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How to Keep Tomato Hornworms Out of Your Garden: Companion Plants That Really Work
By Amy Grant | Published 2 weeks ago | Features
You love your tomatoes — that first juicy bite, still warm from the sun, is summer in a nutshell. But apparently, you’re not the only one who thinks so. If you’ve ever found chewed leaves, nibbled fruit, or worse — a huge green caterpillar with a scary-looking spike on its back — you’ve likely met the tomato hornworm.
These creepy crawlers are more than just gross; they can seriously damage your tomato plants (and other members of the Nightshade family). If you’re wondering how to get rid of tomato hornworms and keep them from coming back, you’re not alone.
Thankfully, there are natural ways to protect your garden — and it starts with smart planting. By growing specific herbs and flowers near your tomatoes, you can repel hornworms, attract beneficial insects, and even boost your harvest. Here’s everything you need to know.
What Exactly Is a Tomato Hornworm?
Tomato hornworms are the chunky green caterpillars of the five-spotted hawk moth. These moths are pretty large (they can have a 4-5 inch wingspan!) and tend to appear at night, fluttering from flower to flower sipping nectar. In spring, they lay tiny green eggs on the leaves of Nightshade plants — especially tomatoes.
When the eggs hatch, the hornworm larvae spend 3–4 weeks munching nonstop. Their feeding frenzy can strip your plants of leaves and ruin ripening fruit before you even get the chance to harvest.
Tomato Hornworm vs. Tobacco Hornworm
They look nearly identical, but there are two types of hornworms:
- Tomato hornworms have V-shaped white markings and a dark green/black horn
- Tobacco hornworms have diagonal stripes and a reddish horn
Both are bad news — and both are fair game for natural pest control.
Best Plants to Repel Tomato Hornworms
Companion planting is a time-tested way to protect your tomatoes naturally. It involves growing certain plants near each other to improve growth, deter pests, or attract beneficial bugs. Here are the top companion plants that help repel tomato hornworms and keep your garden in balance:
1. Basil
Not only does basil repel tomato hornworms, aphids, and thrips — it also improves tomato flavor and encourages better yields. Grow it alongside your tomatoes for a tasty and effective pest control combo. Mix up the varieties (like sweet basil, Thai basil, or purple basil) for added color and culinary options.
2. Borage
This pretty herb with star-shaped blue flowers tastes like cucumber and does double duty: it repels hornworms and attracts pollinators and helpful predator wasps. A win-win.
3. Dill
Dill works as a trap crop, luring hornworms away from your tomatoes. It’s also a host plant for predatory insects that feed on hornworm eggs and larvae. Bonus: it’s great in salads and homemade pickles.
Tip: Try ‘Bouquet’ dill if you want fast results — it matures in just 55 days and has beautiful yellow flowers that are edible too.
4. Nasturtiums
These cheerful flowers don’t just look good — they work hard. Nasturtiums act as a decoy, attracting hornworms away from tomatoes. Their strong scent can even repel the adult moths before they lay eggs.
5. Marigolds
The poster child of companion planting! Marigolds deter a wide range of pests, including the moths that lay tomato hornworm eggs. Their bright, bold blooms make a beautiful border around your tomato patch.
Try planting ‘Disco’ marigolds for a colorful mix of yellow, orange, and red blooms that offer both protection and beauty.
Plants That Attract Hornworm Predators
Hornworms have natural enemies — and you can invite them into your garden by planting nectar-rich flowers and herbs that they love. Here’s how to make your garden a welcoming spot for beneficial insects like parasitic wasps, ladybugs, and lacewings.
🪰 Yarrow, Dill, Parsley, and Cilantro
Yarrow is a perennial that comes in lots of colors and attracts braconid wasps, which lay their eggs on hornworms. Once hatched, the wasp larvae feed on the worm like something out of a horror movie (but in a good way for your plants). Dill, parsley, and cilantro all serve as food sources and habitat for these helpful insects too.
🌸 Sweet Alyssum, Chamomile, and Catmint
These delicate bloomers are braconid magnets. Sweet alyssum produces loads of nectar, chamomile has tiny daisy-like flowers, and catmint (also known as nepeta) has soft purple blooms. Try the ‘Cat’s Meow’ variety for compact, fragrant growth that looks great around borders.
🌿 Queen Anne’s Lace and Fennel
Both are power players when it comes to attracting beneficial bugs. Queen Anne’s lace (a wild relative of the carrot) and fennel both draw in parasitic wasps. Fennel’s strong scent also repels the hawk moth itself — stopping the problem before it starts.
Companion Planting Tips to Make It All Work
While companion planting isn’t an exact science, it’s based on generations of gardening experience. That said, here are some key things to keep in mind:
- Don’t skip crop rotation. Companion planting works better when plants aren’t grown in the same spot year after year.
- Plant closely, but not too close. Give each plant room to breathe to avoid crowding.
- Group plants with similar needs. Match sun, soil, and water preferences so everything thrives.
- Use herbs strategically. Most garden herbs repel pests thanks to their strong scents and attract pollinators with their blooms.
- Mix heights wisely. Taller plants should go in the back; low growers in front.
FAQs About Tomato Hornworms & Companion Planting
Q: Are tomato hornworms dangerous to humans?
A: Not at all. They look intimidating with that horn, but they don’t sting or bite. The damage is all to your plants.
Q: Can companion plants really stop an infestation?
A: Companion planting helps deter pests and attract natural predators, but it works best before an infestation. Use it as part of your overall pest control strategy, not a cure-all.
Q: Do I still need to remove hornworms by hand?
A: If you see them, yes. Handpicking is often the quickest way to remove them — especially if you have just a few plants.
Q: Can I use pesticides instead?
A: You can, but they’ll likely harm the beneficial insects you’re trying to attract. Companion planting is safer and better for long-term balance in your garden.
Q: What if I plant something that attracts both pests and pollinators?
A: That’s actually common. The key is to attract more predators than pests, so the balance stays in your favor.
Final Thoughts
Tomato hornworms might be a gardener’s nightmare, but you don’t need chemicals or stress to fight them off. With a little planning — and the right mix of herbs and flowers — you can naturally repel pests, attract helpful bugs, and enjoy a healthier, more productive tomato harvest.
From basil to marigolds to horror-movie-level parasitic wasps (don’t worry — they’re good guys!), your tomato patch can be both beautiful and functional. So get planting — your tomatoes (and future self) will thank you.
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