The Tomato Companion Planting Guide: 27 Plants That Will Transform Your Garden

Discover exactly what to plant with tomatoes for pest control, better flavor, and maximum harvests – with printable companion planting chart!

I have a confession to make. For years, I struggled with growing tomatoes. Despite all my careful watering, staking, and fertilizing, something always seemed to go wrong. Hornworms would appear overnight. Blight would creep in by midsummer. Or worse—I’d end up with plants that looked healthy but produced only a handful of bland, disappointing fruits.

Sound familiar?

Here’s what I wish someone had told me sooner: tomatoes don’t want to grow alone. They actually thrive when surrounded by the right companion plants!

The beauty of companion planting isn’t just about pest control (though that’s a huge benefit). It’s about creating relationships in your garden that improve soil health, attract beneficial insects, maximize space, and even enhance the flavor of your tomatoes.

And honestly? It’s so much easier than you might think.

This tomato companion planting guide will show you exactly what to plant with tomatoes to create the perfect garden layout for healthy, productive plants.

Whether you’re growing in containers on a balcony or planning a sprawling vegetable garden, these companion plants will help you grow the most delicious, abundant tomatoes you’ve ever tasted—without chemical interventions or complicated techniques.

Best Herb Companions For Tomato Plants

1. Basil

What It Does For Tomatoes: There’s something almost magical about how these two plants complement each other. The aromatic oils that basil releases seem to deter certain flying pests like hornworms and whiteflies.

How to Use It in the Garden: Plant basil about 10-12 inches away from your tomato plants, giving both enough room to breathe but close enough to benefit each other.

Tuck basil plants around the slightly shadier sides of the tomatoes – they appreciate a bit of afternoon protection from the intense summer sun.

Bonus:

• Did you know basil comes in dozens of varieties beyond the common sweet basil? I’ve been experimenting with lemon basil, Thai basil, and purple basil – each bringing its own unique flavor profile and visual interest to the garden.
• In the kitchen, there’s nothing quite like harvesting tomatoes and basil at the same time for an impromptu Caprese salad or quick pasta sauce.
• Basil actually makes a wonderful cut flower too! Try adding it to bouquets for a lovely scent.

2. Chives

What It Does For Tomatoes: These slender, onion-family herbs add a subtle protective barrier that seems to confuse certain pests. The delicate purple flowers attract beneficial insects like hoverflies and tiny wasps.

How to Use Them in the Garden: Plant small clumps of chives about 8-10 inches away from your tomato stems. They create these beautiful little clusters that add texture and interest without overwhelming the garden bed.

You can try to place chives along the edges of tomato beds where their neat growth habit creates a living border that’s both functional and attractive. For container gardeners, a few chive plants tucked around the edges of tomato pots work beautifully.

Bonus:

• Chive flowers are completely edible and make the most gorgeous addition to summer salads. The light onion flavor and striking purple color transform even the simplest dishes.
• Chives act as perennials in most climates, returning year after year with minimal care.
• Divide the chive clumps in early spring, creating new plants to distribute throughout the vegetable garden as natural pest deterrents.

3. Cilantro

What It Does For Tomatoes: This polarizing herb (I know, some of you taste soap when you eat it!) attracts the most wonderful beneficial insects to the garden. Ladybugs and hoverflies buzz around, hunting for aphids and other pests.

How to Use It in the Garden: Sow cilantro seeds about 10 inches away from your tomato plants, where they’ll get a bit of afternoon shade. This works beautifully because cilantro appreciates some protection from intense summer heat.

Succession plant cilantro every few weeks throughout the season. This way, as some plants bolt and flower (which happens quickly!), new ones are ready to take their place. The delicate white cilantro flowers are actually fantastic for attracting pollinators.

Bonus:

• Cilantro flowers and seeds are completely edible. Once your cilantro bolts, don’t pull it out. Those tiny white flowers add the most delicate cilantro flavor to summer salads.
• When the seeds form (now called coriander), you can harvest them for your spice cabinet or leave some to self-seed for next season.
• Cilantro serves as an excellent “indicator plant” – when it starts looking stressed, it’s often the first warning that your tomatoes need water too.

4. Dill

What It Does For Tomatoes: This delicate herb with its feathery foliage attracts the most helpful predatory insects to the garden.

How to Use It in the Garden: Soe dill seeds about 12 inches away from your tomato plants, giving both enough space to thrive. Dill’s airy growth habit means it doesn’t compete too heavily with your tomatoes.

Let some dill self-seed each year, creating these lovely little patches that pop up throughout the garden. The tall flower stalks add this wonderful vertical element that makes the garden feel more dynamic. Just be mindful that dill grows quite tall when it flowers – I typically position it where it won’t shade smaller tomato varieties.

