18 Flowers for the Vegetable Garden To Encourage Big Harvests

Borage

With its vibrant blue star-shaped flowers, Borage is more than just a pretty addition to your vegetable garden. Here are some insights into why Borage is a beneficial companion plant:

• Companion Planting Benefits: Borage attracts pollinators like bees and other beneficial insects to your garden, aiding in pollinating nearby vegetables.
• Edible Flowers: The edible flowers of Borage can be used as an attractive garnish or infused into beverages for a hint of cucumber flavor.
• Natural Pest Repellent: This herb deters pests such as tomato hornworms due to its strong scent that confuses and repels these insects.
• Soil Enrichment: Borage has deep roots that help break up compacted soil, improving drainage and nutrient absorption for neighboring plants.

Incorporating Borage into your vegetable garden adds visual appeal and contributes to your crops’ overall health and productivity.

Nasturtium

Grow nasturtiums in the vegetable garden, and you can effectively tick off several garden benefits:

• Companion Planting: Nasturtiums act as natural pest repellents, deterring harmful insects from attacking your vegetables.
• Edible Flowers: These vibrant blooms are visually appealing and add a peppery flavor to salads or garnishes.
• Easy to Grow: Nasturtiums thrive in poor soil conditions and require minimal maintenance and care, making them perfect for beginner gardeners.
• Attract Beneficial Insects: Beyond repelling pests, nasturtiums attract pollinators like bees and butterflies that help increase vegetable yields.

Incorporating nasturtiums into your vegetable garden can enhance its overall health and productivity while adding aesthetic appeal.

French Marigold

French Marigolds are not just pretty flowers; they also offer fantastic benefits when planted in a vegetable garden:

• Natural Pest Control: These marigolds release a substance that repels harmful insects like nematodes, protecting your vegetables naturally.
• Attract Beneficial Insects: They attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs and hoverflies, which prey on pests that can damage your vegetable plants.
• Companion Planting: Marigold companion plants such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants thrive when planted near these lovely flowers. French marigolds will help improve the growth and flavor of these vegetables.
• Soil Enhancement: The roots of French Marigolds excrete a substance that helps to suppress root-knot nematodes in the soil, benefiting neighboring vegetable plants.

Incorporating French Marigolds into your vegetable garden adds vibrant color. It promotes healthier plant growth through natural pest control methods and soil enhancement.

Cosmos

Cosmos flowers are beautiful additions to a vegetable garden and beneficial for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.

• Attracts Beneficial Insects: Cosmos’ vibrant colors and nectar-rich flowers attract pollinators, aiding in the pollination of vegetable plants.
• Low Maintenance: These flowers require minimal care, making them ideal for busy gardeners looking to add color without extensive upkeep.
• Companion Planting Benefits: When planted alongside vegetables like tomatoes and peppers, cosmos can help deter pests while enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the garden.
• Long Blooming Period: Planting cosmos in late spring will mean blooms from early summer to fall, providing continuous color throughout the growing season.

Incorporating Cosmo flowers into your vegetable garden adds visual appeal and contributes to a healthier ecosystem by supporting essential pollinators.

Lavender

Lavender is a beautiful addition to your vegetable garden and serves practical purposes.

• Natural Pest Repellent: Lavender’s scent deters pests like mosquitoes, flies, and moths from harming your vegetables.
• Attracts Beneficial Insects: Bees and butterflies are drawn to lavender, aiding in pollination for better crop yield.
• Lavender Companion Planting: Pairing lavender with certain vegetables can help repel pests that could damage or destroy crops.
• Aromatherapy Benefits: The fragrance of lavender can create a calming atmosphere in your garden while potentially reducing stress for the gardener.

Consider planting lavender alongside tomatoes to deter tomato hornworms or near cabbage to fend off cabbage moths.

Sunflower

Sunflowers are beautiful additions to a vegetable garden and serve practical purposes. Here are some insights into why sunflowers can be beneficial in your vegetable patch:

• Pollinator Magnet: Sunflowers attract bees and other pollinators, enhancing the overall yield of your vegetable plants.
• Natural Support: The tallest sunflowers can act as natural trellises for climbing vegetables like beans or cucumbers, providing support without additional structures.
• Soil Enrichment: When sunflowers mature, their large roots help break up compacted soil and draw nutrients from deep within the earth, enriching the soil for other plants.
• Sunflower Companion Plants: Sunflowers can act as “trap crops,” luring pests away from your vegetables. For example, they may organically control aphids away from more delicate plants.
• Aesthetic Value: Beyond their functional benefits, sunflowers add color and visual interest to your garden space. Their vibrant blooms create an attractive backdrop for your veggies.

Sweet Pea

Sweet peas are not just one of the best-smelling flowers but are also beneficial in vegetable gardens.

• Companion Planting: Sweet peas attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, benefiting neighboring vegetables.
• Natural Pest Control: Due to their strong fragrance, these flowers help deter pests such as aphids.
• Nitrogen Fixation: Sweet peas belong to the legume family, enriching the soil with nitrogen beneficial for other plants.
• Vertical Growth: Their climbing nature makes them ideal for vertical gardening, maximizing space in your garden.

