Sunflowers and tomatoes are two of the most popular plants for home gardeners to grow. Their bright, cheerful flowers and delicious fruits make them staples in vegetable gardens and flower beds across the country. So can you successfully plant sunflowers and tomatoes together? The short answer is yes, you absolutely can!
In fact pairing these two summer favorites can have some big benefits when done right. Sunflowers and tomatoes make great companion plants for a number of reasons. Read on to learn why interplanting sunflowers and tomatoes is an ingenious strategy, along with tips for proper planning and care to make this plant match thrive.
Why Are Sunflowers and Tomatoes Good Companion Plants?
There are several advantages to planting sunflowers and tomatoes near one another in your garden beds. Here are some of the top reasons these two plants make ideal companions
Sunflowers Attract Pollinators
One major benefit of pairing sunflowers with tomatoes is that the bright, nectar-rich sunflower blooms will draw in pollinating insects like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. These beneficial pollinators will move between the sunflowers and any nearby flowering tomato plants, distributing pollen as they go.
More pollinator visits mean more tomato blossoms will be successfully pollinated and develop into ripe, juicy fruits for you to harvest. So planting sunflowers around your tomatoes can significantly boost your tomato yields over the season.
Sunflowers Provide Vertical Support
Certain tomato varieties, like indeterminate types, grow as sprawling vines that can reach several feet long Letting these vines spread freely across the ground is not ideal, as the plants and fruits will come into contact with soil, inviting diseases and pests.
This is where sunflowers come in handy. Grow sunflowers along one side of your tomato bed. Once mature, train the vining tomato plants to climb up and around the sturdy sunflower stalks. The sunflowers will act as natural trellises to keep your tomatoes contained and lifted off the ground.
Pest Protection
In addition to attracting pollinators, sunflowers also lure predatory insects like ladybugs and lacewings that feed on common tomato pests like aphids, hornworms, and whiteflies. Interplanting sunflowers with your tomatoes may help control these invasive insects looking for a tasty tomato snack.
Certain sunflower varieties also emit biochemicals that deter pests like nematodes and weevils from attacking plant roots and leaves. Pairing these varieties with tomatoes protects your crop without the need for pesticides.
What Are the Downsides of Planting Sunflowers and Tomatoes Together?
While there are certainly benefits, there are also a few potential disadvantages or complications to planting sunflowers and tomatoes together that you should keep in mind:
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Sunflowers can shade tomatoes – As sunflowers mature, their height and wide leaves may shade out shorter tomato plants, blocking the sunlight tomatoes need.
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Nutrient and water competition – The two plants have high nutrient demands and may compete for resources if planted too closely together in poor soil.
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Spread of disease – Close contact increases chances of disease transmission between the two crops. Rotate planting sites each year.
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Attraction of unwanted pests – Some pests are attracted to both plants and may proliferate. Monitor for pests and remove infected plants immediately.
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Potential for cross-pollination – Sunflower pollen may potentially cross with tomato blossoms. Plant pollen-free sunflower varieties to avoid.
As long as proper growing conditions and plant spacing are provided, these issues can be prevented.
Tips for Success When Planting Sunflowers and Tomatoes Together
Follow this companion planting advice for the best results from your sunflower-tomato garden:
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Amend soil – Enrich with compost or fertilizer to provide nutrients both crops need.
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Allow space – Plant at least 2 feet apart to prevent crowding and competition.
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Stake sunflowers – Stake tall sunflowers when 1-2 feet high to stop them from shading tomatoes.
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Rotate planting sites – Move crop location each year to prevent disease buildup.
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Control pests – Inspect regularly and remove infected plants right away.
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Choose disease-resistant varieties – Select sunflowers and tomatoes bred for disease resistance.
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Time plantings – Grow sunflowers 2-3 weeks before tomatoes so mature plants can support vines.
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Pick pollen-free sunflowers – Opt for “Daybreak” or “Sunbird” sunflowers that won’t cross with tomatoes.
What Other Plants Pair Well With Sunflowers and Tomatoes?
