Andre CampbellA relatively easy-to-grow crop, the tomato plant thrives in favorable conditions. Companion planting also helps support the needs of your tomato plants.
Growing the right companion plants alongside tomatoes may help reduce pest problems, improve pollination, and support healthier plant growth. This practice may also attract beneficial insects.
Benefits of Companion Planting Tomatoes
Companion planting is the practice of growing certain plants near each other to provide mutual benefits.
When used in a tomato garden, companion planting may help improve plant health, attract beneficial insects, and make better use of garden space.
Natural Pest Control
Many companion plants produce strong scents that confuse or repel pests.
Herbs such as basil, garlic, chives, and oregano may help discourage pests. They may keep away aphids, whiteflies, thrips, and other insects that can damage tomato plants.
Attracts Pollinators
Flowers such as cosmos, marigolds, nasturtiums, and borage attract bees and other pollinators.
Tomatoes can self-pollinate [2], but visits from bees and other pollinators can improve pollination and may increase fruit production.
Bees can improve tomato pollination by vibrating the flowers. This vibration helps release pollen and may increase fruit production.
Encourages Beneficial Insects
Some companion plants attract beneficial insects.
These helpful insects include ladybugs, lacewings, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps. They feed on common tomato pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
Makes Better Use of Garden Space
Low-growing plants such as lettuce, spinach, and radishes can grow beneath taller tomato plants. This allows gardeners to harvest multiple crops from the same area.
Improves Soil Health
Legumes, such as peas and bush beans, help add nitrogen to the soil. They do this through a natural process involving beneficial bacteria that live on their roots.
This can support healthier plant growth over time.
Helps Suppress Weeds
Ground-covering companion plants can shade the soil and reduce weed growth. Fewer weeds mean less competition for water and nutrients.
What to Plant with Tomatoes
Below are some of the best companion plants for tomatoes, along with the reasons gardeners often grow them together.
Different companion plants provide different benefits. Some attract pollinators, others help improve soil health, and some may discourage common tomato pests.
1. Basil
Basil may help repel thrips and whiteflies while attracting pollinators. It is one of the most popular tomato companion plants.
2. Borage
Borage attracts bees and other beneficial insects. It may also help deter tomato hornworms.
3. Celery
Celery grows well near tomatoes and makes efficient use of garden space without competing heavily for nutrients.
4. Bush Beans
Bush beans help improve soil health through nitrogen fixation and can contribute nutrients to future crops.
5. Chives
The strong scent of chives may help deter aphids and other insect pests.
6. Cilantro
When allowed to flower, cilantro attracts hoverflies, parasitic wasps, and other beneficial insects.
7. Thyme
Thyme can attract pollinators and beneficial insects while helping cover bare soil.
8. Asparagus
Tomatoes and asparagus are often grown together.
They share garden space well and usually don’t compete for resources. This makes them a great pairing in the garden.
9. Garlic
Garlic’s strong odor may help repel aphids, spider mites, and other troublesome insects.
10. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm attracts pollinators and beneficial insects with its fragrant flowers.
11. Lettuce
Lettuce benefits from the partial shade provided by tomato plants during hot weather.
12. Onion
Onions may help repel certain insect pests and do not compete heavily with tomatoes.
13. Parsley
Parsley attracts beneficial insects, especially hoverflies and parasitic wasps.
14. Carrots
Carrots loosen the soil as they grow and can be planted between tomato plants to maximize space.
15. Peas
Peas help improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation and are often harvested before tomato plants reach their full size.
16. Sage
Sage attracts pollinators and beneficial insects while potentially helping to repel some pests.
17. Spinach
Spinach grows well in the shade of tomato plants and helps cover the soil.
18. Squash
Large squash leaves shade the soil, helping retain moisture and suppress weeds.
19. Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums act as a trap crop, attracting aphids away from tomatoes. They also attract pollinators.
20. Petunias
Petunias may help deter certain insect pests and add color to the garden.
21. Cosmos
Cosmos flowers attract bees, butterflies, lacewings, and other beneficial insects.
22. Marigolds
Marigolds attract pollinators and beneficial insects. They may also help reduce specific soil nematode populations.
23. Radishes
Radishes grow quickly and make efficient use of garden space while helping to loosen soil.
24. Oregano
Oregano attracts pollinators and beneficial insects while serving as a living ground cover.
25. Calendula
Calendula attracts pollinators and beneficial insects while adding color to the garden.
26. Red Clover
Red clover attracts pollinators and improves soil quality by fixing nitrogen.