Bonus:

• Dill flowers are absolute magnets for beneficial insects. Those tiny yellow blooms might not look showy to us, but to ladybugs and lacewings, they’re irresistible.
• Young dill leaves pair beautifully with fresh tomatoes in summer salads and sauces.
• And here’s something many gardeners don’t realize – dill is actually in the same family as carrots, which explains its delicate, feathery appearance. When the plants finish their lifecycle, the spent stems break down quickly, returning valuable nutrients to your soil for future plantings.

5. Hyssop

What It Does For Tomatoes: This beautiful herb with its spikes of purple-blue flowers creates this incredible pollinator hub in the garden. There’s something about the aromatic oils in hyssop that certain insects just don’t appreciate.

How to Use It in the Garden: Try planting hyssop about 18 inches away from your tomato plants, giving both enough room to thrive. Hyssop’s neat, bushy form makes it perfect for creating little pollinator stations throughout your vegetable garden.

Position hyssop on the north side of the tomato beds where it won’t shade the tomatoes. The striking flower spikes add this wonderful splash of color that makes the whole garden feel more alive and vibrant. For those growing tomatoes in containers, a pot of hyssop placed nearby works beautifully too!

Bonus:

• Hyssop has been used in folk medicine for centuries. The leaves make a soothing tea that’s traditionally used for digestive issues and coughs.
• Hyssop serves as a perennial in many climates. The slightly minty, anise-like scent fills the air when you brush against it while tending your garden.
• Try planting some anise hyssop (a related plant with similar benefits) because its licorice-scented leaves add such a unique flavor to summer drinks and desserts.

6. Lovage

What it does for tomatoes: Lovage is an excellent companion for tomatoes as it helps to enhance their growth and overall vigor. Its deep roots improve soil structure, which can benefit nearby plants by allowing their roots to access more nutrients and water.

This herb also attracts beneficial insects such as hoverflies, ladybugs, and predatory wasps, which keep pests like aphids, whiteflies, and tomato hornworms at bay.

How to use it in the garden:

• Lovage thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. It can grow quite tall, reaching up to 5 feet, so be sure to plant it in a spot where it won’t overshadow your tomato plants. It’s best placed at the back of your garden or in larger spaces where it can stretch out.
• The roots of lovage enrich the soil, and its strong, aromatic scent can mask the smell of tomatoes, deterring pests that rely on plant scent for navigation.
• Lovage is a perennial, so once planted, it will come back year after year, making it a low-maintenance addition to your garden. It does well in moist conditions, so be sure to water it regularly, especially during dry spells.

Bonus:

• Lovage is a wonderful herb to have in the kitchen. Its strong flavor is similar to celery but more robust, and it can be used in soups, stews, and salads.
• The plant has been used as a diuretic and to support digestion. It’s also a great source of vitamins A and C. However, it can be quite potent, so start with small amounts to avoid overwhelming your dishes!

7. Mint

What it does for tomatoes: Mint repels ants, aphids, and even some types of mosquitoes, which can all be problematic for tomato plants. Its strong, aromatic scent acts as a natural pest deterrent.

How to Use It in the Garden: You could plant mint in containers sunk into the ground near your tomatoes, rather than directly in the soil. You’ll thank yourself later because, let’s be honest, mint can be a bit of a garden bully if given free rein!

I like to position mint containers on the slightly shadier edges of my tomato beds where they’ll still thrive but won’t compete for prime growing space. For those growing tomatoes on patios, a pot of mint placed nearby works beautifully while keeping it contained.

Bonus:

• There are dozens of mint varieties beyond the common peppermint and spearmint. I’ve been experimenting with chocolate mint and pineapple mint – they bring such unique fragrances to the garden!
• In your kitchen, mint and tomatoes actually pair wonderfully in summer salads and refreshing drinks. I love how this herb serves double-duty – providing amazing flavor for my meals.
• You can harvest mint leaves to make a natural pest-deterrent to spray on the tomatoes. Steep the leaves in water overnight before straining and spraying.

8. Oregano

What it does for tomatoes: This aromatic herb creates this wonderful protective environment that tomatoes just seem to thrive in. Oregano has a strong scent that naturally repels harmful insects like aphids, flea beetles, and whiteflies.

How to Use It in the Garden: Plant oregano about 12 inches away from your tomato plants, where both can get plenty of sunshine. Oregano’s low, spreading habit creates this perfect living mulch that helps retain moisture and suppress weeds around your tomatoes.

