14 Perfect Companion Plants for Tomatoes
Find out the best options to attract pollinators and keep pests at bay.
Summer will be here before you know it, which means one thing: Tomato season is coming. While this juicy veggie is a supermarket staple year-round, tomatoes typically taste their best during the warmer months ahead. If you're growing tomatoes in the comfort of your home garden, it's important to create an environment that sets them up for success. That's why we're sharing the best companion plants for tomatoes.
Think of a companion plant as a tomato's horticultural partner in crime. "It's the practice of growing plants in close proximity to each other in order to benefit from each other," explains Allison Futeral, owner and buyer at Crimson Horticultural Rarities in Oakland, California. "The beneficial relationship can range from deterring pests to enhancing plant growth and production to attracting beneficial insects and pollinators, while helping in the prevention of disease."
Though you can place these complementary greens nearby each other, some pro gardeners prefer to interplant them, which is essentially mixing these plants into one concentrated area. You know, like the gardening-equivalent of a fruit salad.
But while choosing the right companion plants is a great place to start, Julia Dzafic says it's crucial to take proper care of your tomatoes, too. "Once your tomato plants are over a foot tall, it’s time to prune," the Garden Grown author says. "Leaves that hang too close to the ground can invite pests and disease." She also recommends removing tomato suckers, or the shoots that sprout in the joint between the main stem and branch. "If left alone, they’ll draw energy away from the main plant," she says. "Pinch them off to keep your tomato plant focused and thriving."
So, how do you find the perfect companion for tomatoes? To help, we've tapped a few experts to share their favorite tomato companion plants for the ultimate garden glow-up.
Basil
It's not hard to see why Dzafic says tomatoes and basil are "garden besties." "Basil naturally repels pests that might target your tomato plants and may even enhance the flavor of the fruit," she says. "Some studies show that tomatoes grown alongside basil produce more fruit, and from what we’ve seen in our own garden, the results speak for themselves."
Basil has a strong aroma, which many say helps protect tomatoes from pests and diseases. Best of all? If you grow these two together, you'll have (almost) everything you need to whip up a yummy caprese salad.
Lighting Conditions: Full Sun
Difficulty: Easy
Average Height: 12 - 24 inches
Care Instructions: Water regularly; pinch back leaves to promote bushy growth.
Garlic
Speaking of smelly sidekicks, garlic is also an excellent companion plant for tomatoes. Not only can garlic help deter pests like aphids and red spider mites from attacking your juicy tomatoes, but some people believe its anti-fungal and antibacterial properties can improve soil health.
The secret to this savory combo? Proper placement. Some pros recommend placing tomatoes on the north side of your garden, and planting garlic south of them.
Lighting Conditions: Full sun
Difficulty: Moderate
Average Height: 12- 18 inches
Care Instructions: Water and weed regularly. Stop watering when leaves yellow.
Mint
Fragrant plants can help protect tomatoes from pesky pests, so it's no surprise that mint is up to snuff. "It attracts parasitic wasps—extremely gross insects, in my book—which help to control caterpillar pests," Futeral says. Though mint is a great protector, this herb can be pretty invasive. Futeral recommends placing this plant in a container nearby instead of directly into the soil.
Lighting Conditions: Partial to full sun
Difficulty: Easy
Average Height: 12-24 inches
Care Instructions: Water to keep soil lightly moist. Harvest regularly to promote bushy growth.
Carrots
Craving a delicious, nutritious, homemade salad? You might want to plant some carrots near your tomatoes. While growing your own produce is definitely a gardening flex, Dzafic says carrots and tomatoes are a "smart, practical combo." "Carrots help loosen the soil around tomato roots, making it easier for water and nutrients to reach the plant," she says. "It’s an easy way to support a healthier, more low-maintenance garden ecosystem."
Lighting Conditions: Full sun
Difficulty: Moderate
Average Height: 6-12 inches
Care Instructions: They thrive in moist, well-drained soil, so water often.
Sage
Since sage requires slightly drier conditions, they shouldn't be interplanted alongside tomatoes. However, if you place them in containers near the juicy veggie, the can't-miss aroma will repel unwanted critters.
Lighting Conditions: Full sun
Difficulty: Easy
Average Height: 12-24 inches
Care Instructions: Young sage plants will require regular watering, while established can get a little dry between waterings.
