And now for 17 companion plants to grow with your leeks:
1. Arugula
Arugula, Eruca vesicaria, is a salad green with deeply serrated, peppery leaves. It’s a member of the Brassicaceae family suited to Zones 3 to 11 that is harvest-ready in about 40 days.
Because it matures quickly and has shallow roots, arugula makes an excellent companion for leeks.
Exceptionally flavorful ‘Garden Tangy’ is a heat-tolerant cultivar suited to succession planting from spring through midsummer.
‘Garden Tangy’ Arugula
It’s an early maturing variety that’s harvest-ready in only 30 to 35 days. Overall dimensions are four to seven inches tall with a spread of 10 to 12 inches.
Garden Tangy arugula is available from Burpee.
Our guide to growing arugula has more information.
2. Beets
Beets, Beta vulgaris, is a red, gold, or white root crop for Zones 2 to 11 that make good leek companions.
The green tops are ready to eat in 30 to 35 days, while the roots require 50 to 65 days to mature.
Plants belong to the Amaranthaceae family and grow 12 to 18 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide.
While that may sound like a lot of garden real estate, their spreading leaves cover ground that might otherwise be weed-covered, causing competition for water and nutrients.
‘Early Wonder’ Beets
Fast-growing ‘Early Wonder’ produces abundant harvests of 18-inch greens and three-inch, semi-globe-shaped, deep red-fleshed beetroots suitable for canning whole.
Early Wonder beets are available from Eden Brothers.
See our beet growing guide for details.
3. Broccoli
Broccoli, Brassica oleracea var. italica, is a member of the Brassicaceae family suited to Zones 2 to 11 and planted in the spring or fall at the same time as leeks.
It takes 50 to 100 days to mature to heights of 18 to 24 inches and a spread of 12 to 24 inches.
The ‘Waltham 29’ is an heirloom cultivar that produces four to six-inch blue-gray heads, statuesque stalks, and multiple side shoots for repeat harvests.
‘Waltham 29’ Broccoli
Mature dimensions are 24 to 30 inches tall and about 24 inches wide. Expect to harvest the first head in 85 to 90 days.
‘Waltham 29’ broccoli seeds are available from True Leaf Market.
Our guide to growing broccoli has more information.
4. Calendula
Daisy-like calendula, Calendula officinalis, aka pot marigold is a member of the Asteraceae family long prized for its culinary and medicinal applications.
Typically producing gold, orange, or red flowers, today’s cultivars expand the palette to include bicolored and pastel hues.
Plant heights range from nine to 24 inches with a spread of 12 inches.
They attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects that contribute to botanical diversity and help to control pest populations. Plants mature in 50 to 60 days.
Pacific Beauty Blend Calendula
Pacific Beauty Blend is a mix of orange and yellow double and semi-double flowers measuring two to three inches across that look beautiful growing amongst your leeks.
Seeds for Pacific Beauty Blend calendula are available from Botanical Interests.
Our calendula growing guide has more information.
5. Carrots
Carrots, Daucus carota sativus, are members of the Apiaceae family. Their green tops attract beneficial insects, and their deep roots loosen the soil, aerating it and improving drainage.
Suited to Zones 3 to 10, carrots mature in 50 to 120 days, depending on the variety. They are 12 to 24 inches tall with a spread of six to eight inches.
‘Danvers’ Carrots
Crisp and sweet ‘Danvers’ carrots produce four- to eight-inch leafy tops and six- to eight-inch roots.
‘Danvers’ carrot seeds are available from Eden Brothers.
See our guide to growing carrots for details.
6. Celery
Celery, Apium graveolens, is an herb and a vegetable for Zones 4 to 10 and a member of the Apiaceae family. You may find cultivars suitable for Zones 2 and 3.
It has a shallow root system and leafy stalks that grow 12 to 18 inches tall and four to six inches wide. Celery is harvest-ready in 120 to 130 days.
A valuable companion plant for leeks and other crops, celery repels cabbage moths and other pests.
‘Utah’ Celery
‘Utah’ has dark green, smooth stalks. The total height is 10 to 30 inches, including foliage. The stalks are 10 to 12 inches tall and four inches wide.