I like to plant oregano on the south or west side of my tomato beds where it can handle the heat and sun that might stress other companions. The pretty purple-pink flowers that appear in mid-summer add this lovely splash of color to the garden while attracting all sorts of beneficial insects that help with pollination.

Bonus:

• Oregano contains powerful natural compounds that have been used in folk medicine for centuries. It’s loaded with carvacrol and thymol, which have impressive antibacterial and antifungal properties.
• In the garden, these same compounds might help protect neighboring plants from certain pathogens.
• Oregano is actually a perennial in many climates, coming back year after year with minimal care. The leaves harvested just before flowering have the most intense flavor and beneficial compounds.

9. Parsley

What It Does For Tomatoes: I’ve found that parsley is absolutely magical for tomatoes! This humble herb attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and predatory wasps.

How to Use It in the Garden: I like to plant parsley around the edges of my tomato beds, creating a pretty green border that’s both beautiful and functional. You can start from seeds (though they’re a bit slow to germinate) or grab small plants from the garden center like I usually do. I’ve found that spacing parsley plants about 8-12 inches apart around tomatoes works perfectly. And here’s a little tip – parsley loves consistent moisture, so regular watering benefits both plants. Its bushy texture also helps shade the soil around tomato roots, keeping them cooler on hot summer days.

Bonus:

• Parsley is actually a biennial. In its second year, it produces the most beautiful delicate flowers that pollinators absolutely adore.
• I’ve also started adding fresh parsley to my morning smoothies because it’s surprisingly packed with nutrients – more vitamin C than oranges.
• And my favorite little secret? Chewing on fresh parsley naturally freshens your breath after eating garlic or onions. It’s nature’s breath mint right in your garden!

10. Thyme

What It Does For Tomatoes: This fragrant little herb has become my secret weapon for healthier plants. The strong aroma naturally repels whiteflies and cabbage loopers. But what I love most is how thyme attracts beneficial pollinators to the garden.

How to Use It in the Garden: Tuck thyme plants around the base of my tomatoes, about 10-12 inches away from the main stem. This little herb doesn’t need much space and actually thrives in the same well-draining soil that tomatoes love. And here’s a tip I wish someone had told me earlier – thyme is incredibly drought-tolerant, so it won’t compete with your tomatoes for water. I’ve found that creeping thyme varieties work beautifully as living mulch, helping to suppress weeds and keeping the soil cool around tomato roots during hot summer days.

Bonus:

• I keep a small jar of dried thyme in my kitchen for making soothing tea when I feel a cold coming on – it’s naturally antibacterial and great for sore throats.
• And perhaps my favorite little secret about thyme is that it actually grows stronger and more aromatic when slightly neglected. Less work for more benefits? Yes, please!

11. Yarrow

What It Does For Tomatoes: This beautiful, feathery plant attracts beneficial predatory wasps and ladybugs. You’ll also notice significantly fewer aphid problems once you add yarrow to your garden.

How to Use It in the Garden: Plant yarrow along the edges of your tomato beds where it can flourish without crowding the tomatoes. Yarrow is incredibly drought-tolerant once established, so it won’t compete with your tomatoes for water. You’ll find that spacing yarrow plants about 12-18 inches from tomatoes gives everyone room to thrive. The delicate, umbrella-shaped flower clusters not only look stunning but also serve as landing pads for all those helpful garden allies you want to attract.

Bonus:

• Keep some dried yarrow in your garden first-aid kit for minor cuts and scrapes – it actually has natural antiseptic properties.
• And perhaps the best little secret about yarrow is that it actually improves your soil quality over time, adding valuable nutrients that benefit everything growing nearby. Talk about a hardworking garden companion!

Flower Companions that Protect Tomato Plants

12. Borage

What It Does For Tomatoes: This stunning plant with its vibrant blue star-shaped flowers naturally repels tomato hornworms – those pesky green caterpillars that can devastate your plants overnight.

But what you’ll really appreciate is how borage attracts countless pollinators to your garden. It also helps your soil retain moisture, creating a more favorable microclimate for your tomatoes.

How to Use It in the Garden: Plant borage about 12 inches away from your tomato plants, giving both enough room to flourish. You’ll find that borage grows quite quickly and can reach 2-3 feet tall, so positioning it on the north side of your tomatoes prevents unwanted shading.

Borage self-seeds enthusiastically, so you might want to trim some flower heads before they go to seed unless you’re happy to have volunteers pop up next season. The beautiful blue flowers also make your vegetable garden look absolutely stunning – who says productive gardens can’t be showstoppers too?

