Companion planting is a great way to improve your cannabis crop, while also helping the environment. It’s an organic and cost-effective alternative to chemical pesticides.
Many companion plants emit odors and scents that naturally deter cannabis pests. Others are attractants to pollinators and other beneficial insects. These insects, in turn, help to keep your cannabis plants healthy and pest-free.
Beans
Companion planting in cannabis cultivation is a strategy that helps to optimize the growing environment, increasing the crop’s yield while also promoting the health of the primary plant. It falls under the umbrella of permaculture, a practice that aims to replicate natural ecosystems in a contained space.
The most common companion plants for cannabis cultivation are those that repel pests, attract beneficial insects, and increase the soil’s health. For indoor growers, this can be especially useful as it allows them to keep their cannabis environment pest-free without relying on chemicals.
For outdoor growers, a cover-crop can help to protect the cannabis plants from moisture loss and prevent pests from taking control. These cover crops also provide essential nutrients for the plants, improve the texture of the soil, and encourage beneficial microbes to flourish.
Another common companion plant is a legume. This type of plant works with bacteria in the soil to “fix” atmospheric nitrogen, which is essential for a cannabis garden’s health.
Aside from improving the soil, beans also increase the amount of nitrogen that is available to the cannabis plant. This can be a significant help to the overall development of your marijuana crop as nitrogen is critical for healthy photosynthesis and flowering.
Other companion plants can also be planted next to the cannabis plant, such as lavender and southernwood. These two plants deter pests such as aphids, fleas, and ticks by emitting aromas that repel them. They also add shade to the growing area and discourage weeds from growing.
Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums are a great companion plant for cannabis cultivation because they help trap aphids and repel unwanted insects. They also have a strong smell, which can keep nosey onlookers away from your garden.
These flowers are hardy perennials that grow well in most regions. They are easily grown in containers and can be planted indoors or out in the garden. For best results, plant them in early spring or at least 6 weeks before a killing frost occurs.
There are thousands of different varieties of mums, each one with its own unique color, shape, and size. Some chrysanthemum cultivars are hardy, while others require special care and attention in order to thrive.
While they are popular in the home and in floral design, chrysanthemums have rich symbolic meaning in cultures around the world. They can symbolize devoted love, loyalty, happiness, longevity, and joy.
In addition to their vibrant colors and beautiful appearance, chrysanthemums are known for their medicinal benefits. They have been used as a folk medicine in various countries for hundreds of years.
They are a member of the Compositae family, which includes daisies, sunflowers, and other related flowers. These plants are native to Europe and East Asia, but they have been cultivated for thousands of years.
Chrysanthemums are cultivated in many regions of the world, and they are highly prized as ornamental flowers. They are especially favored in Japan, where they are considered an imperial symbol and an important part of their national culture.
Borage
Borage is a common, easy-to-grow annual herb that grows well in most soils. It can grow to 12-18 inches wide, and self-seeds so it will continue to spread. It also has blue flowers, which attract pollinators.
Its flowers and leaves are a popular source of borage oil, which can be used to make herbal infused oils. The leaves can also be steamed to create borage tea.
In addition to being an excellent edible, borage is known as a great pest repellent. It can keep away cabbage worms, carrot flies and beetles, as well as aphids and other garden pests.
Borage also has a number of medicinal uses, including an anti-inflammatory and liver-protecting properties. However, you should be careful not to overdo it, as it contains a small amount of alkaloids that can damage your liver if taken long term or in combination with certain medications.
Companion planting is a horticultural technique that helps your cannabis grow better and healthier by growing other helpful plants in proximity to the weed crops. This practice is part of permaculture, which is a style of farming that mimics natural ecosystems to increase agricultural productivity.
In addition to improving your harvest quality and reducing pests, companion planting can improve soil health and microbial diversity by creating a symbiotic environment between the weed crops and other plant life. It also creates a living mulch around the weed plants, which helps to keep water in the soil and prevents erosion of topsoil.
Chamomile
Companion planting is a natural, organic and inexpensive way to enhance your cannabis crop while reducing pest damage. Many plants emit chemicals that act as natural pesticides and others help to strengthen your soil and deter harmful nematodes.
Chamomile is an herb that grows in the daisy (Asteraceae) family and has been cultivated around the world for centuries. The plant is grown for its soothing, calming effect on the body and can help improve sleep and reduce stress.
German chamomile is the more commonly used type and can be found in garden centers, health food stores, and online retailers. It grows up to 3 feet tall and features sparse, fern-like leaves with silver-white petals that bloom from a hollow receptacle.
The flower contains a wide range of compounds, including coumarins and phytosterols. It also contains antioxidants, such as apigenin and azulene.
While chamomile may have mild blood thinning effects, it’s important to speak with your doctor before taking this herb or using any chamomile-based supplements if you’re pregnant or nursing, or if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or angina. This herb also can interact with anesthetic drugs and other medicines you take regularly.
A growing number of growers are turning to companion planting as a means of increasing the quality and productivity of their crops. This holistic approach to cultivation, based on experience from the commercial greenhouse industry, offers growers a variety of benefits that can boost yield and quality, without the need for costly pesticides or other chemical fertilizers.
French Marigold
The bright, cheery orange blooms of marigolds (Calendula officinalis) are a common sight in many healthy polycultures. They are also renowned for warding off pest insects, such as beetles and leafhoppers.
Companion planting is a great way to use herbs and flowers in your cannabis grow. It involves growing crops that, when they become full size, complement the needs of other plants in the same area, boosting the health and yields of each.
French Marigolds, which are derived from the Tagetes patula species, have small bushy plants that grow 15 to 30 cm in height with a dense arrangement of ‘rays’ that come in yellow, orange and a unique bronze color. These heat-loving annuals can be planted in beds or containers and will bloom until frost.
These flowers are very easy to grow and require little care. Plant them in well-drained soil that is moist but not soggy. They are best grown in full sun, but dappled light will prolong their flowering period.
The roots of marigolds contain a chemical that can help to deter root-knot nematodes, which are microscopic and harmful to plants. These nematodes can rob plants of essential nutrients and decrease their growth rate, resulting in reduced yields.
Garlic
Garlic is a good candidate for a symbiotic relationship with cannabis as it’s known to boost nitrogen levels. Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients in cannabis cultivation and if not properly replenished can lead to discoloration, slow growth or even plant death. Using it to its best advantage is the key to a successful and rewarding crop.
Aside from a few other greens to consider, garlic is the top of the class when it comes to cannabis companion plants, especially if you’re growing outdoors. It has many useful properties, including a strong root system, improved soil moisture retention and a plethora of small seeds that you’ll need to get started. You’ll be rewarded with a robust, disease-resistant harvest in no time. The most important thing to remember is that it takes a bit of patience and research to get it right.
