What Grows Well with Tomatoes: The Best Companion Plants (and What to Avoid)
What grows well with tomatoes in the vegetable garden, raised beds and pots: the best companion plants for tomatoes, why basil and tomatoes are a classic pair, what not to plant with tomatoes, and a tomato companion planting chart that separates proven benefits from garden myths.
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Tomatoes rarely grow alone. Most gardeners plant them next to herbs, flowers or other vegetables, and good neighbors can attract helpful insects, make better use of space and keep the soil covered. So what grows well with tomatoes, and which plants are better kept at a distance?
This guide answers that question honestly. Companion planting is full of traditional advice, and not all of it is backed by research. Below you will find the best companion plants for tomatoes, what not to plant with tomatoes, a clear tomato companion planting chart, and practical layouts for beds and pots, with a note on how strong the evidence is for each pairing.
How Companion Planting Works
Companion plants help tomatoes in a few practical ways. Knowing how they work makes it easier to choose what grows well with tomatoes in your own garden:
| Mechanism | How it helps | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Attracting helpful insects | Flowers feed predators and parasitic wasps that attack pests | Sweet alyssum, calendula, dill, zinnias |
| Trap crops | A plant attracts a pest away from the main crop | Nasturtiums for aphids |
| Confusing pests | Mixed planting makes it harder for pests to find the crop | Basil and marigolds with tomatoes |
| Using space and time | Quick crops grow before or under tomatoes | Lettuce, spinach, radishes |
| Living mulch | Low plants shade the soil and reduce weeds | Parsley, low herbs, clover paths |
The University of Minnesota Extension points out that some companion planting practices come from generations of garden experience, while others are backed by research. Mississippi State University sums it up well: sometimes companion planting works, sometimes it does not, and sometimes the result is uncertain.
Tomato Companion Planting Chart
Use this tomato companion planting chart to see at a glance what grows well with tomatoes and why:
| Plant | Good with tomatoes? | Main reason | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Yes | With marigolds, reduced thrips in studies; may support tomato growth | Research-backed |
| Marigolds (French) | Yes | Attract helpful insects; with basil, fewer thrips | Partly research-backed |
| Sweet alyssum | Yes | Attracts hoverflies whose larvae eat aphids | Research-backed for beneficial insects |
| Calendula and zinnias | Yes | Attract pollinators and predators | Traditional, plausible |
| Nasturtiums | Yes | Trap crop for aphids | Traditional, plausible |
| Parsley and chives | Yes | Small herbs that fill space; flowers attract helpful insects | Traditional |
| Lettuce and spinach | Yes | Grow early or in the shade of tomatoes | Practical space use |
| Onions and garlic | Yes | Take little space; strong scent | Traditional |
| Carrots | Yes | Different root depth | Traditional |
| Bush beans | Yes | Low growth; share the bed well | Traditional |
| Potatoes | No | Share late blight and pests | Well established |
| Corn | No | Shares fruitworm (corn earworm); shades tomatoes | Well established |
| Fennel | No | Traditionally said to suppress growth | Traditional |
| Black walnut | No | Juglone is toxic to tomatoes | Well established |
What Grows Well with Tomatoes: The Best Herbs
- Basil: the best-known of all companion plants for tomatoes; see the next section.
- Parsley: grows well in the partial shade under tomato plants and attracts hoverflies and parasitic wasps when it flowers in its second year.
- Chives: compact and perennial; the flowers attract pollinators.
- Borage: a favorite of bees; plant it at the edge of the bed, as it grows large.
- Dill: young dill is fine; flowering dill attracts helpful insects, but mature plants get tall, so keep them at the end of the row.
- Thyme and oregano: low and drought-tolerant; good at the sunny edge of a bed.
Starting herbs early? Our guide on how to grow herbs indoors shows how to raise them on a windowsill before moving them outside.
Basil and Tomatoes: Why They Grow Well Together
Basil and tomatoes are a classic pair in the kitchen and in the garden. According to the University of Minnesota Extension, studies found that basil and marigolds together reduced thrips on tomatoes in both field and greenhouse conditions, and growing basil alongside tomatoes may even help to promote tomato growth.
- Plant basil after your last frost, when the soil is warm; it is even more cold-sensitive than tomatoes.
- Place it 10 to 12 inches from the tomato stem, on the sunny side of the plant.
- Pinch off flower buds to keep basil leafy, or let a few plants flower to feed bees.
