The 11 Top Companions for Petunia (& 5 Foes)

1. Marigolds

Marigolds are a classic partner for petunias. They help fight off aphids, nematodes, whiteflies, and even tomato hornworms. Plus, their bright blooms bring in bees, butterflies, and hoverflies that pollinate everything nearby.

Tips for planting marigolds with petunias:

• Space marigolds about 8-10 inches apart so they don’t crowd your petunias and both plants have enough room to grow.

• Deadhead marigolds regularly to remove spent flowers and encourage continuous blooming throughout the season.

• Use marigolds around the edges of your garden or container to create a natural pest barrier that protects your petunias.

I’ve also found that marigolds do a great job keeping rabbits and deer from nibbling. Their bold color and natural pest control make them a must-have along garden borders.

2. Dusty Miller

Dusty miller’s deer-resistant silver leaves create a beautiful contrast with the bright colors of petunias. This low-maintenance plant is drought-tolerant and thrives in the same sunny spots as petunias. It also adds texture to your garden, breaking up the color with its soft, silvery look.

Tips for planting dusty miller with petunias:

• Plant dusty miller as a border to highlight and frame your colorful petunias, creating a balanced garden design.

• Trim dusty miller back if it starts to grow too large or overshadow your petunias to maintain a tidy appearance.

• Pair dusty miller with purple or pink petunias to create a striking and elegant color combination in your garden.

Ladybugs and ground beetles love hanging out around dusty miller, which helps keep aphids under control. It’s also tough in heat and looks good all season. 

It’s a great choice if you want something low effort but eye-catching. I’ve noticed it holds up well through heat and dry spells, so it’s perfect if you sometimes forget to water.

3. Geraniums

Geraniums are real workhorses. Not only do they add bright pops of color, but they also help repel leafhoppers, cabbage worms, and even Japanese beetles. Their scent can throw off pests, while bees, butterflies, and hoverflies flock to their flowers.

Tips for planting geraniums with petunias:

• Use geraniums in the middle or back of your garden bed to provide height and structure without blocking your petunias.

• Water geraniums deeply but let the soil dry out between waterings to prevent root rot and promote healthy growth.

• Choose contrasting colors like red geraniums with white petunias to create a bold and eye-catching garden display.

Geraniums are a classic garden flower for a reason. I like planting them as a protective barrier as they can even trap pests like beet armyworms.

4. Salvia

Salvia brings vertical beauty with its spiky blooms, and it’s a magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The leaves give off a strong scent that helps push away spider mites, aphids, and whiteflies.

Tips for planting salvia with petunias:

• Plant salvia in the back or middle row of your garden to avoid shading your petunias while adding vertical interest.

• Deadhead salvia regularly by removing faded flowers to keep it blooming and encourage more blossoms.

• Water salvia at the base of the plant to help prevent mildew and keep the foliage healthy.

Salvia’s height and color make it one of my favorite ways to fill in empty vertical spaces. Plus, watching hummingbirds stop by is always a treat.

5. Alyssum

Alyssum’s low-growing habit makes it a perfect ground cover, keeping soil cool and weeds at bay. The little blooms are a favorite of bees, lacewings, and hoverflies, and they also bring in tiny parasitic wasps that go after caterpillars and aphids.

Tips for planting alyssum with petunias:

• Plant alyssum around the edges of containers or garden beds to create a soft, trailing border that complements your petunias.

• Water alyssum regularly, especially during hot weather, since its shallow roots can dry out quickly.

• Try pairing purple alyssum with white petunias for a soft, romantic garden color scheme.

Alyssum’s scent is gentle but noticeable when you brush past it—I always like placing it near walkways so visitors can enjoy its fragrance up close.

6. Coleus

Coleus is all about those bold, colorful leaves. It’s great for filling in gaps, adding texture, and shading soil to keep it moist. Some types of coleus even have natural compounds that deter pests like root-knot nematodes.

