# Companion Planting Tomatoes: Best Must-Have Allies

- Link: https://lifeandwork.blog/companion-planting-to-help-tomatoes-grow/
- Published: 2026-10-24T02:38:28-05:00
- Author: Bert Swope

[Tomatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
flourish best when grown alongside companion plants that help repel and prevent 
pests, as well as plants that attract beneficial insects into the garden. Some of
these companion plants can even serve as ornamental features or edible items for
your kitchen garden!

Dill is one of the best herbs to keep away harlequin bugs from [tomato](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
plants, while carrots and beans benefit from fennel which deters flea beetles, cabbage
maggots and thrips. Furthermore, basil repels hornworms while providing [tomatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
with an enjoyable taste.

## Enhance Tomato Growth

[Tomato](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
plants require proper care to produce an abundant and high-quality harvest. This
involves protecting them from diseases and insect pests while providing optimal 
conditions in which to thrive. Pruning, weeding and mulch are effective tools, while
companion planting with certain herbs, flowers and vegetables may further boost 
growth, repel pests away and attract pollinating insects that aid with pollination.

Add basil, chives and dill as companion plants to your vegetable garden or raised
bed for maximum effectiveness and pest deterrence. Their pungent scent deters common
[tomato](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
pests while drawing in beneficial insects like lacewings, minute pirate bugs and
tachinid flies that provide additional benefits – plus these plants add essential
nutrients back into the soil as they flourish!

Cilantro, parsley and thyme make excellent companion plants for [tomatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
as they contain compounds which inhibit fungal disease in the soil. Furthermore,
they serve as natural alternatives to chemical fertilizers as their release of soluble
salts inhibits the growth of fungi and bacteria which threaten their fruit.

Crimson clover makes an excellent companion plant for [tomatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
as it acts as an effective living mulch that restricts weeds while simultaneously
providing additional nitrogen to the soil. When planted between [tomato](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
rows or adjacent to plants, it provides natural nitrogen fertilizer that serves 
to feed both species throughout their seasons of growth.

Beans and other legumes make excellent companion plants for [tomatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/),
as they absorb extra nitrogen from the atmosphere to act as natural fertilizer for
them. Beans also make an ideal trellis plant as their sprawling leaves help cover
up ground to protect it from weeds or dust particles that might land on [tomato](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
plants directly.

Other excellent companions for [tomatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
include cool-season vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, radishes and beets. These
plants can help with weed control while having similar growing conditions to [tomatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/).
As these vegetables are heavy nitrogen feeders, adding legumes or other nitrogen
fixers would provide adequate nutrition.

## Tomato Production

Companion planting with [tomatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
can protect them against an array of problems, from blossom end rot and fungal diseases
like Septoria leaf spot to early blight; insect pests like [tomato](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
hornworms and aphids; to weeds. Companion planting may often help you sidestep these
obstacles and make your plants more productive!

Companion plants can also help improve soil quality and encourage your [tomato](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
plants to produce more fruit. Closely spaced plants help bind soil together and 
prevent it from washing away during rainstorms or when watering your garden, improving
drainage, evaporation reduction and decreasing sunburn risk during hot summer weather.
[Tomatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
thrive when planted alongside tall companion plants like corn (Zea mays). Their 
height helps shade lower leaves and fruit from sunburn while the roots provide natural
support for [tomato](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
vines to climb upon.

Herbs that enhance the flavor and aroma of [tomatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
make excellent companion plants, such as basil, oregano, thyme and parsley. Furthermore,
these plants attract beneficial insects that help control aphids, [tomato](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
hornworms and other common garden pests such as aphids.

Sweet potatoes (Ipomea truncatula) make excellent companion plants to protect [tomatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
against various disease-causing organisms, such as fungus and bacteria. Sweet potatoes
help reduce fungal disease in [tomatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
by creating a dense cover of soil which protects them from raindrops carrying fungal
spores of Septoria leaf spot and early blight; thus protecting from “splash up”.

Additional beneficial plants in a [tomato](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
garden include marigolds (Micranthus spp.) and nasturtiums (Tropaecum majusculum).
These colorful blooms attract bees for pollination purposes while deterring [tomato](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
worms and slugs from feeding on [tomatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/).
Furthermore, certain herbs and flowers produce growth-inhibiting allelochemicals
which have been shown to help defend against many pests, including fungal disease
fusarium.

## Keep Pests Away

Crops that are planted together can help each other flourish better, protecting 
against certain pests and diseases while simultaneously providing support and shade.
[Tomatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
and basil make an ideal combination, repelling [tomato](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
hornworms while complementing each other’s flavor profiles and sharing similar sun
requirements, thus taking advantage of each other’s shade during hot summer weather
conditions.

