9 Best Companion Plants for Tomatoes to Boost Your Yields

One of the best strategies you can use to achieve a bountiful and healthy tomato harvest is to use companion plants for tomatoes. Whether you’re growing your tomatoes in containers or in the yard, you might want to incorporate companion plants.

Companion planting involves growing particular plants together to benefit each other in many ways.
Most of the time, tomato plants face many problems, such as nutrient imbalance, pests, and diseases. Luckily, certain herbs, flowers, and vegetables can help manage such problems.
Our gardening experts have compiled the below nine plants that you can grow near your tomatoes. Let’s check them out!

Best Companion Plants for Tomatoes

Whether you want to add nutrients to your soil, deter harmful insects, or boost your tomato yields, below are the best companion plants for your tomatoes.

1. Basil

Our top pick of the best companion plants for tomatoes is basil. This annual herb from the mint family helps repel common insects like whiteflies, aphids, thrips, and tomato hornworms. Due to its mint flavor, many people say it makes tomatoes tastier.

Basil and tomatoes make a good combination not only in the garden but also in salads and soups.

2. Garlic

If you are preparing chicken breasts or pizza, garlic and tomatoes are the best pairings. Even in the garden, they are great pals, too. Garlic has a pungent smell that keeps away pests that attack tomatoes, such as aphids, spider mites, and even rabbits. It also helps improve the overall health of your soil, which, of course, will benefit your tomatoes.

3. Marigolds

Marigolds have colorful blooms of red, orange, yellow, and gold that repel harmful pests like whiteflies and aphids that feed on tomatoes while at the same time attracting beneficial insects like hoverflies and ladybugs that control the harmful pest populations.

4. Lettuce

Lettuce is a low-growing plant, making it the ideal companion for tomatoes by suppressing weeds and retaining soil moisture. Since lettuce is a cool-season plant, it also benefits from tomato plants by getting shade from them.

5. Chives

Chives are another excellent example of a plant that can be used as a companion for tomatoes. They emit a scent that repels common tomato pests such as aphids and mites.Additionally, chives produce flowers that attract pollinators like bees, which can help increase the pollination rate of your tomato flowers and other plants in your yard.

6. Nasturtiums

Nasturtium leaves and flowers, as well as tomato fruits, are edible, making a great combination for salads and other dishes. This annual plant is loved by tomatoes’ worst enemies, whiteflies and aphids, which helps keep them away from tomato plants.
In addition, they also attract pollinators like bees and other beneficial insects such as lacewings and ladybugs.

7. Borage

Also known as starflower, borage is an annual herb that can be used as a companion plant for tomatoes. It has deep roots that draw valuable nutrients and minerals such as potassium and calcium from the soil, which tomato plants can benefit from.
Just like nasturtiums and marigolds, it helps keep away tomato plants and attract beneficial insects.

8. Asparagus

Both asparagus and tomatoes benefit from each other when grown together. Asparagus produces asparagusic acid, which keeps away nematodes – a microscopic pest that attacks tomato roots and other plants while tomato plants produce solanine (a natural chemical), which repels asparagus beetles.

9. Crimson Clover

Crimson clover makes an excellent companion for tomato plants. As a ground cover plant, crimson clover helps suppress weeds, and its colorful flowers attract pollinators and beneficial insects. The plant also enriches the soil with Nitrogen.

Conclusion

The goal of companion planting in tomatoes is to improve their health and increase fruit production. So, if you are thinking of growing tomato plants, the above are the best companion plants to incorporate into your garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should Not Be Planted Next to Tomatoes?

While some plants make good companions for tomatoes, some should not be planted together. For example, broccoli and cabbages might compete for space and nutrients with tomatoes; hence, they should not be planted together. Additionally, potatoes and peppers are susceptible to diseases similar to those of tomatoes.

What Can I Alternate with Tomato Plants?

Alternate tomatoes with heavy- and light-feeder crops. Some of the heavy feeders to alternate with tomatoes include corn, broccoli, peppers, cucumbers, and cauliflower. For light feeders, plant root vegetables like carrots and radishes, as well as herbs like basil and thyme.

Can I Grow Tomatoes and Peppers Together?

Yes, you can grow tomatoes and peppers together. They belong to the same family (Solanaceae) and have the same growing conditions.
However, they are both heavy feeders and susceptible to similar pests and diseases such as aphids and blight, so when planting them, ensure adequate spacing and monitor them for pests and diseases.

Author Profile

Mary

🌿 Hello! I'm Mary, the nature-loving soul behind Serene Eden. Gardener, plant whisperer, compost connoisseur, sun-soaked plant enthusiast, and avid bee-watcher. Let's cultivate beauty, one bloom at a time. 🌱🌼