12 Plants That Grow Well Under Tomatoes

Growing plants under tomatoes is an excellent way to maximize space in your garden while improving plant health.

Planting beneficial companions under tomatoes can help suppress weeds, improve soil health, attract beneficial insects, and even reduce pest pressure.

Many of these plants are also shallow-rooted, meaning they will not compete heavily with tomato plants for nutrients and water. When chosen carefully, these companions make your garden more productive and efficient.

Below are my favorite 12 plants that grow well under tomatoes and help create a healthier garden.

Basil

Why Basil Grows Well Under Tomatoes

Basil grows well under tomatoes because it tolerates partial shade while still receiving enough light to grow vigorously. The tomato plant’s canopy helps protect basil from harsh afternoon sun, which can sometimes stress tender basil leaves in very hot climates. This pairing creates a microclimate that keeps the soil cooler and maintains steady moisture levels.

Benefits for Tomato Plants

Basil is widely believed to help deter pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms due to its strong aroma. Growing basil near tomatoes also allows gardeners to harvest two complementary crops that are commonly used together in cooking.

How to Plant Basil Under Tomatoes

Plant basil around the base of tomato plants while leaving several inches of space between the stems to allow airflow. Proper spacing prevents overcrowding and reduces the risk of fungal diseases in humid conditions.

Lettuce

Why Lettuce Thrives Beneath Tomato Plants

Lettuce prefers cooler temperatures and partial shade, making it well-suited for growing under taller tomato plants. The tomato canopy filters sunlight and prevents lettuce from bolting quickly during hot weather. This shade allows lettuce to stay tender and productive longer into the summer.

Benefits for Tomatoes and the Garden

Lettuce acts as a living mulch that helps cover the soil and retain moisture around tomato roots. By shading the soil surface, lettuce reduces evaporation and keeps the soil temperature more stable. This ground cover also suppresses weeds that would otherwise compete with tomatoes for nutrients.

Planting and Growing Tips

Sow lettuce seeds around tomato plants once the tomatoes are established and beginning to grow taller. Plant small groups of lettuce in staggered intervals so you can harvest continuously throughout the season.

Spinach

Why Spinach Works Well Under Tomatoes

Spinach is naturally tolerant of partial shade and grows well in cooler soil conditions. When planted beneath tomato plants, spinach receives filtered sunlight that prevents it from overheating in warmer months. This environment helps spinach maintain its leafy growth before bolting.

Benefits for Soil and Garden Health

Spinach provides excellent soil coverage, helping reduce weed growth and soil erosion. Its dense foliage protects the soil from direct sunlight, which helps maintain soil moisture levels.

How to Grow Spinach Beneath Tomatoes

Plant spinach seeds early in the season so they establish before tomato plants grow large. Once tomatoes develop a canopy, the spinach will benefit from the shade they provide.

Arugula

Why Arugula Is a Good Companion Plant

Arugula grows quickly and tolerates partial shade, making it ideal for planting beneath tomatoes. Because it matures rapidly, gardeners can harvest it before tomato plants become extremely large.

Benefits of the Tomato Garden

Arugula serves as a living ground cover that helps reduce weed growth in tomato beds. The dense foliage protects the soil surface and helps retain moisture after watering. Additionally, arugula flowers can attract beneficial insects if allowed to bloom.

Planting Tips

Direct sow arugula seeds around tomato plants in small clusters for continuous harvest. Thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding and encourage healthy leaf development. Harvest leaves frequently to keep plants producing fresh growth.

Chives

Why Chives Grow Well Under Tomatoes

Chives are compact, clump-forming herbs that fit easily beneath tomato plants. They tolerate partial shade and continue growing well even when larger plants surround them.

Benefits of Pest Control

Chives produce a strong onion-like scent that can help deter certain pests from the garden. This scent may discourage aphids and other small insects that commonly attack tomato plants. In addition, chive flowers attract pollinators and beneficial insects.

Planting and Maintenance

Plant chive clumps around tomato plants while leaving enough space for both plants to grow. Regular trimming encourages fresh growth and prevents the plants from becoming overgrown.

Parsley

Why Parsley Thrives Beneath Tomatoes

Parsley tolerates partial shade and adapts well to growing under taller plants. The filtered sunlight beneath tomatoes helps prevent parsley leaves from scorching in hot weather.

Benefits for Garden Biodiversity

Parsley flowers attract beneficial insects such as hoverflies and parasitic wasps. These insects feed on pests like aphids and caterpillars that can damage tomato plants. Increasing beneficial insect activity helps create a more balanced garden ecosystem.

Growing Parsley Under Tomatoes

Plant parsley seedlings around tomato plants after the danger of frost has passed. Keep the soil consistently moist to encourage steady growth throughout the season. Harvest parsley regularly by cutting outer stems, which stimulates new growth.

Cilantro

Why Cilantro Works in Tomato Beds

Cilantro prefers cooler temperatures and often bolts quickly in full sun. Growing it beneath tomato plants provides enough shade to slow this bolting process. This helps cilantro remain productive for a longer period.

Benefits for Pest Management

When cilantro flowers, it produces small umbrella-shaped blooms that attract beneficial insects. These insects help control pests that might otherwise damage tomato plants. Beneficial predators such as lacewings and parasitic wasps are often drawn to cilantro flowers.