Bonus:

• Many gardeners don’t realize that borage leaves and flowers are completely edible! The young leaves have a mild cucumber flavor that adds a refreshing twist to summer salads, while the striking blue flowers make gorgeous decorations for desserts and cocktails.
• Historically, borage was known as the “herb of courage” – Roman soldiers would drink borage-infused wine before battle for bravery. You can also steep the leaves in water overnight for a rejuvenating skin tonic that helps with irritation and redness.

13. Calendula

What It Does For Tomatoes: These bright orange and yellow flowers naturally repel nematodes and asparagus beetles that can damage your the tomato plants. At the same time, calendula attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and ladybugs that feed on aphids and other tomato pests.

How to Use It in the Garden: Plant calendula every 2-3 feet around your tomato beds or interspersed between plants. They’re incredibly easy to grow from seed and will often self-seed for years to come. Calendula thrives in the same sunny conditions as tomatoes but isn’t fussy about soil quality, making it the perfect low-maintenance companion. The bright blooms also serve as “trap plants,” drawing certain pests away from your tomatoes. For maximum benefit, plant a few calendulas early in the season so they’re already flowering when your tomatoes go in.

Bonus:

• The vibrant petals of calendula aren’t just pretty – they’re completely edible. You can sprinkle them in summer salads for a peppery-sweet flavor and gorgeous color.
• Historically known as “poor man’s saffron,” calendula can add a beautiful golden hue to rice dishes and soups.
• Your skin will love calendula too – the flowers contain natural compounds that promote healing, which is why you’ll find this herb in so many natural skincare products. Keep some dried petals on hand for making a soothing oil that helps with minor burns, cuts, and irritated skin.

14. Marigolds

What They Do For Tomatoes: These cheerful flowers are natural pest deterrents, releasing a distinct scent that repels nematodes, whiteflies, and even tomato hornworms. The bright orange and yellow blooms also attract beneficial pollinators and, perhaps most impressively, they actually help improve your soil as they grow, creating a healthier environment for your tomatoes to thrive.

How to Use Them in the Garden: Create a protective border of marigolds around your entire tomato patch, or simply plant them between every few tomato plants. They’re incredibly easy to grow from seed, or you can pick up inexpensive seedlings at any garden center. The French marigold varieties (the shorter ones) work best for pest control, while the taller African marigolds make stunning visual statements. Plant them early in the season so they’re already established when your tomatoes are vulnerable to pests. Their shallow roots won’t compete with your tomatoes, making them truly perfect companions.

Bonus:

• The vibrant petals of marigolds contain natural compounds that can actually dye fabric. Gather some blooms at the end of the season for a fun project creating beautiful yellow and orange-tinted textiles. Y
• Your garden will benefit from marigolds even after they’re done blooming – their roots produce compounds that continue protecting nearby plants even after the flowers fade.
• Some clever gardeners make a “marigold tea” by steeping the leaves in water overnight, then using this natural spray to deter aphids and other soft-bodied insects.

15. Nasturtiums

What They Do For Tomatoes: These bold, colorful flowers act as natural pest magnets, drawing aphids and whiteflies away from your tomato plants. The bright blooms also attract beneficial insects like bumblebees and hoverflies, improving pollination rates for your garden.

How to Use Them in the Garden: You can scatter nasturtium seeds around the perimeter of your tomato patch or between plants. They grow quickly and can trail beautifully along the ground or climb up supports. The climbing varieties can be trained up the same trellis as your indeterminate tomatoes, creating a stunning visual display while saving space. Nasturtiums thrive in average to poor soil, making them ideal companions that won’t compete for nutrients. Plant them about 10-12 inches from your tomatoes for the perfect balance of protection without crowding.

Bonus:

• The entire nasturtium plant is completely edible. The peppery flowers add a gorgeous splash of color and spicy kick to summer salads, while the round leaves make a delicious substitute for watercress in sandwiches.
• Crafty gardeners collect the green seed pods at the end of the season to make “poor man’s capers” – pickled in vinegar, they’re nearly indistinguishable from the expensive store-bought version.
• Nasturtiums contain natural antibacterial compounds that can help boost your immune system, making them both beautiful and beneficial additions to your garden and kitchen.

16. Sunflowers

What They Do For Tomatoes: Sunflowers create the perfect dappled shade during intense summer heat, protecting the tomato plants from scorching. The sturdy stalks also act as natural windbreaks, sheltering delicate tomato stems from damage during summer storms. Best of all, sunflowers attract a diverse array of beneficial insects and pollinators.

How to Use Them in the Garden: Plant sunflowers along the north side of your tomato patch where they won’t block essential morning sun. You’ll find that spacing them about 18-24 inches apart creates an effective barrier without overcrowding. Select different sunflower varieties with staggered blooming times to maintain pollinator activity throughout the growing season. The deep roots of sunflowers also help break up compacted soil, improving drainage for your tomatoes without competing for nutrients in the same soil layer.

