If you’ve ever bitten into a homegrown tomato and thought, “something’s missing,” the answer might already be growing in your garden. Believe it or not, the plants you grow *next* to your tomatoes can actually affect how they taste.
Some gardeners swear by a few specific pairings that make their tomatoes noticeably sweeter. Curious which plants make the cut? Let’s get into it!
1.) Basil
Basil is one of the most popular companions for tomatoes, and for good reason. Planting it nearby is said to repel common pests like aphids and hornworms while helping your tomatoes develop a richer, sweeter flavor.
It’s easy to grow in the same sunny, well-drained conditions that tomatoes love, making it a natural pairing in the garden. Plant basil about 12 inches away from your tomato plants and keep it watered regularly. Bonus: you’ll have fresh herbs ready for your homemade tomato sauce.
2.) Borage
Borage is a fast-growing herb that’s easy to direct sow right in your garden after the last frost. It thrives in full sun and doesn’t need much fuss — just decent drainage and occasional watering.
Plant it close to your tomatoes, and it’s said to repel tomato hornworms while attracting pollinators that help your fruit set. Many gardeners swear it makes their tomatoes taste better too. Bonus: the little blue star-shaped flowers are edible and look great tossed in a salad.
3.) Marigolds
Marigolds are one of the most popular companion plants for tomatoes, and for good reason. Their roots release a natural chemical that repels nematodes — tiny soil pests that can stunt tomato growth and mess with flavor.
Plant them along the border of your tomato bed in full sun. They grow easily in zones 2–11 as warm-season annuals and need very little care. French marigolds tend to work best since they have the strongest root effect.
4.) Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are easy to grow from seed and do well in most climates during spring and summer. Plant them directly in the soil near your tomato plants — they don’t love being transplanted. They prefer full sun and actually thrive in poor soil, so skip the heavy fertilizing.
As a companion plant, they act as a trap crop, drawing aphids away from your tomatoes. Some gardeners also say they improve the overall flavor of nearby tomatoes, though the jury’s still out on exactly why.
5.) Chives
Chives are one of the easiest herbs to grow alongside tomatoes, and they pull double duty in the garden. They help repel aphids and other pests that love to snack on your tomato plants, which means less damage and better-tasting fruit overall.
Plant them around the base of your tomato plants in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. They thrive in zones 3–9 and come back every year, so you only have to plant them once.
6.) Garlic
Garlic is one of the most popular companion plants for tomatoes, and for good reason. It naturally repels common pests like aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies, which means your tomato plants get to focus their energy on producing fruit instead of fighting off insects.
Plant garlic cloves a few inches deep around the base of your tomato plants in early spring or fall. It grows well in zones 3–8 and doesn’t need much attention once it’s in the ground.
7.) Parsley
Parsley is more than just a garnish — it actually helps tomatoes grow better by attracting predatory insects that keep pests away from your plants. Plant it close to the base of your tomato plants and let it do its thing.
It grows well in full sun or partial shade and does best in zones 4–9. Keep it watered consistently and trim it regularly to prevent it from bolting too soon. Flat-leaf varieties tend to be the most useful in the garden.
8.) Carrots
Carrots and tomatoes are a classic garden pairing. Carrots loosen the soil as they grow, which helps tomato roots spread out and absorb more nutrients. That improved root access can lead to better-tasting fruit over time.
Plant carrots close to your tomato plants but not too close — about 6 to 8 inches apart works well. They also attract beneficial insects that help keep pest pressure down, giving your tomatoes a better shot at a healthy growing season.
9.) Asparagus
Asparagus and tomatoes are actually great neighbors in the garden. Asparagus releases a natural chemical called asparagusic acid that helps repel nematodes — tiny soil pests that can mess with tomato roots and weaken your plants over time.
Plant asparagus along the border of your tomato bed since it spreads out as a perennial and comes back every year. In return, tomatoes help repel asparagus beetles. It’s a pretty solid trade-off for both plants.
10.) Oregano
Oregano is one of the easiest herbs to grow alongside tomatoes, and it pulls double duty in the garden. It attracts beneficial insects that help with pollination while also repelling some common pests that love to munch on your tomato plants.
Plant it close to the base of your tomatoes in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. It thrives in zones 5–10 and needs very little water once established. Bonus: you’ll always have fresh oregano ready for your pasta sauce.
11.) Thyme
Thyme is a low-growing herb that works really well planted around the base of your tomato plants. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and it’s hardy in zones 5 through 9. Once it’s established, it barely needs any attention.
The idea is that thyme’s strong scent confuses pests and keeps them from zeroing in on your tomatoes. Some gardeners also say it attracts helpful pollinators, which can lead to a better, sweeter harvest overall.
12.) Mint
Mint is a great companion for tomatoes because it helps repel common pests like aphids and flea beetles. The strong scent confuses insects and keeps them from settling on your tomato plants.
One thing to know — mint spreads fast and can take over your garden bed if you’re not careful. Plant it in a container and set that container near your tomatoes instead. You’ll get the pest-control benefits without letting mint crowd everything else out.
13.) Chamomile
Chamomile is one of those plants that pulls double duty in the garden. It attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and wasps that prey on common tomato pests, and it’s believed to release compounds into the soil that can improve the flavor of nearby tomatoes.
It grows best in full sun and doesn’t need much water once it’s established. Plant it close to your tomatoes — within a foot or two — and let it do its thing. It’s an easy annual that basically takes care of itself.
14.) Onions
Onions are a great companion for tomatoes because they naturally repel pests like aphids and spider mites, which can seriously damage your crop. Planting them nearby creates a kind of natural barrier that keeps the bad bugs away without any chemical sprays.
They’re easy to grow in most climates and don’t take up much space. Just plant them around the edges of your tomato bed. Bonus: some gardeners swear the sulfur compounds onions release actually help improve the flavor of nearby tomatoes over time.
15.) Lettuce
Lettuce is a great companion for tomatoes because it stays low to the ground and fills in the empty space beneath your tomato plants. It also acts as a living mulch, helping keep the soil cool and moist during hot summer months.
Plant it in the gaps between your tomato plants in early spring or fall when temps are cooler. Lettuce bolts in the heat, so timing matters. The good news is you’ll likely harvest it before your tomatoes even need the space.
