22 Tomato Companion Plants: What to Plant (and Avoid) With Your Tomatoes

Have you ever planted tomatoes with high hopes, only to end up with pest problems or weak, underperforming plants? You’re not alone—I’ve been there too.

Sometimes the issue isn’t how much sun or water your tomato plants get. It’s who they’re growing next to. That’s where tomato companion plants come in. When you grow the right neighbors alongside your tomatoes, they can help repel pests, boost growth, and even improve flavor.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best tomato companion plants you can grow, along with a few you should avoid. Whether you’re working with raised beds, containers, or a sunny garden patch, you’ll find tips here to help you grow healthier, stronger tomato plants.

Let’s start by understanding how companion planting actually works—and why it’s especially powerful for tomatoes.

Why Tomatoes Benefit From Companion Planting

Tomatoes are generous plants, but they’re also picky. They need full sunlight, just the right amount of water, and well-balanced nutrients to thrive. Even when you give them all of that, they can still struggle, especially when pests like aphids, whiteflies, or hornworms show up.

That’s where the idea of companion planting can really make a difference.

Companion planting means growing certain plants close together so they help each other. When it comes to tomatoes, that help can take many forms. Some companion plants for tomatoes repel insects. Others attract pollinators or beneficial bugs that eat pests. Some even improve the soil or help shade the ground to retain moisture.

You might be surprised how much of a difference the right neighbors can make. A single row of basil or marigolds can act like a natural shield. And when you mix in fast-growing greens or herbs that don’t compete for space, you’re using your garden more efficiently, too.

What I love most is how this approach works for any tomato type. Whether you’re growing beefsteak, Roma, or cherry tomato plants, they can all benefit from good companions. It’s a simple way to boost your tomato game without using harsh chemicals or extra fertilizers.

Let’s take a look at the first group of good neighbors—herbs that are practically made to grow with tomatoes.

22 Companion Plants (Herbs, Vegetables, and Flowers) That Pair Perfectly With Tomatoes:

Tomato Companion Herbs List:

Herb	Lighting Conditions	Difficulty	Average Height
Basil	Full Sun (6–8 hours)	Easy	12–24 inches
Chives	Full Sun to Partial Shade	Easy	12–24 inches
Parsley	Full Sun to Partial Shade	Easy	12–18 inches
Oregano	Full Sun	Easy	12–24 inches
Thyme	Full Sun	Easy	6–12 inches
Sage	Full Sun	Easy	18–24 inches

1. Basil

Basil is one of the best-known companions for tomatoes. Its strong scent helps repel whiteflies, aphids, and hornworms—common pests that target tomato plants. It’s also said to enhance tomato flavor. Since basil thrives in similar growing conditions (sun, warmth, and moderate water), it fits easily beside your tomato plants without crowding them. You can tuck it between rows or in containers nearby for easy access during harvest.

Related: How to Grow Basil in Pots

2. Chives

Chives release a light onion-like aroma that confuses and deters aphids and spider mites. Their slender growth habit means they won’t compete with tomatoes for light or space. As a perennial herb, chives return each year and also attract pollinators when they flower. You can plant them at the borders of tomato beds to create a soft pest-repelling barrier that doubles as a kitchen staple.

3. Parsley

Parsley attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and predatory wasps, which help control aphids and other pests. It also thrives in partial shade, so it grows well under the leafy canopy of mature tomato plants. Flat-leaf or curly varieties both work. Just be sure to give it enough space so it doesn’t compete with tomatoes for root room. Bonus: it makes a great garnish for your tomato-based dishes.

4. Oregano

Oregano grows low and spreads like a soft, living mulch around tomato plants. Its aromatic oils help deter insect pests like aphids and beetles. While it doesn’t directly feed the soil, it improves plant health by reducing pest pressure. Choose compact, creeping types for container gardening or raised beds. It’s also drought-tolerant, making it a low-maintenance option in sunny tomato patches.

5. Thyme

Thyme is a drought-tolerant, fragrant herb that discourages tomato hornworms and whiteflies. Its small size makes it ideal for filling in gaps around tomato plants or lining the edges of beds. It won’t compete for nutrients, and its flowers attract bees and parasitic wasps. Plant thyme where it gets plenty of sun and drainage, and let it spread naturally around your tomato plants as a low ground cover.

6. Sage

Sage offers pest protection while also drawing in pollinators when it blooms. Its gray-green leaves contain oils that deter flea beetles and cabbage moths. While it prefers drier conditions than tomatoes, it can still grow nearby if placed at the bed’s edge or in a shared container with good drainage. Keep the Sage trimmed to avoid overcrowding and ensure enough airflow for your tomatoes.

