Yes, you can grow herbs container tomatoes together and get a great harvest from both. Compact herbs like basil, parsley, and chives share space well with tomato plants. These pairings work because the plants have similar water and light needs.
I grew basil and parsley with a Patio Pride tomato in an 18-inch pot on my deck for two seasons. The basil grew right up against the tomato stem while parsley filled in around the edges. Both herbs stayed healthy and gave me fresh leaves to pick all summer long.
The herbs that work best have short roots that do not compete with your tomato for water and food. Basil tops the list since it loves the same warm sun and moist soil that tomatoes need. Parsley and chives also make good potted tomato companions since they stay small and tuck in nicely.
Some herbs do not belong in a shared pot with tomatoes. Mint spreads through runners and will take over your whole container within weeks. Oregano and thyme prefer drier soil than tomatoes need and will rot if you water for the tomato.
Your container size matters more than most gardeners think. You need at least five gallons for a tomato plus one or two herbs. Bigger pots work better because they hold more soil and dry out slower in hot weather. I use ten gallon pots now and my plants never wilt.
Good drainage keeps your container herb garden healthy through the whole season. Make sure your pot has holes in the bottom and sits up off the ground a bit. Roots that sit in water will rot fast and kill both your tomato and your herbs.
I tested different pot setups and found the best layout puts the tomato in the center. Plant your herbs around the outer ring about three to four inches from the pot edge. This gives each plant room to grow without crowding out its neighbors.
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to your finger. Container plants need water more often than garden beds since pots dry out faster. Check your pots every day during hot spells and water twice if the soil goes bone dry.
Give your mixed container food every two weeks with a liquid fertilizer. The tomato is a heavy feeder and will use up nutrients fast. A weak dose more often works better than a strong dose once a month for keeping all your plants fed.
Read the full article: Companion Planting Tomatoes: Proven Plant Pairings
