If your pokok buah isn’t growing the way you hoped, the problem might not be the tree — it might be what’s growing around it.
Just like people, plants have neighbours they like (and some they don’t). In gardening, this is called companion planting — pairing plants that support each other’s growth.
In this guide, we’ll show you the top 5 companion plants you should grow near mango, papaya, and lime trees for better fruiting, fewer pests, and healthier soil.
🌿 What is Companion Planting (and Why Should You Care)?
Companion planting is the practice of strategically planting other crops near your main trees to:
✅ Repel pests
✅ Improve pollination
✅ Add nutrients to the soil
✅ Maximize small space gardens
✅ Boost overall harvest and plant health
🥭 1. Lemongrass (Serai) — Best for Mango & Lime Trees
Lemongrass is a natural mosquito and aphid repellent, and its scent helps confuse pests that target fruit trees.
Why it Works:
- Deters whiteflies, aphids, and mealybugs
- Doesn’t compete for nutrients (shallow root)
- Adds a natural pest barrier around tree base
🌱 Grow in a ring around your tree or in pots nearby.
🌸 2. Marigold (Bunga Tahi Ayam) — Best for All Fruit Trees
This flowering plant may not be edible, but it’s a champion for pest control.
Why it Works:
- Releases compounds that repel nematodes (bad soil worms)
- Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects
- Easy to grow and adds colour to your kebun
🌼 Plant near mango or lime trees to keep roots healthy and flowers buzzing.
🌰 3. Peanuts (Kacang Tanah) — Best for Papaya
Yes, really! Peanuts are legumes, which means they “fix” nitrogen in the soil — feeding your papaya tree naturally.
Why it Works:
- Improves soil fertility
- Ground cover prevents weed growth
- Bonus: edible harvest!
🌿 Plant a border of peanuts around papaya beds, or in a shared raised bed.
🌿 4. Daun Kesum (Vietnamese Coriander) — Best for Lime Trees
Lime trees (pokok limau kasturi or nipis) often get root rot in poor drainage. Daun kesum loves moist soil and can act like a natural living mulch.
Why it Works:
- Covers soil and reduces water evaporation
- Attracts pollinators and repels mosquitoes
- Useful in the kitchen (hello asam laksa!)
🌿 Grow kesum on the shadier side of your lime tree to help trap moisture.
🌾 5. Sweet Basil (Selasih) — Best for Mango & Papaya
Sweet basil helps deter fruit flies and hornworms, while also encouraging more pollinators to visit your tree flowers.
Why it Works:
- Strong scent confuses pests
- Great for cooking and herbal use
- Helps fill empty ground space around trees
🪴 Plant near the trunk in partial shade (not under heavy canopy).
🚫 Plants to Avoid Near Fruit Trees
| Tree | Bad Companion | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mango | Onion family (garlic, bawang) | Can slow root growth |
| Papaya | Potato or pumpkin | Competes for nutrients & spreads soil fungus |
| Lime | Other citrus trees | Invite the same pests (fruit flies, aphids) in clusters |
💧 Spacing Tips for Companion Plants
| Plant | Distance from Tree |
|---|---|
| Lemongrass | 30–50cm from trunk |
| Marigold | 40–60cm |
| Peanuts | Around base, in sunny soil |
| Kesum | In trays or along shady edge |
| Basil | 20–30cm in front of sun-facing side |
✅ Wrap-Up
Smart companion planting can turn your fruit tree into a mini ecosystem — full of life, fragrance, and flavour.
Whether you’re in a kampung, condo, or terrace lot, these companion plants give you more than just decoration — they offer real benefits for your buah pokok and garden health.
📣 Share Your Companion Combos!
Got a mango tree with basil? Papaya with kacang tanah? Show us!
📸 Tag @projectharvest.my and share your combo garden.