Keep Your Tomatoes Thriving By Skipping These 18 Neighboring Plants
Tomatoes can be picky about their neighbors, and keeping these 18 plants away could make all the difference in a thriving harvest. I’ve seen how some plants steal nutrients or attract pests that your tomatoes just don’t need.
Giving your tomato patch the right companions means healthier plants and bigger, juicier fruits. It’s like choosing the right roommates for your garden—some just don’t mix well.
Let’s help your tomatoes shine by keeping tricky neighbors at bay!
1. Potatoes
Imagine a competitive neighbor always trying to outshine you. That’s what potatoes are to tomato plants. Potatoes can increase the risk of blight, a disease that can easily spread to tomatoes, leaving you with a disappointing harvest.
They also compete for the same nutrients, leaving your tomatoes hungry for more. Keep potatoes at a distance to give your tomatoes room to thrive.
2. Corn
Ever had that friend who attracts a crowd wherever they go? Corn certainly does, bringing pests like the tomato fruitworm to your garden party. These pests won’t discriminate and will quickly turn their attention to your juicy tomatoes.
Additionally, corn and tomatoes both require a lot of the same nutrients, leading them to compete fiercely. Let the corn party elsewhere to keep your tomatoes safe.
3. Fennel
Feathery and charming, fennel may seem harmless, but it’s actually a secret saboteur. It releases chemicals that stunt the growth of nearby plants, including your beloved tomatoes.
Instead of being a good neighbor, fennel engages in allelopathy—basically, it’s not playing nice. Keep fennel away from your tomatoes, giving it its own space to do its tricky work without dragging down your garden
4. Cabbage
It might look harmless, but cabbage is a sneaky resource hog in the garden. It snatches up nutrients that your tomatoes need, stunting their growth and making them less productive.
Plus, cabbage attracts pests that love munching on tomato leaves. Instead of sharing the wealth, cabbage keeps it all to itself. Keep them apart to make sure your tomatoes get everything they need to thrive.
5. Broccoli
In the garden, competition can be fierce, and broccoli doesn’t play fair. This plant hogs nutrients and space, leaving your tomatoes struggling to catch up.
As broccoli thrives, your tomatoes may end up undernourished and lackluster. Give broccoli its own corner to avoid the drama and let your tomatoes flourish.
6. Cauliflower
Some plants can be trouble for tomatoes, and cauliflower is one of them. It attracts pests that can damage your tomato plants, while also competing for the same nutrients.
With cauliflower around, your tomatoes will be fighting for space and resources. Let cauliflower have its own space to keep your tomatoes thriving.
7. Brussels Sprouts
Small but mighty, Brussels sprouts are fierce competitors in the garden. They hog nutrients and space that your tomato plants need, stunting their growth and reducing fruit production.
On top of that, Brussels sprouts attract pests that can harm your tomatoes. Keep them apart for a more balanced and thriving garden!
8. Kohlrabi
When nutrients are scarce, some plants, like kohlrabi, take more than their share. By stealing energy, it leaves your tomatoes with little to thrive on, causing weaker growth and fewer fruits.
Kohlrabi also crowds your tomatoes, restricting their ability to spread. Let it have its own space so your tomatoes can truly flourish.
9. Dill
While dill adds fragrance and flavor to the garden, it can also have a sneaky side. By releasing growth-inhibiting chemicals, it can stunt the growth of your tomato plants.
In dill’s shadow, your tomatoes will struggle to thrive, craving the nutrients they deserve. Keep dill away to give your tomatoes the space they need to shine!
10. Eggplant
Some plants just don’t get along, and eggplant and tomatoes are one of those pairs. Eggplant shares many of the same pests and diseases, putting your tomatoes at a higher risk.
They also compete for nutrients, leaving your tomatoes with less to grow strong. To give your tomatoes a better chance, keep eggplant at a distance.
11. Peppers
Not all garden companions are meant to be. Peppers, like tomatoes, share the same pests and diseases, which can lead to a higher risk for your tomato plants.
They also compete for nutrients, making both plants struggle to grow. Keeping them apart is the key to a flourishing garden!
12. Walnut Trees
In the garden, some plants just don’t play nice. Walnut trees release chemicals from their roots that inhibit the growth of nearby plants, and tomatoes are no exception.
These chemicals can stunt tomato growth, making them weak and unable to thrive. The dominance of walnut trees leaves your tomatoes struggling for space and nutrients. Keeping them apart allows your tomatoes to grow strong and healthy.
13. Black Walnut
Tomatoes and black walnut trees don’t mix well. The roots of the walnut tree release juglone, a toxin that halts tomato growth.
With this toxic relationship, your tomatoes will struggle to thrive, leaving them weak and stunted. Keep them far apart for healthier, happier tomato plants.
14. Sunflowers
In the garden, some plants demand the spotlight, and sunflowers are a prime example. Their tall stature can overshadow tomato plants, stealing sunlight and nutrients.
This leaves your tomatoes struggling to thrive in the shadows. On top of that, sunflowers can attract pests that might harm your tomato crop. To give your tomatoes the space they need to flourish, keep sunflowers at a distance.
15. Raspberries
A tangled relationship can develop when raspberries and tomatoes are planted too close. Raspberries spread quickly, claiming space that tomatoes need to thrive.
This competition for room and nutrients can leave your tomatoes cramped and struggling. Additionally, raspberries can attract pests that might make their way to your tomato plants.
To give your tomatoes the space they need to flourish, keep raspberries at a distance.
16. Zucchini
In the garden, zucchinis are notorious for sprawling everywhere, taking up space that your tomato plants need. The competition for nutrients and sunlight can leave tomatoes feeling weak and stunted.
Zucchini also attracts pests that can make their way to your tomato plants. Give zucchini its own space to ensure your tomatoes have room to thrive.
17. Pumpkins
When pumpkins spread across the garden, they take up space tomatoes need. This overcrowding leaves your tomatoes fighting for nutrients and sunlight, stunting their growth.
Along with space and resources, pumpkins also attract pests that can hurt your tomatoes. Keep them apart to let your tomatoes grow strong and healthy.
18. Melons
Melons love to sprawl and spread their vines wide, just like pumpkins and zucchinis. When planted too close to tomatoes, they compete fiercely for sunlight, water, and nutrients.
Their sprawling nature can overshadow tomato plants, while also attracting pests that may hop over to your tomatoes. Give melons their own patch to keep your tomato harvest thriving and plentiful.