Plant strawberries with borage, thyme, and lettuce for the best results
Strawberries grow well alongside plants that don't compete for space or nutrients, attract pollinators, or repel pests that damage berries. The best companions are shallow-rooted herbs like thyme and borage, leafy greens like lettuce and spinach, and flowers like marigolds. Avoid planting strawberries near brassicas (cabbage, broccoli), fennel, or potatoes, which either steal nutrients or attract the same pests.
In a raised bed, you have control over soil depth and spacing, which makes companion planting easier than in-ground gardens. Strawberries spread via runners and occupy the top 6 to 8 inches of soil, leaving room below for shallow-rooted companions. The key is choosing plants that mature at different times or occupy different vertical space so they don't shade the strawberry flowers or crowd the runners.
Key Takeaways
- Borage, thyme, oregano, and marjoram are herbs that grow shallow roots and won't compete with strawberries for water or nutrients.
- Lettuce, spinach, and arugula mature quickly and can be harvested before strawberry runners spread across the bed.
- Marigolds and nasturtiums attract pollinators and repel spider mites and aphids, two common strawberry pests.
- Keep strawberries away from fennel, potatoes, brassicas, and tomatoes, which either deplete soil or draw the same damaging insects.
- Space companions 6 to 12 inches from strawberry plants to give runners room to spread without tangling.
Herbs that work well with strawberries
Thyme is the most reliable herb companion for strawberries. It grows only 4 to 6 inches tall, spreads horizontally rather than vertically, and its roots stay in the top 2 to 3 inches of soil. Thyme also repels worms and beetles that feed on strawberry leaves. Plant it at the edges of your raised bed or between strawberry plants, leaving at least 8 inches of space so runners don't tangle with the herb.
Borage is taller (12 to 18 inches) but still shallow-rooted and attracts bees, which pollinate strawberry flowers and increase fruit set. Borage flowers are also edible and taste like cucumber. Plant it on the north side of your bed so it doesn't shade the strawberries, and thin seedlings to one plant per 12 inches because borage spreads quickly.
Oregano and marjoram are low-growing (6 to 12 inches), drought-tolerant once established, and their shallow roots won't interfere with strawberries. Both repel spider mites, a major strawberry pest. Plant them at bed edges or corners where they can spread without crowding the berries.
Leafy greens that mature before strawberries spread
Lettuce and spinach are ideal because they mature in 30 to 45 days and can be harvested before strawberry runners take over the bed. Both have shallow roots and won't compete for water or nutrients. Plant lettuce or spinach in early spring, harvest it by late spring, and the space will be clear when strawberry runners begin to spread in early summer.
Arugula matures even faster (20 to 30 days) and has a peppery flavor that pairs well with strawberries in salads. Like lettuce and spinach, it occupies minimal vertical space and won't shade strawberry flowers. Plant arugula in rows between strawberry plants, harvest it before runners spread, and replant in late summer for a fall crop.
The timing matters: if you plant greens too late in the season, they will still be growing when strawberry runners need space. Check the days-to-maturity on your seed packet and count backward from your expected runner-spread date (usually 6 to 8 weeks after planting strawberries).
Flowers that attract pollinators and repel pests
Marigolds are the most common strawberry companion flower. They attract bees and hoverflies (which eat aphids) and repel spider mites, thrips, and some beetles. Plant marigolds around the perimeter of your raised bed, 6 to 12 inches from strawberry plants. Marigolds bloom all season and don't require deadheading, though removing spent flowers encourages more blooms.
Nasturtiums also repel aphids and spider mites and attract pollinators. They grow as trailing vines or bushy plants depending on the variety, so choose a compact type for raised beds. Nasturtium flowers are edible and slightly peppery. Plant them at the edges of your bed where they can trail over the sides without shading the strawberries.
Calendula (pot marigold) is a taller flower (12 to 24 inches) that attracts pollinators and repels pests. Plant it on the north side of your bed so it doesn't cast shade on strawberry plants during the growing season. Calendula also self-seeds, so you may have volunteers the following year.
Plants to avoid near strawberries
Fennel is allelopathic, meaning it releases compounds that inhibit the growth of nearby plants, including strawberries. Keep fennel out of the same raised bed entirely. If you want to grow fennel, use a separate container or bed at least 3 feet away.
Potatoes, tomatoes, and brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, kale) compete with strawberries for nitrogen and attract similar pests. Potatoes and tomatoes are also susceptible to early blight and late blight, fungal diseases that can spread to strawberries if they're planted too close. Space these crops in separate beds or at least 2 feet away from strawberries.
Avoid planting strawberries near mint, which spreads aggressively through runners and will overtake the bed. If you want mint, grow it in a separate container or use a root barrier to contain it.
Spacing and layout for a raised bed
Strawberries need 12 inches of space between plants to allow runners to spread. In a 4-by-8-foot raised bed, you can fit about 16 strawberry plants in two staggered rows. This leaves space along the edges and between plants for companions.
Plant shallow-rooted herbs (thyme, oregano) at the corners and edges of the bed. Plant taller herbs (borage) on the north side so they don't shade strawberries. Plant fast-maturing greens (lettuce, arugula) in rows between strawberry plants, knowing you'll harvest them before runners spread. Plant flowers (marigolds, nasturtiums) around the perimeter or in gaps between strawberries.
As strawberry runners develop, you may need to tuck them around companions or remove some runners to prevent tangling. Most gardeners pinch off runners on June-bearing strawberries to encourage larger fruit, so companion plants won't be crowded by runners in that case.
Seasonal timing for planting companions
If you plant strawberries in spring, plant herbs and flowers at the same time or a few weeks later. Plant fast-maturing greens 2 to 3 weeks after strawberries so they're ready to harvest before runners spread. In a 4-month growing season (April to July), you can plant lettuce in April, harvest it in May, and have the space clear by June when runners take over.
If you plant strawberries in fall (in mild climates), plant herbs and flowers in fall as well so they're established before spring growth. Plant greens in late winter or early spring, harvest them before summer heat arrives, and the bed will be ready for runners.
Perennial herbs like thyme and oregano will return the following year, so you only plant them once. Replant greens and annual flowers each season based on your growing calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant garlic or onions with strawberries?
Garlic and onions have deeper roots than strawberries and won't compete directly, but they take up horizontal space that strawberry runners need. If you want to grow them together, plant garlic or onions in fall, harvest them in late spring before runners spread, and clear the space by early summer.
Will companion plants reduce my strawberry yield?
No, if you choose the right companions and space them correctly. Shallow-rooted herbs and fast-maturing greens don't compete for nutrients. Flowers and herbs that repel pests may actually increase yield by reducing damage from spider mites and aphids.
Can I plant strawberries with beans or peas?
Beans and peas are nitrogen-fixers and won't deplete soil, but they grow tall and can shade strawberry flowers. If you want to grow them together, plant beans or peas on the north side of the bed and keep them pruned to prevent excessive shade.
What if my companion plants get too big?
Pinch back or harvest herbs and flowers regularly to keep them from shading strawberry plants. Remove borage leaves from the bottom of the plant as it grows taller. If a companion is clearly crowding strawberries, remove it and replant something smaller or faster-maturing.
Do I need to fertilize companions differently than strawberries?
Strawberries need moderate nitrogen and higher potassium and phosphorus. Herbs like thyme and oregano need less fertilizer overall. Fast-maturing greens benefit from a light nitrogen boost. Use a balanced fertilizer for the bed and adjust based on what you're growing, or side-dress greens with compost a few weeks after planting if they look pale.