Companion Plant Guide
Basil
Masks the scent tomatoes broadcast to pests.
Vegetable · Nightshade family
Tomato companion plants
Solanum lycopersicum
What to plant with tomatoes, what to keep apart, and how to grow them — sun, spacing, soil and the reason behind every pairing.
Photo: Alex Ghizila on Unsplash
Overview
Growing tomatoes beside the right neighbour
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a vegetable in the Nightshade family. Warm-season fruiting plant that loves sun and support.
The classic bed pairing — basil masks the scent tomatoes broadcast to pests.
Give plants 24–36 in in full sun. Aim for well-draining, fertile soil rich in organic matter. In most gardens the crop sits in USDA zones 2-11 and is ready in about 60-85 days.
Grows well with
What to plant with tomatoes
The best companion plants for tomatoes in this guide are Basil, Carrot, Parsley, Marigold, Garlic, Oregano, Asparagus, Borage, Nasturtium, and Lettuce. Each pairing below is a reason to share a bed — pest masking, roots that do not compete, or insects that hunt the pests drawn to tomatoes.
Carrot
Roots sit deeper, so the two do not compete.
Parsley
Umbels draw in the insects that eat tomato pests.
Marigold
Slows whitefly; roots suppress nematodes.
Garlic
Strong scent helps hide tomatoes from aphids and spider mites.
Oregano
Low aromatic cover that brings in hoverflies and lacewings.
Asparagus
Tomatoes help deter asparagus beetle; asparagus is said to deter root nematodes.
Borage
Draws bees to the flowers and is said to deter tomato hornworm.
Nasturtium
Trap crop that pulls aphids away from the plants.
Lettuce
Quick crop that uses the shade and space under young plants.
Keep apart
What not to plant with tomatoes
Keep tomatoes away from Fennel, Cabbage, Corn, Dill, Broccoli, and Kale. These neighbours compete for the same food, release chemicals that stunt growth, or otherwise hold the crop back.
Fennel
Allelopathic — stunts tomatoes and most neighbours.
Cabbage
Both heavy feeders; brassicas and tomatoes compete.
Corn
Corn earworm and tomato fruitworm are the same insect — together they feed it twice.
Dill
Mature, flowering dill can stunt tomatoes — pull it before it bolts.
Broccoli
Brassicas and tomatoes compete hard as heavy feeders.
Kale
Brassicas and tomatoes compete hard as heavy feeders.
In the bed
How to grow tomatoes
| Sun | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Spacing | 24–36 in |
| Soil | Well-draining, fertile soil rich in organic matter |
| Hardiness | Zones 2-11 |
| Days to maturity | 60-85 |
These notes sit beside the companion lists — they are how tomato actually occupies the bed, not a substitute for local climate.
- Provide sturdy support or stakes for plants
- Water deeply and consistently at the base
- Prune suckers for better fruit production
- Harvest when fruit is fully colored but still slightly firm
Questions
Tomato companion planting FAQ
What can I plant next to tomatoes?
Plant Basil, Carrot, Parsley, Marigold, Garlic, Oregano, Asparagus, Borage, Nasturtium, and Lettuce beside tomatoes. Basil: Masks the scent tomatoes broadcast to pests. Carrot: Roots sit deeper, so the two do not compete. Parsley: Umbels draw in the insects that eat tomato pests. Marigold: Slows whitefly; roots suppress nematodes. Garlic: Strong scent helps hide tomatoes from aphids and spider mites. Oregano: Low aromatic cover that brings in hoverflies and lacewings. Asparagus: Tomatoes help deter asparagus beetle; asparagus is said to deter root nematodes. Borage: Draws bees to the flowers and is said to deter tomato hornworm. Nasturtium: Trap crop that pulls aphids away from the plants. Lettuce: Quick crop that uses the shade and space under young plants.
What should I not plant with tomatoes?
Keep tomatoes apart from Fennel, Cabbage, Corn, Dill, Broccoli, and Kale. Fennel: Allelopathic — stunts tomatoes and most neighbours. Cabbage: Both heavy feeders; brassicas and tomatoes compete. Corn: Corn earworm and tomato fruitworm are the same insect — together they feed it twice. Dill: Mature, flowering dill can stunt tomatoes — pull it before it bolts. Broccoli: Brassicas and tomatoes compete hard as heavy feeders. Kale: Brassicas and tomatoes compete hard as heavy feeders.
How much sun do tomato plants need?
Tomato plants want full sun. Space them 24–36 in apart in well-draining, fertile soil rich in organic matter.
How long do tomato plants take to mature?
Most tomato plants are ready in about 60-85 days. Tomato grows in USDA hardiness zones 2-11.
Compare every pairing at a glance
Open the guide, pick tomato, and see what thrives alongside it — and what quietly holds it back.
Open the pairing guide