How To Grow Better Cannabis With Companion Plants

Miguel Antonio Ordoñez

Freelance Cannabis Journalist

Miguel Antonio Ordoñez

Last updated: August 3, 2020

Normally, cannabis growers won’t bother cultivating any other plant besides, well, cannabis. The only thing is, these single-crop grow-ops, known as monocultures, can hurt the soil and everything living inside it.

Growing companion plants alongside your cannabis, though, can make your growing operation more efficient and sustainable in the long run. You can enjoy healthier cannabis crops, bigger yields, and better-tasting buds. The process also supports a more natural grow, with no need for fertilisers or insecticides.

WHAT IS COMPANION PLANTING?

Among cannabis growers, companion planting is the practice of growing different species alongside your cannabis crop. The method has been used for millennia in agriculture and gardening, and it provides many advantages when growing weed.

As mentioned earlier, cannabis is typically grown in a monoculture, meaning it’s the only plant grown in a given area. This is understandable, as cannabis growers normally want to make the most of their limited grow space.

Yet, shifting to a polyculture with a variety of different plants can be worth it for many reasons. Whether you’re cultivating indoors or outdoors, you can absolutely stand to benefit from this practice. As far as how you’ll benefit, let's dive into the specifics.

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BENEFITS OF COMPANION PLANTING

Some of the advantages of companion planting may be rather obvious, and others less so. We want to cover them all, so let’s take a look at what companion plants can do for you!

PROTECTS CANNABIS FROM WIND AND WEATHER

Larger companion plants provide natural protection from Mother Nature’s fickle impulses. They can shelter your plants from strong winds and rain, and provide cool shade during the hot summer months. This is advantageous in all climates, whether you’re growing somewhere with plenty of sun or in a region with stormier weather.

DETERS UNWANTED PESTS AND INSECTS

There are several ways companion plants can keep pests and insects away. Some herbs and flowers release chemicals into the air or directly into the soil to repel pests like aphids (mites), moths, and slugs. No need for insecticides when nature has you all covered!

That isn’t the only way companion plants can keep unwanted guests away, though. Other popular companion plants produce nectar and pollen that attract beneficial insects. Many of these good guys, like ladybugs, green lacewings, praying mantis, and others, feed on the larvae of pests. Some plants, such as garlic, also act as natural fungicides in addition to repelling insects.

PROVIDES NATURAL CAMOUFLAGE

When growing outdoors, whether it’s in your own backyard or somewhere out in the wild, you’ll want to keep your crop under the radar. It’s simple: Keep your weed hidden among other plants, and it won’t be discovered as easily. Large plants are ideal for camouflaging, especially if they resemble marijuana plants. Stinging nettle, ragweed, and others are ideal for this purpose.

IMPROVES GROWING CONDITIONS AND PROVIDES NUTRIENTS

Companion plants support optimal growing conditions for your cannabis. They can improve soil conditions for better drainage, and hinder water evaporation so you need to water less often.

Some plants, like clover and sweet pea, are nitrogen-fixing, meaning they work with bacteria to absorb nitrogen from the air, which eventually works its way into the substrate. In this way, companion plants can promote optimal N levels in the soil. Some companion plants accumulate minerals such as calcium, iron, or magnesium, which are all essential for healthy growth. Thus, with the right companion plants, you can grow organically without any fertilisers.

SUPPORTS A NATURAL AND ECO-FRIENDLY GROW

Growing only one type of plant in a large grow-op isn’t natural by any means. Indeed, the modern practice of monoculture in agriculture has brought about all kinds of downsides. These crops become particularly susceptible to pest infestations, and synthetic fertilisers and insecticides become necessary to keep them alive.

With companion plants, you can keep your cannabis garden as close to nature as possible. Think about it: When you go into a forest or meadow, you see all sorts of things growing together. Every plant helps maintain the system, and the soil is better for it. This improved soil, along with the absence of chemical fertilisers and insecticides, will make your plants (and the environment) overjoyed. It will also result in a heavy and great-tasting harvest!

BEST COMPANION PLANTS FOR CANNABIS

There are many different plants you can grow alongside your cannabis, and each offers something beneficial. Here is a short overview of some of the most common cannabis companion plants. Further below, we’ll detail which plants are best for which purpose.

Sunflower

Sunflowers, given their size, are ideal for hiding large weed plants. They also lure harmful insects away from your weed, and improve the soil in the process.

