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Last Updated on March 3 , 2025

Tomatoes and basil go together like peanut butter and jelly – both in meals and in the garden . If you ’ve ever inquire what to plant with tomatoes , you ’ve come to the veracious shoes . Read along to get a line about the best tomato familiar plants along with theunique show benefitsthey each extend – like increased yeilds or natural pest control condition !

A trellis of many tomato varieties growing against a wall interplanted with a number of basil and marigold plants in front of the tomatoes.

This article also includes tips on exactly how to interplant popular Lycopersicon esculentum companion plant such as herbs , flush and vegetables in your garden , raised beds , or container to help you grow tidy and productive tomato plant . Last but not least , we ’ll cover a few plants that are less compatible to arise ( avoid ) with tomatoes !

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What is Companion Planting?

Companion planting ( aka intercropping ) is the idea that growing a particular combining of vegetables , flowers , and herbaceous plant near one another in the garden can offer up a number ofsymbiotic benefitsto one or both of the plants . These compatible plants are consider “ friends ” , while other plants may be less compatible or antagonistic when planted together .

Potentialbenefits of companion plantinginclude increased pollenation , larger craw yields , improved alimental cycling , and reduced disease and pestilence pressure – result in less need for pesticides and chemical substance fertilizer too . Companion planting also enhances biodiversity and beauty in the garden !

Does companion planting really work?

To a stage , yes!Researchconfirms the power of many companion crops , such as marigold ’s uncanny ability to reduce ascendent naut mi nematodes , or basil ’s inclination to hike up root growth in tomatoes . Interplanting vegetables with pollen and nectar - ample flush will without a doubt drawing card in more pollinator and good insect , which is always good for the garden ! On the other hand , some commonly recommend companion planting combining are purely anecdotical .

In general , practicingpolyculture(mixing many types of plants together ) make a more healthy , biodiverse , and resilient garden . So while associate plant alone may not be capable to solveallyour pest or plant zip problems , there is certainly no harm in giving it a endeavor !

con more and see our fullprintablegarden companion set chartfor dozens of different vegetables here .

A large, green, tomato hornworm holding onto the bottom of a tomato branch.

The Best Tomato Companion Plants

1) Marigolds

Marigolds are one of the most democratic tomato comrade industrial plant , and for well reason !

To harvest the rewards , plant marigolds around the base of your tomato plant plants wherever you have a act of free space – between works or around the molding of the seam . Most marigold varieties are fairly thickset , and will sum up a vivacious pop of colour to your love apple bed !

At the terminal of the season , be certain to cut the marigold plants out ( or else of pull ) andleave the roots in the soil . Marigolds root have long - lasting effect against nematode beyond the time of year they ’re grown .

An infographic titled “the best tomato companion plants” with cartoon images of a tomato fruit surrounded by a marigold, basil, garlic, zucchini, green beans, onion, carrots and lettuce in the “plant with tomatoes” section at the top, with a lower section titled “do not plant with tomatoes” and showing cabbage family, corn, dill, strawberries, potatoes and fennel

2) Allium Family (Garlic, Onions, Chives)

Members of the allium plant life family such aschives , onions , garlic , scallion , and leeksare awesome to develop alongside tomatoes . The spunky aroma andsulfur compoundsfound in alliums is known to repel pest insects such as aphids , spider pinch , whitefly , beetles , caterpillars , and moth . Therefore , intercropping alliums amongst your love apple can help to by nature reduce pestilence force per unit area .

3) Basil

Like marigolds , basil ’s forte as a trusty tomato fellow traveler works are well - document . Research shows interplanting Basil of Caesarea with tomatoes canincrease tomato industrial plant size of it , fruit fruit , and settle growthwhile simultaneouslydeterring pestsincludingtomato hornworm . When planted in a 1:1 ratio , one studyfound basil was even more efficient at supercharge tomato flora vigor than apply chemic fertilizer !

Garden folklore also says that growing Basil the Great and tomatoes together will make your tomato savor sweet , yet there is no scientific evidence to back that .

All in all , St. Basil is a delicious trivial blank - makeweight . We always insert several basil plants into our tomato bed . It does n’t mind the bit of shadowiness the love apple may cast on it . However , be certain to maintain at least a foot of space between your tomatoes and St. Basil the Great at the time of planting so thing do n’t get too crowded as they fill in .

Two raised garden beds each contain a wooden A-frame trellis while another bed has wire cages around tomato bushes. Many varieties of herbs and flowers are growing in each of the beds along with tomatoes for companion planting.

4) Other Herbs

Beyond basil , many other other aromaticculinary herbsmake fantabulous tomato companions , includingthyme , parsley , sage , oregano and cilantro . The inviolable scent that these herbs emit can help toward off pestilence insectslike whitefly , beetles , aphid , thrips and more . If allowed to flower , these herbs will also attract beneficial insects including pollinators , lacewing , lady beetle , and parasitic wasp – who prey on pests like tomato hornworms ! Most herb will thrive in the little bit of shade offered by tomato plant plants too .

5) Beans

Beansare an excellent companion for tomato plant because they fix andadd nitrogen to the soil . This help furnish supererogatory nutriment for love apple while they arise , who are notoriously heavy feeders ! With their small stature , bush green beansare utter to interplant around tomato .

Pole beans can also be grow with love apple ; just be sure to bring home the bacon enough space and freestanding trellis for the bean so they do n’t become a jumbled good deal . place the edible bean trellis on the north side of the bed so the love apple do n’t get shade out . Learn how to make a simple and sturdyDIY trellis here .