These lovely, sweet, scented flowers can enhance the aesthetics of your vegetable garden while providing numerous practical benefits.

Zinnia

Zinnias are bright, hardy flowers that can add a colorful splash to any vegetable garden. 

• Companion Planting: Zinnias attract pollinators like butterflies and bees, which can benefit neighboring vegetables by enhancing pollination.
• Disease Resistance: These flowers are known for their resistance to powdery mildew, a common issue in many gardens, making them a low-maintenance addition.
• Versatile Sizes: Zinnias come in various heights, from compact types suitable for borders or containers to taller types ideal for the back of flower beds.
• Extended Blooms: With proper deadheading (removing spent blooms), zinnias can continue blooming throughout the summer and into fall.
• Color Variety: From bold reds and oranges to soft pinks and whites, zinnias offer an array of colors that can complement different vegetable plants aesthetically.

Pansy

Pansies are not just pretty flowers that add color to your garden. They also offer a variety of benefits to your vegetable garden.

• Natural Pest Control: Pansies can repel certain insects like beetles and caterpillars, protecting your vegetables naturally.
• Attract Beneficial Insects: These vibrant blooms attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing the overall health of your garden.
• Companion Planting: Pairing pansies with vegetables such as tomatoes or peppers can improve growth and deter pests.

Consider these additional insights about pansies in your vegetable garden:

• Edible Flowers: Some varieties of pansies are edible and make a wonderful addition to salads or desserts.
• Season Extender: Pansies can bloom well into the fall, adding color when other plants start to fade.

For more growing information read our guide on how to care for pansies.

Petunia

Petunias are vibrant, easy flowers to grow from seeds that can enhance the beauty of your vegetable garden.

• Companion Planting: Plant petunias near vegetables like tomatoes to help repel pests like aphids.
• Color Variety: Available in various colors, from soft pastels to bold hues, adding visual appeal to your garden.
• Low Maintenance: Petunias require minimal care and thrive in full sun with well-drained soil.
• Attract Pollinators: These flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, promoting better fruit set in nearby vegetables.

Petunias can be ornamental additions and functional companions in your vegetable garden setup. You should keep on top of deadheading petunias to ensure they do not get too leggy, and continue to bloom throughout the season.

Dahlia

Dahlias are not only beautiful but also beneficial for vegetable gardens:

• Companion Planting: Dahlias attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing the overall garden ecosystem.
• Late Bloomers: Their late blooming season ensures a pop of color in the garden when other flowers may be fading.
• Variety: With over 42 species and thousands of cultivars, dahlias offer various colors, shapes, and sizes.
• Versatile Use: They can be planted as standalone ornamental plants or used to create stunning mixed borders within vegetable patches.

Dahlias require some care:

1. Sunlight Requirements: Plant in full sun for optimal growth.
2. Well-Drained Soil: Ensure soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging, which can harm dahlia tubers.
3. Regular Deadheading: Remove faded blooms to encourage continuous flowering throughout the season.

Sweet Alyssum

Sweet Alyssum adds beauty to your vegetable garden and is a beneficial companion plant. Here are some key insights about this lovely flower:

• Attracts Beneficial Insects: Sweet Alyssum attracts pollinators like bees and hoverflies, which can enhance the pollination of your vegetable plants.
• Natural Pest Control: This flowering plant lures beneficial insects that prey on common garden pests, helping to control pest populations in your garden naturally.
• Ground Cover: Its low-growing nature makes it an excellent ground cover that can help retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth around your vegetables.
• Fragrance: The sweet scent of Sweet Alyssum can add a pleasant aroma to your garden while also acting as a natural air freshener.
• Easy to Grow: Known for its hardiness and ability to thrive in various conditions, Sweet Alyssum is easy to grow, even for beginner gardeners.

Incorporating Sweet Alyssum into your vegetable garden enhances its visual appeal, promotes biodiversity, and aids in maintaining a healthy ecosystem within your gardening space.

Mums

Mums, also known as chrysanthemums, are versatile flowers that can enhance the beauty of your vegetable garden in various ways:

• Pest Control: Planting mums around your vegetables can help deter pests due to their natural insect-repelling properties.
• Companion Planting: They make excellent companions for vegetables like tomatoes and peppers, promoting healthier growth.
• Late Season Color: Mums bloom late into the season, providing vibrant colors when other plants may be fading.
• Low Maintenance: These flowers are generally low maintenance once established, requiring minimal care while adding visual appeal.

Lupine

To enhance soil fertility, grow lupins in your garden to fix nitrogen in the soil. But lupines, with their brilliant candy-colored spires bring so much more to the garden:

• Nitrogen Fixation: Lupines host root nodule bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into plant-usable form.
• Diversity: With over 200 species available, lupines offer a wide range of colors and sizes to add beauty and diversity to any garden setting.
• Attract Pollinators: The vibrant flowers of lupines attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, promoting biodiversity in the garden ecosystem.
• Soil Improvement: As lupines grow, they help break up compacted soils with deep taproots, improving drainage and aeration.