Asparagus
Sure, asparagus does require some more effort than the other companion plants on this list; however, they can have a beautiful, mutual relationship with tomatoes. While asparagus can protect tomatoes from rooting-ruining nematodes, our juicy protagonist can protect the spear-pointed veggie from beetles.
Lighting Conditions:
Difficulty: Moderate to hard
Average Height: 4-8 feet
Care Instructions: Asparagus needs more upkeep so they should be watered regularly and fertilized often. You should also gently pull the weeds of young asparagus to protect their roots.
Marigolds
Bring a flowery touch to your home garden with marigolds. Turns out, they can do a lot more than offer a pop of color. "Their strong scent naturally deters harmful insects," explains Dzafic. "Keeping your tomatoes safe and your beds looking beautiful." Marigolds are also known to protect tomatoes from pests like hornworms, whiteflies, aphids and even root-knot nematodes.
Lighting Conditions: Full sun
Difficulty: Easy
Average Height: Anywhere from 4 inches to 7 feet.
Care Instructions: Marigolds will benefit from regular watering and fertilization—especially if planted in nutrient-poor soil.
Calendula
Another sunny bloom to plant with tomatoes? Calendula. "They attract beneficial insects which can help reduce pests and attract pollinators," says Futeral, noting calendulas are basically butterfly and bee magnets. "They are really pretty, which is always a plus in my book."
Lighting Conditions: Full sun
Difficulty: Easy
Average Height: 12-24 inches
Care Instructions: Though they're drought-resistant once established, these plants require regular watering and deadheading when young.
Radish
Complete your vegetable garden by placing some radishes nearby tomatoes. These yummy tubers act as a trap crop for tomatoes, protecting them from harmful critters like beetles. Another thing to love: Radishes can help improve soil health and grow rather shallow so they won't interfere with your tomatoes.
Lighting Conditions: Full sun, but can also survive in partial shade.
Difficulty: Easy
Average Height: 2-3 feet
Care Instructions: While radishes do like regularly waterings, they should never sit in standing water. Instead, use mulch and well-draining soil to keep them nourished.
Crimson Clover
As a low-growing cover crop, crimson clover can be planted around tomatoes to protect them from beetles and weeds alike. Meanwhile, crimson clover produces red flowers that can attractor pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Lighting Conditions: Partial shade to full sun
Difficulty: Easy
Average Height: 1-3 feet
Care Instructions: Requires regular watering when young.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm has been associated with a bunch of health benefits like improved sleep, boosted mood and help with digestion, but did you know it can also be a blessing for your garden? "[They're] a natural anti microbial which will help with fungal and bacterial diseases," Futeral shares. And thanks to its light, lemony scent, it can repel insects and mosquitoes while drawing in pollinators.
Lighting Conditions: Partial shade to full sun
Difficulty: Easy
Average Height: 2-3 feet
Care Instructions: Water regularly when young, but will become drought-resistant when more established. Regularly harvest leaves to promote growth.
Borage
If you're searching for a companion plant that can do it all, look no further than borage. Can it keep pests at bay, but draw in honey and bumble bees? Yes. Can it improve soil health? Since it's rich in B vitamins, calcium and beta-carotene, of course it can. And, if you want to incorporate this plant into your medicine cabinet, borage is an anti-inflammatory that can help with rheumatoid arthritis and asthma.
Lighting Conditions: Full sun
Difficulty: Easy
Average Height: 2-3 feet
Care Instructions: Needs consistent watering when young.
Chives
Chives have a light, onion-like aroma that do a superb job at repelling aphids, mites and nematodes. Plus, the pretty purple flowers they produce will give your garden plenty of curb appeal. Similar to tomatoes, chives do well in sunny spots and rich, fertilized soil—making them excellent for interplanting.
Lighting Conditions: Partial shade or full sun
Difficulty: Easy
Average Height: About 1 foot
Care Instructions: Water consistently and fertilize during the spring.
Parsley
When it comes to companion plants for tomatoes, parsley offers the best of both worlds. This edible herb attracts ladybugs, which are known to devour common tomato-loving pests like aphids and hornworm eggs. Oh, and did we mention parsley acts as livable mulch? In fact, this companion plant can help retain soil moisture and minimize weed growth.
Lighting Conditions: Full sun, but can tolerant some shade.
Difficulty: Easy
Average Height: 8-14 inches
Care Instructions: Require ample sunlight and consistent moisture.
Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance lifestyle journalist, who covers shopping and deals for Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, and ELLE Decor, among others. Her hobbies include themed spinning classes, Netflix, and nachos.
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