Looking to supercharge your tomato harvest? Intercropping, the practice of growing different plants together, could be your garden’s secret weapon.
Recent research suggests that carefully selecting companion plants can boost your tomato yield, enhance fruit quality, naturally deter pests, and even improve the overall efficiency of your garden.1 Here are the 12 best plants.
1. Herbs
Many herbs love the partial shade and moist soil that tomato plants provide.
- Basil: Often considered the quintessential tomato companion, basil helps repel pests and supposedly improves flavor.
- Parsley: This herb attracts beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests.
- Chives: Chives deter aphids and other unwanted insects.
- Cilantro: This quick-growing herb can be sown multiple times throughout the tomato season.
2. Groundcovers
Groundcovers under tomato plants help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and even add nutrients to the soil.
- Nasturtiums: These vibrant flowers attract pollinators and repel pests like whiteflies.
- Clover: A living mulch, clover fixes nitrogen in the soil, benefiting tomatoes.
- Oregano: This creeping herb offers culinary uses and pest control.
3. Flowers
Certain flowering plants not only add beauty to your garden but also attract beneficial insects that help pollinate and control pests.
- Marigolds: Known for their pest-repelling properties, particularly against nematodes and whiteflies.
- Alyssum: Its sweet fragrance attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.
- Calendula: This cheerful flower attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and hoverflies.
- Cosmos: This is a tall, vibrant flower that attracts pollinators and can act as a living trellis for vining tomatoes.
4. Lettuce
Lettuce thrives in the cooler, shadier conditions beneath tomato plants.
- Leaf lettuce: Varieties like ‘Black Seeded Simpson’ and ‘Salad Bowl’ mature quickly.
- Romaine lettuce: ‘Little Gem’ and ‘Parris Island Cos’ are good compact options.
- Butterhead lettuce: ‘Bibb’ and ‘Boston’ types offer delicate leaves.
5. Beans
Beans, especially bush beans, can be planted early in the season and will be harvested before tomatoes shade them out completely.
- Bush beans: ‘Blue Lake’ and ‘Contender’ are reliable producers.
- Pole beans: While they can be grown alongside tomatoes, they need support structures.
6. Radishes
Radishes are another quick-growing crop that can be tucked under tomatoes.
- Early varieties: ‘Cherry Belle’ and ‘French Breakfast’ are good choices.
7. Root Vegetables
Certain root vegetables, like carrots and beets, can be sown after tomatoes are established, taking advantage of the space as the season progresses.
- Carrots: ‘Danvers Half Long’ and ‘Thumbelina’ are good options for smaller spaces.
- Beets: ‘Detroit Dark Red’ and ‘Chioggia’ offer sweet roots and colorful leaves.
8. Onions
Onions are excellent companions for tomatoes, as their strong scent deters many common pests.
- Green onions: Can be sown multiple times throughout the season for continuous harvest.
- Bulb onions: Plant sets or seedlings early in the season for larger bulbs.
9. Garlic
Similar to onions, garlic helps repel pests with its pungent aroma.
- Garlic cloves: Plant garlic cloves in the fall for harvest the following summer.
10. Amaranth
Amaranth is a fast-growing, nutritious leafy green that can be harvested throughout the summer.
- Choose varieties: Opt for varieties like ‘Red Garnet’ or ‘Hopi Red Dye’ for colorful leaves.
11. Borage
Borage is a beautiful flowering herb that attracts pollinators and is said to improve tomato flavor.
- Self-seeds readily: Be prepared for borage to spread throughout your garden.
12. Asparagus
Asparagus is a perennial vegetable that can be interplanted with tomatoes, as their growth cycles complement each other.
- Long-term investment: Asparagus takes a few years to establish, but provides harvests for many years.
By intercropping and inviting these 12 companion plants into your tomato garden, you’re not just planting seeds; you’re cultivating a thriving ecosystem that nurtures your tomatoes and maximizes your harvest.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.