Planting and Harvest Tips

Sow cilantro seeds directly in the soil beneath tomato plants for best results. Plant successive crops every few weeks to maintain a steady supply of fresh leaves. Harvest frequently to delay flowering and encourage continued leaf production.

Nasturtiums

Why Nasturtiums Grow Well Near Tomatoes

Nasturtiums are low-growing plants that spread easily across the ground beneath taller plants. Their trailing habit makes them ideal for filling empty spaces in tomato beds. They tolerate partial shade and continue flowering throughout the growing season.

Pest Protection Benefits

Nasturtiums are often used as a trap crop because they attract aphids away from other plants. This can help protect tomato plants from infestations. Their bright flowers also attract pollinators and beneficial insects.

Growing Nasturtiums Under Tomatoes

Plant nasturtium seeds around tomato plants once the soil has warmed. Allow the vines to spread naturally across the soil surface. Minimal maintenance is required, making them an easy companion plant.

Marigolds

Why Marigolds Are Popular Tomato Companions

Marigolds are widely used in vegetable gardens due to their strong scent and bright flowers. They grow well in the same conditions as tomatoes and tolerate partial shade. Their compact growth allows them to fit easily in tomato beds.

Benefits for Soil and Pest Control

Certain varieties of marigolds are believed to help reduce soil nematodes that damage plant roots. Their strong scent may also discourage insects from feeding on nearby plants. Additionally, marigold flowers attract pollinators and beneficial insects.

How to Plant Marigolds in Tomato Beds

Plant marigolds around the edges of tomato beds or between plants. Proper spacing ensures good air circulation and prevents overcrowding. Deadheading spent flowers encourages continuous blooming throughout the season.

Thyme

Why Thyme Works as an Underplant

Thyme is a low-growing herb that forms a dense ground cover beneath larger plants. It tolerates partial shade and thrives in well-drained soil. Its compact growth habit makes it perfect for filling empty spaces in tomato beds.

Benefits for Soil and Moisture

Thyme helps retain soil moisture by covering exposed soil around tomato plants. This ground cover reduces evaporation and helps maintain more stable soil conditions. It also suppresses weeds that compete with tomatoes for nutrients.

Growing Tips

Plant thyme around tomato plants in well-drained soil with moderate watering. Once established, thyme requires very little maintenance and is drought-tolerant.

Oregano

Why Oregano Thrives Under Tomatoes

Oregano is a hardy herb that grows well in partial shade and adapts easily to garden beds. Its spreading growth allows it to fill empty spaces beneath tomato plants. This helps create a layered garden structure.

Benefits for the Garden Ecosystem

Oregano flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. These pollinators help improve fruit production in many garden plants, including tomatoes. Beneficial insects also help keep pest populations under control.

Planting and Care

Plant oregano near tomato plants where it has room to spread slightly. Trim the plants regularly to prevent them from becoming too woody. Harvesting oregano frequently encourages fresh, flavorful growth.

Sweet Alyssum

Why Sweet Alyssum Is Ideal Beneath Tomatoes

Sweet alyssum is a low-growing flowering plant that spreads across the soil surface. It thrives in partial shade and continues blooming throughout much of the growing season.

Benefits for Pest Control

Sweet alyssum is known for attracting beneficial insects such as hoverflies. Hoverfly larvae feed on aphids, which are common pests in tomato gardens. This natural pest control can reduce the need for chemical treatments.

Planting Tips

Scatter sweet alyssum seeds around tomato plants in early spring. Once established, the plants require very little maintenance. Their continuous blooms provide long-term support for beneficial insects.

How to Successfully Plant Under Tomatoes

Choosing Low-Growing Plants

Select plants that remain short and compact so they do not compete with tomatoes for sunlight. Low-growing herbs, leafy greens, and flowers are ideal choices for the space beneath tomato plants.

Managing Water and Nutrients

Tomatoes are heavy feeders, so companion plants should not compete aggressively for nutrients. Adding compost before planting helps provide enough nutrients for all plants in the bed. Consistent watering ensures that both tomatoes and companion plants grow well.

Spacing and Air Circulation

Proper spacing is essential to prevent overcrowding in tomato beds. Good airflow helps reduce fungal diseases that can spread in dense plantings. Always leave enough room for tomato plants to grow while still allowing companion plants to thrive.

Plants to Avoid Under Tomatoes

Certain plants compete heavily with tomatoes or can attract harmful pests.

Examples include:

Potatoes – Potatoes share similar diseases with tomatoes, which can increase the risk of spreading soil-borne infections.

Corn – Corn attracts pests such as tomato fruitworms that also attack tomato plants.

Fennel – Fennel releases compounds that inhibit the growth of many nearby plants, making it a poor companion.

My Final Thoughts

I love growing plants under tomatoes because it is a smart gardening strategy that increases productivity while improving plant health. By combining tomatoes with herbs, greens, and flowers, gardeners can create a layered planting system that uses every inch of space efficiently.

If you are interested in growing vegetables and flowers, consider subscribing to my newsletter. Additionally, follow me on Pinterest to discover more amazing pins.