Tomatoes are a staple in many home gardens, but very few know that they need good companions to thrive. Some gardeners prefer growing cherry tomatoes, while others grow a large variety. It’s important to know which companion plants for tomatoes promote healthy growth. This blog lists the plants best suited to growing with tomatoes and explains why companion planting is beneficial for tomatoes.
What is Companion Planting?
It is a method of growing specific plants next to each other to protect each other from pests, encourage pollination, and enhance nutrient uptake. When choosing companion plants for tomatoes, look for plants that repel pests or attract insects that prey on them. Companion plants should have certain common requirements, such as tomatoes, like the same growing season and similar water requirements.
Best Growing Conditions for Tomatoes
Knowing the growing conditions for tomatoes is essential because it helps home gardeners shortlist companion plants with similar growing requirements. Here is the list of essential growing needs of tomatoes:
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Tomatoes prefer warm weather, with temperatures ranging between 65 to 85°F (18.3 to 29.4°C). Plant them only when frost has passed completely. If the weather turns hot, they may struggle to form fruit because they love warm, sunny days with mild nights.
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They need 8-10 hours of sunlight to grow properly and bear maximum fruit. Hence, shrubs and small plants can be ideal companions to grow at the base of tomato plants.
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They need nutrients from the soil when they bear fruit and flowers, so fertilizer rich in phosphorus is added to the plant.
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Consistent watering is another requirement of tomato plants to form flowers and ripen fruits. Newly grown plants should be watered daily, and once they get established, watering frequency can be reduced to weekly.
How Does Companion Planting Help?
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It helps control pests either by repelling them, by attracting them, or confusing insects in search of the host plant. This reduces the chances of pests landing on the garden vegetables.
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They attract beneficial insects, which control harmful bugs.
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It helps prevent soil erosion after heavy rain and also protects the plant from strong winds.
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Companion plants improve the flavour of tomato plants.
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It improves soil fertility by replenishing essential nutrients.
The Best Companion Plants for Tomato Plants
Sunflower
Sunflowers attract pollinators, so bees attracted to the garden will benefit both the sunflowers and the tomato plants grown next to them. It will also benefit other vegetable plants grown in the surrounding area.
Basil
Basil and tomatoes are not only good companions in the garden but also on the serving plate, as basil is used as a seasoning in tomato dishes. It is believed that when basil and tomatoes grow together, the flavor of the tomatoes gets enhanced. Basil keeps thrips and tomato hornworms at bay and releases chemicals that act as a protective shield for tomatoes, helping keep pests away. This results in fewer eggs laid by hornworms and less damage to tomato plants.
Beel Balm
Bee balm attracts beneficial insects and bees and also helps tomatoes grow better. Bee balm also enhances the flavor of the tomatoes.
Celery
Celery is another companion plant that attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps, which keep a check on tomato hornworms. Celery, in return, gives nectar and pollen to wasps.
Calendula
Calendula has been grown as a medicinal plant for the past many years owing to its anti-inflammatory properties. The petals are edible and can be used to relieve burns and minor scrapes. As a companion plant, it attracts pollinators with its daisy-like orange and yellow flowers. It also deters pest insects, which can damage tomato plants.
Garlic
It is considered a companion plant for tomatoes because it helps tomatoes in multiple ways. It repels pests with its strong smell and protects the plant from soil-borne diseases thanks to its antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Pepper
Usually, peppers don’t grow taller than tomato plants and don’t block the sunlight, so they are considered compatible companion plants. Though some gardeners say that pepper and tomatoes are from the same family, so they should not be grown together, other gardeners opine that they have never incurred any issue when they grew both together.
Beans
Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, and tomatoes feed heavily on it, leading to soil nitrogen depletion by the end of the season. Beans act as a saviour, replenishing nutrients. Plant beans at the same time as planting tomatoes.
Herbs
Herbs from the carrot family, like dill, cilantro, and parsley, are suitable companion plants. These herbs grow best in cooler temperatures, unlike tomatoes, so their leaves bolt when grown in a warm climate. However, the dainty flowers of these herbs attract beneficial insects, such as bees, ladybugs, and wasps, which prey on hornworms.
Other Companion Plants
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Sweet alyssum
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Onions
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Radish
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Beets
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Lettuce
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Borage
Conclusion
Companion plants are essential, as they help tomato plants stay healthy. When choosing the right companion plant, consider all factors that affect your choice, such as maximum height, space required, and more.
