Companion Planting: Bush Beans

Phaseolus vulgaris

Spacing: 9 per square foot. Mature height: 1-2 ft.

Plant these nearby

• Sweet Corn: The classic 'three sisters' pairing. WSU Extension confirms the real mechanism: corn stalks give beans something to climb, beans fix nitrogen the corn uses, and squash (the third sister) shades the soil to suppress weeds. (source)
• Cucumber: Beans fix nitrogen that heavy-feeding cucumbers use.

Keep these apart

• Onion: Alliums are traditionally kept off legume beds on the theory that they inhibit nitrogen-fixing bacteria, but WSU Extension's review of companion-planting research found no scientific basis for that specific mechanism — treat this as garden tradition, not measured evidence. (source)
• Garlic: Alliums are traditionally kept off legume beds on the theory that they inhibit nitrogen-fixing bacteria, but WSU Extension's review of companion-planting research found no scientific basis for that specific mechanism — treat this as garden tradition, not measured evidence. (source)

Common pairings, answered directly

Can I plant bush beans next to sweet corn?

Yes. The classic 'three sisters' pairing. WSU Extension confirms the real mechanism: corn stalks give beans something to climb, beans fix nitrogen the corn uses, and squash (the third sister) shades the soil to suppress weeds.

Can I plant bush beans next to cucumber?

Yes. Beans fix nitrogen that heavy-feeding cucumbers use.

Can I plant bush beans next to onion?

Better not to. Alliums are traditionally kept off legume beds on the theory that they inhibit nitrogen-fixing bacteria, but WSU Extension's review of companion-planting research found no scientific basis for that specific mechanism — treat this as garden tradition, not measured evidence.

Can I plant bush beans next to garlic?

Better not to. Alliums are traditionally kept off legume beds on the theory that they inhibit nitrogen-fixing bacteria, but WSU Extension's review of companion-planting research found no scientific basis for that specific mechanism — treat this as garden tradition, not measured evidence.

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Companion planting for Bush Beans: which plants to grow next to it, which to keep apart, and the reason behind each pairing.

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