Companion planting is the strategic planting of certain crops close by others, and it’s a practice that’s beneficial in several ways. Companion planting can be used to exercise pest control, provide a habitat for beneficial insects, pollinate plants, maximize the use of space in your growing area, and increase the productivity of your crops. It’s a great natural way to increase your yield and to make your plants healthier and more robust.
Companion planting is a strategy that can be implemented with almost any crop, and cannabis is certainly no exception. But, as with any other crop, it’s important to select the right companion plants to grow alongside your cannabis to ensure the best results.
If you’re growing cannabis independently, consider adding one or more of these companion plants to your grow.
You might love the smell of cannabis, but maybe you have neighbors who don’t. Or maybe you yourself prefer not to have the distinctive aroma permeate your home. Whatever the reason, many people choose to mask the smell of cannabis with such aromatic herbs as mint, rosemary, and thyme. Any of these plants contain oils powerful enough to overwhelm the smell of cannabis.
Alfalfa draws nitrogen from the air and stores it in its roots. Growing this plant alongside another, like cannabis, allows the alfalfa to release the nitrogen into the soil, where the companion plant can utilize it. Nitrogen is a major component of chlorophyll, the compound that allows plants to convert sunlight into energy, so having an abundance of it is a great way to increase the overall health of your cannabis plants. With increased energy, your cannabis is sure to thrive.
Planting chamomile alongside your cannabis is a great way to ward off destructive insects. The herb will keep out such crop destroyers as flies and nematodes. What’s more, if you brew up some chamomile tea and spray it on your cannabis crop, it will discourage the growth of fungus. Finally, spreading some cuttings of chamomile around struggling cannabis plants will give them a jump start and help them achieve growth. All in all, chamomile makes for a great companion to your cannabis plants.
If you worry that pests will invade your crop, planting a little lavender can help. Mice are repelled by its scent, as are fleas, ticks, and moths. Of course, Lavender is also pleasant to look at, and you can use the flower in soaps and perfumes, so it’s beneficial not just as a companion plant but on its own merits as well!
Planting basil alongside your cannabis has a great benefit that you can pass along to the eventual consumers of the plant—it increases the oil and resin content of the bud, making for a more potent experience. Basil is multifunctional as a companion plant, since it also resists such pests as aphids, mites, beetles, and flies, keeping them away from your garden as a whole and therefore off of your cannabis plants. Additionally, basil works well to camouflage the aroma of cannabis. If you prefer it to mint, rosemary, or thyme, its many functions may even make it the optimal companion plant for cannabis.
If you’re embarking on the journey of growing your own cannabis, you have a lot to consider. But to give your cannabis the best chance to thrive, it’s a great idea to incorporate the use of a companion plant.
Hi! this is interesting. I never thought companion planting with basil could support the oil and resin content of buds. Would you recommend them to be in the same container or keep them separate but just close to eachother? Thanks for sharing.
Looking to find your medical cannabis in a state that hasn’t yet legalized it? It may be tempting to drive across neighboring state lines with more cannabis-friendly laws. However, the number of states that will authorize qualified patients from out-of-state medical marijuana programs is still relatively small. Which States Accept Out-of-State MMJ Cards? States That…
Bipolar disorder is a complex condition that impacts millions worldwide, leading to extreme mood swings, intense emotional episodes, and difficulty managing day-to-day life. But there may be some good news for those coping with this mental health issue. According to recent research, cannabis could offer unique benefits as part of an approach to managing bipolar…
The war on drugs facilitated by the federal government has been an utter failure. Despite cannabis remaining a Schedule I classification according to the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA), meaning that it has no medicinal value, over 30 states in the United States have legalized it for its medicinal use. While this classification will remain…
Three different types of cannabidiol (CBD) oils produced by Charlotte’s Web have been banned by British regulators. The British Food Standards Agency (FSA) has also disqualified approximately 100 CBD products for undisclosed reasons. In 2018, legislation was passed by the British Parliament that effectively legalized cannabinoids like CBD and CBDA. Despite the law’s passing, CBD…
As cannabis enthusiasts, we’re all too familiar with the stigma surrounding its use and the hoops that have to be jumped through to get it into medical research trials. But recent news of the DEA’s approval of a cocaine derivative for Parkinson’s disease research has left us scratching our heads. In light of this, one…
Despite the fact that the legal cannabis industry is growing, many people are still purchasing from the illicit market. A recent study…
We sat down with the team at TerraLeaf, a medical cannabis dispensary servicing West Virginia, to ask them the Veriheal 5—five questions…
Gone are the days when cannabis was just an occasional treat—today, it’s a powerful source of holistic healing. According to a 2021…