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Tomatoes don’t have to grow alone. In fact, they’re way happier (and more productive) with good neighbors.
Companion planting isn’t just hippie garden magic—it’s actual science. The right plant combinations can repel pests, improve soil, attract beneficial insects, and even make your tomatoes taste better.
The wrong combinations? Let’s just say some plants are tomato frenemies.
Let me break down the best (and worst) companions for your tomato plants.
## Why Companion Planting Works
Different plants have different needs, root depths, and chemical signatures. When you pair them strategically:
– Pest control: Strong-smelling plants repel tomato pests
– Beneficial insects: Flowers attract pollinators and predators that eat pests
– Space efficiency: Shallow-rooted plants don’t compete with deep tomato roots
– Soil improvement: Some plants fix nitrogen or add organic matter
– Shade provision: Short plants benefit from tomato shade
– Trap cropping: Some plants lure pests away from tomatoes
It’s like creating a little ecosystem where everyone helps everyone else.
## The Best Companion Plants for Tomatoes
### 1. Basil (The MVP)
Why it’s perfect:
Basil and tomatoes aren’t just a culinary match—they’re garden besties. Basil repels aphids, hornworms, and other pests. Some gardeners swear it improves tomato flavor too.
How to plant it:
Interplant basil around tomato plants, about 12 inches away. Both like similar conditions (sun, water, warmth).
Bonus: Fresh basil + fresh tomatoes = Caprese salad perfection.
### 2. Marigolds
Why they’re amazing:
Marigolds repel aphids, whiteflies, and tomato hornworms with their strong scent. They also attract beneficial insects that eat pests.
How to plant them:
Scatter marigolds around the garden border or interplant with tomatoes. French marigolds are especially effective.
### 3. Carrots
Why they work:
Carrots are shallow-rooted, so they don’t compete with tomatoes for nutrients. They help break up soil and can grow happily in tomato shade as plants mature.
How to plant them:
Sow carrot seeds around tomato plants after tomatoes are established.
### 4. Onions, Garlic, and Chives
Why they’re beneficial:
Alliums (onion family) repel aphids, spider mites, and other pests with their pungent odor. They also help prevent fungal diseases.
How to plant them:
Interplant throughout the tomato bed. Chives make especially nice border plants.
### 5. Lettuce and Other Leafy Greens
Why they’re great neighbors:
Lettuce has shallow roots and actually benefits from the shade tomatoes provide as they grow. You can harvest lettuce in spring before tomatoes get huge.
How to plant them:
Plant lettuce between tomato plants in early spring. Harvest before tomatoes need the space.
### 6. Nasturtiums
Why they’re useful:
Nasturtiums are a trap crop—they attract aphids AWAY from tomatoes. They also attract beneficial insects and add nitrogen to soil.
How to plant them:
Plant around the perimeter of your tomato bed.
Bonus: The flowers are edible and add a peppery kick to salads!
### 7. Parsley
Why it’s helpful:
Parsley attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps that prey on tomato pests.
How to plant it:
Interplant throughout the tomato bed.
### 8. Asparagus
Why it’s an interesting pairing:
Tomatoes repel asparagus beetles, and asparagus repels nematodes that attack tomatoes. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship.
How to plant them:
This works if you have a permanent asparagus bed. Plant tomatoes around it.
### 9. Borage
Why it’s beneficial:
Borage attracts pollinators and beneficial insects. Some gardeners claim it improves tomato flavor and pest resistance.
How to plant it:
Plant a few borage plants near tomatoes. It self-seeds prolifically, so be warned!
### 10. Celery
Why it works:
Celery repels whiteflies, which love tomato plants.
How to plant it:
Interplant a few celery plants among tomatoes.
## Good Companion Plants (But With Caveats)
### Peppers
The deal: Peppers and tomatoes are related (both nightshades) and have similar needs. They CAN grow together.
The caveat: They share the same pests and diseases, so if one gets a problem, the other likely will too. Rotate crops carefully.
### Beans and Peas
The deal: Legumes fix nitrogen in soil, which tomatoes love.
The caveat: Don’t plant pole beans with tomatoes—they’ll compete for space and support. Bush beans are fine.
## Plants to AVOID Near Tomatoes
Some plants are terrible tomato neighbors. Keep these AWAY from your tomato bed.
