Raspberry companion plants can make a big difference in the health and productivity of your berry patch. Whether you’re growing red, black, or golden raspberries, surrounding them with the right neighbors can lead to stronger plants, fewer pests, and a more bountiful harvest. Companion planting is a time-tested garden strategy that uses plant relationships to support growth naturally—without relying heavily on synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.

Raspberries thrive in full sun with well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. But what you plant nearby can either help them flourish—or introduce disease and competition. In this guide, we’ll highlight the best companions to grow with raspberries and the plants you should definitely keep at a distance. You’ll also find tips on using cover crops, rotating plantings, and avoiding common pitfalls that could stunt your raspberry crop.

Table of Contents

11 Good Companion Plants for Raspberries

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Planting the right raspberry companion plants can naturally boost growth, repel pests, and improve soil health. Here’s a list of proven partners that work well alongside raspberry bushes in your garden.

Garlic

Garlic is one of the best companions for raspberries thanks to its strong sulfur-rich aroma. This natural scent repels common pests like Japanese beetles, which can damage raspberry leaves and fruit. Plus, garlic has mild antifungal properties, which may help reduce the spread of soil-borne diseases.

Leeks, Onions & Chives

These members of the allium family act as natural pest repellents. Their pungent odor deters aphids, deer, and other pests that are drawn to tender raspberry foliage. As low-growing plants, they also won’t compete with raspberries for sunlight, making them excellent under-canopy companions.

Marigolds

Marigolds are well-known for their pest-fighting abilities. They release compounds through their roots that suppress harmful nematodes—tiny, soil-dwelling worms that can attack raspberry roots. Their cheerful blooms also add beauty to your garden and attract helpful insects like ladybugs.

Lavender

Lavender is a pollinator magnet, drawing in bees and butterflies that will happily visit your raspberry flowers. Its woody stems and fragrant blooms help repel deer and other nibblers. Just be sure to give lavender well-drained soil and some elbow room to avoid overcrowding.

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are a win-win in the raspberry patch. Their peppery scent keeps away whiteflies, squash bugs, and aphids, while their bright blooms lure in pollinators. As a bonus, nasturtiums work as a trap crop, pulling pests away from your berries and onto themselves.

Yarrow

Yarrow is a low-maintenance perennial herb that benefits raspberry plants in multiple ways. Its feathery foliage attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps, while its scent helps repel harlequin beetles—pests known to damage raspberry leaves. Yarrow can also improve soil health by breaking up compacted soil with its deep roots.

Chamomile

Chamomile is more than just a calming tea ingredient—it’s also a helpful raspberry companion. This gentle herb attracts pollinators and predatory insects that feed on aphids and mites. Additionally, chamomile may enhance the flavor and growth of nearby plants through subtle chemical interactions in the soil.

Mint

Mint’s strong scent makes it a natural deterrent for aphids, one of the most common pests to target raspberries. However, mint can be extremely invasive, so it’s best grown in containers and placed near raspberry rows rather than directly in the ground. This way, you get all the benefits without letting mint overtake your garden beds.

Turnips

Turnips act as a trap crop in the garden. They attract harlequin beetles, drawing them away from your raspberry canes. These pests will often choose turnip leaves over raspberries, giving you time to control infestations before they spread. Plus, turnips are a fast-growing, dual-purpose crop—harvest the greens and roots while they do double duty.

Spring Cover Crops (Buckwheat, Rye, Millet, Oats)

Planting spring cover crops before raspberry season helps suppress weeds and enrich the soil. Varieties like buckwheat and rye improve soil texture, boost organic matter, and crowd out invasive plants. These cover crops should be tilled into the soil before they go to seed to prevent them from becoming invasive themselves.

Late-Summer Cover Crop (Spring Oats)

After your raspberries have been harvested, a late-summer cover crop like spring oats is a great follow-up. These oats absorb excess moisture, reduce erosion, and prepare your soil for the dormant season. They also help “harden off” raspberry canes by drawing nutrients and water out of the soil at just the right time.

What Not to Plant Near Raspberries

Just as there are great raspberry companion plants, there are also plants that should be kept far away. Some harbor diseases that raspberries are vulnerable to, while others compete aggressively for nutrients or require drastically different soil conditions. Avoiding these problem plants will help protect your berries from stress and decline.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are part of the nightshade family and can carry verticillium wilt, a soil-borne fungal disease that also affects raspberries. Even if the tomato plants appear healthy, they can leave harmful spores in the soil for years. Avoid planting raspberries where tomatoes have recently grown.

