Growing watermelons can be a fun and rewarding experience for home gardeners. These juicy fruits are a summer favorite, but they need the right conditions to thrive. Planting companions around your watermelons can help or hurt their growth.
Some plants can harm your watermelons if grown nearby. These bad companions might compete for nutrients, attract pests, or spread diseases. Knowing which plants to avoid planting near your watermelons can make a big difference in your harvest.
In this article, we'll cover
1. Cabbage
Cabbage is not a good companion for watermelon. Here’s what you need to know about cabbage:
- Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea
- Growing Zones: 2-11
- Soil Needs: Rich, well-draining soil
- Water Needs: Moderate
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Mature Size: 12-18 inches tall, 18-24 inches wide
Cabbage and watermelon don’t get along well in the garden. They have different needs and can cause problems for each other. Cabbage likes cooler weather, while watermelons love heat.
Cabbage plants can take up lots of nutrients from the soil. This means your watermelons might not get enough food to grow big and tasty. The heavy leaves of cabbage can also shade your watermelon plants, which need lots of sun.
Both plants can attract pests that hurt each other. Cabbage worms might move to your watermelons, causing damage. It’s best to keep these two plants far apart in your garden to avoid these issues.
2. Cucumber
Cucumbers are not good companions for watermelons. They belong to the same plant family and share similar needs.
- Botanical Name: Cucumis sativus
- Growing Zones: 4-11
- Soil Needs: Well-draining, rich soil
- Water Needs: Regular, consistent moisture
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Mature Size: 6-8 inches long for slicing cucumbers
Planting cucumbers near watermelons can lead to problems. Both plants attract the same pests, like cucumber beetles and squash bugs. These insects can quickly spread between the crops.
Cucumbers and watermelons also compete for nutrients and water. This can slow growth and reduce fruit production for both plants. You might end up with smaller watermelons and fewer cucumbers.
The vines of these plants can tangle together, making it hard to care for them. It’s best to keep cucumbers and watermelons in separate areas of your garden. This way, you can give each crop the space and care it needs to thrive.
3. Pumpkin
Pumpkins don’t make good neighbors for watermelons. Both plants belong to the same family, which can cause problems.
- Botanical Name: Cucurbita pepo
- Growing Zones: 3-9
- Soil Needs: Rich, well-draining soil
- Water Needs: Moderate
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Mature Size: Vines can spread 10-20 feet
Pumpkins and watermelons compete for the same nutrients in the soil. This can lead to smaller fruits and less tasty melons.
These two plants also attract similar pests. Planting them together might bring more bugs to your garden.
Pumpkin vines grow fast and can take over your watermelon patch. They might crowd out your melons and block their sunlight.
Both plants need lots of space to sprawl. Putting them side by side can make your garden feel cramped and messy.
Try growing pumpkins in a different part of your garden instead. This will help keep your watermelons happy and healthy.
4. Zucchini
Zucchini is another plant you should avoid planting near your watermelons. Here’s some key info about zucchini:
- Botanical Name: Cucurbita pepo
- Growing Zones: 3-9
- Soil Needs: Rich, well-draining soil
- Water Needs: Moderate, consistent moisture
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Mature Size: 2-3 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide
Zucchini and watermelons don’t make good garden buddies. They’re both part of the cucurbit family, which means they attract the same pests and diseases.
Cucumber beetles and squash bugs love both plants. If these pests show up, they can quickly spread between your zucchini and watermelons. This makes it harder to control infestations.
The two plants also compete for the same nutrients in the soil. Zucchini and watermelons are both heavy feeders. Planting them together can lead to stunted growth and lower yields for both crops.
To keep your watermelons happy, it’s best to plant zucchini in a different part of your garden. This way, you can enjoy both tasty veggies without any problems.
5. Squash
Squash is not a good companion plant for watermelon. Here’s what you need to know about squash:
- Botanical Name: Cucurbita species
- Growing Zones: 3-10
- Soil Needs: Rich, well-draining soil
- Water Needs: Moderate
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Mature Size: Varies by type, typically 2-3 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide
Squash and watermelon are both part of the cucurbit family. This means they can attract the same pests and diseases.
Planting them together can lead to bigger pest problems. Cucumber beetles and squash bugs love both plants.
These pests can quickly spread between squash and watermelon. They can damage your crops and spread harmful diseases.
Both plants also need a lot of space to grow. Their vines can tangle and compete for nutrients in the soil.
It’s best to keep squash and watermelon in separate areas of your garden. This will help protect both plants and give them room to thrive.