### 1. Brassicas (Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kale)
Why they’re bad:
Both tomatoes and brassicas are heavy feeders and compete fiercely for nutrients. Brassicas can also stunt tomato growth.
Keep them: At least 4-6 feet apart
### 2. Corn
Why it’s bad:
Tomatoes and corn attract the same pests (tomato fruitworm = corn earworm). Planting them together is like hosting a pest buffet.
Keep them: In different parts of the garden
### 3. Potatoes
Why it’s a disaster:
Both are nightshades and share diseases (especially blight). Plus, they compete for nutrients. Just don’t.
Keep them: Far, far apart (like, different gardens if possible)
### 4. Fennel
Why it’s terrible:
Fennel is allelopathic—it releases chemicals that inhibit the growth of most plants, including tomatoes.
Keep it: In its own isolated spot, or skip it entirely
### 5. Walnuts
Why it’s deadly:
Walnut trees produce juglone, a chemical toxic to tomatoes and many other plants. Tomatoes planted near walnuts will wilt and die.
Keep them: At least 50 feet away from walnut trees
### 6. Kohlrabi
Why it’s problematic:
Similar to other brassicas—stunts tomato growth through nutrient competition.
Keep it: Away from tomatoes
## Companion Planting Layout Ideas
Layout #1: The Classic
“`
[Marigold] – [Tomato + Basil] – [Tomato + Basil] – [Marigold]
[Carrot] – [Lettuce] – [Lettuce] – [Carrot]
[Nasturtium] ——– [Onion] ——- [Nasturtium]
“`
Layout #2: The Intensive
Plant tomatoes in rows, then fill gaps with:
– Basil directly next to each tomato
– Carrots or lettuce between rows
– Marigolds at row ends
– Nasturtiums as border plants
Layout #3: The Container Approach
In large containers, plant one tomato with 2-3 basil plants around the edge.
## Beyond Companion Plants: Other Helpers
Flowers for beneficial insects:
– Alyssum (attracts hoverflies)
– Sunflowers (attract pollinators)
– Zinnia (attracts butterflies and predatory insects)
Herbs for pest control:
– Mint (repels ants, aphids, flea beetles—but plant in pots, it’s invasive!)
– Oregano (general pest deterrent)
– Thyme (repels cabbage worms and other pests)
## Does Companion Planting Actually Work?
Real talk: The science on companion planting is mixed. Some combinations have solid research backing them up (marigolds repelling nematodes, for example). Others are anecdotal or based on tradition.
But here’s the thing: even if the pest-repelling effects are minor, companion planting still:
– Increases biodiversity (good for the ecosystem)
– Attracts beneficial insects
– Makes efficient use of space
– Looks beautiful
– Can’t really hurt (unless you plant the “bad” combinations)
So even if it’s partially placebo, why not? Your garden will be more interesting, and you might just see benefits.
## Practical Tips for Companion Planting with Tomatoes
1. Don’t overcrowd
Tomatoes need airflow. Don’t pack companions so tightly that air can’t circulate.
2. Plant companions early
Get companion plants in the ground at the same time as tomatoes, or even earlier.
3. Choose what you’ll actually use
No point planting celery as a companion if you hate celery. Plant basil, parsley, and things you’ll eat.
4. Succession plant
Lettuce and other greens can be harvested and replanted multiple times in the gaps.
5. Observe and adjust
Keep notes on what works in YOUR garden. Every garden is different.
## My Personal Recommendation
If you’re new to companion planting, start simple:
Must-plant: Basil (you’ll use it in cooking, and it genuinely helps)
Easy additions: Marigolds (pretty, easy, actually repel pests)
Space fillers: Lettuce or carrots (make use of space early season)
Don’t overthink it. Companion planting should make gardening MORE enjoyable, not more stressful.
## The Bottom Line
Companion planting is part science, part art, and part “let’s try it and see.” The worst-case scenario is your garden looks more diverse and interesting. The best case? Fewer pests, healthier plants, and bigger harvests.
Start with proven winners like basil and marigolds, avoid the bad combos (looking at you, fennel and potatoes), and experiment to see what works in your space.
Your tomatoes don’t have to be loners. Give them some good neighbors and watch them thrive! 🍅
