Avocado trees thrive most with the right companions!
Growing compatible plants near avocado trees — aka companion planting — can help create a healthier, more resilient garden.
From herbs and flowers to fruits and veggies, there are plenty of plants to grow alongside your avocado trees.
Basil and coriander are good options, while flowering plants like borage and marigold add a dash of colour to your space.
You can also explore native Aussie plants to help boost local biodiversity!
Growing Conditions | Companion Planting Chart | Herbs | Flowers | Fruits | Vegetables | Native Australian Plants | Bad Companion Plants | Companion Planting Tips
Benefits of Companion Planting for Avocado Trees
Companion planting is all about creating teamwork in the garden.
While growing avocado trees is straightforward, surrounding them with helpful plants can help keep them flourishing.
For instance, some plants can deter pests or attract pollinators, which supports avocado fruit production.
On the other hand, certain plants can improve soil structure. This enhances drainage and reduces the risk of common avocado diseases like root rot.
Avo trees do their part, too! Once mature, they provide shade and shield smaller plants from strong winds.
Growing Conditions for Avocado Companion Plants
When choosing companion plants for avocado trees, go for ones with similar growing needs.
This way, all plants can thrive together — and it makes garden care a whole lot simpler!
Since avocados love full sun, their companions should too.
But as the avocado tree grows and starts casting shade, nearby plants also need to handle dappled sunlight or part shade.
Also, look for plants that prefer occasional watering and well-drained soil with a pH of 5 to 7.
Avocado Tree Companion Planting Chart
Looking for avocado tree companion plants? Here’s a handy guide.
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A quick tip before you plant: always check your local regulations first. Some species might be considered invasive in certain regions of Australia.
And if you’re unsure, it’s a good idea to chat with a local horticulturist about the best companion plants for your avocado trees.
Herbs to Grow with Avocado
Herbs aren’t just amazing in the kitchen. They can help keep your avo trees healthy by deterring pests and attracting beneficial insects and pollinators!
Many herbs are compact, so they’re easy to tuck around your avocado even with limited garden space.
Basil
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a wonderful herb to grow near avocado trees.
This fragrant herb doesn’t just elevate many recipes. It can also keep pests away from your garden.
Moreover, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, just like avo trees.
Many gardeners say basil enhances the flavour of nearby plants by releasing organic compounds in the air and soil, so give it a try!
Coriander
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) can be quite divisive in the kitchen, as some people hate its flavour.
But if you’re a fan, we suggest growing coriander near your avocado tree!
Plant coriander in a sunny spot with a bit of afternoon shade, as too much heat can cause it to bolt too early.
You can also grow coriander in a container so you can move it indoors during extremely hot weather or when there’s frost.
Rosemary
If you’re in a drier part of Australia, rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is a good plant to grow with your avocado tree.
Over time, the herb’s root system can help improve soil structure, which supports the growth of nearby plants.
Rosemary is pretty low-maintenance, too — it’ll be happy in any soil type as long as it drains well.
From winter to spring, rosemary plants bloom blue, purple, or white flowers, adding a lovely touch to your garden.
Flowers to Grow with Avocado
Many flowering plants make great avocado companions.
Like herbs, they can deter pests and attract beneficial insects that can help with pollination.
Plus, they can add colour to your garden and make it look even more vibrant!
Borage
Borage (Borago officinalis) is often called ‘starflower’ because of its bright blue, star-shaped blooms.
It grows well in full sun to part shade and should be sheltered from strong winds — which your avocado tree can help with.
Borage is also known for drawing up minerals from the soil and making them more available to nearby plants.
As a bonus, the flowers and leaves are edible — they can add a cucumber-like flavour to drinks and salads!
Marigold
If you want your avocado trees to grow healthy roots, plant marigolds nearby!
Marigolds (Targetes) are well-loved for their vibrant flowers that come in orange, red, and yellow hues.
Beyond their beauty, marigolds help suppress nematodes in the soil, which can damage the roots of avocado trees.
Above the ground, marigolds repel garden pests like aphids and thrips, and attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and wasps.
Sunflower
Sunflowers or Helianthus annuus grow tall (up to 4m!) with upright, sturdy stems.
They prefer well-draining soils and warm climates, making them great companions for avocado trees.
Just be mindful of where you plant your sunflowers. They love the sun too, so make sure both your avo and sunflowers get plenty of light.
Also, leave enough space between them as avocado trees have a shallow, spreading root system while sunflowers have deep taproots.
Fruits to Grow with Avocado
Plenty of fruit trees pair well with avocado — perfect if you’re dreaming of your own orchard!
Citrus trees are a popular pick for companion planting avocados, as they thrive in similar conditions.
Just remember to consider each tree’s mature size when planting. Space them at least 5m to give the roots and canopies plenty of room.
As they grow together, these trees help regulate soil temperature and protect each other from strong winds.
And the best part? You’ll enjoy a mix of delicious, fresh fruits straight from your backyard!
Grapefruit
Like avocados, grapefruit trees (Citrus x paradisi) need plenty of sun and well-drained soil for optimal growth.
