What are Good Companion Plants for Tomatoes? Best Vs Worst Jenny Graham, April 10, 2025April 10, 2025 As any experienced gardener knows, a bountiful tomato crop requires more than just planting seeds and waiting for the fruits to grow. Tomato plants are heavy feeders that need lots of nutrients, proper care, and protection from pests to thrive. So, many gardeners wonder, what are good companion plants for tomatoes? What Are Companion Plants? Companion plants are specific plants that, when grown together, create a mutually beneficial relationship. They improve each other’s growth, repel pests, attract beneficial insects, and even enhance soil fertility. Selecting the right companion plants can help create a healthier and more productive vegetable garden. Companion planting is a key component of polyculture gardening, which involves growing different plants together instead of monocropping. This method mimics natural ecosystems, where plants interact in ways that support each other’s growth. By incorporating companion planting into your tomato beds, you can improve tomato growth, flavor, and deter pests and diseases. There are Many Benefits to Companion Planting Companion planting offers several benefits for gardeners, especially for home gardeners who wish to reduce their use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Here are some of the best benefits of companion planting: Pest Control: Many companion plants naturally repel harmful insects like aphids, flea beetles, and tomato hornworms. Plants such as basil and marigolds can help ward off these pests, reducing the need for chemical pest control, leaving you with a healthier tomato crop. Improved Soil Fertility: Some companion plants, like pole beans or bush beans, fix nitrogen in the soil, which is crucial for heavy feeders like tomatoes. This natural process improves the soil’s fertility, giving your tomatoes access to the nutrients they need to produce a bountiful crop. Increased Pollination: Certain companion plants, such as lavender and sunflowers, attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, which are essential for the pollination of many vegetables in the garden. Increased pollination leads to a more abundant harvest. Tomatoes, however, are self-pollinating. Weed Control: Plants like crimson clover act as ground cover and living mulch, suppressing weeds and helping to conserve moisture in the soil. Enhanced Growth and Flavor: Companion plants like basil are known to improve the flavor of tomatoes, thanks to their ability to increase the growth of the plants. Reduced Disease Pressure: By planting compatible plants near tomatoes, you can reduce the likelihood of fungal diseases like powdery mildew and bacterial wilt. Companion planting also helps to keep pests away, which will also reduce disease and fungus being spread from plant to plant. Now that we know the benefits of companion planting, let’s answer the question, what are good companion plants for tomatoes? What are Good Companion Plants for Tomatoes? Basil: A Great Companion Plant Basil is one of the best companion plants for tomatoes. Its strong scent helps repel harmful pests like tomato hornworms, aphids, and spider mites. Additionally, basil plants are believed to improve the flavor of tomatoes by promoting healthy tomato growth. You can plant basil directly next to your tomato plants or in nearby containers. It will thrive in the same conditions, providing benefits in both the garden and the kitchen. Borage: An Excellent Pollinator Attractor Borage is an herb known for attracting beneficial insects, particularly bumblebees, which are great to have around the garden. It also improves soil fertility by adding organic matter to the soil. It can also help deter certain pests like tomato hornworms. Borage’s vibrant blue flowers are not only beautiful but will attract pollinators to help improve the pollination of your tomato plants. Oh, and the flowers are edible too! Carrots: A Root Vegetable with Benefits Carrots can be a great companion for tomatoes. These root vegetables do not compete for space, as they grow underground, while tomatoes thrive above the soil. Carrots can help break up compacted soil, improving soil structure and allowing tomato roots to expand. Additionally, carrots can deter some pests, like aphids, which are known to damage tomatoes. Garlic: A Natural Pest Repellent Garlic is a great companion plant for tomatoes, offering natural pest control. Its strong odor repels a wide variety of insect pests, including aphids, spider mites, and flea beetles. Garlic also helps protect against root-knot nematodes, a type of pest that targets tomato roots. Growing garlic alongside your tomatoes can create a natural barrier that keeps harmful pests at bay. Winter Rye: Soil Fertility Booster Winter rye is an excellent cover crop that can be used prior to planting tomatoes in garden beds to improve soil fertility. It will help suppress weeds, prevent erosion, and adds organic matter to the soil, providing a consistent supply of nutrients throughout the growing season. Beans: Nitrogen-Fixing Plants Pole beans or bush beans are a great companion for tomatoes due to their ability to fix nitrogen in the soil. This provides essential nutrients to heavy feeders like tomatoes. What are Good Companion Plants for Tomatoes to Repel Harmful Insects? Insects can be one of the most significant threats to tomato plants. Pests like tomato hornworms, green stink bugs, and cabbage worms can damage or destroy crops. Fortunately, certain companion plants are great at reducing pest populations. Calendula: Attracts Beneficial Insects and Repels Pests Calendula is a great companion plant for tomatoes. Its bright flowers attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and predatory beetles, which feed on aphids and other tomato pests. Additionally, calendula has a strong scent that repels certain pests, including root-knot nematodes and flea beetles, which can damage tomato plants. Chives: A Member of the Onion Family Chives are a great addition to tomato beds because they repel harmful insects, including aphids and the green stink bugs. Their strong onion-like scent also helps deter pests that target tomato plants. Chives are also easy to grow and do well in the same conditions as tomatoes, making them a perfect companion plant. Radishes: A Trap Crop Radishes act as a trap crop, attracting insect pests away from your tomato plants. They draw pests like aphids and carrot flies, which prefer radishes over tomatoes. Radishes are easy to grow and can be planted between tomato rows to lure pests away from your main crop. Sage: Natural Pest Repellent Sage is another great herb to plant near tomatoes. It repels a wide variety of pests, including tomato hornworms and whiteflies. Its strong scent also helps deter