Incorporating lupines into your vegetable garden not only adds aesthetic appeal but also contributes significantly to the health and productivity of your crops.

Calendula

Calendula, also known as pot marigold, is a versatile flower that offers more than just beauty in the vegetable garden.

• Companion Planting: Calendula attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies while repelling pests like aphids, making it an excellent companion plant for vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers.
• Edible Flowers: The petals of calendula flowers are edible and can be used to add color and flavor to salads, soups, or desserts.
• Medicinal Properties: This flower has been traditionally used for its medicinal properties. It is known for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities.
• Easy to Grow: Calendula can grow from seed directly in the garden bed. It thrives in full sun and is planted in well-draining soil.
• Bright Colors: With vibrant yellow and orange hues, Calendula adds color to your vegetable garden, attracting beneficial insects.

California Poppy

California poppies are not only beautiful additions to a vegetable garden but also offer several benefits:

• Attracts Beneficial Insects: These vibrant flowers lure pollinators like bees and butterflies in early spring when food is scarce. It lets the pollinators know that your garden is where food can be found early in the season.
• Natural Pest Control: By attracting beneficial insects, California poppies can help control harmful pests that may damage your vegetables.
• Soil Health: The deep taproot system of these flowers helps improve soil structure by breaking up compacted soil and enhancing drainage.
• Low Maintenance: California poppies are drought-tolerant and require minimal care once established, making them ideal for busy gardeners.

These stunning blooms come in shades of orange, yellow, and red, adding a splash of color to your vegetable patch while providing valuable ecosystem services. Consider planting California poppies alongside your veggies to create a visually appealing and functional garden space.

German Chamomile

German Chamomile is a versatile flower that can benefit your vegetable garden in various ways:

• Natural Pest Control: The strong scent of German Chamomile helps repel pests like aphids, beetles, and ants.
• Attract Beneficial Insects: This flower attracts beneficial insects such as hoverflies and parasitic wasps that prey on harmful garden pests.
• Improves Soil Quality: German Chamomile enhances soil quality by increasing nutrient levels and promoting healthy microbial activity when planted near vegetables.
• Companion Planting Benefits: Pairing German Chamomile with certain vegetables like cucumbers or onions can enhance growth and flavor while deterring pests.

Geranium

Geraniums are beautiful flowers and beneficial additions to your vegetable garden.

• Pest Control: Geraniums can help repel pests like mosquitoes and Japanese beetles, protecting your vegetables naturally.
• Attracting Pollinators: These flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, enhancing the yield of your vegetable crops.
• Companion Planting: Placing geraniums near tomatoes can deter certain pests that affect tomato plants, promoting healthier growth.
• Variety in Colors: With a wide range of colors available, geraniums can add visual appeal to your garden while serving a purpose.

Incorporating geraniums into your vegetable garden adds aesthetic value. It contributes to a more robust and thriving ecosystem for your plants.

Expert Tips

Here are 10 extra expert tips for successfully planting flowers in a vegetable garden:

1. Opt for Native Species: Native flowers are more likely to attract local pollinators and beneficial insects. They also adapt to the local climate and soil conditions, making growing them easier.
2. Consider Flowering Times: Plant various flowers that bloom at different times throughout the growing season to ensure continuous attraction of pollinators and beneficial insects.
3. Utilize Edible Flowers: Incorporate edible flowers such as nasturtiums, borage, and violas. These can add beauty, attract pollinators, and serve as garnishes or additions to salads.
4. Plan for Height and Spread: Be mindful of the mature height and spread of flowers to ensure they don’t overshadow or crowd out your vegetables. Plant taller flowers at the north side of the garden to avoid shading.
5. Practice Crop Rotation: Including flowers in your crop rotation plan can help break pest and disease cycles. Rotate where you plant flowers each year, along with vegetables.
6. Provide Support if Needed: Some flowers, like tall varieties of cosmos or sunflowers, may require staking or support to prevent them from falling over and potentially damaging nearby vegetables. Vertical vegetable gardening also makes the best use of small gardening spaces.
7. Use Plants that Repel Pests: Certain flowers, such as chrysanthemums and petunias, can help repel unwanted insects. Strategically placing these can reduce the need for chemical pest controls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Remarks

Incorporating a variety of flowers into your vegetable garden enhances its aesthetic appeal. It provides numerous benefits, such as attracting pollinators, deterring pests, and promoting biodiversity. Each flower discussed in this article brings unique characteristics that can contribute to your garden’s overall health and productivity. By strategically planting these flowers alongside your vegetables, you can create a harmonious ecosystem supporting plant growth and beneficial insects.

Related Posts

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on February 19, 2020, and was updated on February 9, 2024 to add additional beneficial flowers, frequently asked questions, and expert tips.