If you grow tomatoes, you probably already know they’re fussy but worth it.
However, what you might not realise is that planting certain herbs nearby can make a big difference, not just in how well your tomatoes grow, but in how flavourful they turn out. These herbs act like tomato bodyguards, flavour boosters, and pest repellents all in one. Here are 10 herbs that do your tomatoes a real favour, both in the soil and on your plate.
1. Basil
Basil is the classic tomato companion for good reason. It repels aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms, all pests that love to ruin a good crop. Plus, it’s thought to improve the flavour of tomatoes when grown nearby, which is a win-win if you’re planning to eat them together anyway.
Plant basil close but not too crowded, giving both plants some breathing room. You’ll also get the added bonus of fresher, more aromatic basil leaves throughout the season. If you’ve ever had homegrown tomato and basil on toast, you already know how well they work together.
2. Parsley
Parsley is great for attracting beneficial insects like hoverflies and predatory wasps, which help control aphids and other pests. It also has shallow roots, so it won’t compete too much with your tomatoes for water or nutrients. Curly or flat-leaf parsley both work just fine, but just keep it nearby in the same bed or in a pot beside your tomato plants. Once it’s growing, you’ll also have a handy garnish that goes well in tomato-based pasta sauces and salads.
3. Chives
Chives release a subtle onion-like scent that helps deter aphids, mites, and even fungal issues. They’re low-maintenance and don’t take up much space, which makes them perfect for tucking in around tomato plants without getting in the way. Let them flower, too. Chive blossoms are beautiful and edible, and they attract pollinators while keeping out the bad bugs. Just don’t plant them too densely, or they’ll crowd the tomato roots. A few clusters go a long way.
4. Oregano
Oregano acts like a little natural shield for your tomato patch. It repels insects and grows low to the ground, offering a bit of natural mulch that helps keep soil moisture in and weeds down. It doesn’t need much fuss, either, just sun and occasional trimming. The flavour combo is a no-brainer too. Fresh oregano brings out the depth in tomatoes whether you’re making a sauce, salsa, or roasted veg tray. Once you’ve grown your own, the shop-bought dried stuff just won’t hit the same.
5. Thyme
Thyme is a drought-tolerant herb that’s surprisingly useful around tomatoes. It keeps pests like whiteflies and cabbage loopers at bay, and its woody stems make it a great low ground cover that won’t compete too hard for nutrients.
Planting thyme nearby can also help with airflow around your tomato plants, especially if you trim it back a bit now and then. When harvest time rolls around, a few sprigs of thyme in a tomato stew or grilled dish really elevate the whole flavour.
6. Borage
Borage is often overlooked, but it’s one of the best herbs to plant with tomatoes. It attracts bees, deters tomato hornworms, and even helps enrich the soil as it breaks down. Its blue flowers are edible too and add a splash of colour to your plot. It grows tall, so plant it just off to the side rather than directly underneath your tomatoes. Once established, it’s a self-seeder that’ll keep showing up year after year to quietly support your tomato patch without much effort on your part.
7. Mint (in containers)
Mint is a natural pest repellent, especially against ants and aphids, but be warned: it spreads aggressively and can take over your garden bed if planted directly in the soil. That’s why it’s best kept in a container near your tomatoes instead of right in the ground. The scent alone helps protect your tomatoes, and the leaves come in handy when you want to make a summery tomato-mint salad or salsa. Just don’t let it escape its pot, or you’ll spend the rest of the season trying to wrestle it back.
8. Dill
Dill brings in ladybirds and lacewings, both of which feed on aphids and other tomato-loving pests. It’s tall and ferny, so it won’t crowd your tomato plants, and it’s great at filling in empty corners of the garden bed without being a pest itself. You’ll want to harvest it before it goes fully to seed, though, or it can self-seed a bit aggressively. Still, the flavour payoff is worth it. Dill and tomatoes work beautifully together in pickles, salads, or tossed into a cold pasta dish.
9. Coriander
Coriander grows quickly and doesn’t stick around for long, but while it’s there, it draws in beneficial insects and helps keep aphids and spider mites in check. You can tuck it in early in the season while your tomatoes are still small. Its short lifespan actually works in your favour. It’ll bolt before your tomatoes start taking over the space. Plus, if you’re into spicy tomato salsas or curries, having fresh coriander on hand is never a bad idea.
10. Lemon balm (in containers)
Lemon balm is a gentle insect repellent with a strong lemony scent that can help mask the smell of tomato plants from certain pests. Like mint, it spreads like mad, so it’s best kept in a pot nearby instead of planted directly into the garden bed. Besides its practical use, it pairs well with tomatoes in herbal teas or cold tomato-based dishes where a citrusy edge lifts the flavour. It’s soothing, smells incredible, and makes a lovely pollinator magnet for your garden too.