larger pests, like rabbits and deer, from eating your tomato plants. Marigolds: A Trusted Pest Repellent Marigolds are one of the best companion plants for tomatoes, offering a natural way to keep pests under control. They produce a compound called cinnamic acid, which repels insect pests such as root-knot nematodes, whiteflies, and aphids. Marigolds are also visually appealing and attract pollinators, further improving your tomato crop. Nasturtiums: Trap Crop for Aphids Nasturtiums are often used as trap crops because they attract aphids and other pests away from tomatoes. They also deter whiteflies and flea beetles, which can cause significant damage to tomato plants. Nasturtiums are easy to grow and add lots of vibrant color to your garden. Asparagus: A Great Companion for Long-Term Planting Asparagus is a great companion for tomatoes, particularly for long-term gardeners. It also helps deter cabbage worms and tomato hornworms, making it a natural pest control option. Lemon Balm: Pest Control and Pollinator Attraction Lemon balm is a useful herb for keeping pests like tomato hornworms and green stink bugs at bay. Its scent repels many common garden pests, while its flowers attract beneficial pollinators, boosting the productivity of your tomato plants. What are Good Companion Plants for Tomatoes to Control Weeds? Crimson Clover is a great option for controlling weeds around your tomato plants. As a cover crop, it provides a living mulch that suppresses weeds while adding organic matter to the soil. Its nitrogen-fixing properties also improve soil fertility, giving your tomato plants the nutrients they need to thrive. What are Good Tomato Companion Plants for Increased Pollination? Pollination is essential for tomato growth and fruit production. Even though tomatoes are self-pollinating, certain plants can help attract pollinators, ensuring that your tomatoes get the best pollination possible. Lavender: Attracts Pollinators and Repels Pests Lavender is a wonderful companion plant that attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies. It also repels insect pests, such as moths and spider mites, which can damage tomato plants. Sunflowers: Pollinator Magnets Sunflowers are another great plant for attracting pollinators. Their large, vibrant flowers attract bees, which help with tomato pollination. Sunflowers are also a great trap crop for insects. Zinnias: Bright Flowers for Pollinator Attraction Zinnias are easy to grow and attract a variety of beneficial insects, including bees and butterflies. Your whole garden will reap the benefits of having zinnias throughout. What Are Good Companion Plants for Tomatoes Grown in Containers? If you’re growing tomatoes in containers, it’s important to choose companion plants that won’t overcrowd your tomato plants. Some great options include: Sweet Alyssum: Attractive and Beneficial Sweet alyssum is a beautiful flowering plant that attracts pollinators and beneficial insects. Its small size makes it ideal for container gardening, and it helps improve air circulation around tomato plants, reducing the risk of fungal diseases. Thyme: A Low-Growing Herb Thyme is another great choice for growing alongside tomatoes in containers. Its low-growing habit allows it to complement tomato plants without competing for space. Thyme also repels pests like cabbage worms and attracts beneficial insects. What are the Worst Tomato Companion Plants While many plants are beneficial for tomatoes, some plants should be avoided in the same garden bed due to their negative impact on tomato growth. Cucumbers: Cucumbers are often not compatible with tomatoes as they can attract pests that also affect tomatoes. They are also prone to blight and mildew, which can spread to tomatoes. Brassicas: Plants in the brassica family (such as cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts) can compete for nutrients with tomatoes and may attract pests like cabbage worms. Fennel: Fennel is a poor companion for tomatoes because it secretes compounds that inhibit tomato growth. Dill: Dill can attract pests that harm tomatoes, such as aphids and tomato hornworms. Other Nightshades: Plants like potatoes, eggplant, and peppers are also members of the nightshade family and can be susceptible to the same diseases as tomatoes, such as blight. Tips for Tomato Companion Planting & Growing Tomatoes Polyculture Gardening: Embrace diversity by planting multiple types of compatible plants together. This can reduce pest pressure and promote a healthy, thriving garden. Choose Plants That Suit Your Garden’s Climate: Whether you’re in a cool-season crop zone or dealing with hot summer temperatures, make sure the plants you choose are suited to your specific climate. Some of these companions are better suited for cooler or warmer climates. Regular Watering: Tomatoes require consistent moisture for optimal growth. Keep up with regular watering and mulch around your tomato plants to retain moisture and protect roots. Know if your tomatoes are indeterminate or determinate. This will guide you in pruning your tomatoes and trellising tomatoes. Use a good organic fertilizer, particularly one that is higher in phosphorus, which is good for flowering and fruiting. Use a companion planting chart to help you select the best companion plants based on your specific garden conditions. Choose varieties that are well suited for your climate. What are Good Companion Plants for Tomatoes? Best Vs Worst As you can see, there are a ton a great options to answer the question, what are good companion plants for tomatoes? Pick a few, try them out and see what works best in your garden. By following these tips, you’ll soon find what are good companion plants for tomatoes. I’m sure you’ll be reaping a bountiful harvest. Happy Homestead and Companion Planting! If you enjoyed reading What are Good Companion Plants for Tomatoes? You may also enjoy reading How to Build an Arched Trellis: Easy Vertical Gardening Ideas Jenny @ The GrahamStead Family Farm Jenny and her family have been homesteading for more than two decades. They currently live on a 10-acre farm in Northeast Florida, which they built from the ground up, nine years ago. On their farm, they grow 100% of their meat and most of their vegetables. With a small herd of Aberdeen Angus cattle, pastured poultry, sheep, and seasonal pigs, they not only meet their family’s meat needs but also sell their surplus to the local community. They are dedicated to sustainable practices like making compost, seed saving, and processing much of their garden and animal harvests at home. You can find Jenny wandering through her garden, making herbal tinctures, preserving food, making bone broth, and one of Jenny’s favorite hobbies, tanning all types of hides. What are Good Companion Plants for Tomatoes? Gardening Homesteading