Companion Plants: What To Grow With Tomatoes

Companion plants are those that work well together. Pairing them provides a benefit to one or both. At the same time, some plants should be kept apart. (Hmm… sounds a lot like people.)

What kinds of benefits can companion plants offer tomatoes?

When chosen carefully, companion plants can:

deter pests and diseases
improve tomato health
improve tomato flavor
act as “good neighbors”

There are several plants are considered excellent companions for tomatoes. Tomatoes also return the favor for other plants in your garden.

And there are also some “tomato enemies” that you will want to steer clear from your tomato zone.

Best Companion Plants for Tomatoes

Plant	Benefit for Tomato	Extra Tips
Basil (annual herb)	Repels whiteflies, mosquitoes, spider mites, aphids, hornworms Improves pollination - attracts bees Improves tomato health Improves tomato flavor	Plant 3 basil per tomato for best coverage
Borage (annual herb)	Repels tomato hornworm, cabbage worm Improves tomato health Improves tomato flavor	May self-seed from year to year Use leaves in salads
Chives (bulbous herb)	Repels aphids	Tasty in salads
Garlic (bulbous herb)	Repels spider mites	Make your own insecticide by burying garlic cloves 1" in the ground around tomato plants
Marigolds (annual flower)	Repels nematodes, tomato worm, slugs, general garden pests	Some gardeners recommend French marigolds as best deterrents Till marigolds into the soil at season end to deter nematodes further
Mint (perennial herb)	Deters white cabbage moths, ants, rodents, flea beetles, fleas, aphids	Can be invasive. Plant in a submerged container to prevent mint from overtaking the garden
Nasturtium (annual flower)	Deters aphids, whiteflies, squash bugs, beetles Wards off fungal diseases	Doesn't compete for nutrients May self-seed year to year Makes an excellent garden edging
Parsley (biennial herb)	Attracts hoverflies (which feast on tomato pests)	Dislikes heat

Mutually-Beneficial Companion Plants for Tomatoes

Plant	Benefit for Tomato	Benefit for Plant
Asparagus (perennial vegetable)	Asparagus produces a chemical shown to kill nematodes (pests that play havoc with roots)	Tomatoes repel the asparagus beetle

“Good Neighbor” Companions for Tomatoes

Plant	Benefit for Tomato
Carrot (annual vegetable)	Cultivation. Carrot roots break up soil around tomatoes, allowing in more nutrients, air, and water Space saver. Carrots are ready to be harvested soon after tomatoes go in the ground
Spinach; Lettuce (annual vegetables)	Space saver. Leaves are ready to be harvested soon after tomatoes are planted.

Worst Companions for Tomatoes

Plant	Problem
Black Walnut (deciduous tree)	Inhibits tomato growth by producing juglone, a compound that can be toxic or stunt growth in tomatoes Generate walnut wilt
Brassicas (cabbage, cauli, broccoli, brussel sprouts, kohlrabi)	Inhibit tomato growth
Corn (annual vegetable)	Common enemies: both corn and tomatoes attract the tomato fruitworm/corn earworm
Fennel (perennial herb)	Inhibits tomato growth
Potato (tuberous vegetable)	Cultivates susceptibility to early and late blight fungus