6) Lettuce and Swiss Chard

Summer salad , anyone ? Lettuce does n’t necessarily offer a direct benefit to Lycopersicon esculentum ; it ’s the lettuce that catch the good death of the deal here ! When planted together , marvellous tomato offer tender simoleons protection and spectre during the heat of summer that continue it sweet and prevents bolting . This enables you toextend your lettuce growing seasonthrough former summertime or beyond – especially paired with develop warmth - resistant lettuce varieties likeCoastal Star , Jericho , Nevada , Freckles , Muir , Magenta , andRed Mist .

Lettuce is the also the perfectspring distance - makeweight : rapier bread in the open space between or in front of diminished tomatoes when you first plant them , and it will likely be go by the time the tomatoes take over the bed in summertime .

Learn lettuce here . Looking for other leafy greens to grow with tomato ? ConsiderSwiss Chard ! The young tender greens are also excellent in salad , and it ’s notably more passion tolerant than lettuce .

A row of yellow, red, and orange marigold plants grow in front of larger tomato plants behind as to reap the benefits of companion planting.

7) Borage

Borage is another great tomato comrade plant , and a beautiful one at that ! The olfactory property of borage is opine to fight off the dreadedtomato hornworm . Simultaneously , borageattracts beneficial louse like lacewings and ladybugs – who eat aphids , mealybugs , and other soft - bodied pestilence insects . It also draws inparasitic waspsthat in turn quarry tomato hornworms .

In addition to its natural pestis control properties , Borago officinalis ishighlyattractive tobees ! Plus , the blueedible flowerstaste reminiscent to cucumber , and can be used to jazz up summer salads , cocktails , iced teatime and more . Do go on with caution however ! Borage readily self - seed in the garden and can easily become invasive .

8) Carrots

This combining is a famous one ! First published in 1975 , the book“Carrots dear Tomatoes”was one of the original resources on garden familiar planting . Carrots arise well with tomato because both harvest love fat soil and deep consistent water . With their svelte visibility , carrot can be gather just about anywhere in the garden without step in with other plant ’s roots . Rather , long carrots help to break up andaerate dirt , which tomatoes love !

However , keep in mind that carrots prefercooler acquire conditionsthan tomatoes , so you ’ll want to plant them out in early outpouring to harvest home before the hottest part of the summertime . That articulate , carrot will apprise the shade the tomatoes can leave them . Last but not least , the strong scent and solanine find in Lycopersicon esculentum leaves may avail deter cuss like carrot flies . Visit our guide ongrowing carrot here .

9) Squash

Tomatoes and crush ( zucchiniorwinter squash ) develop well together in the garden because they have exchangeable growing necessity . Both these ardent - weather crop savor full sunshine , moderately rich soil , and a unshakable supply of water . Even more , sprawling squash plantsshield the soilbelow tomatoes much like mulch does : helping to insulate soil from temperature extreme point , cut wet fluctuations , and suppress weeds . Since both plants get quite large , it ’s important to followgood spacingpractices when interplanting squeeze and tomatoes to avoid overcrowding . industrial plant squelch a duo feet aside from trellised undetermined ( vining ) tomatoes , and at least 3 to 4 base aside from caged determinate ( bush ) tomatoes .

10) Other Flowers

In summation to marigold , we always tuck passel of other annual fellow flowers around our tomatoes including cosmos , unmarried man button , zinnia , nasturtium , and calendula . Get growing tips on my 7 favoriteeasy annual companion flowers here .

blossom draw and provide raw habitat for all sort ofbeneficial insectsthat in turn ward off tomato plague , including lacewing , ladybugs , parasitic wasps , hover flies and more . Even though love apple do n’t rely on bees for pollination , it ’s never a defective idea to welcome morepollinatorsto the garden ! Plus , they sure do look pretty .

How to Companion Plant With Tomatoes

Here are few extra backsheesh on how to successfully intercrop companion plants with tomatoes so that they do n’t have a negative effect on one another .

What Not to Plant with Tomatoes

Last but not least , here are a few plants that do not mature well with tomatoes . Either develop these crop in separate garden beds , or as far away as possible from your tomato if they must be in the same bed .

And that’s the low-down on tomato companion planting!

Do n’t pretermit these related articles :

A large chive plant is flowering, a number of the long green chives have a large purple flower on the end of them.

A great companion planting of two large basil bushes are growing in between two tomato plants in cages. A brown and grey chicken are in the background.

A small kitchen herb garden with thyme, oregano, sage, and rosemary growing.

Two hands are cupped together with a handful of green beans being held within. A few green bean bushes are growing below in the background.

Five rows of lettuce are growing in a raised bed with drip tape irrigation. The lettuce varies in color from green, red, and a combination of the two colors.

Many small purple flowers on the ends of green stems of the borage plant.

A handful of carrots is being held aloft with a few orange and a few purple carrots among the bunch.

A green summer squash plant has a mature fruit growing amongst a few smaller ones, one of the small fruit still has a large flower attached to its end.

Two Monarch butterflies enjoying the nectar of large, bright red zinnia blooms. Beyond is a sea of color and flower varieties.

Two raised garden beds each contain a wooden A-frame trellis to support the row of tomatoes in each raised bed. Marigolds, basil, and other herbs have been planted around as tomato companion plant benefits.

A patio with many terra-cotta containers filled with tomatoes and basil, two great companion plants.

A bright red and fluted tomato is being held aloft, below are two wicker baskets full of a variety of red tomatoes.

DeannaCat signature, keep on growing.

The 10 Best Tomato Companion Plants for Big Yields and Pest Control