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Yes, you can plant nasturtiums with tomatoes. They add color and variety to a vegetable bed, and may work as a trap crop—but there is no solid evidence here that nasturtiums alone reliably protect tomatoes from pests. Treat the pairing as a garden experiment: give both plants room and check them regularly.
Six reasons to try nasturtiums beside tomatoes
1. Test a possible trap-crop strategy
A trap crop is a plant that may attract pests away from a valued crop. Kansas State University Extension describes nasturtiums as trap crops, while cautioning that this approach is not all-encompassing (Kansas State University Extension). Whether it helps depends on the pest and garden conditions; don’t assume nasturtiums will keep aphids, whiteflies, or other pests off your tomatoes.
2. Bring flowers into the vegetable bed
Flowering plants can provide nectar and pollen for beneficial insects, including predators and parasitoids. This is a general reason to diversify a garden, not proof that nasturtiums will reduce tomato pests in a particular bed (University of Delaware Extension).
3. Vary the bed’s appearance
Different plant heights, colors, and textures can make a uniform crop less visually obvious to some insects. That is a general mechanism, not a guaranteed defense for tomatoes (University of Minnesota Extension).
#1 Best Overall
- Variety: Jewel Mixed Nasturtium, scientifically known as Tropaeolum nanum, is a compact variety of nasturtium, ideal for small gardens, containers, or borders.
- Appearance: This variety features vibrant, jewel-like flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, and sometimes mahogany. The flowers are slightly smaller than those of T. majus but are just as striking.
- Growth Habit: Tropaeolum nanum grows in a bushy, dwarf form, typically reaching only about 12-18 inches in height, making it excellent for ground cover or in pots where space is limited.
- Edibility and Uses: Both the flowers and leaves are edible, often used to add color and a peppery flavor to salads. They are also rich in vitamin C and can be used for their ornamental purpose in culinary dishes.
- Quality: All Nasturtium seeds packaged by Seed Needs are intended for the current and the following growing seasons. All seeds are stored in a temperature controlled facility that is free of significant amounts of moisture.
4. Pick a growth habit that fits
Nasturtiums may be compact and bushy, climbing, or trailing. A compact variety is easier to fit near a tomato; climbing and trailing kinds need room, and should not be allowed to smother tomato foliage (UC IPM).
5. Enjoy a potentially long flowering season
UC IPM says nasturtiums bloom in spring, through summer, and well into fall. The actual flowering window varies with species, climate, and planting date (UC IPM).
Rank #2
- TOP-RATED TALL TRAILING MIX: Experience a versatile and original decorative mix of Nasturtiums. These high-ranking trailing vines are designed to create a "wow" factor for every garden visitor. A stunning blend of beauty and vigorous growth.
- 250 PREMIUM HEIRLOOM SEEDS: This packet contains 250 fresh, Non-GMO, open-pollinated American seeds. With a high germination standard, these premium seeds offer a beautiful variety of climbing plants that are unparalleled in quality and freshness.
- ULTRA-MODERN GARDEN MASTERPIECE: This energetic variety quickly fills your garden with exotic, colorful blooms. Enjoy a mix of single, double, and ruffled flowers in a breathtaking range of saturated tones—from delicate creams to fiery oranges and scarlet reds.
- BEST MIXED VINE DISPLAY: Admire the power and speed of these growing shoots. Brilliant flowers stand out against a mass of unique ivy-shaped emerald leaves. The sprawling vines grow from 6 to 10 feet, creating a colorful kaleidoscope of lush umbrella-like foliage.
- CONTINUOUS CASCADING BLOOMS: Once it starts, this carefree Nasturtium blooms continuously. The thick carpet of shield-shaped leaves and cascading flowers offers a perfect combination of elegant style and vibrant colors for a flawless garden look.
6. Fit them into different garden conditions
Nasturtiums grow in full sun or partial shade. They prefer sandy soil but tolerate most well-drained soil types, and need regular water (UC IPM; University of Delaware Extension). Choose a spot that meets those needs without crowding tomato roots or canopy.
