Tomatillo Companion Planting: The Best Plants To Grow Together

Tomatillos (Physalis philadelphica) are a staple of vibrant salsas and Mexican cuisine, known for their tart flavor and signature papery husk. While relatively easy to grow, these productive plants can flourish even more when paired with the right companions in your garden. Companion planting with tomatillos can lead to fewer pests, improved pollination, better ground cover, and increased yields. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best tomatillo companion plants, why each one works, what to avoid, and practical tips for a lush, healthy garden.

Why Grow Companion Plants with Tomatillos?

Companion planting is the practice of grouping specific plants together to help each other grow. For tomatillos, the right companions can:

• Deter insect pests: Certain herbs and flowers repel common tomatillo pests like hornworms and aphids.
• Attract beneficial insects: Pollinators and predatory insects are drawn to the right companions, helping with fruit sets and natural pest management.
• Maximize garden space: Layered planting designs let you use garden beds more efficiently, covering bare soil and suppressing weeds.
• Improve soil health: Some companion plants fix nitrogen, break up compacted soil, or bring up nutrients from deeper layers.
• Enhance flavor and growth: Certain plant pairings may even improve the taste or yield of your tomatillos.

With thoughtful planning, you can turn your tomatillo patch into a productive oasis buzzing with life.

Best Companion Plants for Tomatillo

Let’s dig into the top plants you should consider pairing with your tomatillos. Each brings unique benefits for pest management, pollination, or soil improvement.

Basil

Basil is a fragrant herb that does double duty in the kitchen and garden. Its pungent scent confuses hornworms and other pests, masking the aroma of tomatillos and protecting your plants from infestations. Because basil is low-growing, it thrives under or beside trellised tomatillo plants, filling in empty soil and offering natural weed control. Plant basil seeds or starts about 8–12 inches from tomatillos to ensure both have space to grow vigorously without crowding.
Benefits:

• Repels hornworms and other pests
• Serves as a delicious culinary partner
• Makes efficient use of garden space

Cilantro

Cilantro pairs beautifully in the kitchen with tomatillos and benefits them in the garden too. Its pungent aroma deters aphids, and the plant attracts beneficial insects that prey on both aphids and cucumber beetles. Trellised tomatillos can also cast shade, helping cilantro survive summer heat (since cilantro tends to bolt in direct sun). Let some cilantro plants flower—their blooms are excellent nectar sources for predatory insects. Consider succession planting cilantro throughout the season for continual benefits.
Benefits:

• Repels aphids
• Attracts beneficial predatory insects
• Thrives in dappled shade from tomatillo foliage

Dill

Dill is an exceptional companion for tomatillos due to its ability to attract a range of beneficial insects such as hoverflies, lacewings, and ladybugs—natural enemies of aphids and other pests. The feathery foliage and delicate flowers of dill can draw pollinators, improving fruit set on your tomatillo plants. Planting dill nearby also gives you an aromatic, versatile herb for the kitchen.
Benefits:

• Attracts pollinators and predatory insects
• Doesn’t compete aggressively for space or nutrients

Onions

Members of the allium family, such as onions, chives, and scallions, can help drive away many insect pests thanks to their strong scent. Interplanting onions with tomatillos may deter aphids and can spread your harvest over multiple seasons, since alliums are typically harvested on a different timeline than tomatillos. Allow enough spacing so that both crops can develop fully.
Benefits:

• Repels aphids, mites, and certain beetles
• Efficiently uses bed space with staggered harvests

Carrots

Carrots have roots that help break up soil, improving drainage and root aeration for nearby plants. They occupy the lower layer of the soil, while tomatillos dominate the upper canopy. Carrots and tomatillos won’t compete for the exact same resources, making them excellent bedfellows.
Benefits:

• Improves soil aeration and structure
• No above-ground competition

Marigold

Marigolds are renowned for their ability to repel nematodes and insects such as whiteflies, beetles, and aphids. Their vibrant flowers also attract pollinators and beneficial insects. Marigold roots produce substances that can suppress nematodes, reducing pest pressure on tomatillos throughout the growing season.
Benefits:

• Repels nematodes and insect pests
• Attracts pollinators and beneficial predators
• Adds color and biodiversity to your garden

Lettuce

Lettuce makes a great low-growing companion under tomatillo foliage. The larger tomatillo plants provide essential shade, preventing lettuce from bolting too soon in hot weather. This combination allows for efficient use of vertical garden space and more productive beds.
Benefits:

