Pest repelling companion plants can naturally protect your fruit trees from common garden threats. These plants work quietly to deter insects, attract beneficial predators, and create a healthier growing environment. Keep reading to discover which plants can help safeguard your harvest while reducing the need for chemical sprays - all while adding beauty to your garden.
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One spring, I walked out to pick some apricots, excited to see that the tree was so full of fruit. But instead of perfect golden apricots, I found half of them hosting little worms, ruined even though they looked ok from the outside. The culprits? Pests that got there before I did.
That was the year I realized my fruit trees needed backup. Pollinator plants brought in the helpers, but I also needed companions that could keep the troublemakers away. And that’s where pest-deterrent plants have earned their place in my backyard fruit grove.
> This is Part 3 in a series of 6 articles about fruit tree companion planting. For complete information about this topic, I recommend starting at the beginning.
Why Pest Deterrents Matter for Fruit Trees
Fruit trees are a feast for insects: aphids, moths, borers, beetles, leafhoppers—you name it, they’ll try it. Left unchecked, pests can weaken your trees, reduce fruit set, and destroy harvests. Planting pest-repelling companions, in combination with other strategies, is a valuable part of managing a fruit garden or backyard orchard. None of these plants are a magic cure, but together they can make a noticeable difference.
Companion Plants that Deter Pests Work By:
- Giving off strong scents. Highly fragrant plants, such as garlic or rosemary, can keep pests from coming around. They can also mask the smells of other nearby plants, such as fruit trees.
- Distracting pests from other plants. Pests can be visually distracted by some companion plants, leading them to leave fruit trees alone (or at least bother them less) (source).
- Attracting beneficial insects. like ladybugs, lacewings, and assassin bugs that prey on pests (source).
- Trapping pests by drawing them to a more appealing plant, such as nasturtiums for aphids, or amaranth for cucumber beetles.
NOTE: Companion planting blends agriculture, ecology, and gardening lore, but much of the advice online is recycled with little evidence. My suggestions are based on research (linked where relevant), as well as experiments & observations in my own garden, with a focus on the whole environment rather than individual plants. Companion planting works best alongside integrated pest management, organic sprays & fertilizers, and other cultural practices.
How to Choose Pest Control Companion Plants
There's a lot of trial and error involved in companion planting, and not all plants will work for all situations. Here’s what I’ve learned to look for when choosing pest deterrents for fruit trees:
Proven Effectiveness
Some plants work in theory but not in every climate or situation. There's a lot of "garden lore" and hearsay surround the effectiveness of companion plants. Research is being done, but it's difficult to control all the variables involved. For example, a study found that when bean plants were planted near apple trees, protective ants were far more attracted to the beans. As a result, the apple aphid population practically disappeared (source). Here's hoping we get more research like this!
Research is helpful, yes, but the key is doing your own experimentation and observation. Talk to neighbors and friends and see which plants they've noticed work in your area. I usually test in a small area of my garden before planting widely.
Stacking Benefits
One of the best things about pest deterrent companions is that they typically do double-duty. For example, chives repel aphids with their strong smell, but their flowers also attract pollinators. Nasturtiums are a trap crop for cucumber beetles and aphids, but they also work as a living mulch. When you get multiple benefits from the same plant, you can do more with less space (and effort).
Manageability
Avoid plants that spread aggressively or require constant cutting back. Mint's strong smell is an excellent pest repellent, but there is nothing more irritating than watching a small mint plant take over the whole area. Tansy deters flies, cabbage moths, and other pests, but beware - it is invasive in many parts of the country and can be toxic to animals.
Seasonal Coverage
Plant companions that will be active during your pest’s busiest season. For the most complete coverage, plant a variety of strong smelling herbs and flowers that collectively bloom over a long period. Some plants, such as herbs, can keep pests away just by the scent of their foliage.
My Favorite Pest Repelling Plants for Fruit Trees
These are the ones that have earned a permanent spot in my garden beds and around my fruit plants:
- Chives (and other alliums like garlic) – Great near any fruit tree to help deter borers and fungal issues, plus the blooms are pollinator-friendly. When planted in masses it can also work as a living mulch. I plant chives as a part of my fruit tree guilds.
- Nasturtiums – One of my favorites. They lure aphids away from fruit trees and provide edible flowers and leaves. Also works as a ground cover, although it only grows in milder weather. I plant from seed in the spring, then again in the fall (summer is too hot for nasturtiums where I live).
- Marigolds – Can help reduce thrip populations, especially combined with basil (source). Their roots can help with nematodes, although contrary to popular belief, this only happens after growing and tilling them into the soil (source). The flowers also attract lots of beneficial insects.
- Alyssum – The dainty white or purple flowers attract hoverfly larvae (a predatory insect) and reduces aphid populations (source). Aphids plagued my citrus trees until I began planting alyssum nearby - try as an understory or ground cover.
- Basil – Has been shown to reduce thrip poplulations - a common pest of many fruit trees, including citrus (source). I plant a purple-flowering variety of basil ('Cardinal') all throughout my garden.
- Rue – Can repel Japanese beetles and aphids. It has beautiful silvery leaves and long-lasting yellow blossoms. I planted this near my grapevines and fig trees, and it looks better every year.
- Strawflowers - Although not commonly found on companion planting lists, I've noticed that strawflowers are highly attractive to leaf-footed bugs. I plant them near my blackberry bushes - where they love to feed on the fruit - then come out and drop the pests into soapy water (or vacuum them up and dispose of them).
Where to Plant Pest Deterring Companions
The idea is to mix various plants from the different categories together. Whatever plants you choose, there is evidence that suggests that a variety of blooms and foliage has a more significant impact on pest populations than just one or two varieties (source).
If the goal is to attract beneficial or predatory insects, or to be a distraction for pests, plant a larger mass of a single type of blooms together to great a habitat or visual barrier.
Plant trap crops (nasturtiums, strawflowers, etc.) close by, but not too near fruit trees. Strong-smelling plants like sage, rosemary, rue, or chives can be planted closer to fruit trees to deter pests, but be careful to avoid too much root competition. In general, companion plants don't have to be right next to what you are trying to protect to be beneficial (source).
Next Step: Soil Builders & Nutrient Boosters
Now that pests are under control, the next step is strengthening your soil—the foundation of your fruit trees’ long-term health. In the next article, I’ll share the plants I use as “living fertilizer,” from clover and comfrey to vetch and lupines.
> Read Part 4: Living Fertilizer: Soil-Building Plants for Fruit Trees
In This Series:
- Part 1: Fruit Tree Companion Planting (Overview)
- Part 2: Pollinator Plants
- Part 3: Pest Control Plants
- Part 4: Soil Building Plants
- Part 5: Living Mulch
- Part 6: Designing a Companion Plan
