What to plant near fruit trees (companion plants for fruit trees).

Fruit trees are similar to vegetables and herbs and they benefit from companion planting. Planting shrubs, herbs and flowering plants near your fruit trees can help to attract beneficial insects repel pests and improve soil fertility. In permaculture, it is referred to as fruit tree guilds where small shrubs, herbs, other fruit trees and flowering plants are grown near the fruit trees. Diversifying can keep the soil in shade, and provide a habitat for beneficial insects which help to control pests.

What to plant near fruit trees

Here are some companion plants for the following fruit trees.

1.Apple

Chives, Chamomile, Basil and Lemongrass

These herbs help to attract beneficial insects and repel unwanted pests from your trees.

2.Guava

Citrus trees, Borage, Chives and Comfrey

Citrus trees make great companions for guavas as they both require the same conditions to grow. Chives help to repel pests from attacking your guava trees. Comfrey and Borage help to attract beneficial insects and pollinators.

3.Banana

Sweet potato, lemongrass, Turmeric and Taro

Sweet potatoes make great companions for banana trees by acting as a ground cover. Lemongrass helps to repel pests that harm your banana trees. Growing turmeric near your bananas can improve the fruit flavor.

4.Papaya

Turmeric, Sweet potato, Banana

Planting banana trees near your papayas can help to improve the tree’s yield. Sweet potatoes are great ground cover for papaya trees. Planting turmeric near your papaya trees can help to improve turmeric’s flavour.

5.Mango

Lemongrass, Turmeric, Neem, and Marigold.
Neem trees and lemongrass can help protect mangoes against pest attacks. Basil can help to attract beneficial insects and other pollinators to your garden. Marigolds are low maintenance that help to repel pests.

6.Java Plum

Mint, Chives

Mint can help to repel pests that harm your Jammu. Chives are also another great companion plant for Java plum. It helps to repel pests.

7.Pomegranate

Sunflowers, and Nasturtiums

Sunflowers help to attract beneficial insects and other pollinators to your tree. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop by attracting pests towards it.

8.Peaches

Comfrey, Chives, Marigold, Zinnia, Nasturtium

Zinnia and Marigolds help to attract pollinators and beneficial insects. Chives and comfrey repel unwanted pests. Nasturtium helps to attract beneficial insects and also acts as a trap crop.

9.Oranges

Legumes, Lavender, Zinnia, Sunflower

Legumes fix nitrogen in the soil improving its fertility. Lavender is a drought-tolerant herb that is a good companion plant for oranges. You can also grow flowers like zinnia and sunflowers near your oranges as well.

10 Lemon

Basil, Thyme, Borage, Lupin

Basil, Thyme and Borage help to attract the beneficial insects and pollinators. Lupin fixes nitrogen in the soil thereby improving its fertility.

Read more:

1. Best fruit trees to grow in containers.
2. Organic fertiliser for fruit trees.
3. How to guava in your home.
4. How to grow orange in your home.