If you plant iceberg lettuce in a bed with the wrong neighbors, you risk diseases, pests and stunted growth. This guide calls out bad neighbors for ice cream salad. You can find out why iceberg lettuce doesn't get along with some plant neighbors here.
Which plants are bad neighbors for iceberg lettuce?
Bad neighbors for iceberg lettuce areother lettuce plantsfrom the Asteraceae family, such as lettuce, endive or romaine lettuce. Celeryprevents head formation. Parsleyspoils the taste of salad and attracts nematodes. Cucumbers as plant neighbors increase the risk of infection with lettuce rot (Sclerotinia).
Which plants should you generally not plant together?
In mixed culture you should not plantplants of the same genusnext to each other. Botanically closely related plants are instrong competition with each other due to the same water and nutrient requirements. Conspecifics of a plant family affect each other through shadows and root competition.
The best example of the basic rule of successful mixed cultivation are tomatoes and potatoes. The two nightshade plants should not be grown next to each other because of the increased risk of infection from late blight (Phytophthora infestans). The dreaded fungus first attacks potato plants. The disease then spreads to neighboring tomato plants.
Which neighbors are bad for iceberg lettuce?
Bad neighbors for iceberg lettuce are lettuce plants from theAsteraceae family (Asteraceae) and other plant species thatnegatively influence growth. The following list provides an overview:
- Salad plants: lettuce, endive, romaine lettuce and other salads from the daisy family.
- Celery (Apium): Prevents head formation in ice cream salad.
- Parsley (Petroselinum crispum): It spoils the taste of salad with bitter root exudates and attracts nematodes.
- Cucumis: Increased risk of infection from lettuce rot (Sclerotinia minor).
Tip
Iceberg lettuce good neighbors
Did you know that chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) is the best neighbor for iceberg lettuce in the bed? The herb from the umbelliferous family (Apiaceae) repels snails, prevents mildew, makes the lettuce more tender and promotes head formation. Other good ice salad neighbors include kohlrabi, radishes, leeks, beets, tomatoes, runner beans and strawberries.