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Tomato Companion Vegetables List:

Vegetable	Lighting Conditions	Difficulty	Average Height
Carrots	Full Sun to Light Shade	Moderate	8–12 inches
Lettuce	Partial Shade to Full Sun	Easy	6–12 inches
Garlic	Full Sun	Easy	12–18 inches
Onions	Full Sun	Easy	12–24 inches
Bush Beans	Full Sun	Easy	12–24 inches
Peas	Full Sun to Partial Sun	Easy	18–36 inches
Celery	Full Sun to Light Shade	Moderate	12–18 inches
Radishes	Full Sun	Very Easy	4–8 inches
Asparagus	Full Sun	Moderate	3–5 feet (fern stage)

7. Carrots

Carrots are classic tomato companion vegetables. They grow underground while tomatoes grow above, so there’s no competition for space. Carrots also benefit from the shade provided by tomato foliage in hotter months. This pairing works beautifully in both raised beds and container gardens for space-saving results.

Related: Carrot Companion Plants

8. Lettuce

Lettuce is one of the easiest companion plants for tomatoes. It grows fast, stays low, and thrives in the cool, shaded soil beneath tomato plants. Plus, it helps retain moisture and can act as a living mulch. Lettuce is a must if you’re interplanting for efficiency.

9. Garlic

Garlic is among the best tomato companion plants for natural pest control. It repels aphids, spider mites, and even fungal diseases. With its upright leaves and shallow roots, garlic won’t interfere with tomato growth and fits perfectly in tight spaces around tomato beds.

10. Onions

Onions are helpful companion plants to tomatoes due to their strong sulfuric aroma, which helps deter pests like thrips and aphids. They have shallow roots and grow upright, so they won’t crowd your tomatoes. You can plant them along edges or rows for pest protection.

11. Bush Beans

Bush beans are good tomato companion plants that enrich the soil. These legumes fix nitrogen, improving the growing conditions for tomatoes over time. They’re compact, fast-growing, and won’t block sunlight—perfect for filling in gaps in your garden.

12. Peas

Peas and tomatoes share similar early-season growing needs. Peas fix nitrogen into the soil, helping your tomatoes grow stronger. They’re great tomato companion vegetables for succession planting, especially when you want to prep the soil early in the season.

13. Celery

Celery is a subtle but effective companion plant for tomato gardens. It enjoys consistent moisture, like tomatoes, and has a minimal footprint. The foliage may also help mask tomato scent from some pests, making it a smart pairing in diverse beds.

14. Radishes

Radishes are fast-maturing tomato companion vegetables that help loosen the soil. Their shallow roots won’t interfere with tomato development. While some gardeners use them as trap crops, they’re also great for filling in early-season gaps while tomatoes are still maturing.

Related: How to Grow Radishes in Pots or Containers

15. Asparagus

Asparagus and tomatoes work well as perennials and annuals in shared spaces. Tomatoes help repel asparagus beetles, while asparagus may produce natural compounds that benefit tomato root health. It’s a classic case of mutually supportive companion planting with tomatoes.

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Tomato Companion Flowers List:

Flower	Lighting Conditions	Difficulty	Average Height
Marigolds	Full Sun	Very Easy	10–24 inches
Nasturtiums	Full Sun to Light Shade	Easy	8–12 inches (trailing varieties spread farther)
Calendula	Full Sun	Easy	12–24 inches
Borage	Full Sun	Moderate	18–36 inches
Zinnias	Full Sun	Easy	12–36 inches
Sunflowers	Full Sun	Easy	3–10 feet (variety dependent)
Sweet Alyssum	Full Sun to Partial Sun	Easy	4–10 inches

16. Marigolds

Marigolds are among the most reliable tomato companion flowers. Their roots release compounds that suppress nematodes, while their bright blooms deter aphids and whiteflies. This makes them one of the best tomato companion plants for pest prevention. They’re easy to grow in both raised beds and containers, offering continuous blooms all season.

17. Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are excellent companion plants for tomato gardens. These cheerful flowers act as a trap crop, drawing aphids away from your tomatoes. Their wide leaves help shade the soil, preserving moisture on hot days. As a bonus, the edible flowers bring a peppery zing to your salads while keeping pests at bay.

Must Read: Moonflower Growth Stages

18. Calendula (Pot Marigold)

Calendula is another powerful tomato companion flower that brings both beauty and balance to your garden. It attracts pollinators and beneficial insects like hoverflies, which feed on aphids. Its bright orange or yellow petals make it a vibrant addition to tomato beds, especially helpful during pollination-lagging periods in early summer.

19. Borage

If you’re looking for multi-purpose tomato companion plants, borage is a top pick. The star-shaped blue flowers attract pollinators, and the fuzzy leaves may help deter tomato hornworms. Borage also improves the soil by accumulating trace minerals. Plant it at the edges of your tomato beds or in nearby pots for easy access.

