Absolutely! Companion planting in urban planter boxes is a fantastic way to maximize your limited space, improve plant health, and naturally deter pests. The key is selecting plants with complementary growth habits and benefits. Here are some highly effective combinations for your containers.
For a classic and practical trio, try planting tomatoes, basil, and marigolds together. Basil is believed to enhance the flavor of tomatoes and repel flies and mosquitoes, while marigolds deter nematodes and other garden pests with their roots. Ensure your planter is deep enough (at least 12-18 inches) for the tomato roots.
Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, or kale grow wonderfully with taller plants that provide partial shade in hot weather. Pair them with onions, chives, or garlic around the edges. The alliums help mask the scent of greens from pests like aphids. Herbs such as dill and cilantro also attract beneficial insects that protect your salad garden.
For a fragrant and pest-repelling box, combine rosemary, sage, and thyme. These Mediterranean herbs enjoy similar well-drained soil and sunny conditions. Their strong scents confuse and repel many common insects. You can underplant them with low-growing creeping thyme or oregano.
Avoid planting heavy feeders like tomatoes or peppers with other heavy feeders in the same box, as they will compete for nutrients. Instead, pair them with light feeders like carrots or radishes. Always group plants with similar needs for sunlight, water, and soil type. With thoughtful pairings, your urban planter boxes will become a productive and beautiful mini-ecosystem.