The more cannabis laws are relaxed, the more people grow interested in growing their own cannabis at home. While cannabis is a hardy plant that doesn’t really require a great deal to reach maturity and produce buds as desired, certain steps you take during the growing process can make all the difference in the end quality. Companion planting with cannabis is one step growers can take to make sure their final harvested buds are as robust and cannabinoid-rich as possible.
What is companion planting?
Companion planting, simply defined, is a long-held practice of planting certain plants into the same dirt or in close proximity to one another. Research has shown that planting certain plants together can mean those plants become even more productive than usual. In the world of plants, most of them have these almost complementary attributes, such as their ability to repel pests when other plants may be pest prone or the ability to stabilize soil nutrients for a plant that needs a certain level of nutrients.
What is companion planting with cannabis?
Cannabis companion planting involves planting certain other plants in the same area as the cannabis plant to encourage the best outcomes from the final harvested plants. Just like other vegetables, cannabis has what could be called friendly and foe plants that make either good or bad combinations. Cannabis companion plants may offer a number of attributes that support the growth process, such as:
- Regulate soil temperature
- Improving the nutrients in the soil
- Helping to suppress weeds
- Retaining soil moisture
- Protecting the soil from the sun
- Attracting beneficial insects
Whatever plants are used as companions for your cannabis, be sure to do a bit of research to make sure they offer some benefit. And, be careful of plants that could be considered cannabis foes, such as those that zap the soil of nutrients or moisture the cannabis needs to thrive.
Good Cannabis Companion Plants to Consider
So, if you want to see your cannabis plants flourish and do well, you may have certain companion plants that can help. Take a look at just a few of the cannabis companion plants that have something to offer.
Stinging Nettle
Stinging nettle is often thought of as an invasive plant that doesn’t offer a lot of value. However, this particular plant is actually one of the most desirable cannabis companion plants. Stinging nettle is thought to enhance terpene production within the flowers of the cannabis plants, and it may also help with the production of oils and resins as well. The plant attracts beneficial insects and pollinators because of the small flower blooms the nettle produces. In addition, the wilted plants contain tons of nutrients that go back into the soil if they are allowed to decay in place, which can mean more nutrient-rich soil during the next planting season.
Clover, Beans, and Peas
Clover, beans, peas, and several other legume plants are great cannabis companion plants. Plants like these use surrounding bacteria to help to pull nitrogen from the air and inject it back into the soil. The bacteria used by the legumes exchange nitrogen with surrounding plants for the carbohydrates the legumes need. So, if your cannabis is planted near something like butterfly pea plants, your cannabis will automatically be getting more nitrogen.
Kale and Other Brassicas
Kale is a good plant to offer shade for the soil, which can help to retain moisture if you live in a specifically dry area. However, kale is also a good companion crop because it delivers beneficial enzymes into the soil. These enzymes may help to fight off certain pathogens that can lead to diseased cannabis plants. Not to mention, kale is a serious superfood all on its own with a number of health benefits. So the end harvest of your kale can be just as beneficial for you and your health as the cannabis grown alongside the green leafy vegetable.
Chickweed
Chickweed is a low-statured, flowering plant that is often used as a groundcover because of the way it spreads and grows densely to protect the soil from the sun. When left to flourish, the plant will create this nice mat of foliage on the ground, which can be especially important in areas that get a lot of sun. This very attribute is what makes chickweed desirable for planting alongside cannabis. However, chickweed may also add some nourishment to the soil.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are often grown in vegetable gardens as companion plants because their high stature can offer structural support for vining plants like cucumbers and gourds. However, sunflowers also bring along a host of other benefits that can be good for cannabis. For one, these tall flowers attract a lot of good, beneficial bugs to the area. Just the same, the plant can deter some pests that you do not want in your cannabis garden, such as aphids and whiteflies.
Growing Cannabis Can Be a Rewarding Experience
If you live in a state where it is legal to grow your own cannabis, growing your own can breed such a newfound appreciation for the plant. Getting to know the companion plants that can help with the process is an easy way to ensure the end buds you harvest are rich, flavorful, and healthy. To get more insight into cannabis, be sure to stay in tune with our blog here at Core Gardens and check out our high quality cannabis products.
