Growing cannabis requires knowledge not only of the plant itself, but also of its environment and companion plants. These so-called "companion plants" play a crucial role in the health and growth of the cannabis plant. They protect against pests, improve the soil, promote growth and help to maximize yield. In this article, we explain which companion plants are particularly suitable for cannabis cultivation, what benefits they offer and how to use them correctly.
What are companion plants?
Companion plants are plants that are grown in the vicinity of other plants to promote their growth or protect them. In agriculture and horticulture, this is an old practice to support the ecological balance. The right combination of plants helps to control pests, improve nutrient levels in the soil and promote the overall health of the plants. In cannabis cultivation, this concept has proven to be extremely useful.
Advantages of companion plants in cannabis cultivation
- Pest control: Many companion plants produce scents that deter harmful insects or attract beneficial insects that act as natural predators of pests. This reduces the need for chemical pesticides and promotes healthy, natural growth.
- Soil improvement: Some plants enrich the soil with important nutrients such as nitrogen or improve the soil structure. This creates a better environment for the cannabis plant and promotes its root growth.
- Moisture management: Companion plants help to protect the soil from drying out by providing shade or reducing evaporation through their leaves. This is particularly useful in dry or hot climates.
- Odor suppression: Growing highly fragrant plants can help mask the typical smell of cannabis, which is especially beneficial in sensitive neighborhoods or for outdoor growers.
- Biodiversity and resistance: A diverse plant environment increases ecological stability and makes the garden more resistant to diseases and pests. This strengthens the health of the cannabis plants and reduces the risk of crop failure.
The best companion plants for cannabis
Below we present some of the most effective companion plants for cannabis cultivation and explain how they support growth.
- Marigold(Calendula officinalis)
Marigold is one of the most popular companion plants as it repels a variety of pests such as aphids, nematodes and whiteflies. Its bright yellow-orange color also attracts beneficial insects such as ladybugs, which kill harmful insects.
- Advantages: pest control, attraction of beneficial insects
- Location: Sunny to semi-shady, well-drained soil
- Basil(Ocimum basilicum)
Basil is not only a delicious culinary herb, but also an excellent companion plant for cannabis. It repels pests such as mosquitoes and thrips while enhancing the flavor of neighboring plants. In addition, basil supports the defenses of cannabis by strengthening overall plant growth.
- Advantages: pest defense, taste improvement
- Location: Sunny, moist soil
- Yarrow(Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow is another valuable companion plant for cannabis as it attracts beneficial insects such as bees, butterflies and ladybugs. It is also believed to enrich the soil with nutrients such as potassium and phosphorus, which are important for the growth of cannabis.
- Advantages: Attraction of beneficial insects, soil enrichment
- Location: Sunny, well-drained soil
- Clover(Trifolium spp.)
Clover is a fantastic companion plant that enriches the soil with nitrogen, an important nutrient for cannabis growth. Clover does this by forming a symbiotic relationship with nodule bacteria in its root zone. These in turn bind the atmospheric nitrogen and feed it into the soil.
- Advantages: nitrogen enrichment, improvement of soil structure
- Location: Sunny to semi-shady, nutrient-poor, calcareous soil
- Lavender(Lavandula spp.)
Lavender is not only beautiful to look at and smells wonderful, it is also an effective insect repellent. It repels pests such as moths, fleas and aphids. In addition, lavender promotes general plant resistance and helps to mask the smell of cannabis.
- Advantages: Pest repellent, odor suppression
- Location: Sunny, well-drained soil
- Coriander(Coriandrum sativum)
Coriander is a versatile plant that deters aphids, spider mites and other harmful insects. Its powerful essential oils act as a natural pesticide without affecting the growth of cannabis.
- Advantages: Natural insect protection
- Location: Sunny to semi-shady, well-drained soil
- Chamomile(Matricaria chamomilla)
Chamomile is a wonderful plant for promoting soil quality. It supports the healthy growth of cannabis by enriching the soil with calcium and potassium. In addition, chamomile acts as a natural fungicide that reduces the risk of fungal infections.
- Advantages: Soil enrichment, protection against fungal infections
- Location: Sunny, well-drained soil
- Dill(Anethum graveolens)
Dill attracts beneficial insects such as parasitic wasps and ladybugs that eat pests that could attack cannabis plants. Dill also acts as a natural shield against spider mites, which often infest cannabis in greenhouses and indoors.
