Does companion planting really work? How do I choose the right plants? Will I actually see a difference with my fruit trees? I had all these questions, too, when I first explored companion planting in my fruit garden. This article series will demystify the process of planting compatible, beneficial plants around your fruit trees and shrubs. Each post will go in-depth into a companion planting topic, so by the end of the series you’ll be ready to get growing.
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When I planted my first fruit tree (a Santa Rosa plum), I thought the hard work was done. I watered it, fed it, pruned it when I remembered, and waited for baskets of sweet fruit. The results were hit or miss, at best. But the real magic started when I began planting other things around the tree—flowers, herbs, and groundcovers that quietly worked behind the scenes to help that plum tree thrive.
We all do better with a support system, and fruit trees and shrubs are no different. That’s the idea behind companion planting: building a supporting cast of players around your fruit trees so they’re healthier, more productive, and easier to care for.
Fruit tree companion planting is a huge topic, and most online resources only skim the surface. This series of articles is designed to walk you through the entire process of companion planting around fruit trees and shrubs. Navigate directly to different topics at the bottom of the page, or simply click to the next post at the end of each article. Discover the main categories of companion plants, lists of suggested plants for each category, how to choose plants for your climate and location, and some troubleshooting tips. But first, what exactly is companion planting, and how does it help fruit trees?
> This is Part 1 in a series of 6 articles about fruit tree companion planting. Navigate directly to different topics at the bottom of the page, or simply click to the next post at the end of each article.
Companion Planting Explained
In nature, fruit trees never grow alone. They share space with wildflowers, herbs, grasses, and shrubs—plants that help in ways you might not notice at first glance. For example, fig trees are native to dry, arid climates and are found growing wild with plants that like similar conditions. A fig tree might grow near other fruit trees like olives or pomegranates, alongside mediterranean herbs (rosemary, lavender) and shallow-rooted ground covers.
Even though modern cultivated fruit trees may be different than their historical parents, they can still benefit hugely when grown near other friendly plants. When we plant a fruit tree or shrub in our own landscape, it stands to reason that the best way to help it thrive is to provide it with an environment that is similar to how it would exist outside of cultivation. So, we provide companion plants.
Some plants draw in pollinators, others improve the soil, and some even chase away pests. Companion planting is simply bringing that natural support system into your own backyard, and growing plants near each other that work together for mutual benefit. You choose plants that work together, creating a mini-ecosystem where each member plays a role.
The benefits that you'll see (and I have definitely seen) from companion planting around your fruit trees include:
- Healthier trees that are less prone to stress
- Better harvests thanks to more pollination and healthier trees
- Fewer pests without relying on harsh sprays
- Less watering and weeding because companions fill in the space around the tree
- More efficient use of space due to layering plants from the ground all the way to the canopy
- A more beautiful fruit garden with plenty of opportunities for color, texture, and visual interest
What Companion Planting Isn't...
Companion planting is not a fast fix for existing problems. It's not a one-to-one diagnosis, then solution. It's a long-term holistic way to improve plant health and prevent potential problems from getting out of hand.
For example, if I'm having issues with aphids on my lemon tree, planting chives isn't going to make the issue disappear. However, planting a mass of chives close by may keep the aphids from spreading further, and if I also plant a patch of borage, it will attract parasitic wasps that feed on the aphids. While I'm at it, I could add nitrogen-fixing clover and some strawberries as ground cover to improve the soil and the tree's overall health. The result is a system that makes the tree more resilient, and an environment that prevents pests from getting out of hand.
What About Fruit Tree Guilds?
The above example about the lemon tree is an example of a fruit tree guild. A tree guild a permaculture design principle where you choose compatible plants to grow around a fruit tree, each of which provides specific benefits to the tree. It is similar to companion planting, but it's a more self-contained system around a particular tree.
Companion planting uses the same permaculture ideas as a tree guild - doing more with less space, less effort, and less time. But companion plants can be incorporated into any landscape or growing situation, not only arranged around a fruit tree.
Curious about any garden-related terms? Click on a highlighted word in the text, or visit The Fruit Grove Glossary to find out more.
How Companion Plants Work Their Magic on Fruit Trees
Think of it like putting together a well-rounded garden team. Each member plays a certain position on the field, and the better they all perform their function, the more benefit for the entire group. Most great companion plants fall into one (or more) of the following roles. The next few articles go in-depth in to each of these categories, including specific plant examples to choose from.
1. Pollinator Magnets
These are the blooms that pull in bees, butterflies, wasps, and other beneficial insects and birds. More pollinators typically means better fruit set and a healthier, more balanced ecosystem.
2. Natural Pest Deterrents
Some plants keep the bad bugs away with a pungent smell or by acting as “trap crops” that lure pests away from your fruit. They can also attract predatory insects that feed on pests.
3. Soil Builders & Nutrient Boosters
These are the quiet workers—plants that pull up nutrients from deep in the soil, improve soil texture and quality, or fix nitrogen in the root zone (more on this in a later article).
4. Weed Suppressors & Living Mulches
These are low-growing, fast-spreading plants that protect the soil, keep weeds at bay, and help hold in moisture and moderate soil temperature.
Your Companion Planting Roadmap
There’s a lot of advice out there about companion planting—some of it helpful, some of it circulated without much real-world experience behind it. I’ve spent years trying different plants in my own backyard garden, figuring out which ones are worth the space and which ones I wouldn’t plant again.
Over the next few pages, we’ll walk through each companion plant role in detail, as well as how to choose what will work in your garden. Keep reading to find out:
- How to choose the right companions for your trees, climate, and location
- Tips for designing with, maintaining, and using companion plants over time
- Examples of tree guilds for popular fruit trees
- Lists of companion plant options and what they contribute
- Which plants have been the most successful for me, and which struggled in my Texas climate
By the end, you’ll be able to put together your own custom companion plan that fits your climate, your space, and your fruit tree goals.
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.
Next Step: Pollinator Plants
If you want the biggest, fastest payoff from companion planting, start with the plants that bring in pollinators. In the next article, I’ll share the flowers and herbs that keep my fruit grove literally buzzing with life.
> Read Part 2: The Best Pollinator Plants for Any Fruit Garden
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
