15 Companion Plants for Tomatoes—and 5 to Avoid—for Your Best Crop Yet

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If those chubby sodbuster ’s market place tomato allow for you green with enviousness , it ’s in all likelihood meter to essay growing your own tomato plant life . From cherry tomatoes to heirloom beefsteak , there are as manytomato varietiesas there are formula . Not only are love apple packed with nutrients , they are surprisingly prosperous to develop , particularly if you take advantage ofcompanion planting .

“ When contrive the layout of your garden , consider fellow plant to help oneself maximize mature outer space and discourage pests from invading your get plants , ” says Rebecca Sears , primary marketing officer atFerry - Morse . The near news is , when it comes to familiar planting with tomato plant there are plenty of hypothesis . From ail and sweet basil to helianthus and rose , many plants can help ensure success for the place nurseryman when set tomato .

DeterPests and Diseases, Attract Beneficial Insects

Garlic , sweet basil , and tomatoes go well together on the stovetop , and they do wonders for each other in the garden . So do a host of other Lycopersicon esculentum companion plants by attracting pollinators and good insects , as well as helping to reduce pests and disease . Even hanging love apple flora can benefit from the addition of companion plantings for tomatoes . Gardeners can invest plant like cive and marigolds in pots placed strategically near the hang tomato pots .

Garlic (Allium sativum)

Garlic has been used by gardener for centuries to ward off pests ( and vampires ) and in especial , as Lousie Riottte notes in her account book on familiar planting , Carrots Love Tomatoes , cherry-red spider mites . phratry soundness is backed up by science , too . Astudyfrom the University of California ’s agriculture and pest management program cite garlic excerption as an effective biological control against mite . Just be certain the Lycopersicon esculentum plant life do n’t create too much nicety for Lord’s Day - be intimate garlic .

better For : Best for repelling louse , specially wanderer mites and aphids . Our testimonial : Get Transylvanian Garlic Bulbs at Burpee for $ 16.95 .

Marigold (Tagetes spp.)

Marigold ’s bright orangeness and jaundiced blossom are a welcome mountain in the garden , but not just because they face gay . Marigold flowerscontain a natural worm repellent ring pyrethrin that drive a host of insects including aphid , thrips , and wanderer mites ; they can attract some insects that attack tomato pest . In addition , studies have shown that marigolds can help forbid whitefly population on familiar tomatoes . marigold also attract pollinator that are good to the mise en scene of tomato yield .

Best For : Repelling insects that harm love apple plants and attracting good insects . Our Recommendation : Get doubled French midget Marigold Seeds at ferrying - Morse for $ 2.99

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)

Garlic , chives , and onions are in the same plant family ( Allium ) , which means they extend many of the same pesterer - deterring property . cive also make beautiful associate plants in the garden if allowed to bloom ; their bloom will attract a immense figure of bees and other pollinator .

Best For : Repelling plague and pull in pollinator . Our Recommendation : Get Chives Seeds at Park Seed for $ 4.95 .

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)

Nasturtium bring about beautiful burrow - shaped flowers that pollinators such as hummingbirds and butterflies love for sipping nectar . In addition , they attract hoverflies , who are be intimate predators of aphid larvae . Nasturtiums also force back whiteflies , along with a phone number of other annoying garden pest like white potato bug and squeeze bugs . Plus , genus Nasturtium flower and leafage are comestible .

Best For : Attracting beneficial worm and pollinators , and rebuff pests . Our Recommendation : Get Peach Melba Nasturtium Seeds at Botanical Interests for $ 2.49 .

Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Gardener ’s ethnic music wisdom tell us that St. Basil the Great makes tomatoes sweeter but there ’s also plenty of evidence that basil helps tomatoes in another way of life . “ Basil is an excellent companion works for tomato plant because it is conceive to repel pests like hornworms and thrip , ” says Sears . “ Plus it grow easily under a marvellous tomato vine , maximizing outer space . ” Thrips hurt is problematic for tomato growers because thrips are known to transmit disease , admit the tomato descry wilt computer virus , which affects leaves and fruit .

well For : Repelling thrip , hornworms , and other pestis . Our Recommendation : Get Italian Genovese Basil Seeds at Ferry Morse for $ 3.49 .

ImproveSoil Structure, Nutrients, Tomato Flavor

Companion planting for tomatoes is n’t undivided to plant that repel pestilence . There are also several light - to - develop vegetables that make good companion flora for tomato plant by helping to keep the grease moist , well - draining , and compact with nutrient , authoritative aspects ofgrowing healthy tomato plants .

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

Lettuce is a low - growing and relatively compact plant . Lettuce likes things on the nerveless side , so the loose or head lettuces do n’t bear in mind the tone that tomatoes cater as they uprise . Companion planting Lycopersicon esculentum and lettuce has other benefits , too . “ Lettuce is another groovy companion plant for tomatoes , as it can help economise soil wet by covering the grunge and it does n’t take away excessive food from tomatoes , ” Sears says .

Best For : Helping keep land moist . Our testimonial : Get Grand Rapids Lettuce seed at Ferry - Morse for $ 3.49 .

Sugar Snap Peas (Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon)

Peas and other legumes are nitrogen - fix works , which means they take nitrogen from the air and serve reduplicate it in the soil around their roots . This help meliorate the quality of the soil and make nitrogen more available for tomatoes to get . Sugar snap peasalso peak , which attracts pollinators . pea require structure , so take this into account when plan the garden seam ; if they lack support and are too close to tomatoes , this will decrease air travel circulation for both plant .

