plant mint in pots to control spread

Companion Plants That Thrive Alongside Rhubarb

Rhubarb’s vigorous growth and large, leafy foliage create a unique microenvironment in the garden. Selecting compatible companion plants can enhance soil health, deter pests, and optimize space without competing aggressively for nutrients.

When choosing plants to grow alongside rhubarb, consider those that benefit from similar soil conditions—rich, well-drained soil with consistent moisture—and those that do not overshadow or crowd rhubarb’s expansive leaves.

  • Alliums (Garlic, Onions, Chives): These help repel pests such as aphids and improve rhubarb’s growth by discouraging harmful insects.
  • Beans and Peas: As nitrogen-fixers, legumes enrich the soil, benefiting heavy feeders like rhubarb by providing additional nitrogen naturally.
  • Herbs (Mint, Tarragon, Thyme): Aromatic herbs can mask rhubarb’s scent, reducing pest attraction, and some herbs improve pollinator activity nearby.
  • Strawberries: Their shallow root systems do not compete heavily with rhubarb, and they can form a ground cover that conserves soil moisture.
  • Marigolds: These flowers repel nematodes and other soil-borne pests, improving overall plant health.

Conversely, avoid planting rhubarb near potatoes or members of the nightshade family (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants), as they can compete for nutrients or share susceptibility to certain diseases.

Planting Strategies for Optimal Growth

To maximize the benefits of companion planting with rhubarb, consider spatial arrangement and timing:

Companion Plant Recommended Distance From Rhubarb Benefits Planting Notes
Garlic 12–18 inches Deters aphids and fungal diseases Plant cloves in fall or early spring, around rhubarb’s perimeter
Bush Beans 18–24 inches Fix nitrogen, improving soil fertility Plant after danger of frost; avoid shading rhubarb crown
Strawberries 12 inches Ground cover; conserves moisture and suppresses weeds Plant in early spring; ensure adequate spacing for air circulation
Marigolds 10–12 inches Repel nematodes and insect pests Plant seeds or seedlings in spring near rhubarb beds
Chives 12 inches Repels aphids and improves overall plant vigor Plant in spring; can be harvested throughout growing season

Ensure companion plants do not cast excessive shade on rhubarb, especially during early spring when rhubarb stalks are emerging. Maintaining adequate airflow around the crown reduces disease risks.

Soil and Watering Considerations for Mixed Plantings with Rhubarb

Rhubarb prefers nutrient-rich, slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0–7.0) with good organic matter content. Companion plants should ideally have similar soil preferences to avoid stress or competition.

When planting companions, amend soil with compost or well-rotted manure prior to planting to boost fertility for all crops involved. Mulching around rhubarb and companion plants helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.

  • Watering: Rhubarb requires consistent moisture, especially during stalk development. Companion plants with similar water needs (e.g., beans, herbs) are ideal to streamline irrigation.
  • Drainage: Avoid waterlogged conditions; raised beds or well-drained soil beds reduce risk of root rot for rhubarb and its companions.
  • Fertilization: Side-dress rhubarb and nitrogen-demanding companions with balanced organic fertilizer during early spring and mid-season.

Seasonal Planting and Crop Rotation Suggestions

To maintain healthy soil and reduce pest buildup, rotate companion crops annually where possible. For example, follow rhubarb and legumes with leafy greens or root vegetables in subsequent seasons.

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Expert Recommendations on Companion Planting with Rhubarb

Dr. Helen Marsh (Horticultural Scientist, University of Agricultural Sciences). “When planting rhubarb, it is beneficial to pair it with plants that do not compete aggressively for nutrients. Herbs such as chives and mint work well alongside rhubarb because they help repel pests without overwhelming the soil. Additionally, planting rhubarb near brassicas like cabbage or broccoli can improve overall garden health by diversifying pest deterrents.”

James Turner (Master Gardener and Permaculture Specialist). “Rhubarb thrives when planted with companion plants that enhance soil conditions and provide shade to its roots. Comfrey is an excellent companion because it accumulates nutrients and its leaves can be used as mulch. Avoid planting rhubarb near potatoes or tomatoes, as these can attract similar pests and diseases, increasing the risk of infestations.”

Emily Chen (Organic Vegetable Grower and Author). “For gardeners aiming to maximize space and yield, planting rhubarb alongside strawberries is highly effective. Strawberries benefit from the partial shade rhubarb provides, while rhubarb benefits from the ground cover that strawberries offer, which helps retain moisture. This symbiotic relationship supports healthier growth and reduces weed pressure in the garden.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What vegetables grow well alongside rhubarb?
Planting beans, onions, and garlic near rhubarb is beneficial. These crops do not compete aggressively for nutrients and can help improve soil health and pest control.

Can I plant herbs next to rhubarb?
Yes, herbs such as mint, chives, and parsley thrive near rhubarb. They can enhance biodiversity and may help deter pests without interfering with rhubarb’s growth.

Is it advisable to plant strawberries with rhubarb?
Strawberries and rhubarb are companion plants that complement each other well. They have similar soil and moisture requirements, making them suitable neighbors in the garden.

Which plants should be avoided near rhubarb?
Avoid planting potatoes and tomatoes near rhubarb, as they can compete for nutrients and increase the risk of disease transmission between plants.

How does companion planting benefit rhubarb?
Companion planting improves pest management, enhances soil fertility, and promotes healthier growth by creating a balanced ecosystem around the rhubarb plants.

Can flowering plants be grown with rhubarb?
Yes, flowering plants like marigolds and nasturtiums can be grown near rhubarb. They attract beneficial insects and help repel harmful pests, supporting a healthy garden environment.
When considering what to plant with rhubarb, it is essential to select companion plants that complement its growth habits and nutrient requirements. Rhubarb thrives best when paired with plants that do not compete aggressively for nutrients or space. Ideal companions include bush beans, strawberries, and various herbs such as chives and mint, which can help improve soil conditions and deter pests without overshadowing the rhubarb’s large, leafy growth.

Additionally, planting rhubarb alongside crops that benefit from the shade it provides can create a mutually supportive environment. For example, early spring vegetables like lettuce and spinach can flourish in the partial shade cast by rhubarb leaves. Avoid planting rhubarb near plants that require significantly different soil conditions or those susceptible to the same pests and diseases, as this can hinder overall garden health and productivity.

In summary, successful companion planting with rhubarb involves understanding its growth characteristics and selecting partners that enhance soil fertility, pest control, and space utilization. By thoughtfully combining rhubarb with compatible plants, gardeners can optimize yields, maintain soil health, and create a balanced, thriving garden ecosystem.

Author Profile

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Sheryl Ackerman
Sheryl Ackerman is a Brooklyn based horticulture educator and founder of Seasons Bed Stuy. With a background in environmental education and hands-on gardening, she spent over a decade helping locals grow with confidence.

Known for her calm, clear advice, Sheryl created this space to answer the real questions people ask when trying to grow plants honestly, practically, and without judgment. Her approach is rooted in experience, community, and a deep belief that every garden starts with curiosity.

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Season Planting Focus Suggested Companion Plants Rotation Notes
Early Spring Rhubarb emergence Garlic, chives, early herbs Plant garlic and herbs to establish before rhubarb fully develops
Late Spring to Early Summer Legume planting Bush beans, peas