Do nasturtiums keep pests away from tomato plants?
That is possible in some circumstances, but the available evidence does not establish reliable, stand-alone protection from nasturtiums in a tomato bed. The trap-crop idea is a reason to try the pairing, not a promise of pest control.
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Rank #3
- Vibrant Bloom: Cherry Rose Nasturtiums dazzle with their deep cherry pink flowers, providing a striking contrast in gardens. These blooms, set against the backdrop of their lush green foliage, make them a visual treat.
- Culinary Delight: Beyond their beauty, both flowers and leaves are edible, offering a peppery flavor. They're not just garden adornments but culinary ingredients, perfect for salads or as a garnish, adding both color and taste.
- Easy Cultivation: These nasturtiums are relatively low-maintenance, thriving in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade. Their seeds are large, making them easy to handle, ideal for both novice and seasoned gardeners.
- Ecological Benefits: They act as companion plants, repelling certain pests and attracting pollinators, contributing positively to garden biodiversity. Their sprawling habit can also cover bare ground, reducing weed growth.
- Quality: All Nasturtium seeds packaged by Seed Needs are intended for the current and the following growing seasons. All seeds are stored in a temperature controlled facility that is free of significant amounts of moisture.
A 2019 study examined French marigolds and tomato plants in relation to glasshouse whiteflies. Its abstract reports that adding less-preferred non-host plants—including nasturtium, basil, and Chinese cabbage—to a marigold treatment also reduced whitefly populations on tomato. The conclusion supports short-vine tomatoes grown with French marigolds throughout the season; it does not isolate an effect from nasturtiums alone (2019 study abstract).
A University of Minnesota Extension review discusses tomato research involving basil and marigolds for thrips, but does not identify a nasturtium-specific tomato result. It also cautions that attracting beneficial insects does not necessarily mean fewer pests on the crop, and that companion plants can compete for light, water, and nutrients (University of Minnesota Extension).
Rank #4
- Nasturtium Seeds: Jewel Mixed Nasturtium, scientifically known as Tropaeolum nanum, is a compact variety of nasturtium, ideal for small gardens, containers, or borders.
- Appearance: This variety features vibrant, jewel-like flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, and sometimes mahogany. The flowers are slightly smaller than those of T. majus but are just as striking.
- Growth Habit: Tropaeolum nanum grows in a bushy, dwarf form, typically reaching only about 12-18 inches in height, making it excellent for ground cover or in pots where space is limited.
- Edibility and Uses: Both the flowers and leaves are edible, often used to add color and a peppery flavor to salads. They are also rich in vitamin C and can be used for their ornamental purpose in culinary dishes.
- Quality: All Nasturtium seeds packaged by Seed Needs are intended for the current and the following growing seasons. All seeds are stored in a temperature controlled facility that is free of significant amounts of moisture.
How to plant and monitor the pairing
- Choose a suitable nasturtium form. Use a compact type where space is limited. Allow climbing or trailing types to spread without covering tomato leaves.
- Match the growing conditions. Place nasturtiums where they receive full sun or partial shade, in well-drained soil, and can be watered regularly.
- Leave room around the tomatoes. There is no validated tomato-specific spacing distance in the cited guidance. Use the plants’ mature size and the need for open tomato foliage to guide placement.
- Inspect both plants. Check nasturtium leaves and flowers as well as tomato leaves for pests. If nasturtiums become infested, decide whether to treat or remove them rather than letting pest numbers build unchecked. Kansas State Extension describes that as a general trap-crop management option, not a tomato-specific guarantee (Kansas State University Extension).
What not to expect
The evidence cited here does not establish that nasturtiums improve tomato flavor or yield, prevent tomato diseases, or reliably control hornworms. Nor does it show which nasturtium variety best protects tomatoes. Plant them for flowers, diversity, and a possible trap-crop role, while managing tomato pests based on what you actually observe.
Quick Recap
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