In addition to pairing sunflowers and tomatoes together, here are some other great companion plants to add to your garden beds:
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Basil deters pests like hornworms and attracts pollinators.
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Marigolds repel nematodes, whiteflies, and other garden pests.
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Borage attracts pollinators and improves growth and flavor of tomatoes.
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Nasturtiums deter aphids, whiteflies, squash bugs and act as a trap crop.
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Chives and onions help protect tomatoes from beetles and aphids.
Try mixing and matching different combinations of these plants to design a beautiful and productive garden that leverages the power of companion planting.
Should You Give Sunflower-Tomato Companion Planting a Try?
Interplanting sunflowers and tomatoes can be highly beneficial when done properly, boosting pollination, acting as natural supports, and protecting against common pests. Just be sure to provide adequate spacing, stake plants as needed, enrich soil, and time plantings right. With the right companion planting techniques, you can enjoy the unique advantages of growing sunflowers and tomatoes side-by-side.
Grow Tomatoes as Sunflower Companion Plants
I love the bright and cheery look of sunflowers, and I love the taste of a homegrown tomato. Tomatoes make great sunflower companion plants. I am so happy that they go together so very well in a garden. I grow the common sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). My plants grow quite tall, some up to 12 foot or more. Of course, I have to put stakes in to support them as they get very top heavy with their large flower heads (up to 10 inches across), especially when the sunflower seeds weigh the heads down.
Sunflowers Attract Pollinators to Tomatoes The sunflower heads
I love to grow tomatoes in my garden. They are so delicious to eat, but I like the smell of the tomato plants—which is especially strong when I pinch the suckers off. These two plants have already produced about two dozen tomatoes in my garden in Colorado and have at least five dozen green tomatoes on them waiting to ripen. Enjoy
Caution! Sunflowers Can Impact the Growth of Tomato Plants & Other Garden Plants: 2 Growth Examples!
FAQ
Can you grow tomatoes next to sunflowers?
“Sunflower is a great companion plant for tomatoes because it attracts stink bugs,” he said. “However, you must plant your sunflower earlier, so they start to flower when your tomato most needs protection.”
What should not be planted near sunflowers?
What should not be planted near tomatoes?
Can you grow tomatoes with sunflowers?
While pairing tomatoes and sunflowers has benefits, you need to give each plant sufficient space and resources to thrive. Sunflowers require full sun and fertile, well-draining soil. Tomatoes also demand at least 6 hours of sun but need consistently moist, nutrient-rich soil to set fruit.
Do tomatoes make good sunflower companion plants?
Tomatoes make ideal sunflower companion plants. The sunflowers attract more pollinators like birds and bees to your tomatoes. Plus find other sunflower companion plants. Peathegee Inc/Getty Images I love the bright and cheery look of sunflowers, and I love the taste of a homegrown tomato. Tomatoes make great sunflower companion plants.
How far apart should sunflowers and tomatoes be planted?
In general, it is recommended to keep the two plants at least two feet apart. When planning your garden, it is important to consider the type of soil in your garden. If you have sandy soil, the sunflowers and tomatoes can be planted closer together. This is because sandy soil provides better drainage and allows the plants to take in more nutrients.
Why should I plant sunflowers around my Tomatoes?
So planting sunflowers around your tomatoes may help control pesky insects looking for a tomato snack. Certain sunflower varieties also emit chemicals that repel specific pests like nematodes and weevils which can damage tomato plant roots and foliage.
How do you grow a tomato plant from a sunflower?
Amend your garden bed with compost or manure to provide all the nutrients both crops need. Space plants at least 2 feet apart so sunflower roots have room to spread out. And stake sunflowers once they reach 1-2 feet tall to prevent them from shading tomato plants.
Can sunflowers grow in full sun?
Sunflowers and Tomatoes Like Full Sun Tomatoes and sunflowers are great companion plants with similar growing conditions, thriving in full sun. Choose a location in the garden to provide both plants with six to eight hours of sunlight daily. Throughout the growing season, sunflowers and tomatoes prefer temperatures from 60 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.