- Water basil and tomatoes at the same time; both like evenly moist soil.
Basil and tomatoes also work well together in large containers: one tomato in the center of a 15- to 20-gallon pot with two or three basil plants around the edge.
Flowers That Grow Well with Tomatoes
- French marigolds: bright, compact and easy. With basil, they helped reduce thrips on tomatoes. Their effect on root nematodes mainly comes when spent plants are worked into the soil, according to Mississippi State University.
- Sweet alyssum: tiny flowers that attract hoverflies. The University of Minnesota notes that hoverfly larvae eat large numbers of aphids.
- Calendula: long flowering season, attracts pollinators and predators.
- Nasturtiums: often used as a trap crop; aphids gather on them instead of on nearby plants. Check them regularly and remove heavily infested leaves.
- Zinnias and cosmos: attract pollinators and parasitic wasps; plant them where they will not shade tomatoes.
Flowers help to build a garden full of natural pest control; read more in our guide to garden insects and how to avoid them.
Vegetables That Grow Well with Tomatoes
| Vegetable | How to combine |
|---|---|
| Lettuce and spinach | Sow early in spring before tomatoes fill out, or grow in their light shade in summer |
| Radishes | Quick crop between young tomato plants; harvested within a few weeks |
| Onions, garlic and scallions | Plant along the edge of the bed; little competition for space |
| Carrots | Sow between rows; they root deeper than lettuce and are harvested later |
| Bush beans | Low and compact; plant at the sunny edge |
| Asparagus | A traditional pair; plant tomatoes along the side of an asparagus bed |
| Peppers | Similar needs, but same family; fine in the same bed if you rotate the bed each year |
The University of Minnesota also suggests using space over time: plant lettuce, spinach or basil early in the season, then transplant tomatoes into the same bed. New to vegetables? See vegetable gardening for beginners.
What Not to Plant with Tomatoes
Just as important as knowing what grows well with tomatoes is knowing what not to plant with tomatoes:
| Plant | Why to avoid it | How far away |
|---|---|---|
| Potatoes | Same family; share late blight, early blight and Colorado potato beetles | Separate bed, ideally not next to each other |
| Corn | Corn earworm is the same insect as tomato fruitworm; tall corn shades tomatoes | At least a few rows away, on the north side |
| Fennel | Traditionally said to slow the growth of nearby plants | Its own corner or container |
| Black walnut | Roots release juglone, which is toxic to tomatoes | Outside the root zone, often 50 feet or more |
| Cabbage family (large brassicas) | Heavy feeders that compete for nutrients and space | A separate bed or well spaced |
| Mature dill | Tall and competitive near harvest time | At the end of the row |
The Morton Arboretum lists tomatoes among the plants most sensitive to juglone from black walnut trees. If a black walnut grows near your garden, grow tomatoes in raised beds or containers far outside its root zone.
The Nightshade Family and Crop Rotation
Tomatoes belong to the nightshade family, together with potatoes, peppers and eggplant. These crops share several diseases and pests, including early blight, late blight and some beetles. That is why potatoes appear on every list of what not to plant with tomatoes.
- Do not plant tomatoes in the same spot where tomatoes, potatoes, peppers or eggplant grew in the last two to three years.
- Keep potatoes and tomatoes in separate beds, and remove blighted plants promptly.
- Peppers and tomatoes can share a bed in one season, as long as you move the whole group next year.
Companion Planting Myths vs. Evidence
| Claim | What research says |
|---|---|
| Marigolds repel all pests | Not true. They can help against thrips with basil and against nematodes when tilled in, but not against every pest; studies show they do not repel Colorado potato beetles. |
| Basil improves tomato flavor | Not proven; the benefit is mainly fewer pests and possibly better growth. |
| Companion plants replace pest control | No. They help, but still check plants and remove pests by hand. |
| Any flower attracts beneficial insects | Small, open flowers such as alyssum, dill and calendula work best for tiny predators. |
| Tall plants such as corn make good support for tomatoes | No. Corn shades tomatoes and shares the corn earworm (tomato fruitworm); use stakes, cages or a trellis instead. |
| Planting close together is always better | No. Tomatoes still need space and airflow; see our spacing guide. |
Mississippi State University advises gardeners to be mindful of online advice, as it may or may not be backed by scientific data. Treat companion planting as one helpful tool, not a guarantee.