Blueberries

Although both are delicious fruits, blueberries and raspberries don’t mix well in the soil. Blueberries require acidic soil (pH 4.5–5.5), while raspberries prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5–6.5). Planting them side by side means one will always struggle to thrive.

Potatoes

Another nightshade, potatoes are also potential carriers of verticillium wilt. In addition, they’re heavy feeders and compete for underground nutrients and water—something raspberries don’t tolerate well.

Peppers

Peppers share the same disease risks as tomatoes and potatoes, particularly verticillium rot. If peppers were previously planted in your raspberry plot, wait at least four years before introducing raspberry plants to the area.

Strawberries

Strawberries are prone to root rot and other fungal diseases that raspberries are also sensitive to. If the soil has hosted strawberries for several years, it may harbor pathogens that could affect a new raspberry planting.

Eggplant

Another nightshade culprit, eggplant can carry and transmit verticillium wilt. Keep it well away from raspberry beds to reduce the risk of contamination.

Wild Raspberries

If you’re planting cultivated raspberries, remove any wild raspberry plants within 600 feet of your patch. Wild raspberries can carry viruses that spread quickly and compromise the health of your cultivated canes.

Boysenberries, Blackberries & Gooseberries

These berry cousins may seem like natural companions, but they can introduce fungal soil diseases that raspberries are susceptible to. It’s best to plant them in separate areas and rotate their beds regularly.

Gardening Best Practices for Healthy Raspberry Plants

Beyond choosing the right raspberry companion plants, your overall garden care routine plays a major role in the long-term success of your berry patch. Here are a few best practices to help your raspberries stay vigorous, productive, and disease-free.

Rotate Crops Every Few Seasons

Avoid planting raspberries—or their close relatives like strawberries or blackberries—in the same soil year after year. Crop rotation helps prevent the buildup of soil-borne diseases like verticillium wilt and reduces nutrient depletion. A good rule of thumb: wait 3–4 years before replanting raspberries in the same spot.

Enrich Soil with Compost

Raspberries love nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. Add organic compost each season to improve soil structure, increase microbial activity, and replenish essential nutrients. Mixing compost into the soil in early spring or late fall sets the stage for a productive growing season.

Use Fungicides with Caution

While fungicides can help control issues like cane blight or rust, they should be used only when necessary and always according to label instructions. Overuse may harm beneficial fungi in the soil or lead to chemical resistance. Focus on preventive care—like good air circulation and proper spacing—to reduce the need for chemical interventions.

Keep Beds Mulched and Weed-Free

Apply mulch around your raspberry canes to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Organic mulches like straw, shredded leaves, or wood chips are ideal. Just avoid piling mulch against the stems, which can promote rot.

Prune Regularly for Airflow

Pruning helps control plant size, improve airflow, and reduce fungal disease. Trim dead or damaged canes in early spring, and thin out overcrowded areas to keep the center of the plant open to light and air.

What Is Companion Planting?

Companion planting is the age-old gardening practice of growing specific plants side by side to promote mutual benefits—like improved growth, pest control, and enhanced soil health. While some combinations are backed by scientific research, many are rooted in generations of observation and gardening tradition.

One of the most famous examples is the “Three Sisters” method used by Indigenous farmers: corn, beans, and squash planted together. Corn provides a natural trellis for the beans, beans fix nitrogen into the soil to feed all three plants, and squash spreads across the ground, shading out weeds and retaining soil moisture.

When it comes to raspberry companion plants, the goal is similar. Choose neighbors that support healthy growth—whether by attracting pollinators, repelling pests, or enriching the soil. At the same time, avoid plants that may introduce disease or compete aggressively for nutrients.

Although not every pairing has been extensively studied, experienced gardeners often see noticeable results when they use companion planting principles consistently. It’s a natural, low-effort way to build a more resilient, productive garden.

Conclusion

Choosing the right raspberry companion plants can set the stage for a healthier, more productive berry patch. From pest-fighting herbs like garlic and mint to pollinator-friendly flowers like lavender and nasturtiums, nature offers plenty of allies to support your raspberry canes. Just as important is knowing which plants to avoid—especially those that carry soil-borne diseases or have conflicting growth needs.

Pair smart companion planting with good garden practices like crop rotation, composting, and pruning, and you’ll be rewarded with robust raspberry harvests for seasons to come.

Whether you’re starting a new bed or improving an existing one, your raspberries will thank you for the extra thought and planning.

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