What NOT to Plant with Tomatoes
Just as there are good tomato companion plants, there are also bad ones.
Some plants can compete with tomatoes, increase pest problems, or raise the risk of disease. Below are some plants you should avoid planting next to tomatoes.
1. Broccoli
Broccoli is a heavy feeder that can compete with tomatoes for nutrients.
2. Brussels Sprouts
Like broccoli, Brussels sprouts may compete with tomatoes for water and nutrients.
3. Cabbage
Cabbage and tomatoes can compete for growing space and soil nutrients.
4. Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a heavy feeder. It may reduce the nutrients available for tomato plants.
5. Corn
Corn attracts corn earworms, which are closely related to tomato fruitworms. These pests may also attack tomatoes.
6. Eggplant
Eggplants belong to the same plant family as tomatoes and share many of the same pests and diseases. Growing them together may increase the risk of disease spread.
7. Fennel
Fennel is known to inhibit the growth of many nearby plants and is generally best grown separately.
8. Kale
Kale can compete with tomatoes for nutrients and growing space.
9. Potatoes
Potatoes and tomatoes share several diseases, including blight, making disease spread more likely.
10. Black Walnut Trees
These trees produce juglone, a natural chemical. This chemical can stunt or even kill nearby tomato plants [1].
How to Grow Tomatoes
Tomatoes love warm weather. Therefore, sow your seeds so the seedlings will be ready for transplanting after the danger of frost has passed.
Tomato plants need full sun, at least 6 to 8 hours daily. They also need well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH.
Additionally, ensure the selected area has room for the plants and their companions.
Space indeterminate tomatoes grown in cages 2 to 3 feet apart, or 3 to 4 feet apart if they are not caged. Space determinate tomatoes 2 to 3 feet apart in rows about 4 feet apart [3].
Once you’ve found a suitable spot, treat the soil with compost or aged manure several weeks before planting.
Plant seedlings deeply. Lay the plant on its side, gently bend it upright, and cover the stem with soil.
Also, set cages or stakes immediately, as adding them later could damage the roots.
Water transplanted seedlings immediately as well. Watering will help the roots adjust to the new planting site.
Care and Maintenance
Tomato plants also need adequate water throughout the season, about 1 to 2 inches per week. However, plants grown in containers will require more water.
Additionally, try to water early in the morning so they can survive hot days. After five weeks in their new growing space, add mulch to keep your plants moist and minimize weeds.
Grass clippings and dried leaves are examples of good garden mulches. Strings tied to stakes or cages provide the plants with the necessary support.
Trim the bottom leaves as well. This technique helps improve airflow and prevents splashback from the ground during watering or rain.
Also rotate tomatoes and other nightshade crops (peppers, potatoes, and eggplants) every 3 to 4 years when possible. Crop rotation helps reduce disease and pest problems.
Pests and Diseases
Protecting your plants from unwanted garden pests and crop-killing diseases means keeping a close eye on them.
Check plants regularly for signs of infestation, but remember that not all insects harm plants. Some, like ladybugs, lacewings, parasitic wasps, and hoverflies, are beneficial insects that help control common tomato pests.
Some harmful insects and related pests to watch out for are aphids, cutworms, hornworms, spider mites, and slugs. However, don’t panic if you spot a few—pick them off!
If the bugs get out of control, consider using organic insecticidal soap or other natural pest-control methods.
Plant diseases are a little more complex to deal with. Plus, there are so many of them that you may find it difficult to learn some of the names.
Anthracnose, Botrytis gray mold, and early blight are common tomato plant diseases.
One common sign of mold is visible white patches on the leaves, while early blight shows black or brown spots on lower leaves.
The best solution is to stop pests and diseases before they can take hold. This is where good plant neighbors for tomatoes can be helpful.
Where to Buy Seeds
When it’s time to go from planning your garden to starting your tomato plants, you’ll want to find quality seeds.
Many local farm stores sell seeds. Reputable online stores like SeedsNow and Seed Needs also sell high-quality organic seeds.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tomato Companion Plants
Can peppers be planted near tomatoes?
Yes, but both belong to the nightshade family and share some pests and diseases.
Can cucumbers grow near tomatoes?
They can, although both require plenty of space and airflow.
Do marigolds really help tomatoes?
Marigolds attract pollinators and beneficial insects and may help reduce certain soil nematodes.
Takeaway
Planning for potential tomato-growing problems before you plant will increase your chances of success. Incorporating helpful companion plants will help lessen those issues.
Also, water and mulch the plants once they are in the ground to keep them healthy.
Sasha Campbell
Very good words.
Thanks for posting