Bonus:

• Sunflower stems contain natural compounds that can inhibit the growth of certain other plants – a phenomenon called allelopathy. Fortunately, tomatoes aren’t affected by this, making them perfect companions.
• Birds absolutely adore sunflower seeds, so leaving the spent flower heads in place through fall creates a natural bird feeder that attracts insect-eating species to your garden.
• The roots of sunflowers can actually extract lead and other contaminants from soil, helping to purify your garden bed for future plantings – a natural detoxification system that benefits everything you grow.

17. Buckwheat

What It Does For Tomatoes: This quick-growing plant attracts beneficial insects like hover flies, lacewings, and parasitic wasps that hunt down tomato pests. The shallow roots of buckwheat help suppress weeds around tomato plants without competing for water or nutrients. Buckwheat also improves soil structure as it grows.

How to Use It in the Garden: Sow buckwheat seeds between tomato rows or in nearby patches. You’ll find it germinates quickly and produces delicate white flowers within just 3-4 weeks. Plant successive small patches of buckwheat throughout the season to maintain continuous blooms that attract beneficial insects. The plants grow about 1-2 feet tall, making them perfect neighbors that won’t shade your sun-loving tomatoes. When buckwheat finishes flowering, simply chop it down and leave it as a nutrient-rich mulch right where it grew.

Bonus:

• Buckwheat contains high levels of rutin, a compound that strengthens capillary walls and improves circulation.
• The triangular seeds make delicious, gluten-free flour for pancakes with a distinctive earthy flavor.
• In your garden, buckwheat performs the valuable service of accessing phosphorus in the soil that other plants can’t reach, then making it available to neighboring plants when it breaks down.
• Some farmers use buckwheat as a “nurse crop” to rejuvenate tired soil between main plantings – a technique you can adapt for rotating your tomato beds from year to year.

Vegetable Companions For A Productive Tomato Garden Layout

18. Amaranth

What It Does For Tomatoes: This striking plant with its vivid purple or red plumes creates a natural habitat for beneficial predatory insects that help control tomato pests. The tall, sturdy stalks can also serve as informal supports for sprawling tomato vines in windy conditions.

How to Use It in the Garden: Plant amaranth about 18 inches away from your tomato plants, allowing both enough space to flourish. You’ll find this colorful companion grows quickly, reaching impressive heights by mid-summer. Position amaranth on the west side of tomatoes to provide gentle afternoon shade during the hottest part of the day. The deep taproot of amaranth helps break up compacted soil without interfering with your tomato plants’ root systems. Let a few plants flower fully to attract pollinators that will visit your tomatoes too.

Bonus:

• Amaranth leaves are incredibly nutritious – packed with more iron than spinach and rich in calcium, protein, and vitamins.
• The tiny seeds (actually a pseudo-grain) contain all nine essential amino acids, making them a complete protein source.
• Its extensive root system mines nutrients from deep soil layers and brings them closer to the surface where tomatoes can access them.
• Some gardeners save the dramatic plumes for stunning dried flower arrangements that maintain their vibrant color for months after harvesting.

19. Asparagus

What It Does For Tomatoes: This perennial vegetable releases compounds that naturally deter nematodes – those microscopic soil pests that can damage tomato roots. The tall, feathery asparagus ferns create a beautiful backdrop for tomatoes while attracting ladybugs and other beneficial insects that help keep tomato pests in check.

How to Use It in the Garden: Plant tomatoes along the edge of your established asparagus bed where both can benefit from each other. You’ll find this companion relationship works best when asparagus is already established for at least two years.

Asparagus and tomatoes actually share many of the same soil preferences, making them natural garden neighbors. The deep roots of asparagus help break up clay soil and improve drainage for nearby tomatoes, while not competing for the same soil resources. Just be sure to leave about 18 inches between your tomato plants and the asparagus crowns.

Bonus:

• Asparagus plants can live and produce for an astonishing 15-20 years when properly maintained.
• The ferny foliage that develops after harvest season contains natural saponins that can be used to make an effective homemade insect repellent spray for your garden.
• In autumn, the asparagus ferns turn a gorgeous golden color before dying back, adding visual interest to your garden when tomato season is winding down.

20. Beans

What They Do For Tomatoes: These humble legumes are nitrogen-fixing powerhouses, enriching the soil with this essential nutrient that tomatoes need for lush foliage and fruit production. The climbing varieties can share trellises with tomatoes, maximizing your growing space while creating a beautiful, productive vertical garden. I’ve found that bush beans planted around tomatoes help create a living mulch that keeps soil temperatures more consistent.

