Plant These Herbs Near Your Tomatoes To Help Them Thrive
Tomatoes are heavy growers that are very strong on their own, but did you know that planting it near certain herbs can help with pests, disease, even flavor! This practice, called companion planting, doesn’t take much space or effort, but the results can be noticeable. Here are the best herbs you can plant near your tomatoes for a healthier harvest.
1. Basil
Basil has long been considered the best companion for tomatoes. It helps repel unwanted bugs like aphids, hornworms, and whiteflies. It may also help improve the flavor of tomatoes when grown close together. The two plants also enjoy the same conditions, making it easy to grow them side by side. Just make sure you keep the basil pruned to prevent it from going to seed too early and focus on leafy growth.
2. Parsley
Parsley sits low to the soil, which makes it a useful plant for shading tomato roots and helping the soil retain moisture. It also attracts helpful insects like hoverflies and ladybugs that prey on common tomato pests. If your garden is prone to dry spells or heat, parsley can act as a living mulch. It’s also a handy herb to have fresh in the kitchen, so you’ll get more than one benefit from planting it nearby.
3. Thyme
Thyme may be small, but it has a strong presence in a tomato bed. Its scent can confuse or deter pests, making it harder for them to find your tomatoes in the first place. Thyme is also drought-tolerant and won’t compete for water or nutrients, which makes it a respectful neighbor. It thrives in full sun and poor soil, so once it’s planted, it requires little upkeep.
4. Chives
Chives can play a very important role in your garden (aside from simply being delicious). Their strong scent can help keep aphids away, and they may even help reduce the risk of fungal infections in tomatoes. Let them flower if you want to attract pollinators, or trim them regularly to encourage new growth. Either way, they’ll do their part without taking over.
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Pairing herbs with your tomatoes is more than just saving space or growing a few extra kitchen staples. These herbs offer real, natural support for your tomatoes, and since you’ll also be getting fresh herbs alongside your veggies, there’s really no downside to this co-planting method. Give it a try and see your tomatoes flourish!
Daniel Mitchell