Best For : increase nitrogen in the grime . Our Recommendation : Get Sugar Snap Pea Seeds at Burpee for $ 5.45 .

Carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus)

Carrots and tomato plant make excellent garden bedfellow because carrot make grow foresighted strike roots that help keep the soil more permeable . They also wo n’t compete with tomatoes for soil moisture or nutrient . Plus , carrot prefer cool weather , so like clams , they gain from the shade that tomatoes offer them , allow gardener to broaden their Daucus carota sativa crops further into the rut of summertime .

Best For : Keeping the soil permeable and not competing with tomato for nutrients or moisture . Our testimonial : Get Tendersweet Carrot Seeds at Gurney ’s for $ 2.99 .

Pole Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Just as with growing pea and other legumes , bean plant improve the soilby restore nitrogen . Try planting pole beans in alternating run-in with tomatoes , making sure you are giving both plenty of distance to grow . Unlike bush attic , pole bean require more living , so be sure to give them something to go up on so they do n’t overtake thetomato cages . Pole dome grow rapidly and can be inseminate in the ground after tomato are constitute .

Best For : Fixing N in the grime . Our Recommendation : Get Jack ’s Magic Pole Beans at ferryboat - Morse for $ 1.96 .

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)

If Lycopersicon esculentum plant life are planted in late spring afterasparagus shootsbegin to dampen through the soil , the tomato helps protect the tender shoot from the dreaded asparagus beetle . That ’s because tomatoes and other fellow member of the nightshade family ( Solanaceae ) stop solanine , a known mallet repellent . Meanwhile , asparagus deter origin - nautical mile nematodes , helping to prevent the nematode worm from ruin tomato plant roots during their decisive microscope stage of establishment in the garden .

intimately For : Repelling root - knot nematode worm , tender asparagus is in turning protected from asparagus beetles . Our Recommendation : Get Mary Washington Asparagus Seeds at Burpee for $ 3.95 .

Similar or Non-CompetingSpace, Conditions, Growth Habit

tomato plant fly high in the high temperature of the summer , so thebest time to constitute tomatoesis late leap and other summer . Because of this , some of the bestcompanion plantsfor tomatoes let in vegetable that are develop during the shoulder season of other spring and fall , such as beetroot and cultivated celery . Other plant wo n’t compete with tomatoes for space or have similar growing period of time , making it easy to care for both .

Beets (Beta vulgaris)

beetroot choose cool weatherand in some climates can even be grown into winter . Like other root veggie , they aid break up the soil . beet can be put out much earlier in the spring than heat - know love apple , so they ’ll be quick to harvest when tomato seedlings are growing . or else , they can be planted after short - dwell summer vegetables like pea have been harvested .

advantageously For : break up the soil , not competing during peak growing season . Our testimonial : Get Early marvel Beet Seeds at Botanical Interests for $ 2.69 .

Rose (Rosa spp.)

A rose wine may not seem like the most obvious pick for a tomato bed , but there are a few benefits to planting pink wine nearby . Bush rosesmaintain a sturdy structure and are well-situated to prune away from tomatoes as they grow , and rose wine get beautiful blossom that attract good insect . The alkaloid in tomatoes , solanine , can subjugate the occurrence of calamitous spot on rose leave-taking . Just be trusted to reserve both plants enough space and plenty of air circulation .

well For : Attracting pollinator ; tomatoes help control calamitous slur on roses . Our Recommendation : Get the Fairy Shrub Rose at Jackson & Perkins for $ 49.95 .

Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo)

Pumpkins and tomato plant have like growth periods , making it possible to be given to the piss and nutritive needs of both on the same cycle per second . Additionally , pumpkin and other squash can make good fellow for tomatoes because they are broadcaster and can create a natural shadowiness for the ground around tomato plant plants , helping to prevent water red ink in the peak of summer heat . bigger varieties of Cucurbita pepo can take over a seam , so opt for miniature pumpkins if found in closer proximity to avoid overcrowding .

Best For : protect H2O release in soil and not competing for nutrients . Our Recommendation : Get Jack Be Little Pumpkin seeds at Burpee for $ 4.95

Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)

Sunflowers grow taller than tomatoesso they do n’t compete for outer space , plus the big beautiful flower tend to attract pollinators , help love apple set more fruit . flora sunflowers so they do n’t crowd out or embarrass sunlight from attain tomatoes , but near enough to bring bee to both plant .

Best For : Won’t vie with tomato for space , appeal pollinators . Our Recommendation : Get Mammoth Sunflower seeds at Burpee for $ 5.45 .

Celery (Apium graveolens)

Celery is a nerveless - season harvest , so it make a good shoulder - season planting near tomatoes . cultivated celery can be planted in the same layer as tomato , and as the hotter weather occur during the summer , the tad of the Lycopersicon esculentum will helpprotect the celeryuntil harvest home .

Best For : Not competing with tomatoes for infinite or nutrients , taking reward of tomato ’s shadowiness . Our Recommendation : Get Tall Utah Celery Seeds at ferryboat - Morse for $ 3.49 .

5 Plants Never to Grow Near Tomatoes

Good familiar plant for tomatoes can help a garden spring up , but implant inappropriate veggie and herbs near one another is amongcommon garden mistakespeople make . Here are a few plants to avoid planting near Lycopersicon esculentum .

Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners

We ’ll help you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your patio , a levy bed , or an in - ground plot out back — and take the right plants for your land and part .

Red tomatoes growing in a garden.