Many gardeners turn to companion planting as an organic way of controlling pests
in their vegetable gardens without using harmful chemicals. Plants that emit pleasant
aromas or scents attract beneficial insects that prey upon pests like cabbage moths
and carrot flies. Marigolds, an iconic sight in veggie gardens, produce the chemical
limonene which discourages aphids while other herbs such as rosemary and lavender
also can deter aphids in soil.

Companion plants not only attract pollinators but can also serve as powerful weed
suppressors and add extra nutrients to the soil. A recent study demonstrated that
interplanting kale with beans significantly reduced redroot pigweed (Amaranthus 
retroflexus). Tall plants like corn provide living mulches which protect from weeds
by covering up ground surface, keeping the ground cool, moist, and ventilated.

One effective companion planting strategy involves pairing nitrogen-producing plants
with vegetables and other crops that need nitrogen for their development, such as
legumes. Nitrification occurs when these plants convert atmospheric nitrogen into
forms crops can use, increasing crop yields since photosynthesizing requires nitrogen
for photosynthesis.

An effective rule of thumb for planting [tomato](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
plants is avoiding those which compete for similar resources, like water, space 
and sunlight. Cruciferous plants like broccoli and cauliflower have similar needs
for sun, moisture and nutrients that [tomatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
need; plants competing for these resources could hinder each other’s growth and 
cause stunted development.

## Improve Soil Quality

Companion planting [tomatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
with other crops in your garden can help improve soil health and keep pests at bay,
but any combination has both positive and negative impacts; while certain plants
make great companions for [tomatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/),
others could actually hinder their development or attract unwanted pests. Careful
crop placement, caretaking, and monitoring is key to making companion planting work
effectively.

[Tomatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
need well-draining soil with a pH range between 6.2 to 6.8, plenty of sunlight and
disease/insect resistance in order to flourish successfully. They may also be vulnerable
to numerous diseases and insects so it’s crucial that companion planting strategies
help minimize these threats.

One of the most successful and cost-effective companion planting strategies involves
pairing [tomatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
with beans, squash or corn to form what is known as Native American Three Sister
Planting – a win-win gardening partnership in which beans climb [tomato](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
plants while providing support while returning nitrogen back into the soil; squash
provides shade while its large leaves help ward off weeds; corn provides food.

This planting arrangement not only promotes healthy growth and attracts beneficial
insects, but it can also help minimize the damage done by [tomato](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
pests like the hornworm. Flowering herbs such as dill can further benefit this trio
of vegetables by drawing parasitic wasps that feed on these harmful invaders.

Fennel, arugula and cilantro make excellent companion plants for [tomatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/);
not only can these add delicious flavors to salads, but they attract pollinators
that support [tomato](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
growth. Furthermore, these plants repel many of the same pests such as the earworm
and leafminer that cause damage to them.

Conversely, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower should not be
grown alongside [tomatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
as this will prevent their production of chemicals that encourage [tomato](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
fruitworm population. Furthermore, these plants have similar water requirements 
as [tomatoes](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/from-seed-to-harvest-tomato-gardening-for-self-sufficient-living/)
which will compete for space within your garden soil.

## Listing of common companion plants for tomatoes

Here is a short list of plants most commonly used as companion plants for tomatoes:

 * **Asparagus:** Can provide some shade to tomatoes and repel nematodes.
 * **Basil: **Improves the flavor of tomatoes and helps repel pests like mosquitoes
   and flies.
 * **Calendula: **Attracts beneficial insects and can help repel pests.
 * **Carrots: **Can help break up the soil, allowing for better water and nutrient
   penetration.
 * **Celery:** Provides some shade for tomatoes and helps repel pests.
 * **Chives:** Repels aphids and other harmful insects.
 * **Dill: **Attracts beneficial insects and can improve the flavor of tomatoes.
 * **Garlic: **Protects against spider mites and aphids.
 * **Marigold:** Deters nematodes and other soil-borne pests.
 * **Mint: **Repels pests and can help deter rodents.
 * **Nasturtium:** Acts as a trap crop for aphids and whiteflies.
 * **Onions:** Help deter pests and provide natural fungicidal properties.
 * **Oregano: **Helps to repel pests and can enhance the flavor of tomatoes.
 * **Parsley: **Attracts beneficial insects and provides some shade for tomatoes.
 * **Rosemary:** Deters pests and adds a pleasant fragrance to the garden.

Companion Planting With Tomatoes In Grow Bags!

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