Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
SolanaceaeCompanion plants for tomatoes
The best companion plants for tomatoes are basil, cucumbers, cabbage, onions and okra. Rosemary is best kept away. Of the 32 plants we have data on, 21 are good neighbours, 1 is a bad one and 9 are contested. 21 of these verdicts rest on field trials or research papers; the rest come from traditional companion-planting charts.
- 21 good
- 1 to avoid
- 9 contested
- 21 tested in trials or papers
Neighbours of tomatoes at a glance
Inner rings are backed by trials or papers, outer rings by charts only. Pick a plant to see its sources.
The interactive map needs JavaScript. Every plant on it is listed below with its evidence.
Good companion plants for tomatoes
Biggest harvest gain first, then the plants tested without a yield count. Each row links to the full evidence for the pair.
| Plant | What trials found with tomatoes | Tested by | Garden charts |
|---|---|---|---|
 Mint |
72% more harvest from the same space | Field trial1 study | Recommend |
 Cabbage |
34% more harvest from the same space | Field trial4 studies | Not listed |
 Bean |
18% more harvest from the same space | Field trial2 studies | Recommend |
 Squash & pumpkin |
18% more harvest from the same space | Field trial1 study | Recommend |
 Cucumber |
Lures pests away17% more harvest from the same space | Field trial4 studies | Recommend |
 Eggplant |
12% more harvest from the same spaceSame family (Solanaceae): shares pests and diseases | Field trial2 studies | Recommend |
 Basil |
Helpful plant chemistry, fewer pests and better soil and nutrient uptake7% more harvest from the same space | Field trial6 studies | Recommend |
 Okra |
About the same harvest as separate beds | Field trial2 studies | Recommend |
 Onion |
Better soil and nutrient uptake and bigger combined harvestMixed results on soil and nutrients | Field trial7 studies | Not listed |
 Cilantro |
Less disease and fewer pests | Field trial3 studies | Recommend |
 Chives |
Fewer pests and less disease | Field trial2 studies | Recommend |
 Leek |
Less disease and better soil and nutrient uptake | Greenhouse or pot trial2 studies | Recommend |
 Sweet potato |
Lures pests away | Field trial1 study | Not listed |
Harvest from the same space compares a bed with both crops against the same area split into single-crop beds, counting the harvest of both crops (the land equivalent ratio in yield trials).
Recommended by garden charts, not tested yet
We found no trial or paper on these pairs with tomatoes. They may still work; nobody has measured it.
What not to plant with tomatoes
| Plant | What trials found with tomatoes | Tested by | Garden charts |
|---|---|---|---|
 Rosemary |
No trial found | Not tested | Advise against |
Contested pairings
The sources disagree, or the charts say one thing and the trials another. Open a pair before you plant it.
| Plant | What trials found with tomatoes | Tested by | Garden charts |
|---|---|---|---|
 Fennel |
Less disease133% more harvest from the same space | Field trial3 studies | Advise against |
 Potato |
112% more harvest from the same spaceSame family (Solanaceae): shares pests and diseases | Field trial1 study | Advise against |
 Lettuce |
49% more harvest from the same space | Field trial4 studies | Not listed |
 Sweet corn |
Fewer pests13% more harvest from the same spaceMixed results on competition for light and water | Field trial4 studies | Disagree |
 Carrot |
Mixed results on harvest | Greenhouse or pot trial1 study | Recommend |
 Pea |
Mixed results on harvest | Greenhouse or pot trial1 study | Advise against |
 Beet |
Less disease | Greenhouse or pot trial1 study | Advise against |
 Pepper |
No trial foundSame family (Solanaceae): shares pests and diseases | Not tested | Disagree |
 Dill |
No trial found | Not tested | Disagree |
No measurable effect
| Plant | What trials found with tomatoes | Tested by | Garden charts |
|---|---|---|---|
 Brussels sprouts |
No effect on harvest | Field trial1 study | Not listed |
Sources
49 sources behind the verdicts on this page. 27 chart entries cite no source and are marked as tradition only.
Show all 49 sources
Crop Rotation in the Vegetable Garden (Steil · 2025 · Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Yard and Garden)
Intercropping with aromatic plants enhances tomato productivity and disease resilience through elevating soil nutrients and enzyme activities. (Yu Y · 2026 · Pest management science)
Multi-Plant Screening and Controlled Evaluation of Two Selected Plant Species Against <i>Tuta absoluta</i> (Meyrick). (Mshora A · 2026 · Insects)
Intercropping with potato-onion alters arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi spore-associated bacterial communities of tomato rhizosphere. (Zhou L · 2025 · Frontiers in microbiology)
Mechanisms of root exudates and soil microbial responses to nitrogen reduction and companion cropping for tomato yield increase and quality improvement. (Liu D · 2025 · Frontiers in plant science)
Potato-onion intercropping enhances tomato yield and quality and modifies soil microbial diversity. (He X · 2025 · Scientific reports)
Root separation modulates AMF diversity and composition in tomato-potato onion intercropping systems. (Ibrahim M · 2025 · Frontiers in microbiology)
Companion basil plants prime the tomato wound response through volatile signaling in a mixed planting system. (Yoshida R · 2024 · Plant cell reports)
Simulation of tomato and corn growth using a modified intercropping model considering radiation interception in two-dimensional space and air temperature stress (Chen N · 2024 · European Journal of Agronomy.)