20. Zinnias

Zinnias are not only beautiful, but also good tomato companion plants. Their blooms attract ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies—natural predators of tomato pests. These long-blooming flowers grow well behind shorter tomato varieties or along garden borders, helping to build a more resilient growing environment.

21. Sunflowers

Sunflowers are tall, striking companion plants to tomatoes that bring in pollinators early each morning. Some gardeners even use them as a living trellis for cherry tomatoes. Just remember to give them space—sunflowers have deep roots and can compete for sunlight if planted too close.

Related: Sunflower Growth Stages

22. Sweet Alyssum

Sweet alyssum is a low-growing tomato companion flower that attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps and predatory beetles. It also forms a fragrant, living mulch that suppresses weeds and helps retain soil moisture. Ideal for edging beds or container gardening, Alyssum is both functional and decorative.

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Plants You Should Never Grow Near Tomatoes

Some plants just don’t make good neighbors for tomatoes. Here’s a quick guide to what you should avoid planting nearby — and how keeping these out of your beds can lead to healthier plants and better harvests.

1. Fennel

Fennel is one of the top plants that should not be planted with tomatoes. It releases natural chemicals that can suppress the growth of nearby vegetables. Even when planted at a distance, fennel competes for nutrients and space, making it a poor companion for nearly everything in your garden, including tomatoes.

2. Corn

Avoid growing corn and tomatoes together. Both are heavy feeders and attract similar pests, especially corn earworms and armyworms. When planted side by side, they can create a pest hotspot, leading to bigger problems for both crops. It’s best to give them separate growing spaces with different rotation plans.

3. Broccoli, Cabbage & Other Brassicas

Brassicas like broccoli, cabbage, kale, and cauliflower compete with tomatoes for nutrients and root space. These cool-season crops also prefer different growing conditions and can reduce tomato yield. If you’re planning a mixed garden bed, keep brassicas and tomatoes apart to prevent unnecessary competition.

4. Potatoes

Tomatoes and potatoes belong to the same family—Solanaceae—which means they share many of the same pests and diseases, especially blight. Planting them together increases the risk of rapid disease spread. For healthier harvests, grow potatoes in a separate bed, well away from your tomatoes.

5. Dill (When Mature)

Young dill may help deter some pests, but once it matures, it can release compounds that inhibit tomato growth. It’s best not to plant dill near tomatoes unless you harvest it early. To play it safe, grow dill in a separate container or another section of your garden.

6. Eggplant & Peppers

Eggplants and peppers aren’t bad on their own, but when crowded near tomatoes, they increase the risk of shared diseases like blight or wilt. All three are heavy feeders and need similar nutrients. Overlapping root systems can lead to stress and reduced yield, so give them plenty of room or grow them separately.

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Companion Planting in Containers or Small Gardens

Short on space? No problem. Tomatoes grow well with compact companions in pots or raised beds.

Try pairing:

• Basil or parsley with cherry tomatoes in large containers
• Chives or oregano tucked around the edges
• Nasturtiums to trail over the sides and trap pests

Use 14″ or larger pots with proper drainage. Avoid overcrowding so each plant gets enough light, airflow, and root space. This setup gives you herbs, tomatoes, and beauty—all from one pot.

Also Read: Vines with Pink Flowers

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Tomato Companion Plants by Variety

Not all tomatoes grow the same. Here’s what works best with each type:

• Beefsteak Tomatoes: These big plants need airflow and space. Use basil, garlic, or marigolds nearby to repel pests without crowding them.
• Roma Tomatoes: Romas are disease-prone. Pair them with carrots, borage, or oregano to improve health and yield.
• Cherry Tomatoes: These vining types love companions like nasturtiums, chives, or parsley. They help control pests and make great salad partners.

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💡Tips for Successful Tomato Companion Planting

• Rotate crops yearly to avoid soil-borne diseases.
• Don’t overcrowd — give tomatoes airflow and sun.
• Mulch well to keep moisture in and weeds out.
• Keep aggressive herbs like mint in pots.
• Mix herbs, flowers, and veggies for a balanced mini-ecosystem.

With the right companions, your tomato garden can be more productive, more pest-resistant, and more beautiful.

FAQs

Must Read: Indoor Plants for Better Oxygen

Conclusion

So, I’ve walked you through the best herbs, flowers, and vegetables to grow with tomatoes, and which ones to keep at a distance. With the right companion plants, your tomatoes can thrive with fewer pests and better yields. Try a few of these pairings in your garden this season, and let me know which ones work best for you.

If you’ve had success with companion plants for tomato, I’d love to hear your experience! Share your tips or questions in the comments — let’s grow better, together.

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