Steve Yoder
I'm Steve, a 30-something urban gardener fascinated by companion planting research. Growing up surrounded by greenery sparked my passion for gardening early on. I enjoy transforming my small backyard, experimenting with companion planting techniques and eco-friendly practices. Sustainability matters—I advocate for native plants and composting.
Table of Contents
Tomatoes require a lot of love and care, but they also have some very specific requirements. You can’t pull them out of their pots to plant with other veggies if you’re growing them in a container or hanging basket. So, what kind of companion plants do tomatoes prefer? Which are the best tomato companion plants for your garden? Let us find out!
Growing Tomatoes in a Nutshell
Tomatoes are nightshade plants that need full sun to grow. You can grow tomatoes in a variety of soil types. However, they require well-drained soil to prevent root rot. Raised beds or containers are the best way to achieve this. You can also grow tomatoes in a container garden against a wall or fence. This is a great way to get more out of your space. When growing tomatoes in pots, you may need to stake or trellis them to prevent the plants from collapsing under their weight once they begin to produce fruit!
The Best Tomato Companion Plants
If you want the maximum of your tomato harvest, consider choosing the following tomato companion plants:
Basil
Basil is an excellent tomato companion plant. It deters pests and promotes the growth of tomato plants.1 Basil plant produces a strong smell that deters pests from attacking neighboring plants.
This tomato companion plant attracts pollinators and aids in the germination of other plants’ seeds, so you can plant it near lots of veggies you want to grow in your yard.
You can find the exact list of the best basil companion plants here:
Oregano
The next plant on the list of the best tomato companion plants is oregano. Oregano is a hardy perennial herb that retains its leaves throughout the winter. It complements tomatoes, basil, and carrots well. Oregano repels insects, protects tomato plants from powdery mildew, and can help prevent blossom end rot in tomatoes.
Oregano has some other companion plants too! Have a look at them in the linked article below:
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums make excellent tomato companion plants. Nasturtiums repel pests and attract beneficial insects, making them a wonderful companion plant for tomatoes in the garden. Not only can the nasturtium’s tough leaves help discourage destructive bugs, but they can also protect delicate tomato plants from severe winds. And if you grow them alongside your tomato plants, you’ll enjoy an abundance of edible blossoms!
Also, nasturtiums have plenty of other companion plants. Our article below tells you which ones these are:
Chives
Chives are a type of perennial plant that grows wild in gardens, fields, and meadows. They are recognized for their powerful odor, but they also make excellent companion plants for many other garden crops because they attract beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies, which aid in pest management. That’s why they are also very good tomato companion plants!
Chives can help keep aphids, cabbage worms, and white flies away from your tomato plants. However, they are ineffective against caterpillars and snails, so keep a watch out for those as well!
More chives companion plants:
Maple Tree
Tomatoes grow in the company of maple trees. They provide shade, which helps to maintain moisture and temperature levels, as well as nutrients such as nitrogen and minerals. This is especially useful for your garden throughout the summer when your tomatoes require all the assistance they can get!
It’s also worth noting that maple trees are a wonderful source of pollen, therefore bees flock to them in droves. The more bees you have on your land, the higher your chances of creating a fantastic crop!
Carrots
Carrots are another excellent tomato companion plant. They help keep the soil loose and aerated, which is beneficial to tomato root development.
Other great carrot companion plants:
Marigolds
Marigolds are excellent tomato companion plants. Marigolds have a strong odor that repels pests and can help keep some insects away from your tomato plants. What’s the best part? They are reasonably priced! Are you concerned about growing marigolds with your tomatoes? Don’t worry, you can also put them around other garden produce to keep bugs at bay. According to studies, marigolds have the highest effect against the root-knot nematode invasion.2
Want to know more about marigold companion plants – have a look at the article below:
Asparagus
Asparagus is a perennial plant with edible branches that appear in the spring. It can thrive in full sun or light shade and a variety of soil types. Asparagus is a fast-growing plant, so if you have time to water it now and then while you’re tending to your tomato plants, this will be a great companion for your tomato plants!
Pests such as slugs and snails can also be deterred by asparagus. These critters enjoy both tomatoes and asparagus equally, but they prefer the asparagus over the tomatoes (or at least less dangerous). You may have observed that your asparagus stems have few bugs on them; this is because their sap contains naturally occurring compounds that repel insects! When you put them near tomatoes, you’ll not only keep annoying pests at bay, but you’ll also keep insects like aphids from attacking your vine-ripened fruits!
You can combine asparagus with other plants too – see the full list here:
What not to Grow with Tomatoes
Some plants are not ideal tomato companion plants. When you grow the following plants near your tomatoes, they will cause problems:
Members of the Nightshade Family
Tomatoes, contrary to popular opinion, do not get along with other members of the nightshade family. Potatoes and eggplants are examples of this.
Choose your eggplant and potato companions from the articles below:
Pepper
Tomatoes and peppers have a terrible relationship because they generate compounds that hinder each other’s growth.
Consider choosing these pepper companion plants:
Onion & Garlic
Another typical bad partners are onion and garlic. Though some people say it’s good to grow them together if you keep them far enough away. Do not plant garlic and onions next to tomato plants, regardless of what you’ve heard or read anywhere online or in print!
Better choose the plants in the lists linked below:
References
- Olson, P. E., & Bidlack, J. E. (1997). Yield and enzymatic activity of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) subjected to alternative pest control. Journal of herbs, spices & medicinal plants, 4(4), 3-16.
- Tringovska, I., Yankova, V., Markova, D., & Mihov, M. (2015). Effect of companion plants on tomato greenhouse production. Scientia Horticulturae, 186, 31-37.