plant

Tomato

solanum lycopersicum

Updated 9 Jun 2026 · AI-parsed entry

Tomato (solanum lycopersicum) — a plant, for Full sun, Medium water. Companions: Chives, Basil.

What it needs & gives back

↓ Needs

Sunlightfull sun
Watermedium to high

↑ Gives back

Biomassmedium

Companions

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Chives

May deter aphids and spider mites.

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Basil

Improves growth and flavor, may repel some pests.

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Corn Maize

Provides shade in hot climates.

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Onion

Onions can deter some pests.

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French marigold

Repels nematodes and whiteflies.

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Pepper

Tomatoes and peppers are often grown together and benefit from similar growing conditions.

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Welsh onion

May deter some pests.

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Chicory

Chicory is said to improve the growth and flavor of tomatoes.

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Horseradish

Reported to improve disease resistance in tomatoes.

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Greater burdock

Can improve growth and flavor of tomatoes.

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Garden pea

Peas can provide nitrogen to tomatoes, benefiting their growth.

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Stinging Nettle

Nettle is often planted near tomatoes to improve their growth and flavor, possibly due to its nutrient accumulation and return to the soil.

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Spinach

Tomatoes can provide partial shade for spinach in hot climates.

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Borage

Reported to improve growth and disease resistance of tomatoes.

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Cilantro

May improve tomato flavor and deter some pests.

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Pot Marigold

Can attract beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests.

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Parsley

Believed to improve growth and flavor of tomatoes.

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Hamburg Parsley

Improves growth and flavor of tomatoes.

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Broad Bean

Can provide nitrogen to tomatoes.

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Common Thyme

May improve growth and flavor of tomatoes.

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Spearmint

May improve growth and flavor of tomatoes.

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Garlic

May improve tomato flavor and deter spider mites.

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Brown mustard

May deter some tomato pests.

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Oregano

Can improve growth and flavor of tomatoes.

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Wild thyme

May improve growth and flavor.

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Dill

Dill can attract beneficial insects that prey on tomato pests.

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Caraway

Reported to improve growth and flavor of tomatoes.

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French tarragon

Enhances growth and flavor of tomatoes.

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Catnip

Reported to deter flea beetles and other pests from tomatoes.

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Nasturtium

Can help deter whiteflies from tomatoes.

Keep apart from

Through the year

Emergence

Seeds germinate when soil temperatures are consistently above 150C.

Flowering

Flowering typically begins 45-60 days after emergence, continuing for an extended period.

Fruiting

Fruit set occurs approximately 20 days after flowering, with continuous fruiting until frost.

Harvest

Harvest begins about 30 days after fruit set, continuing as fruits ripen.

Senescence

Plants begin to senesce and die back with the first autumn frost.

Timing is relative to your local season (temperate Northern Hemisphere).

Soil interactions

Drainagewell-drained
Nitrogen fixingNo
MycorrhizalYes
Soil textureloam, sandy_loam
Organic matterMedium
Compaction toleranceLow

Propagation

Methodsseed
Difficulty2 / 5
Establishes in~0 yr
Self-seedingLight

Wildlife & pests

Attractspollinators
Can host peststomato hornworm, aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, cutworms, blister beetles
Can host diseasesearly blight, late blight, fusarium wilt, verticillium wilt, bacterial spot, tomato mosaic virus