Tomatillos are fruits that are originally from Mexico and belong to the nightshade family. The fruit looks similar to green tomatoes which is why people also often get confused between them. Though, you should note that the main difference between them is that tomatillos grow in a papery husk. Once the fruit is ripe enough to be harvested, the husk on it starts to crack which indicates that the fruit inside it has grown completely. Overall, tomatillos are great fruits as these can be eaten directly or used to make several recipes.
Most of these include Mexican dishes but people can also use the fruit as an alternative to tomatoes. On top of being sweet, the fruit also has tons of health benefits that you can get by consuming it. With that being said, you will notice that some users often ask about companion plant options that can be used along with tomatillos. If you are also wondering about this, then going through this article should help you in getting several options along with relevant information required about them.
Companion Plants for Tomatillo
- Marigold
Marigolds are a genus of about 50 species that are all annual herbs. The plant is native to tropical America, South America, and North America. On top of this, you should note that the plant has several varieties that all come with unique characteristics on them.
The best thing about marigolds is how beautiful they make your gardens as well as how easy they are to maintain. The flowers can easily last you the entire season without any maintenance as long as they are kept in optimal spots. Another great thing about these plants is that they are also often used as insect repellents.
This makes them an amazing companion plant for tomatillos as all the pests repelled are dangerous to these fruits. Hence, both of these plants work in such a way that they keep each other protected throughout the season. Additionally, the colors on marigolds help in making a contrast with tomatillos which elevates the look of your garden.
- Basil
These are other types of herbs that also act as pest repellents. The plants are mostly known for their unique fragrance that gives your gardens a sweet scent. Though, this odor is also enough to keep most pests away from your house that might attack the tomatillos planted. Having a plant like this can be important as insects can easily infest your plants, ruining your entire harvest.
Basil leaves can also be used to make an herbal tea that helps in keeping people healthy. The herbs grow low to the ground which is why they can also be used to cover the soil around your tomatillos. The bare space left around them can be covered which helps in making the plants look even better.
Though, one thing that you need to keep a check over is the spacing between these plants. There should be enough 8 to 12 inches of clearance so that the growth of your basil and tomatillos is not prevented. Both of these are invasive plants, which is why keeping them under control can be important.
- Cilantro
If you are a chef who is growing tomatillos in your garden to harvest them then keep in mind that the companion plant used can also be aligned with a culinary pair. When it comes to this, cilantro is often used with tomatillos when making different dishes. Both the ingredients complement each other which helps in making your dish taste even better.
The aroma from cilantro also helps in repelling annoying pests like aphids. This is great as it helps in keeping people free of tension while also giving them an extra ingredient that can be harvested. Aside from this, your tomatillo plants also help out cilantro as the shade provided by their leaves during summer can help them in surviving for a longer time.
While this is amazing, the cilantro herbs bolting can also be beneficial for your garden. This is because the nectar produced by the flowers helps in feeding predators that might try to attack your tomatillos. Hence people can always leave a few cilantro plants away from the tomatillos so that these can bolt while the rest of them can stay hidden under the fruits.