13 Easy-To-Grow Companion Plants That Belong Alongside Sweet Potatoes In The Garden

Sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are a nutritious, versatile root crop popular among many home gardeners. While this plant is originally from Central and South America and grows best in warm climates, sweet potatoes are suitable to grow anywhere from USDA hardiness zones 5 to 11. Pairing sweet potatoes with companion plants can aid in helping this plant thrive. Alliums, herbs, leafy greens, and more all offer symbiotic benefits when planted near sweet potatoes.

Companion planting is the practice of intentionally selecting neighboring crops that support each other's growth. You may have heard of the tale of three sisters – corn, beans, and squash. The Iroquois Native Americans have planted these crops alongside each other for centuries. It's their belief that these plants were gifted to them from the gods as an inseparable trio. Each has a role to play in their dynamic. Corn offers bean plants stability, beans create healthy soil for the three, and squash provides much-needed shade to their roots. This is the perfect example of companion planting.

Just as the crops from the three sisters offer mutual benefits to one another, the sweet potato plant also has companions it can benefit from. From improving soil to deterring pests, there is an array of benefits to pairing sweet potatoes with their respective companion plants. Luckily, there are plenty to choose from. Let's explore 13 easy-to-grow companion plants that belong beside your sweet potatoes.

While nitrogen is great for the initial growing period of sweet potatoes, too much of it will promote foliage growth, hindering your yield. Spinach can help absorb nitrogen from the soil, also serving as a buffer for soil erosion in high-precipitation climates. Spinach is easy to establish in spring or fall when the temperatures hover around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They require minimal maintenance through their growing season so long as the weather stays mild. Once temperatures creep above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, spinach tends to bolt, but you may be able to prevent it temporarily by trimming down tall stalks and offering the plant some shade. 

Lettuce is another low-maintenance leafy green to consider planting alongside your sweet potatoes. Like spinach, lettuce absorbs excess nitrogen and prevents soil erosion. It also serves as ground cover, providing shade, moisture retention, and weed prevention to your garden. You can plant lettuce directly into the ground when soil temperatures remain around 45 degrees Fahrenheit to 65 degrees Fahrenheit  in the spring. As long as you keep them watered, lettuce is a great producer, growing quickly from seed in the spring and fall. 

One downside to growing sweet potatoes in your garden is their tendency to attract pests. Luckily, alliums like garlic pack a pungent punch that deters common pests such as aphids and spider mites. The sulfur compounds produced by garlic also serve as a natural fungicide, supporting the health of soil and neighboring crops. It's best to plant in fall for spring harvest, but you can also plant certain types in spring for a smaller yield. Pre-dig 2- to 4-inch deep holes about 6 to 8 inches apart, place one garlic clove pointing up in each spot, and water regularly once the greens appear. 

As a fellow allium, onions also deter pests with their strong aroma. Their leaves serve as a sort of fortified boundary around sweet potato vines, keeping typical pests such as sweet potato weevils and flea beetles at bay. Keep in mind that alliums don't play well with legumes, so be sure to plant these two crops away from one another. Onions are very simple to grow. In the spring, just loosen the soil and press your bulbs in with the top half exposed. You can harvest them in roughly 3 to 4 months. 

Nasturtiums come in a variety of colors ranging from striking orange-red to rosy pink. But their beauty isn't all they have to offer. You can lean on this stunning flower to deter insects naturally. Nasturtium is a highly effective trap crop, luring in pests that would otherwise ravage your sweet potatoes. And as if this plant wasn't amazing enough, its petals are also edible. To grow nasturtiums, scarify the seeds and allow them to soak in lukewarm water overnight. From there, plant them directly in your garden bed. Expect to see shoots in about a week. 

Flea beetles are one of the major pests that plague sweet potatoes. Mustard can serve as another excellent trap crop and companion to combat this pest. Growing mustard is very beginner-friendly. Once temperatures remain above 40 degrees Fahrenheit,  plant your seeds directly into the earth. Keep the soil moist and your mustard should thrive. 

Yarrow is another dazzling flower that pairs well with sweet potatoes. They come in an array of colors including white, yellow, and pink. Predator insects such as lacewings flock to yarrow, feasting on common sweet potato pests. Yarrow also attracts pollinators, making it a great companion for other crops, too. You can plant yarrow in late spring or early summer. It quickly establishes and comes back year after year.

While yarrow and nasturtium only fend off pests from around foliage, marigolds also aid in defending the sweet potatoes' root system. These flowers are one of a few select plants that produce a toxic substance which can help suppress destructive nematodes. This is an invaluable perk for producing the highest yield possible. Plant your marigolds from spring to midsummer directly into the ground. This flower isn't finicky, thriving in most conditions. 

Not only is thyme an excellent herb to have around the kitchen, but it's also a great companion plant for sweet potatoes. Similar to alliums, thyme gives off a strong aroma that repels pests. Additionally, once its flowers bloom, it attracts predator insects that take care of pests that aren't deterred by its scent. If this herb has enough sun, it's doesn't require a lot of maintenance. You can plant thyme inside year-round but if you want to keep it as a companion in your garden, plant it after the last frost. Once established, it's extremely durable. 

Dill is another herb you can plant near sweet potatoes to deter pests and attract beneficial insects. It's particularly effective at warding off destructive spider mites and cabbage moths. Keep in mind that they don't grow well with carrots, so be sure to plant them away from each other if you have both in your garden. Plant this herb directly in the ground in the spring or fall. During the cooler months it's a really easy, resilient plant to keep. 

Just like dill and thyme, basil's hallmark aroma serves as a built-in shield against harmful insects. If you really want to enhance the benefits of this plant's pest defense, gently rub the leaves to further release its fragrant oils. Basil is the easiest herb in the mint family to cultivate from seed, making it an excellent option for beginning gardeners. Start your basil inside 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost before transplanting it outside. Don't sweat it if you miss that window; you can start basil outside between the first and last frosts in your region as long as temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit regularly. 

You may know catnip as the herb your feline friend goes crazy for. But it's also a useful companion plant for the sweet potato. It naturally deters a host of pests including weevils and Colorado potato beetles. This easy-to-grow herb doesn't demand a lot. It's drought-tolerant and doesn't require much fertilizer. To grow it, you can start seeds inside 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost and transplant them into your garden. You can also transplant a nursery-bred plant or plant a cutting directly into the soil.

Clover is another flower your sweet potatoes can benefit from. This plant aids in nitrogen fixing and weed prevention during the summer. Clover serves as an excellent cover crop at the end of the growing season, and also attracts ladybugs and lacewings, which are beneficial for sweet potatoes. To take advantage of clover as a companion plant, sow it in the spring around the last frost. It's easily established and pretty self-sufficient.