Looking for a few of the best companion plant to grow near your tomato plants this year to help them out?
When it comes to companion plants for tomatoes, there are a few flowers and herb that can really help not only protect your plants from pests and disease – but also even help improve the flavor of the tomatoes on the vine!
Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables grown in home gardens, but they do have their share of challenges. Pests like aphids and tomato hornworms can be a problem, and some tomato plants struggle with poor pollination.
The good news? Nature provides a simple and incredibly effective solution – companion planting! Certain plants can help tomatoes thrive by attracting beneficial insects, repelling pests, and even improving the flavor of the fruit. And today, we are featuring five of the best-of-the-best when it comes to companion plants to grow with tomatoes.
The Best Companion Plants For Tomatoes
#1 Marigolds
Marigolds are one of the most well-known companion plants for tomatoes, and for good reason. These bright and heavily scented flowers do more than just add color to the garden, they also help protect tomatoes from harmful insects.
One of the biggest benefits of marigolds is their ability to repel nematodes. Nematodes are microscopic worms that live in the soil and can cause root damage to tomato plants. Certain varieties of marigolds, particularly French marigolds, produce chemicals in their roots that keep nematodes away.
Marigolds also help deter other pests, including whiteflies, aphids, and even tomato hornworms. The strong scent of marigolds can confuse and repel some insects that might otherwise target tomatoes.
Beyond pest control, marigolds attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs and parasitic wasps. These insects feed on aphids and other harmful pests, providing natural pest control without the need for chemicals. For more on this great pairing, check out our article: Why To Plant Marigolds With Tomato Plants.
#2 Why Basil Is The Perfect Companion Plant For Tomatoes
Basil isn’t just great to use with tomatoes in the kitchen, it’s also an excellent companion plant for tomatoes in the garden. Basil is well known to help repel common tomato pests. It’s especially good at keeping mosquitoes and flies away. Basil also has been known to discourage thrips, which are tiny insects that can damage tomato plants.
Another benefit of planting basil near tomatoes is that it attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies. While tomatoes are self-pollinating, having more bees and butterflies around increases the chances of good fruit production.
To plant, just sow a few seeds around your tomato transplants as you put them in the ground. Basil sprouts fast. In no time, you will have the incredible aroma wafting through your garden – all while helping your tomatoes!
#3 Zinnias
Zinnias are another beautiful flower that pairs well with tomatoes. These colorful blooms attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which helps ensure that tomato plants produce plenty of fruit.
Zinnias also draw in beneficial insects like ladybugs, which feed on aphids and other small pests. Parasitic wasps, another beneficial insect, also happen to love zinnias. These wasps lay their eggs inside harmful insects like tomato hornworms, helping to keep the pest population under control.
Since zinnias come in a variety of colors and sizes, they add visual appeal to the garden as well. As a cut and come again flower, they bloom continuously throughout the summer, providing a steady source of nectar for pollinators.
Plus, they’re low-maintenance and easy to grow, making them a great addition to any tomato garden. You can easily grow them from seed and they are wonderful for sowing around your entire garden edge. They bring big color – and big protection!
#4 Using Chives As A Companion Plant For Tomatoes
Chives are versatile herbs that are great in the kitchen, but they also make a great companion plant for tomatoes. One of their biggest benefits is pest control. The strong smell of chives helps repel aphids, which are a common problem for tomato plants.
Chives also deter other pests like Japanese beetles and spider mites. Many gardeners find that planting chives around tomatoes reduces the overall number of insect problems in their garden.
Another advantage of chives is that they attract pollinators. Their small, purple flowers provide nectar for bees and other beneficial insects. Plus, chives are a perennial herb, meaning they’ll come back year after year if properly cared for.
Additionally, some gardeners believe that chives help improve the health and flavor of tomatoes. While this hasn’t been scientifically proven, chives are easy to grow and take up little space, making them a worthwhile addition to any tomato bed.
Parsley
Parsley is another herb that works well with tomatoes. One of its biggest benefits is that it attracts beneficial insects, including hoverflies and predatory wasps. These insects feed on aphids, caterpillars, and other pests that can damage tomato plants.
Parsley also helps deter some harmful insects. The scent of parsley is quite strong, and it can confuse many common pests and keep them away from tomato plants. But it also works great as a cover crop around tomatoes – helping to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
Parsley is also an easy-to-grow herb that can be harvested throughout the season. Since it doesn’t take up much space, it’s a great addition to a tomato garden, whether planted directly in the ground or in a container nearby.
So there you have it – 5 of the best companion plants to grow with your tomatoes this year. And whether you grow marigolds, basil, zinnias, chives or parsley – or all of them together in your garden this year with your tomatoes – you can help them grow healthier, reduce pest problems, and attract more pollinators!
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