‘Utah’ celery seeds are available from Botanical Interests.
Our celery growing guide has more information.
7. Chamomile
German chamomile, Matricaria chamomilla, is an aromatic daisy-like flowering plant in the Asteraceae family used in culinary and medicinal applications.
Suited to Zones 4 to 9, it has white petal-like rays and bright yellow center disks that attract beneficial pollinators to the landscape all summer.
Mature dimensions are 12 to 24 inches tall with a spread of nine to 12 inches.
German Chamomile
When fully open, sweetly fragrant German chamomile flowers are ready to harvest. Left in place, plants readily self-sow.
German chamomile seeds are available from True Leaf Market.
See our guide to growing chamomile for details.
8. French Marigolds
French marigolds, Tagetes patula, are members of the Asteraceae family with ruffled bicolor, orange, red, pink, or yellow petals.
The flowers and leaves have a pungent fragrance and help to repel pests such as aphids, root-knot nematodes, thrips, and whiteflies.
These annuals can be grown in Zones 2 to 11, typically blooming from summer to first frost. Mature dimensions are six to 12 inches tall and six to nine inches wide.
‘Triple Treat’ French Marigolds
‘Triple Treat’ offers eight- to 10-inch tall plants with an equal spread abundantly adorned with bold orange, red, and yellow flowers.
‘Triple Treat’ French marigold seeds are available from Burpee.
Our French marigold growing guide has cultivation information.
9. Leaf Lettuce
Leaf lettuce, Lactuca sativa, is a member of the Asteraceae family suited to Zones 2 to 11.
Depending on the type, it has leaves of varying sizes with a freeform spreading growth habit rather than producing heads.
Plants are six to 12 inches tall and wide and are harvest-ready in 30 to 90 days, depending on the cultivar.
Rows of leaf lettuce make excellent weed-blocking ground covers between leeks and other plants.
‘Prizeleaf’ Lettuce
‘Prizeleaf’ has tender, sweet, ruffled green leaves with red margins. Mature heights are 9 to 15 inches with a spread of six inches. Enjoy a spring and a fall crop.
Prizeleaf Lettuce is available from Burpee.
See our leaf lettuce growing guide for details.
10. Lovage
Lovage, Levisticum officinale, is a savory herb and vegetable in the Apiaceae family.
Suited to Zones 3 to 9, it matures to heights of four to six feet with a spread of 32 inches.
The sharp aroma emitted by lovage may deter garden pests, benefitting your leeks and other neighboring plants.
Lovage
The leafy tops are ready to pick in 85 to 95 days. To enjoy the stalks and roots, wait until the second year to harvest them.
Lovage seeds are available from True Leaf Market.
Our lovage growing guide has more information.
11. Nasturtiums
The trumpet-like blossoms of nasturtiums, Tropaeolum spp. are hardy in Zones 9 to 11 but can be grown as annuals elsewhere.
They have a climbing or spreading growth habit, and bicolored, cream, orange, red, or yellow edible, peppery-tasting flowers that bloom from spring to summer.
Plants are one to 10 feet long and one to three feet wide. They attract beneficial pollinating butterflies and hummingbirds while repelling aphids and whiteflies.
Jewel Mix Nasturtiums
Jewel Mix has vibrant yellow, red, orange, and bicolor blossoms with ruffled double petals and heights of approximately 12 inches.
You can find Jewel Mix nasturtium seeds available from Eden Brothers.
Our guide to growing nasturtiums has cultivation instructions.
12. Parsley
Parsley, Petroselinum crispum, in the Apiaceae family, is a savory herb for Zones 2 to 11.
There are curly and flat-leafed varieties that mature in 60 to 100 days. Mature dimensions are nine to 12 inches tall and wide.
Plants are hosts to black swallowtail butterflies and other beneficial pollinators.
Flat Leaf Parsley
Flat leaf parsley matures to a height and width of 12 to 18 inches. It is smooth for easy washing and chopping.
You can find seeds available from Botanical Interests.
Our parsley growing guide has more information.
13. Parsnips
Parsnips, Pastinaca sativa, in the Apiaceae family, are root vegetables suited to Zones 2 to 9 that resemble white carrots.