• Maximizes bed space (vertical layering)
• Lettuce benefits from shade, yields longer into the season

Sage

Sage’s aromatic leaves can mask the scent of tomatillos, making it harder for pests to find their targets. Some gardeners also believe sage can enhance pollination and deter certain caterpillars. Plant sage at the edge of tomatillo beds for best results.
Benefits:

• Masks tomatillo scent (confusing pests)
• Compact growth habit suits bed edges

Borage

Borage is a favorite among pollinators, drawing bees and other helpful insects to the garden—which can be especially useful for tomatillos, which need pollinators for heavy fruit set. Borage also accumulates trace minerals and can improve the resilience of surrounding plants.
Benefits:

• Attracts pollinators
• Improves resilience of companion plants with trace minerals

Peppers

Peppers are from the same nightshade family as tomatillos and can make good companions in mixed beds. Their similar growth requirements make garden planning easier, and they share similar pest resistances. However, be sure to rotate crops each year to prevent buildup of soilborne diseases.

• Synergistic growth habits
• Streamlined crop rotation

Garlic

Like other alliums, garlic emits a strong scent that can repel many insect pests. Interplanting it with tomatillos can help keep aphids and certain beetles at bay, while offering another kitchen staple come harvest time.

• Repels pests naturally
• Uses vertical soil space efficiently

Plants to Avoid Near Tomatillos

While many plants are good neighbors, some should be kept away from your tomatillos to avoid competition, spread of disease, or allelopathic effects. Avoid planting tomatillos near:

• Potatoes: Tomatillos and potatoes are both in the nightshade family and can share disease and pest issues, such as potato beetles and blight.
• Fennel: Fennel inhibits growth in many plants, including nightshades, due to allelopathic compounds it releases into the soil.
• Corn: Corn grows taller and can shade out tomatillos, leading to poor fruit set and smaller yields.

Always rotate crops and give sensitive plants some distance from your tomatillo beds to keep your garden healthy and productive.

Designing Your Tomatillo Companion Planting Bed

Strategic garden design can help maximize the benefits of companion plants. Consider the following layout tips:

• Interplant low-growing companions (lettuce, basil, cilantro, onions) under or beside tomatillo trellises.
• Place marigolds, dill, and borage at the edges or between tomatillo rows for pest control and pollination.
• Stagger planting times (succession planting) of annual herbs and greens to maintain constant benefits throughout the season.
• Space tomatillo plants 18–36 inches apart to allow for adequate air circulation and light for both main and companion plants.

Companion Planting Table for Tomatillos

Additional Tomatillo Growing Tips

• Tomatillos require at least two plants for cross-pollination and abundant fruit set.
• Water consistently, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged.
• Use organic mulch beneath plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Stake or cage tomatillo plants, as they can become sprawling and heavy with fruit.
• Monitor for pests like aphids and hornworms, using companion plants as a first line of defense.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can you grow tomatillos and tomatoes together?

A: Yes, you can grow them together since both are part of the nightshade family and have similar needs, but separate them periodically within your garden rotations to reduce shared pest and disease pressure.

Q: How close should companion plants be to tomatillos?

A: Place most companion plants, like basil and cilantro, 8–12 inches away from tomatillos to allow airflow and avoid overcrowding.

Q: Do tomatillos need pollinators?

A: Yes. Tomatillos require insects like bees for cross-pollination, so planting pollinator-friendly flowers (borage, marigolds, dill) nearby boosts yields.

Q: Which pests are most common on tomatillos?

A: Aphids, hornworms, flea beetles, and cucumber beetles are common. Using aromatic herbs and flowers can deter many of these pests naturally.

Q: What happens if I plant tomatillos alone?

A: You need at least two tomatillo plants for proper pollination and fruiting. Without companions, you may see increased pest pressure and lower yields, but tomatillos are generally robust and can grow alone if needed.

Conclusion

With the right companion plants, your tomatillo patch can become a thriving ecosystem that naturally balances pests, attracts helpful insects, and fills your kitchen with delicious, homegrown produce. Basil, cilantro, onions, dill, marigold, and more make excellent gardening partners for tomatillos—just leave space for everyone to grow and rotate crops each year. Pair these strategies with proper staking, mulching, and consistent watering to enjoy a productive, pest-resistant tomatillo harvest all season long.

Author

Shinta

 

Shinta is a biotechnologist turned writer. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University. Shinta realised her love for content while working as an editor for a scientific journal.

Read full bio of Shinta