What is the best companion plant for tomatoes?

Author: Ward Boehm  |  Last update: Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Top 10 Companion Plants for Tomatoes
  • Marigolds. The bright colors and strong scent of marigolds make them an excellent deterrent against insects like tomato hornworms and aphids. ...
  • Garlic. ...
  • Onions. ...
  • Lavender. ...
  • Basil (Ocimum basilicum) ...
  • Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) ...
  • Asparagus. ...
  • Celery.

What should not be planted next to tomatoes?

Tomatoes are less compatible with plants from the same family. Potatoes, eggplants and physalis also belong to the nightshade family (Solanaceae). You should not plant these directly next to your tomatoes. Potatoes and tomatoes are bad neighbors here, as both plants are susceptible to late blight.

What companion plants make tomatoes taste better?

Great companion plants for tomatoes include garlic, onions, chives, lettuce, basil, and sage. Garlic is especially good because it is a powerful insect repellent, so it not only helps the tomato fruits become more flavorful and robust, it tends to repel both aphids and tomato hornworms.

What is the best intercrop for tomatoes?

Great companion plants for tomatoes include garlic, onions, chives, lettuce, basil, and sage. Garlic is especially good because it is a powerful insect repellent, so it not only helps the tomato fruits become more flavorful and robust, it tends to repel both aphids and tomato hornworms.

What pairs best with tomatoes?

Companion Plants to Grow With Tomatoes
  • Basil. Basil and tomatoes are soulmates on and off the plate. ...
  • Parsley. ...
  • Garlic. ...
  • Borage and squash. ...
  • French marigolds and nasturtiums. ...
  • Asparagus. ...
  • Chives.

5 companion plants for tomatoes

What should not be mixed with tomato?

Tomato and pasta is a disastrous combination that can wreak havoc on your gut health. Try to avoid the cheese and tomatoes in pasta as the acid in the tomato curdles the dairy and degrades the starchy pasta. Again, mixing carbs and meat will make another bad combination that will be very difficult to digest.

Can peppers and tomatoes be planted together?

The fact of the matter is that YES the plants are related and YES they share some common diseases but most people do not have the space in their garden to separate them. The reality is that because the two have similar growth requirements, they can in fact be grown quite successfully together.

What do you plant with tomatoes to keep the bugs away?

Top 10 Companion Plants for Tomatoes
  1. Marigolds. The bright colors and strong scent of marigolds make them an excellent deterrent against insects like tomato hornworms and aphids. ...
  2. Garlic. ...
  3. Onions. ...
  4. Lavender. ...
  5. Basil (Ocimum basilicum) ...
  6. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) ...
  7. Asparagus. ...
  8. Celery.

What should you not plant peppers next to?

Brassicas: Brassicas such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage are not good companion plants for peppers as they require similar nutrients from the soil, which can lead to competition and reduced yield.

What is a good crop to follow tomatoes?

Lettuce is an ideal follow-on crop for tomatoes as it prefers cooler weather and is ready to harvest just 30-70 days after sowing. Succession plant each week so you can enjoy lettuce well into the cold season. Many varieties of lettuce can be grown as cut-and-come-again crops.

Do coffee grounds help tomatoes?

Coffee grounds should not be used as the sole fertilizer for tomato plants. The grounds do not contain the nutrient balance that tomatoes need to thrive, and adding too many grounds will affect the soil's pH. Tomato plants can tolerate slightly acid soils, as low as pH 5.5.

How do you get the highest yield on tomatoes?

How To Increase Tomato Yields: 7 Expert Tricks For A Bumper...
  1. Choose Top-Performing Varieties.
  2. Use Smarter Supports.
  3. Try Trench Planting.
  4. Tap To Pollinate.
  5. Prune Out Excess Growth.
  6. Companion Plant With Good Neighbors.
  7. Fertilize With The Right Nutrients.

What can I feed my tomatoes to get more fruit?

Fertilize tomatoes at planting time with a water-soluble fertilizer high in phosphorus. Fertilize again with a 5-10-5 fertilizer after you see the first fruit.

What do Epsom salts do for tomato plants?

Tomatoes are prone to magnesium deficiency later in the growing season, which can show with yellowing leaves and diminished production. Ultra Epsom Salt treatments at the beginning of their planting and throughout their seasonal life can help to prevent and remedy magnesium deficiency in your tomato plants.

Why should you not plant cucumbers near tomatoes?

However, because they are both heavy feeders, require a lot of moisture and light, and need adequate space around them to promote healthy air circulation, they may compete. In light of this, if you want to grow cucumbers and tomatoes together, it is best to plant them 45 – 60 cm apart and in separate soil if possible.

What not to do when planting tomatoes?

9 Common Tomato Growing Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Harvest
  1. Mistake 1: Planting tomatoes too early or too late.
  2. Mistake 2: Starting with poor seedlings.
  3. Mistake 3: Shallow planting.
  4. Mistake 4: Inconsistent watering.
  5. Mistake 5: Overhead watering.
  6. Mistake 6: Not staking tomatoes.

What not to plant with cucumbers?

Aromatic Herbs: Herbs like sage and rosemary, while useful in cooking, can inhibit the growth of cucumbers. They contain natural oils that can slow down the growth of cucumber plants. Brassicas: Plants like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower can compete with cucumbers for the same nutrients in the soil.

What does tomato grow well with?

What are some other good companion plants for tomatoes?
  • Borage.
  • Calendula. A great plant for attracting beneficial insects—which can help reduce pests and increase pollination.
  • Chives.
  • Lemon balm. ...
  • Mint. ...
  • Nasturtium.
  • Sage, oregano, parsley, and thyme.

Can peppers and cucumbers be planted together?

Peppers and chili go well next to cucumbers, especially in a greenhouse you can plant these crops together. To prevent mildew, garlic, onions, chives, marigolds and various herbs such as basil can help.

What plants keep tomato worms away?

“Other popular companion plants that effectively deter tomato hornworms include marigolds, dill, borage, parsley, and thyme,” he says.

Should you plant marigolds with tomatoes?

Marigolds and tomatoes are good garden buddies with similar growing conditions. Research studies have indicated that planting marigolds between tomatoes protects the tomato plants from harmful root-knot nematodes in the soil.

What is the best ground cover around tomato plants to prevent weeds?

Mulch Blocks Weeds

Weeds are usually no problem for tomatoes since the large plants, with their dense foliage, shade out and smother any weeds. However, mulch around staked or trellised plants will keep down those baby weeds, so they won't rob the plants of water and nutrients.

What is the best companion plant for peppers?

In a raised bed, various herbs such as basil, parsley or dill are good companions for peppers. Lettuce, carrots and onions also make good neighbours for peppers in a raised bed.

Why plant basil by tomatoes?

These articles suggested that if I were to place these two varieties close together, the plants would share nutrients under the soil surface, the tomatoes would have enhanced flavor (since flavor comes from the soil), and the aroma from the basil would help confuse insects seeking tomatoes to eat.

What is the best plant food for tomatoes and peppers?

Compost Tea: One of the best fertilizers composed from leaves or stems for tomatoes (and any other plant) is compost tea that is made by pouring water over compost allowing beneficial microbes to leach into the mixture therefore making it usable as a foliar spray or drench for immediate nutrient supply in tomatoes.

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