Can You Plant Two Tomato Plants Together? All You Need to Know!

Considering tomatoes are a tasty and beneficial addition to any garden, it can be surprising to know that many gardeners are unsure of how to grow them. Overall, when it comes to growing tomatoes, one of the most common questions asked is can you plant two tomato plants together?

Fortunately, you may plant two tomato plants together. However, there are also a few considerations you should take. For example, take note that as both plants develop, they will require help.

Therefore, you must provide each plant with its own tomato cage or stake. These plants will also compete with each other for water and nutrients, requiring more frequent watering and fertilization. The type of tomato variety and the type of garden are some of variables that affect tomato plant spacing.

Continue reading to learn more about whether you can plant two tomato plants together, including the top 3 considerations you need to make when putting tomato plants together, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of planting more than one tomato plant in the same pot, and more.

Can You Plant Two Tomato Plants Together?

Yes, you can grow two tomato plants next to one other! Take note, however, that there are several other factors that you should consider, though.

For example, consider the fact that both plants will need assistance as they grow. As a result, each plant will most likely need its own stake for support. These plants will also compete with one another for nutrients and water, necessitating more regular fertilization and watering.

Last but not least, tomato plants have the ability to cross-pollinate, so if you cultivate various types, they may not turn out as expected.

Two tomato plants, however, will provide more fruit than one. Some tomato plants, when planted together, can also provide structural support to one another, eliminating the need for stakes altogether. 

Take note, that two tomato plants planted together can also increase your crop if you’re ready to put in the extra effort. 

What Are the Top 3 Things You Must Consider Before Planting Two Tomato Plants Together?

1. Both Plants Will Require Support

Among all the plant varieties in a garden, tomato plants unquestionably require strong assistance. For instance, once they get going, they expand quickly and wildly. As a result, as soon as their branches start to swell with heavy fruit, they are readily broken by the additional weight.

When planted on their own, these plants require a tomato cage or stake to help support them while they grow. However, if you plant your tomato plants in the same pot, as long as they both have adequate space, once the plants get big enough, they could start to support each other. 

Take note, however, that until these plants grow big enough to cover the 20-inch space between them, a stake or tomato cage will need to be used to provide the small plants with adequate support.

2. Competition for Both Water and Nutrients

With enough water and nutrients, tomato plants will develop swiftly. They are strong feeders and thrive when provided with a balanced fertilizer on a regular basis. Tomato plants, when planted close together can, however, fight for water in the soil as well as these and other soil nutrients. 

When this occurs, instead of robust, brilliant green leaves, smaller plants with pale green leaves are produced as a result of the increased competition. A lack of nutrients can also affect a fruit’s set, which, unfortunately, results in fewer or smaller tomatoes when they are harvested.

3. Cross-Pollination

Tomatoes, while being self-pollinators, can and will crossbreed. Cross-pollination happens when pollen from one tomato type pollinates the bloom of another, most commonly via insect pollinators like bees.

All tomato types are pollination friendly with each other, and if your tomatoes cross-pollinate, you won’t know it until you preserve the seeds and your following year’s plants are different from the parents. This is something to note if you plan on placing two or more tomato plants together.

Learn more from another post: Can Tomatoes Grow in Direct Sunlight?

What Are the Benefits of Planting Two Tomato Plants Together?

1.Overall Plant and Stem Support

Growing support is one of the overall main advantages of placing two tomato plants side by side. Those who have grown tomato plants before report that tomato plants are famously top-heavy, and the weight of the fruit can cause the stems to snap.

To avoid this, professional farmers recommend planting two tomatoes close together so that their stems can support one another.

2. Better Taste

Additionally, many farmers say that growing two tomato plants together can also enhance the flavor of the fruit. For example, when tomatoes are cultivated near to one another, this can cause the fruit to mature more uniformly.

This dual maturation process can result in a more flavorful tomato than if you were to produce them on your own.

3. Overall Increase in the Yield of Fruit

The overall fruit output can also improve when two tomato plants are planted together. For example, more tomatoes can be produced by two tomato plants than by a single plant growing alone.

As a result, if you are looking to produce a large number of tomatoes in one season to can or preserve for later use, try planting two tomato plants together and double your fruit yield.

Also see: Can You Plant Tomatoes in a Kiddie Pool?

What Are the Drawbacks of Planting Two Tomato Plants Together?

1. Plant Illness and Disease

Illness and disease are one of the biggest concerns associated with putting many tomato plants close together. For instance, it is likely that the other plant will grow unwell if the first one gets sick or dies. 

This may also be the case when the plants are unable to obtain adequate nutrients or water since they are sharing both soil and sunshine.

Learn more from another post: Small Black Bugs On Tomato Plants

2. Space Competition

Two tomato plants planted next to one another also run the danger of competing for space. Instead of developing lush and bushy, the plants might become tall and spindly. Smaller fruit or no fruit at all may also result from this.

Overall, when working with a variety of tomatoes, the more space you can provide, the better! After all these plants require a lot of space to spread out since they can grow to be pretty big. 

For example, when placing two tomato plants together, these plants should be spaced around 20 inches apart. Take note, that you still can plant them in small spaces, but be cautious to monitor the size of the plants and trim them as necessary to maintain control. 

One may also need to transplant their tomato plants if they continue to grow and hinder another plant’s space.

Final Thoughts

So, Can You Plant Two Tomato Plants Together? Those wanting to produce more fruit in one harvest will be pleased to know that it is, fortunately, possible to cultivate two tomato plants close to one another. Be aware, though, that there are a number of other things that you should consider.

For instance, take into account the fact that both plants will require support as they develop. Therefore, each plant will probably require its own stake to provide support. Additionally, because these plants will fight with one another for nutrients and water, more frequent fertilization and watering will be required.

When planted close enough, certain tomato plants can, however, support one another structurally. This means you may also be able to eventually do away with the need for stakes entirely.