How to Use Them in the Garden: Plant bush beans about 10-12 inches away from your tomato plants in a ring or half-circle pattern. You’ll find they grow quickly and help shade the soil while not competing for sunlight with taller tomatoes.

Select pole beans for indeterminate tomatoes and bush beans for determinate varieties to match their growing habits. The shallow roots of beans complement the deeper root system of tomatoes, allowing them to share garden space harmoniously. For the best results, plant beans when your tomatoes are about 12 inches tall so both can establish themselves properly.

Bonus:

• Beans continue enriching your soil even after harvest. The nodules on their roots house beneficial bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form plants can use. When these roots decompose, they release this nitrogen slowly, feeding next season’s crops.
• Some gardeners specifically use scarlet runner beans with tomatoes because their bright red flowers attract hummingbirds, which help control small insects while adding movement and color to the garden.
• The traditional “Three Sisters” planting method used by Native Americans can be adapted to include tomatoes as a fourth “sister” alongside beans, corn and squash in a beautifully integrated growing system.

21. Carrots

What They Do For Tomatoes: These root vegetables create natural channels in the soil that improve drainage and aeration around tomato roots. The carrot tops release subtle scents that can confuse and deter certain tomato pests, particularly those that locate plants by smell.

How to Use Them in the Garden: Sow carrot seeds in rows between your tomato plants, about 8-10 inches away from the main stems. You’ll find this spacing gives both vegetables enough room without competition.

Plant quick-maturing carrot varieties that you can harvest before your tomato plants reach full size and need more space. The fine, feathery carrot tops create a living mulch that helps retain soil moisture while suppressing weeds around your tomatoes. For continuous benefits, consider succession planting carrots every few weeks throughout the growing season.

Bonus:

• Carrot tops are completely edible and nutritious. The feathery greens make a flavorful addition to pestos and chimichurri sauces.
• In the garden, carrot roots help break up compacted soil layers, creating pathways for air, water, and beneficial organisms that improve soil health for future plantings.
• Some varieties produce beautiful umbels of lacy white flowers if left to bolt, attracting tiny parasitic wasps that help control tomato hornworms and other caterpillar pests. The mutual benefits of this plant partnership demonstrate the elegant efficiency of companion planting at its finest.

22. Comfrey

What It Does For Tomatoes: This deep-rooted perennial acts as a natural nutrient accumulator, mining calcium, potassium, and other minerals from deep soil layers that tomatoes can’t reach.

The large, fuzzy leaves create a perfect microclimate around tomato plants, moderating soil temperature and reducing moisture stress during hot weather.

How to Use It in the Garden: Plant comfrey at the corners of your tomato beds where its spreading habit won’t overwhelm your plants. You’ll find that established comfrey doesn’t need much attention, thriving in both sun and partial shade.

Cut comfrey leaves throughout the season to use as nutrient-rich mulch directly around your tomatoes. The leaves break down quickly, delivering a steady supply of nutrients exactly where needed. For container gardeners, a “comfrey tea” made by soaking leaves in water creates a fantastic liquid fertilizer for tomatoes.

Bonus:

• Comfrey contains allantoin, a compound that stimulates cell growth and wound healing. The plant has been valued for centuries as a traditional remedy for sprains and bruises.
• In your garden, comfrey serves as a dynamic accumulator of not just nutrients but also beneficial soil life – its extensive root system creates highways for earthworms and beneficial microorganisms to travel through the soil.
• Some gardeners maintain dedicated comfrey patches specifically as “chop and drop” fertilizer factories, using this sustainable plant to feed their entire vegetable garden throughout the growing season.

23. Garlic

What It Does For Tomatoes: These pungent bulbs naturally repel spider mites, aphids, and even some fungal pathogens that commonly plague tomatoes. The strong scent seems to confuse pests that normally find tomato plants by smell. I’ve observed that tomatoes grown near garlic appear more resilient against early blight and other common tomato diseases, possibly due to the natural sulfur compounds garlic releases into the surrounding soil.

How to Use It in the Garden: Try planting garlic cloves around the perimeter of your tomato beds, about 6-8 inches away from the stems. You’ll find fall-planted garlic works beautifully with tomatoes planted the following spring.

Alternate garlic plants with marigolds around tomatoes for a double layer of pest protection. The slender garlic leaves take up minimal space while providing maximum benefits to your tomatoes. For an immediate effect, you can plant spring garlic alongside newly transplanted tomatoes – even though it won’t form large bulbs, the plants will still offer pest-repelling benefits.