When planting them together, be mindful of spacing.
A mature grapefruit tree can reach up to 6m tall with a broad, dense canopy.
If they’re too close, your avocado and grapefruit trees might compete for sunlight and essential nutrients in the soil.
For a compact option, you can plant a dwarf grapefruit like Rio Red, which grows to just about 1–2m high.
Lemon
Lemon trees (Citrus limon) are one of the best companion plants for avocados.
These trees are known for their natural pest control properties, particularly due to their citrus scent!
You’ll find lemon trees thriving in most parts of Australia as they prefer a temperate climate. However, they might struggle in arid regions.
For a consistent, year-round supply of lemons, plant the Eureka variety! Lisbon and Meyer lemons are also popular for baking, cooking, and drinks.
Orange
Oranges (Citrus x sinensis) are another warm-climate fruit tree that you can grow with avocado trees.
Some varieties can produce fruit year-round. However, the main harvest season for oranges is during winter, from June to October.
Navel and Valencia oranges are two of the most popular varieties in Australia — both are sweet and juicy!
Vegetables to Grow with Avocado
Veggies aren’t just good for us — they’re great for the garden too!
Some vegetables can boost soil health and help protect avocado trees from pests and disease.
We recommend planting veggies in a garden bed, rather than directly in the ground under your avo tree.
This way, you won’t disturb the crops when harvesting your avocados, and the vegetables won’t interfere with the avocado tree roots.
Alliums
Alliums like garlic, leek, and onion make wonderful neighbours for avocado trees!
They help repel pests like aphids, beetles, and borers. They also release allicin in the soil, a compound with antibacterial and antifungal properties.
That means extra protection for your avocado tree’s roots!
Alliums grow best in well-drained soil and full sun, but can also benefit from some afternoon shade.
Legumes
Legumes like beans, clover, and peas are nitrogen-fixing plants that can help your avocado tree grow healthy.
They host helpful bacteria in their roots, which makes nitrogen available in the soil. That way, other plants can absorb them!
If you’re planting beans, leave about 0.5–1m of space from your avo tree to stop them from climbing the trunk.
Meanwhile, low-growing legumes like clover work well as ground cover plants. They can help retain soil moisture in arid regions.
Sweet potato
Sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) will do well near avocado trees. Both plants thrive in warm, tropical climates.
Just keep in mind that sweet potatoes won’t do well in temperatures below 10°C.
Some gardeners plant sweet potatoes beneath avocado trees. However, we recommend planting them in a raised garden bed, a little farther away.
Native Australian Plants to Grow with Avocado
Many of our very own native plants — like bottlebrush, lemon myrtle, and native frangipani — pair well with avocado trees.
Adding these natives to your garden also boosts local biodiversity!
Bottlebrush
Bottlebrush (Callistemon) is a hardy native Aussie flower that pairs well with avocado trees.
It thrives in full sun but can handle a bit of shade, and it’s not too fussy about soil type.
There are around 50 bottlebrush species to choose from, so pick the right one for your space!
Some varieties, like the weeping bottlebrush, can grow to 7–9m tall if left untrimmed.
For smaller spaces, go for a low-growing type like Little John, which stays around 1m high.
Lemon myrtle
The lemon myrtle tree (Backhousia citriodora) grows beautifully alongside avocados.
It thrives in tropical and subtropical climates like QLD, but it can also grow as a shrub in parts of SA and WA.
Lemon myrtle isn’t related to lemons, but its strong citrus scent works as a natural insect repellent.
Crush a few leaves and pop them in a bowl to help keep flies and mosquitoes away!
The fragrant leaves and flowers are also used in various recipes — from biscuits and breads to pasta.
Native frangipani
Another Aussie tree that you can grow with avocado is the native frangipani (Hymenosporum flavum).
This tree is quite low-maintenance. Plus, its upright and compact form makes it perfect even for smaller spaces.
It also attracts pollinators like bees and birds as it produces yellow flowers in spring and summer.
Bad Companion Plants for Avocados
While many plants pair well with avocado trees, there are also a few to steer clear of.
Avoid planting dense grasses and ground cover plants beneath your avocado tree.
These can hold too much moisture and block air flow around the base of the avocado tree, which increases the risk of fungal issues.
Fennel is also not a good match, as it tends to compete with avocados for nutrients.
You’ll also want to keep mint (including the native kind!) away from your avo tree. This herb spreads quickly and can get invasive.
Do not plant walnut trees near your avocados, either. They release a chemical called juglone, which can be toxic to avocados.
Avocado Companion Planting Tips
Planning is key when growing avocados with other plants. Be sure to choose companions with similar light, soil, and watering needs.
If you’re growing other trees nearby, think about their mature size. Plant them at least 5m away from each other to avoid competition for sunlight and nutrients.
It’s fine to grow smaller plants beneath your avocado tree, but try not to crowd the base.
Instead, leave some open space around the base of your avocado tree to enhance air flow around the roots.
Plus, that extra room makes harvesting avocados much easier.
With the right companion plants and a little planning, your avocado tree will thrive as part of a healthy garden!