Companion Plants and Common Tomato Pests
| Pest | Helpful companions | Other measures |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sweet alyssum, dill and calendula (attract hoverflies and lacewings); nasturtiums as a trap | Spray off with water; check the undersides of leaves |
| Thrips | Basil with marigolds | Remove weeds around the bed |
| Tomato hornworms | Flowers that attract parasitic wasps | Pick off by hand; leave hornworms carrying white wasp cocoons |
| Whiteflies | Flowers that feed predators | Yellow sticky traps; see our guide to white pests |
| Slugs | None reliable | Traps and barriers; see our slug guide |
Read more about white pests on plant leaves and how to get rid of slugs. A pump sprayer is handy for applying approved treatments when needed; see our garden sprayer guide.
Raised Bed Layouts with Tomatoes
Here are two simple layouts for a raised bed. Both keep tomatoes on the north side, so they do not shade lower plants:
| Bed | North side | Middle | South edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 × 8 feet | 4 staked tomatoes, 2 feet apart | Basil and parsley between the tomatoes | Marigolds, lettuce and onions |
| 4 × 4 feet | 2 staked tomatoes | 2 basil plants and chives | Sweet alyssum and a row of lettuce |
Space tomatoes correctly before you fill the gaps with companions; see how far apart to plant tomatoes. Building a bed? See how to build a raised garden bed.
Companion Plants for Tomatoes in Pots
In containers, keep it simple: one tomato plant per pot, and only small companions around the edge. In a pot of 15 gallons or more, two or three basil plants, a few marigolds or some trailing sweet alyssum work well. Smaller pots are better left to the tomato alone.
Companions in pots use extra water, so check the soil daily in summer. See how to grow tomatoes in pots and how often to water tomatoes for container care.
How to Plan a Tomato Bed with Companions
Keep weeds out of the gaps between companions; see how to keep weeds out of the vegetable garden. A good garden hose nozzle makes it easy to water the whole bed at soil level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grows well with tomatoes?
Basil, parsley, chives, marigolds, calendula, nasturtiums, sweet alyssum, lettuce, spinach, onions, garlic, carrots and bush beans all grow well with tomatoes.
What are the best companion plants for tomatoes?
Basil and marigolds are the best-supported companion plants for tomatoes; together they reduced thrips in studies. Sweet alyssum and other small flowers attract predators of aphids.
What should you not plant with tomatoes?
Avoid potatoes, corn, fennel and anything near a black walnut tree. Also avoid planting tomatoes where other nightshades grew in the last two to three years.
Do basil and tomatoes grow well together?
Yes. Basil and tomatoes like the same sun and water, and research found that basil with marigolds reduced thrips on tomatoes. Basil may also support tomato growth.
Can I plant peppers next to tomatoes?
Yes, they have similar needs. Because they are in the same family, rotate the whole bed to a new spot the next year.
Can tomatoes and cucumbers be planted together?
They can share a garden, but both are large, thirsty plants. Give each enough space and support, or grow them in separate beds.
Do marigolds keep pests away from tomatoes?
Partly. With basil, they reduced thrips in studies, and tilled-in marigolds can reduce root nematodes. They do not repel every pest.
Why should potatoes not be planted near tomatoes?
Both are nightshades and share late blight, early blight and pests such as Colorado potato beetles. Growing them together makes it easier for problems to spread.
Can I plant lettuce under tomatoes?
Yes. Lettuce grows well in the light shade of tomatoes in summer, and it can be harvested before the tomatoes fill out.
Is there a tomato companion planting chart I can follow?
Yes; use the chart in this guide. It lists good and bad companions, the reason for each and how strong the evidence is.
Can I grow companion plants with tomatoes in pots?
Yes, in large pots of 15 gallons or more. Add two or three basil plants or small flowers around the edge, and water more often.
Final Thoughts
Now you know what grows well with tomatoes: herbs such as basil and parsley, flowers such as marigolds and sweet alyssum, and low crops such as lettuce, onions and carrots. You also know what not to plant with tomatoes: potatoes, corn, fennel and anything near a black walnut.
Use the tomato companion planting chart as a starting point, keep good spacing and rotate your beds. Companion plants for tomatoes are not a magic solution, but they make your garden more diverse, attractive to helpful insects and productive.
Sources: University of Minnesota Extension: companion planting in home gardens; Mississippi State University Extension: companion planting, myth or truth?; The Morton Arboretum: black walnut toxicity; University of Minnesota Extension: growing tomatoes in home gardens.
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