Bonus:

• Garlic stems and scapes are delicious edible treats many gardeners overlook! The tender, curling flower stalks make wonderful pestos and stir-fries with a milder flavor than the bulbs.
• In your garden, garlic serves as a natural fungicide – the sulfur compounds it releases can help suppress certain soil-borne diseases.
• Some gardeners make a simple spray from garlic cloves soaked in water to treat early signs of fungal issues on tomato leaves.

24. Lettuce

What It Does For Tomatoes: These leafy greens create a living mulch that helps keep the soil cool and moist – something tomato roots absolutely love during hot summer days. The shallow roots of lettuce don’t compete with the deeper tomato root systems.

How to Use It in the Garden: Try sowing lettuce seeds in a circle around your tomato plants, about 8 inches from the main stem. You’ll find loose-leaf varieties work best as they can be harvested gradually without disturbing the tomatoes.

Use heat-tolerant lettuce varieties that won’t bolt quickly when summer temperatures rise. For continuous benefits, succession plant lettuce every few weeks, filling in spaces as you harvest mature leaves.

Bonus:

• Lettuce contains a milky sap that some insects find repellent! This natural defense mechanism can help protect nearby plants from certain pests.
• In your garden, lettuce serves as a fantastic indicator plant – it will wilt quickly if water is needed, giving you an early warning before your tomatoes show signs of drought stress.
• Some gardeners specifically plant red or bronze lettuce varieties with tomatoes to create a stunning ornamental effect that rivals decorative landscaping. This partnership demonstrates the beauty of edible landscaping – practical, productive, and visually appealing all at once.

25. Onions

What They Do For Tomatoes: I’ve become such a fan of planting onions near my tomatoes! These aromatic bulbs naturally deter many common tomato pests with their distinctive sulfur compounds. Gardeners who interplant onions with tomatoes often notice fewer problems with aphids, spider mites, and even some soil-dwelling pests. The slender onion foliage takes up minimal space while creating a protective barrier around tomato plants.

How to Use Them in the Garden: Try planting onion sets in a circle around your tomato plants, about 6-8 inches from the main stem. You’ll find that bunching onions or scallions works particularly well as companions since they can be harvested gradually without disturbing the tomatoes.

Alternate white and red onion varieties for both pest protection and extended harvests. For container gardeners, tucking a few onion plants around the edges of tomato pots works beautifully.

• Onion flowers are absolutely stunning. If you allow a few plants to bolt, they’ll produce perfect spheres of tiny star-shaped blooms that attract beneficial insects.
• Onions serve as natural soil fumigants – their antimicrobial properties can help suppress certain soil pathogens that affect tomatoes.

26. Radishes

What They Do For Tomatoes: I’ve become such a fan of tucking radishes around my tomato plants! These peppery little root vegetables grow so quickly that they help mark rows while slower-growing tomatoes are getting established. The spicy scent of radish foliage seems to confuse certain pests that might otherwise target tomato plants.

How to Use Them in the Garden: Sow radish seeds in a circle around newly transplanted tomatoes, about 4-6 inches from the main stem. You’ll find these quick-growing plants mature in just 3-4 weeks, allowing you to harvest them before your tomatoes need the extra space.

Bonus:

• Radish flowers are not only edible but absolutely delicious. If you let a few plants bolt, they produce delicate white or purple blooms with a mild radish flavor that adds a gourmet touch to summer salads.
• Radishes serve as excellent “trap crops” for flea beetles, drawing these pests away from the tomatoes.

27. Spinach

What It Does For Tomatoes: These nutrient-dense greens create a perfect living mulch that helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds around young tomato seedlings. The broad spinach leaves shade the soil, keeping it cool and comfortable for developing tomato roots.

How to Use It in the Garden: Sow spinach seeds in a wide band around your tomato plants, about 6-8 inches from the main stems. You’ll find this early-season crop grows quickly in the cooler spring weather when tomatoes are just getting established.

Plant spinach in early spring, then transplant tomato seedlings among the spinach a few weeks later. The timing works perfectly – you’ll harvest most of your spinach just as tomatoes need more room to grow. The lush green spinach creates an attractive groundcover that enhances the visual appeal of your garden while serving a practical purpose.

• Spinach leaves actually become more nutritious when lightly cooked. The brief heating process helps release certain nutrients that are bound up in the raw leaves.
• Spinach serves as an excellent indicator plant – when it starts to bolt, you’ll know soil temperatures are warming up enough for your tomatoes to really take off.
• Try planting savoy spinach varieties (with crinkly leaves) around tomatoes because the textured leaves collect morning dew, creating tiny pockets of moisture that benefit nearby plants during dry spells.