Chervil

This herb boosts the growing vigour of all surrounding plants, including cannabis. Chervil is also great for keeping slugs away, especially when planted with dill and coriander.

Dill

A popular cooking herb, dill is great for attracting honey bees and wasps. Those little guys, in turn, will feed on spider mites and caterpillars.

Yarrow

Yarrow is known for increasing essential oil production in nearby plants, along with improving and protecting the soil. It also attracts ladybugs and predatory wasps that’ll safeguard your crop.

Lemon balm

Along with appealing to humans, the powerful scent of lemon balm deters unwanted pests and attracts beneficial pollinators. The citrus aroma will also cover up the smell of cannabis.

Chamomile

Chamomile provides essential nutrients to your cannabis plants, including calcium, potassium, and sulphur. It also acts as a natural deterrent against the most common cannabis pests.

Coriander

The strong scent of coriander acts as a natural repellent against spider mites and potato beetles. In addition, the herb attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps.

Cerastium

As a “living mulch”, Cerastium provides compost for a rich and healthy soil. It also regulates moisture in the soil and prevents it from evaporating.

Sweet basil

This essential cooking herb keeps malicious insects away from your plants and attracts the good guys that protect them. The herb also improves terpene production in cannabis.

White clover

White clover is useful for providing nitrogen to surrounding plants, reducing the need for supplemental nutrients.

Red clover

Like white clover, red clover provides essential nitrogen to cannabis and other surrounding plants. Moreover, it improves the soil and allows it to drain better. It’s easy to grow, too!

Alfalfa

Alfalfa improves the soil and helps it retain water, which is useful in hot outdoor conditions! In addition, it’s yet another nitrogen-fixing plant.

Borage

Borage is a hardy plant that provides essential minerals to your plants as they grow. Even after it dies, it’ll still release valuable calcium and potassium when you compost it.

Lavender

Lavender excels as a pest and insect repellent. The distinct scent drives away aphids, mites, ticks, and moths. Mice aren’t a fan, either, so they won’t go near your weed.

Marigold

Marigolds, with the help of their scent, deter many common cannabis threats, including aphids, leafhoppers, beetles, and even rabbits. Their roots also make a great addition to compost.

BEST CANNABIS COMPANION PLANT COMBINATIONS FOR DIFFERENT PURPOSES

When it comes down to which companion plants to sow among your cannabis, consider what it is you are most concerned with. For example, maybe your main priority is deterring pests, or perhaps you want to grow your weed without additional nutrients. Maybe you just want to hide your crops from passersby. In any case, there are various plants that are perfect for the job.

Furthermore, many companion plants are best sown among others. When working in tandem, they’ll be even more effective. If you’re worrying about which combination of companion plants is best, don’t bother! We did all the work for you. At Zamnesia, you can find packs of the best companion plants for different purposes, all conveniently packaged together.

ATTRACT BENEFICIAL INSECTS (DEFENDER)

The Defender Buddy Mix Pack will stop at nothing to protect your harvest. This strong team not only keeps pests away, but attracts beneficial insects that will defend your crop.

• Contains: chamomile, dill, lavender, sunflower, and yarrow

KEEP HARMFUL INSECTS AWAY (SCARE)

The Scare Buddy Mix Pack is all about keeping the bad guys away. The plants in this pack produce essential oils that mainly act as natural insect repellents.

• Contains: basil, coriander, lavender, chervil, and marigold

IMPROVE THE SOIL (NUTRIENTS)

The Nutrient Buddy Mix Pack is sure to provide your cannabis plants with quality nutes, loading it with minerals and other essential ingredients.

• Contains: borage, white clover, red clover, alfalfa, and Cerastium

HIDE YOUR CANNABIS PLANTS (STEALTH)

If you want to conceal and protect your cannabis, the Stealth Buddy Mix Pack is for you. The plants in this pack grow tall, which is ideal for covering your tracks. They also have a strong odour that hides the smell of your weed.

• Contains: lemon balm, lavender, peppermint, marigold, and sunflower

GROW YOUR COMPANION PLANTS AT THE RIGHT TIME

Knowing how and when to plant your seeds from the Buddy Mix companion packs will be key.

For example, with the Stealth pack, it may help to let the plants mature a bit before planting your cannabis. With the Scare and Defender packs, though, you’ll want to make sure they’re blooming by the time your cannabis plants become a target for pests. Keep all of these timing issues in mind as you plan out your grow.

If you want more information on these pairings, be sure to check out our guide on how to best utilise the Buddy Mix Companion Packs.