Tips for planting coleus with petunias:

• Use coleus in the middle of a garden bed to break up blocks of color and add depth to your garden design.

• Pinch back the tips of coleus to keep the plant bushy and prevent it from getting too tall and leggy.

• Water coleus regularly, especially in hot weather, to help it stay healthy and vibrant.

Coleus can surprise you with how fast it grows. I once had a pot where the coleus doubled in size in just a few weeks—so be ready to trim as needed!

7. Verbena

Verbena blooms non-stop and brings in bees, butterflies, moths, and even helpful wasps. Its trailing habit covers bare patches and helps prevent erosion on slopes or in raised beds.

Tips for planting verbena with petunias:

• Plant verbena at the edges of containers or garden beds to allow it to spill over and create a flowing look.

• Deadhead verbena regularly by removing spent flowers to promote more blooms and keep the plant tidy.

• Water verbena deeply but allow the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent overwatering.

Verbena’s long bloom season makes it a favorite in my garden. I’ve seen it keep flowering even when other plants start fading late in summer. 

I’ve also noticed that the light scent from verbena’s leaves can also discourage spider mites and whiteflies, which is a nice bonus.

8. Snapdragons

Snapdragons stand tall and make a dramatic backdrop for petunias. Their bright blooms attract pollinators like bees, hummingbirds, and bumblebees, plus ladybugs and hoverflies that help with pest control.

Tips for planting snapdragons with petunias:

• Plant snapdragons in the back of the garden bed to create a tall backdrop behind your petunias.

• Stake taller snapdragon varieties if they start to lean or get top-heavy to keep them upright.

• Water snapdragons at the base of the plant to avoid fungal diseases that can affect the leaves.

I always think snapdragons are fun because kids (and adults) love gently squeezing the blooms to make them “talk.” They’re a playful addition to any flower bed. 

Snapdragons are sturdy and hold up well against pests and diseases, which makes them a solid choice for mixed plantings.

9. Sweet Potato Vine

Sweet potato vines have lush, trailing leaves that cover soil and shade roots, helping your garden stay cool and weed-free. It’s not the biggest pollinator plant, but it helps by discouraging soil pests like root-knot nematodes.

Tips for planting sweet potato vines with petunias:

• Let the sweet potato vine trail over the edges of containers or raised beds to create a cascading, full appearance.

• Trim the vines if they start to take over the container and crowd your petunias to maintain balance.

• Water sweet potato vine consistently to keep the foliage healthy and prevent wilting.

Sweet potato vines grow quickly—I’ve had it fill out a large pot faster than expected, so don’t be afraid to give it a trim to keep it neat. I’ve also seen them really make petunias pop with its bold foliage in green, purple, or bronze shades.

10. Lantana

Lantana is a sun-loving, heat-tolerant plant that draws butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds like crazy. Its citrusy scent is known to repel mosquitoes and other little pests, and it spreads nicely to fill in bare spots.

Tips for planting lantana with petunias:

• Place lantana where it receives full sun for most of the day to encourage strong growth and abundant blooms.

• Water lantana deeply but only when the soil feels dry to avoid overwatering.

• Deadhead lantana regularly to keep it blooming and prevent it from getting scraggly.

I’ve found lantana to be one of the toughest bloomers in hot weather—it keeps going when other flowers start to wilt.

11. Lobelia

Lobelia’s small blue blooms bring in bees, hoverflies, and syrphid flies. Its trailing habit helps cover soil, keeping it cool and cutting down 

Tips for planting lobelia with petunias:

• Use lobelia in front of petunias or around the edges of your garden bed to create a layered effect.

• Water lobelia regularly to keep the soil moist and prevent it from drying out, especially in warm weather.

• Try planting blue lobelia with pink petunias to create a fun, colorful contrast in your garden.

Lobelia adds a soft, airy touch to any planting. I love how it fills small gaps and softens the edges of containers or garden beds and it stays colorful even in cooler weather.