Bringing Your Tomato Companion Garden to the Next Level

These strategies view the garden as a dynamic, ever-changing ecosystem that supports your tomatoes in different ways throughout the growing season. Once you start thinking about companion planting this way, you’ll see your tomato garden with completely new eyes!

Seasonal Companion Rotations for Tomatoes

I’ve discovered that tomatoes need different friends at different times in their lives – just like we do! By rotating companions seasonally, you’re essentially creating a support team that changes as your tomatoes grow.

Early Season (Spring)
Start with quick-growing radishes to mark rows and break up soil before tomatoes go in. Add spinach and lettuce as living mulch that will be harvested just as tomatoes hit their growth spurt.

Mid-Season (Summer)
Transition to basil, marigolds, and nasturtiums when tomatoes are actively growing. These heat-lovers provide pest protection during critical flowering and fruiting without competing for resources.

Late Season (Late Summer/Fall)
Introduce garlic and chives to ward off late-season fungal issues. Add borage to attract pollinators for final flower sets, supporting continued production as plants begin to decline.

Post-Season (Fall/Winter)
Plant cover crops like clover or winter rye after harvest to build soil and break pest cycles, preparing the ground for next season’s tomatoes.

Companion Stacking for Tomatoes

Instead of just thinking about what goes beside your tomatoes, why not think in three dimensions? This method has changed my tomato garden layout and doubled the productivity of my garden beds.

Underground Layer
Carrots and onions utilize soil space below tomatoes, breaking up soil and deterring underground pests without competing for resources.

Ground Layer
Low-growing oregano, thyme, and nasturtiums form living mulch that suppresses weeds, retains moisture, and houses beneficial insects.

Middle Layer
Tomato plants occupy this main growing zone, with proper spacing for good airflow while allowing enough density for companion benefits.

Upper Layer
Tall, airy companions like dill and lovage attract beneficial insects while providing dappled afternoon shade during intense heat.

Vertical Integration
Train climbing nasturtiums up the same supports as indeterminate tomatoes for pest protection throughout the growing space, creating productive “companion towers.”

These approaches have completely changed how I think about my tomato garden. It’s not just about plants growing next to each other anymore – it’s about creating this beautiful, harmonious system that changes and adapts throughout the seasons. Isn’t that what gardening is really all about?

FAQ

What exactly is companion planting?

Companion planting is strategically positioning plants together for mutual benefits. With tomatoes, certain companions repel pests, attract beneficial insects, improve soil health, or enhance flavor. It’s a natural approach to creating a balanced garden ecosystem without chemicals.

Do I need to plant ALL these companions with my tomatoes?

No! Choose 2-3 companions that also provide harvests you enjoy. Even adding just one good companion like basil or marigolds can make a noticeable difference in your tomato garden’s health and productivity.

Are there any plants I should NOT grow near tomatoes?

Avoid planting potatoes, fennel, corn, and cabbage family crops near tomatoes as they compete for nutrients or can inhibit growth. Other nightshades (peppers, eggplants) should be separated as they can share the same diseases.

When should I plant these companions in relation to my tomatoes?

Plant cool-season companions like spinach 2-3 weeks before tomatoes. Warm-season herbs like basil should go in when you transplant tomatoes. Most companions can be added throughout the growing season for ongoing benefits.

Will companion planting completely eliminate pest problems?

No, companion planting reduces pest issues but doesn’t eliminate them. It works best as part of an integrated approach including healthy soil practices, proper watering, and regular garden monitoring.

Can I practice companion planting in containers?

Yes! Use containers 15+ gallons for a tomato plant surrounded by smaller companions like basil or chives. Ensure adequate space for root systems and sufficient sunlight for all plants. Container companions work beautifully on patios and balconies.

Key Takeaways

• Companion planting creates a natural ecosystem that helps tomatoes thrive without chemicals.
• Herbs like basil, oregano, and chives not only enhance tomato flavor but also repel harmful insects.
• Flowers such as marigolds and nasturtiums act as pest deterrents while attracting beneficial pollinators.
• Consider the timing of your companions – some work best early season, others during peak growth.
• Think beyond side-by-side planting by utilizing vertical space with companion stacking techniques.
• Even small gardens and containers can benefit from thoughtful companion combinations.
• Rotate your companions seasonally to provide different benefits throughout the growing cycle.
• Creating a dedicated “Tomato Support Circle” with strategic companion placement maximizes benefits.

I hope these companion planting ideas inspire your garden this season! Whether you try just one perfect pairing or create a complete companion circle, your tomatoes will thank you with healthier growth and more abundant harvests. Share your tomato garden with us in the comments below. Happy growing!