- Advantages: Pest defense, attraction of beneficial insects
- Location: Sunny, moist soil
- Alfalfa(alfalfa medicago)
Alfalfa supports the soil. It is a legume, which means that it interacts with nodule bacteria in the soil. These help it to fix a particularly important nutrient in the substrate: atmospheric nitrogen. In addition, the fine root system of alfalfa has a positive effect on the soil in terms of moisture and water.
- Advantages: Nitrogen regulation, moisture regulating
- Location: any location
- Hornworts(Cerastium ssp.)
To retain moisture in the soil, hornworts, which spread out like a carpet on the ground, are suitable. They form a natural environment so that the cannabis plant does not need to stand in bare soil. Another advantage is that it also promotes biodiversity.
- Advantages: Retain moisture in the soil
- Location: around the cannabis plant
- Peppermint(Mentha x piperita)
Thanks to its pungent peppermint oil, peppermint drives away uninvited guests such as insects and mice. Caution: The plants spread very quickly and should therefore be cut back from time to time.
- Advantages: Defense against mice and insects
- Location: near the cannabis plant
- Sunflower(Helianthus annuus)
The sunflower supports a natural and biologically diverse environment. It attracts some pollinating insects as well as birds. These in turn feed on insects that can harm the cannabis plant.
- Advantages: privacy and wind protection for your plants
- Location: slightly away from the cannabis plant
- Borage(Borago officinalis)
Here it's simple: borage attracts a number of pollinators and beneficial insects thanks to the abundance of nectar.
- Advantages: attracts beneficial insects
- Location: between the hemp plants
- Chervil(Antheriscus cerefolium)
Here it is the other way around, because chervil attracts aphids and thus prevents them from spreading on the cannabis plants.
- Advantages: Attracting the enemy
- Location: any location
- Anise(Pimpinella anisum)
The aniseed-like taste and aroma of dill keep spider mites and some caterpillars away.
- Advantages: Keeps spider mites and caterpillars away
- Location: near your cultivation field
- Lemon balm(Melissa officinalis)
With lemon balm, care must be taken that it does not take over your cannabis store. However, if you keep it in check, it attracts beneficial insects and keeps pests away with the help of its scent.
- Advantages: Beneficial insects are attracted, pests are kept away aromatically
- Location: near the hemp, but not too close!
- Parsley(Petroselinum crispum)
The kitchen helper parsley attracts the braconid wasp, which feeds on pests such as the armyworm, the cabbage worm, the codling moth, the gypsy moth and the caterpillar fly. Its scent also attracts pollinators.
- Advantages: Pests are kept away by helpers
- Location: at the edge of the cannabis warehouse
And the most important thing at the end: 18. garlic(Allium sativum)
Garlic releases fungicidal substances into the soil. The hemp can absorb these and actively defend itself against fungi from the inside out. Garlic also releases odorous substances into the soil: The cannabis plant absorbs them and converts them. The defense substances work against plant suckers such as aphids, vampires, thrips, etc.
-
Advantages: Pest control, biodiversity and resistance
- Location: Sunny, loose humus-rich soil
The correct use of companion plants
The key to the successful use of companion plants lies in planning and care. Here are a few tips:
- Placement: Make sure that companion plants have enough distance from the cannabis plants so as not to block the airflow and avoid mold. Smaller companion plants such as basil or dill can be placed closer to the cannabis plant, while larger plants such as lavender or marigolds need some distance.
- Rotation: To keep the soil healthy and avoid diseases, it makes sense to rotate the companion plants from time to time. This prevents the soil from being overworked and keeps it rich in nutrients.
- Wassermanagement: Einige Begleitpflanzen benötigen mehr Wasser als andere. Achte darauf, dass die Pflanzen ähnliche Wasserbedürfnisse haben, um die Pflege zu erleichtern und das Risiko von Überwässerung zu minimieren.
Conclusion
Growing companion plants can protect and enrich the cannabis garden in a natural way. They offer protection against pests, improve soil quality and promote healthy growth of cannabis plants. With the right selection and care of companion plants, an ecologically balanced, sustainable environment can be created for cannabis - to the benefit of both plant and gardener.