Companion planting is a traditional gardening technique employed by many cultivators in their vegetable gardens to naturally enhance plant health. However, it may come as a surprise that companion planting can also be advantageous for cannabis cultivation. By leveraging its natural benefits, such as pest control, attraction of beneficial insects, improvement of soil health, and even enhancement of flavor and aroma, companion planting offers a simple way to elevate your organic cannabis grow.
Benefits of Companion Planting Companion planting offers numerous advantages, particularly for organic cannabis cultivation. Here's why it's beneficial:
Attracts Beneficial Insects: Companion planting serves as a natural method to attract beneficial insects, eliminating the need for pesticides. While some plants are added to vegetable gardens to attract pollinators, cannabis primarily requires predator insects for pest control. Many plants entice insects that prey on garden pests, including spider mites and thrips, acting as a natural pest control measure. To deter these pests from infesting your cannabis crop, consider planting companions such as marigold, yarrow, and fennel.
Deters or Traps Pest Insects: Companion plants also contribute to organic pest control by deterring and trapping harmful insects. Some pests are sensitive to the oils and scents emitted by certain plants. By introducing these plants around the periphery of your grow area, you can keep pests at bay. For example, marigold, coriander, mints, and rosemary emit intense aromatics that repel pests like aphids, spider mites, and beetles. Additionally, plants like marigolds and daisies are more attractive to garden pests than cannabis itself, acting as decoys and trapping pests, keeping them away from your crop.
Stops Disease Spread: Certain companion plants, when placed between your cannabis crops, help halt the spread of fungal diseases and viruses. These plants possess natural resistances and immunities, which offer protection to their neighboring plants. For instance, if powdery mildew is prevalent in your hemp crop, planting chamomile or mustard, which possess natural anti-fungal properties, can effectively prevent the spread of the disease.
Improves Soil Health: Many companion plants are utilized to restore soil health, which is crucial for organic and no-till growing practices. Soil health is as important as plant health in these methods. Some companions act as nitrogen fixers, naturally replenishing nitrogen levels in the soil. Others can be employed as cover crops to restore soil nutrients and prevent weed growth between seasons. Examples of nitrogen-fixing plants and cover crops include alfalfa and clover.
Improves Flavor: Companion planting can also be used to enhance the flavor of target plants. Certain companions stimulate the production of aromatic oils, naturally improving flavor and aroma. If you wish to enhance your cannabis buds, consider incorporating chamomile and yarrow, both known to boost essential oil production in cannabis crops.
Cannabis' Best Companions: Here is a list of recommended companion plants for cannabis cultivation:
Alfalfa: A cover crop that enriches soil nutrients and fixes nitrogen.
Chamomile: A flower with anti-fungal properties that also promotes essential oil production.
Chervil: An herb known to trap aphids.
Clover: A common cover crop and nitrogen fixer.
Comfrey: A cover crop with the added benefit of preventing powdery mildew.
Coriander: A powerful deterrent of flies and mosquitoes.
Dill: An herb that attracts predatory insects.
Fennel: Another effective attractor of predatory insects.
Lavender: A pest deterrent that works against moths, flies, fleas, and mosquitoes.
Marigold: A multifunctional plant that traps aphids, lure in beneficial insects, and deter pesky cabbage flies and moths.
Mint: Keep Aphids, Ants, Cabbage Moths, and Loopers at Bay.
Mugwort: Banish Slugs with Unmatched Power.
Rosemary: Repel Cabbage Moths, Mosquitoes, and Flies with Ease.
Thyme: Ward Off White Flies, Cabbage Loopers, and Hornworms.
Yarrow: Nitrogen Fixer, Essential Oil Booster, and Predator Magnet.
By incorporating these incredible cannabis companions, you can easily elevate your product, fend off unwanted guests, and enjoy the benefits of natural pest control, improved soil health, and enhanced flavor. At 5 Seeds, we firmly believe that organic is the ultimate way to grow.