6. Radish
Radishes may seem like a good companion for watermelons, but they’re actually not ideal neighbors. Here’s what you need to know about radishes:
- Botanical Name: Raphanus sativus
- Growing Zones: 2-11
- Soil Needs: Well-draining, loose soil
- Water Needs: Moderate
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun to partial shade
- Mature Size: 6-18 inches tall
Radishes and watermelons compete for the same nutrients in the soil. This can slow down the growth of your watermelon plants and reduce their fruit yield.
Both plants also have similar water needs. When planted together, they might fight for water resources, leaving one or both plants underwatered.
Radishes grow quickly and can shade young watermelon seedlings. This can stunt the growth of your watermelon vines, which need plenty of sunlight to thrive.
Some pests that attack radishes, like flea beetles, may also harm watermelon plants. Planting them together could increase pest problems in your garden.
Instead of radishes, try planting bee-friendly flowers near your watermelons. This can help attract pollinators and boost your watermelon harvest.
7. Potato
Potatoes don’t make good neighbors for watermelons. Here’s what you need to know about potatoes:
- Botanical Name: Solanum tuberosum
- Growing Zones: 3-10
- Soil Needs: Well-draining, slightly acidic
- Water Needs: Moderate
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Mature Size: 1-3 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide
Potatoes and watermelons compete for the same nutrients in the soil. This can lead to poor growth for both plants. Potatoes also attract pests that can harm watermelons.
The Colorado potato beetle is a big problem. It feeds on potato plants but can move to your watermelons too. This pest can damage watermelon leaves and spread diseases.
Potatoes and watermelons have different watering needs. Watermelons like less water as they grow, while potatoes need steady moisture. This makes it hard to care for both in the same area.
To keep your watermelons happy, it’s best to plant potatoes in a different part of your garden. This will help both crops thrive without causing problems for each other.
8. Carrot
Carrots might seem like a good garden buddy, but they’re not great pals for watermelons. Here’s what you need to know about carrots:
- Botanical Name: Daucus carota
- Growing Zones: 3-10
- Soil Needs: Well-draining, sandy loam
- Water Needs: Moderate
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Mature Size: 6-12 inches tall
Carrots and watermelons have different needs. While watermelons like warm, sunny spots, carrots can handle cooler temps. This makes it tricky to keep both happy in the same space.
The main issue is root competition. Both plants have shallow roots that spread out. They’ll fight for water and nutrients in the soil. This can lead to smaller watermelons and stunted carrots.
Carrots also attract pests that watermelons don’t like. Carrot rust flies and root-knot nematodes can cause problems for your watermelon patch.
Lastly, carrots need more frequent watering than watermelons. This extra moisture can lead to fungal issues for your melons. It’s best to keep these two plants in separate garden beds.
9. Onion
Onions aren’t great companions for watermelons. Here’s what you need to know about onions:
- Botanical Name: Allium cepa
- Growing Zones: 3-9
- Soil Needs: Well-draining, fertile soil
- Water Needs: Moderate
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Mature Size: 1-3 feet tall
Onions can harm your watermelon plants. They release chemicals that might slow down watermelon growth. This can lead to smaller fruits and less tasty melons.
Onions also compete with watermelons for water and nutrients. Your watermelon vines need lots of space and resources to thrive. Onions can get in the way and limit what’s available for your melons.
The strong smell of onions can confuse bees and other pollinators. This makes it harder for them to find and pollinate your watermelon flowers. Good pollination is key for big, juicy melons.
It’s best to plant onions far away from your watermelon patch. This will help both plants grow better and give you a better harvest.
10. Mint
Mint can cause problems when planted near watermelons. Here’s what you need to know:
- Botanical Name: Mentha spp.
- Growing Zones: 3-11
- Soil Needs: Moist, well-draining
- Water Needs: Regular
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun to partial shade
- Mature Size: 1-2 feet tall, 2-3 feet wide
Mint is a fast-growing herb that can take over your garden quickly. It spreads through underground runners and can compete with watermelons for space, water, and nutrients.
When you plant mint near watermelons, it may steal resources the melons need to grow and produce fruit. This can lead to smaller watermelons or fewer fruits on each vine.
Mint’s strong scent can also confuse pollinators. Bees and other insects might have trouble finding your watermelon flowers, which could result in poor pollination and fewer melons.
To keep your watermelons happy, it’s best to grow mint in a separate area of your garden or in containers. This way, you can enjoy both plants without them interfering with each other’s growth.