They are sweet and nutty with a hint of licorice. Their deep roots seek nutrients at a lower level than shallower-rooted crops like leeks.
Roots mature in 100 to 120 days for fall and winter harvests. Plants may achieve heights of 30 to 70 inches with a spread of six to 12 inches.
‘All-American’ Parsnip
‘All-American’ is an heirloom cultivar with fine-textured, sweet roots measuring 10 to 12 inches long and three inches around.
You can find seeds available from Eden Brothers.
See our guide to growing parsnips for details.
14. Radishes
Radishes, Raphanus sativus, are Brassica family members for Zones 2 to 11.
Summer salad varieties are fast-growing and ready for harvest before the weather heats up. Sow winter cultivars in late summer for winter to spring picking.
Plants mature in 20 to 60 days, depending on the cultivar. Mature dimensions are six to 18 inches tall and six to 9 inches wide.
Easter Egg Blend is a mix of spring radishes to plant early or late in the season when the weather is cool.
Easter Egg Blend Radishes
It includes varieties with roots that blush pink, purple, red, or white, like Easter eggs. Expect foliage heights of five to eight inches and one-inch root globes.
Easter Egg Blend radish seeds are available from Botanical Interests.
Learn how to grow radishes here.
15. Spinach
Spinach, Spinacia oleracea, a member of the Amaranthaceae family, is a ruffled or smooth leafy green vegetable for Zones 5 to 9 with a mild, earthy flavor.
It matures in 30 to 50 days and provides harvests for spring, summer, and fall. It has an upright growth habit with heights averaging eight to 12 inches and a spread of 12 inches.
‘Viroflay’ Spinach
‘Viroflay’ is an heirloom cultivar with an impressive 18- to 24-inch stature and smooth leaves that grow up to 10 inches long.
You can find seeds available from Eden Brothers.
Our spinach growing guide has more information.
16. Sweet Peppers
Sweet or bell peppers, Capsicum annuum lack the heat of hot peppers and these members of the Solanaceae family are suited to cultivation in Zones 4 to 11.
They’re bushy plants, producing peppers that sweeten and change color as they mature. Sweet pepper hues include almost-black, green, orange, purple, red, white, and yellow.
Mature dimensions are six inches to five feet tall with a spread of one to three feet, depending on the cultivar.
‘Red Cherry’ Sweet Pepper
‘Red Cherry’ is a cultivated variety that produces little rounded peppers an inch to an inch and a half in diameter that mature to bright red.
Plants are approximately three feet tall and wide. They mature in about 85 days.
You can find ‘Red Cherry’ seeds available from True Leaf Market.
Our pepper growing guide has more information.
17. Zinnias
Zinnias, Zinnia spp., are dahlia-like flowers in the Asteraceae family that come in a rainbow of colors, excluding blue and brown.
Suited to Zones 3 to 10, they are pollinator magnets that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, contributing to landscape diversity. Plus they look very pretty growing among your leeks!
Dimensions vary by cultivar, ranging from six inches to four feet tall and six to eighteen inches wide.
‘Amethyst Treasure’ is a compact hybrid cultivar that blooms in summer with double rows of bright purple blossoms measuring three to four inches across.
‘Amethyst Treasure’ Zinnias
Mature heights are 12 to 18 inches with a spread of 14 to 18 inches.
‘Amethyst Treasure’ zinnia seeds are available from Burpee.
See our guide to growing zinnias for details.
Garden Harmony
Plants that grow well with leeks share their requirements for fertile soil that drains well, full sun, and moderate moisture.
Avoid planting legumes, like peas and beans, because they will likely fail to thrive when grown with leeks.
Consider mature dimensions when designing a growing space to promote optimal airflow between plants and provide room to walk around them for easy care and harvesting.
Sow in succession and choose varieties with various dates to maturity to make the most of all the available soil space. Such soil coverage aids in weed suppression and moisture retention.
With 17 potential leek companions, it’s time to take out your garden planner and design a harmonious growing space.
Do you grow leeks? What plants share the growing space? Please tell us in the comments section below.
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