Growing companion plants for tomatoes is a great and simple way to boost your health of your plants. Find out which plants you should consider adding to your garden to benefit your tomato crop this year.
Growing companion plants for your tomatoes will provide great benefits for your crop and garden as a whole. (Learn more about companion planting for the whole garden by checking out this post.)
If you grow some of these plants, you’ll invite bees, butterflies, and other local pollinators to your garden to pollinate & improve the quality of your crops. Companion plants help with biodiversity in the garden. The more plants you offer to the wildlife, the less likely it is your tomatoes will become victims of pests.
However, sometimes insects and other wildlife will become pests. You can grow specific companion plants to help deter them from your tomatoes. The plants work by either attracting the insects to themselves, or repelling them from the immediate area. (Check out the bottom of this post for specific pests and the plants that repel them.)
Tomatoes are frequently victims of soil-borne diseases, so some companion plants may even prevent the occurrence of these diseases by reducing the chances of soil splashing onto the leaves due to watering, rain, or dew.
Tomato Companions for Pest Deterrence
Basil
In a research study by Iowa State University, basil offered tomatoes great resistance to the yellowstriped armyworm. Basil also tends to deter hornworms, aphids, mosquitoes, and flies. It’s a powerhouse companion!
Borage
Borage has a beautiful blue, early-blooming star-shaped flower that attracts pollinators. It also has been known to repel tomato hornworms.
Chives
Chives repel aphids, nematodes, and spider mites. The purple flowers also attract pollinators.
Garlic
Garlic is a great all-around pest deterrent, especially repelling spider mites. It also improves soil health by adding vital nutrients back into the soil.
Lavender
Pollinators love it, of course, but nematodes and flea beetles can’t stand the smell.
Marigolds & Calendula
Marigolds help repel hornworms, nematodes, mosquitoes, and a few types of beetles. (That’s not all they can do, check out this post to learn more!) Calendula’s fragrance repels hornworms.
Nasturtiums
Another all-around pest repellant, nasturtium especially repels aphids (and whiteflies), squash bugs, and beetles.
Oregano
The flowers attract pollinators, and the plant attracts the green lacewing- a beneficial predator also known as an “aphid lion”. So long, aphids!
Parsley
Parsley attracts predators of the tomato hornworm, plug ladybugs that feed on aphids.
Sage
Sage has beautiful purple blooms that invite pollinators into the garden. It also repels slugs, flea beetles, and spider mites.
Thyme
Thyme may reduce instances of the yellow-striped armyworm, plus it repels ants and grasshoppers. The blooms attract pollinators and because it grows low in the garden it acts as a living mulch.
Companion Plants for Living Mulch
- Lettuce
- Marigold
- Parsley
- Thyme
Companion Plants for Better Pollination
Invite all of the beneficial local pollinators to your garden to add beauty to your garden and improve the quality of your tomato harvest.
- Borage
- Calendula
- Chives
- Lavender
- Marigolds
- Oregano
- Sunflowers
- Thyme
- Zinnias
Common Tomato Pests and the Plants that Help Repel Them
- Tomato Hornworm: basil, marigold, calendula, borage
- Aphids: basil, chives, nasturtiums
- Nematodes: chives, lavender, marigold
- Spider Mites: garlic, sage
- Stinkbugs: garlic, lavender, marigold, sunflower
- Yellow-striped Armyworm: basil, thyme
