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Companion Plants to Grow With Cannabis Outdoors
Growing cannabis outdoors presents unique challenges and opportunities, especially when it comes to pest control, nutrient management, and optimizing plant health. One of the most effective and environmentally friendly strategies to support cannabis growth is companion planting the practice of cultivating different plant species near each other for mutual benefit. Used strategically, companion plants can repel pests, attract beneficial insects, improve soil health, and even mask the smell of cannabis plants from prying eyes or noses.
Benefits of Companion Planting for Cannabis
1. Pest Control
Companion plants can act as natural repellents for common cannabis pests like aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, and caterpillars. Some produce aromas that deter insects, while others attract beneficial predatory insects that feed on cannabis pests.
2. Attracting Beneficial Insects
Pollinators (e.g., bees) and predators (e.g., ladybugs, lacewings) can be drawn in by flowering companions. These insects help maintain an ecological balance, limiting the need for chemical pesticides.
3. Soil Health and Nutrient Cycling
Legumes like clover fix nitrogen into the soil, boosting fertility naturally. Other plants can improve soil structure, prevent erosion, or act as dynamic accumulators that bring up nutrients from deep layers.
4. Camouflage and Odor Masking
Some herbs and flowers with strong scents or bushy structures can hide cannabis plants visually and olfactorily, offering a layer of stealth, especially in regions where discretion is necessary.
5. Microclimate Regulation
Tall or broad-leafed companions can offer partial shade, reduce wind damage, or help regulate humidity especially beneficial in very hot or dry environments.
Best Companion Plants to Grow with Cannabis Outdoors
1. Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)
- Function: Pest repellent and pollinator attractant.
- Benefits: Marigolds are well-known for deterring nematodes, aphids, whiteflies, and beetles through their scent. Their bright flowers also attract bees and butterflies.
- Best Practice: Plant around the cannabis perimeter or in between rows.
2. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
- Function: Aromatic pest repellent and odor mask.
- Benefits: Basil repels whiteflies, aphids, and mosquitoes. Its pungent aroma can help mask cannabis scent. Additionally, basil may enhance essential oil production in nearby plants.
- Best Practice: Interplant throughout the garden, especially near young cannabis seedlings.
3. Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
- Function: Attracts pollinators and repels pests.
- Benefits: Lavender attracts bees while repelling moths, ticks, and fleas. Its powerful scent also provides odor camouflage for cannabis.
- Best Practice: Plant along the garden borders or near areas with high foot traffic.
4. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
- Function: Beneficial insect attractant and soil conditioner.
- Benefits: Attracts ladybugs, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps that prey on cannabis pests. Also known to improve soil quality.
- Best Practice: Scatter among cannabis plants or use in flower borders.
5. Clover (Trifolium spp.)
- Function: Ground cover and nitrogen fixer.
- Benefits: Clover fixes atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. It also acts as a living mulch, suppressing weeds and maintaining soil moisture.
- Best Practice: Grow as a low-growing interplant or between rows to avoid shading cannabis.
6. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
- Function: Soil conditioner and insect attractant.
- Benefits: Chamomile attracts beneficial insects and emits antimicrobial compounds into the soil, improving root health in nearby plants.
- Best Practice: Grow sparingly among cannabis or at the ends of beds.
7. Borage (Borago officinalis)
- Function: Pest deterrent and soil enhancer.
- Benefits: Borage repels tomato hornworms and cabbage worms, both of which can feed on cannabis. It accumulates trace minerals like calcium and potassium in its leaves, enriching compost and topsoil when chopped and dropped.
- Best Practice: Plant at the corners of cannabis beds.
8. Dill (Anethum graveolens)
- Function: Attracts predatory insects.
- Benefits: Its flowers attract lacewings and predatory wasps. Also helpful in deterring spider mites.
- Best Practice: Grow away from cannabis if bolting quickly, but still within proximity for insect benefit.
9. Mint (Mentha spp.)
- Function: Aromatic repellent and ground cover.
- Benefits: Its strong smell deters ants, aphids, and cabbage moths. It also offers odor camouflage.
- Caution: Mint can be invasive. Grow in containers or restricted beds.
- Best Practice: Place in pots near cannabis plants or along garden borders.
10. Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)
- Function: Pest magnet and windbreak.
- Benefits: Sunflowers can act as sacrificial plants, drawing aphids and thrips away from cannabis. Their tall stalks also serve as windbreaks or shade providers.
- Best Practice: Plant on the north or west side of a cannabis bed to avoid excessive shade.
11. Garlic and Onions (Allium spp.)
- Function: Natural pesticide and soil cleanser.
- Benefits: The sulfurous compounds released deter pests such as root maggots, Japanese beetles, and spider mites. They may also have mild antifungal properties in soil.
- Best Practice: Plant in perimeter rows or in nearby beds to avoid root crowding.
12. Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
- Function: Trap crop and pollinator attractant.
- Benefits: Attracts aphids and whiteflies away from cannabis. Its flowers bring in pollinators, and its sprawling growth adds ground coverage.
- Best Practice: Plant away from cannabis plants but within the same area to serve as a lure.
Companion Planting Strategies for Outdoor Cannabis
1. Layout Planning
- Group taller companion plants on the periphery so they don’t shade cannabis plants unless needed to reduce sun stress.
- Use low-growing companions (clover, chamomile, basil) close to cannabis roots for soil benefits.
- Integrate aromatic herbs (mint, lavender, basil) at various locations to enhance smell masking and repel pests.
2. Pest Monitoring
Even with companion planting, check for pest signs weekly. Some trap crops (like nasturtiums or sunflowers) may need to be pruned or removed if they become overly infested.
3. Crop Rotation and Seasonal Adjustments
Change companion plant combinations every season to reduce pest and disease buildup. For instance, follow borage with nitrogen-fixing clover, or rotate basil with marigolds depending on pest pressure.
4. Soil and Water Management
Some companion plants (like mint and borage) have higher water needs. Ensure watering schedules do not oversaturate cannabis roots. Consider mulch and drip irrigation systems for even moisture distribution.
Plants to Avoid Near Cannabis
While many plants are beneficial, some are best kept away:
- Fennel: Releases allelopathic chemicals that inhibit growth of nearby plants.
- Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli): May compete for nutrients and water, and attract pests like cabbage worms that can spread to cannabis.
- Corn: Attracts many pests (e.g., corn earworms) that may affect cannabis as well.
Final Thoughts
Integrating companion plants into your outdoor cannabis garden not only boosts biodiversity but creates a self-sustaining, resilient ecosystem. With careful selection and placement, companion planting can reduce the need for chemical inputs, encourage beneficial interactions, and ultimately improve both the health and yield of your cannabis crop.
As you plan your garden, observe how various companions interact with your cannabis plants across seasons. Over time, you can fine-tune your plant combinations to suit your specific climate, soil conditions, and pest pressures making your garden more robust, productive, and ecologically balanced.
