Cannabis Garden Companions: Native WA Plants That Thrive Alongside Your Grow
In Washington’s fertile backyard plots, forest edges, and sunlit clearings, cannabis isn’t the only plant that thrives. Native plants—from fragrant herbs to resilient perennials—can serve as powerful companions to your cannabis garden, boosting health, biodiversity, and even terpene profiles.
Whether you’re growing in the misty coastal zones of the Olympic Peninsula or the sun-drenched valleys of Eastern Washington, selecting the right native plants can help you fight pests, attract pollinators, improve soil, and create a stealthy, stunning garden that’s as functional as it is beautiful.
Let’s dig in.
What Is Companion Planting—and Why It Matters
Companion planting is the practice of growing different plant species in close proximity to improve one another’s health, yield, or resilience. For cannabis growers in Washington, native companion plants can:
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Repel harmful insects naturally (no chemicals needed)
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Attract beneficial pollinators like bees and ladybugs
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Provide ground cover to retain moisture and prevent weeds
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Improve soil quality through nitrogen-fixing or nutrient cycling
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Create visual camouflage for stealth and security
But not all plants play nice. That's why sticking to native species is the smartest move.
Native Cannabis Companion Plants by Region
Washington’s ecosystems are incredibly diverse. Here are some native plants that pair well with cannabis based on where you’re growing:
Western Washington (Coastal, Rainy, Humid)
1. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
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Benefits: Attracts pollinators, deters aphids, improves soil with deep roots
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Why it works: Yarrow tolerates moisture and thrives in WA’s cloud-heavy climate.
2. Red Columbine (Aquilegia formosa)
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Benefits: Attracts hummingbirds and bees; natural camouflage with showy blooms
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Bonus: Beautiful pops of red distract from your taller green plants.
3. Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum)
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Benefits: Provides lush ground cover, keeps soil cool and moist
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Stealth tip: Use around the base of cannabis to soften visual lines and hide pots.
4. Western Mugwort (Artemisia ludoviciana)
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Benefits: Repels pests with strong aroma, low maintenance
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Pro tip: Crush a few leaves and scatter around the grow to deter gnats and whiteflies.
Eastern Washington (Hot, Dry, Sunny)
5. Oregon Sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum)
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Benefits: Drought-tolerant, attracts butterflies and bees, adds biodiversity
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Why it works: Handles full sun like a champ and doesn't compete with cannabis for water.
6. Lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus)
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Benefits: Fixes nitrogen in soil, attracts beneficial insects
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Root benefit: Great for prepping your soil for future grows too.
7. Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata)
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Benefits: Long bloom season, bright color, pollinator magnet
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Bonus: Its low height and sprawling nature provide visual distraction and weed suppression.
8. Native Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa)
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Benefits: Strong scent masks cannabis aroma, attracts predatory wasps and bees
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Survival bonus: Tolerates both drought and poor soil conditions.
Mountain/Transition Zones (Cooler Nights, Mixed Weather)
9. Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
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Benefits: Low-growing, evergreen ground cover; prevents erosion; survives temperature swings
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Why it works: Perfect for mountain plots or hillside grows with variable temps.
10. Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum)
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Benefits: Natural pest deterrent, edible, survives well-drained rocky soils
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Stealth bonus: Looks like ornamental grass but works hard under the surface.
Companion Planting Science: What to Pair (and What to Avoid)
Pairing cannabis with the right companions can help balance soil nutrients and even improve terpene expression by creating a rich ecosystem of microorganisms and support flora.
Example: Yarrow and Lupine together can enrich poor soil, while Bee Balm and Mugwort create a strong aromatic barrier that confuses pests.
Avoid planting these near your cannabis:
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Mint: Takes over quickly and competes for space and nutrients
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Fennel: Inhibits the growth of many other plants
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Sunflowers: Attract aphids and may cast too much shade
Creating a Stealth Garden With Native Plants
One of the overlooked benefits of companion planting in Washington? Stealth.
Taller flowering natives like columbine, bee balm, and mugwort can obscure your cannabis from street view or nosey neighbors. Ground covers like sword fern or kinnikinnick hide pots and keep roots cool without looking suspicious.
Mix in perennials with different bloom times for a garden that never screams “weed” but whispers “wild.”
Planting & Layout Tips
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Start seeds indoors in late winter to get a jumpstart on the growing season.
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Use native soil blends or compost to keep microbes active.
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Group plants by water needs. Don’t mix drought-lovers with rain-huggers.
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Layer your heights: Ground covers at the base, cannabis in the middle, flowering perennials in the back.
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Mulch heavily with local organic matter—like shredded leaves or bark—for moisture control and camouflage.
Grow Wild, Grow Smart
Cannabis may not be native to Washington, but it sure knows how to thrive here—especially when supported by plants that are. By choosing native companions, you're not just improving your grow—you’re joining an ecosystem, increasing pollinator habitat, and creating a space that blends right into your yard or landscape.
So plant a little Yarrow. Tuck in some Lupine. Let the ferns do their thing. Your cannabis will thank you—and so will your garden.
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