Intercropping on Mars: A promising system to optimise fresh food production in future martian colonies. (Gonçalves R · 2024 · PloS one)
Bio-agronomic efficiency indices of eggplant and tomato intercropping X1 - Índices de eficiência bio-agronômica do consórcio de berinjela e tomate (Cecílio Filho · 2022)
Intercropping of eggplant and tomato as function of times of transplant and cropping season (Cecilio Filho · 2022)
[Barrier effect against Bemisia tabaci and the control of tomato yellow leaf curl virus in a tomato-maize intercropping system]. (Wei PY · 2022 · Ying yong sheng tai xue bao = The journal of applied ecology)
Common mycorrhizal networks benefit to the asymmetric interspecific facilitation via K exchange in an agricultural intercropping system (Gao D · 2021 · Biology and fertility of soils)
Biochar and Intercropping With Potato-Onion Enhanced the Growth and Yield Advantages of Tomato by Regulating the Soil Properties, Nutrient Uptake, and Soil Microbial Community. (He X · 2021 · Frontiers in microbiology)
Growth and root-knot nematode infection of tomato are influenced by mycorrhizal fungi and earthworms in an intercropping cultivation system with leeks (Detrey J · 2021 · Applied Soil Ecology.)
12 Evidence-Based Companion Plants for Tomatoes (2021 · Growfully)
Intercropping with Potato-Onion Enhanced the Soil Microbial Diversity of Tomato. (Li N · 2020 · Microorganisms)
Evaluating soil nitrate dynamics in an intercropping dripped ecosystem using HYDRUS-2D. (Chen N · 2020 · The Science of the total environment)
Co-cultivation of Beta vulgaris limits the pre-harvest colonization of foodborne pathogen (Salmonella spp.) on tomato. (Karmakar K · 2020 · International journal of food microbiology)
Phosphite alters the behavioral response of potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella) to field-grown potato (Mulugeta · 2019)
Integrated cultural practices for whitefly management in organic tomato (Togni PHB · 2018 · Journal of Applied Entomology)
Aromatic plants affect the selection of host tomato plants by Bemisia tabaci biotype B (Carvalho MG · 2017 · Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata.)
Mixed cropping of vegetables to improve organic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production in small farmer systems (Reynafarje · 2016)
Effects of Intercropping System of Tomato and Common Bean on Growth, Yield Components and Land Equivalent Ratio in New Valley Governorate (El-Gaid · 2014)
The intercropping partner affects arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici interactions in tomato (Hage-Ahmed · 2013 · Mycorrhiza)
Responses of Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) Population on Tomato Lycopersicon esculentnm Mixed with Other Crops under Glasshouse Conditions (Mansour · 2012 · APCBEE Procedia)
Evaluation of yield and its components of intercropped tomato – garlic in New Valley Governorate (Nassef · 2012 · Research Journal of Agriculture and Biological Sciences)
Economic aspects of intercropping systems of vegetables (okra, tomato and cowpea) (Adeniyi Or · 2011)
Fusarium crown and root rot of tomato in Florida (Zhang · 2011 · [[University of Florida]] Institute of Agricultural Sciences)
Agronomic efficiency of intercropping tomato and lettuce (Cecílio Filho · 2011)
Effect of intercropping of spices, cereal and root crops on the incidence of Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.) in tomato (Ram · 2010 · Vegetable Science)
Odour masking of tomato volatiles by coriander volatiles in host plant selection of Bemisia tabaci biotype B (Togni · 2010 · Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata)
Companion planting: Myth or reality? (2010 · Utah Pests News)
Economic analysis of the intercropping of lettuce and tomato in different seasons under protected cultivation (Cecílio Filho · 2010)
Manipulating the attractiveness and suitability of hosts for diamondback moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). (Badenes-Perez FR · 2005 · Journal of economic entomology)
Influência das épocas de cultivo e do estabelecimento do consórcio na produção de tomate e alface consorciados X1 - Influence of planting and intercropping establishment time on production of the cultures intercropping of tomato and lettuce (Rezende · 2005)
Yield, pest density, and tomato flavour effects of companion planting in garden-scale studies incorporating tomato, basil, and Brussels sprout. (Bomford · 2004 · Organic eprints)
[Structure and function of several intercropping ecosystems in newly built orchard]. (Zeng F · 2003 · Ying yong sheng tai xue bao = The journal of applied ecology)
Effect of intercropping on tomato yellow leaf curt virus incidenceon tomato (Yin Xiangui · 2002 · Xi nan nong ye xue bao = Southwest China journal of agricultural sciences)
Lepidopteran pest populations and crop yields in row intercropped broccoli (Hooks · 2002 · Agricultural and Forest Entomology)
Effects of planting densities, irrigation, and hornworm larvae on yields in experimental intercrops of tomatoes and cucumbers (Schulz · 1987)
Companion Plants (Alabama Cooperative Extension System)
Companion planting: A method for sustainable pest control (Riesselman · Iowa State University)
What grows well with your tomatoes?
Share what worked next to your tomatoes and what did not, or ask other growers a question. Reader notes are not checked by us and do not change the verdicts on this page.