Can Tomato and Basil share one grow tent?
One tent means one light, one timer and one climate. This is what Tomato and Basil each need, and which differences moving the pots can fix.
The short answer
- Light: at their most demanding stage, no single light level suits both. Tomato wants 600–950 µmol/m²/s, Basil 245–380. (Placement can fix this)
- Day length: both are usually grown at 16 h, so one timer suits both.
- Temperature: both are comfortable at 22–28 °C.
- Humidity: both are comfortable at 50–65 % RH.
Light, stage by stage
| Tomato | PPFD | Basil | PPFD | Suits both |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seedling | 100–250 µmol/m²/s | Seedling | 100–200 µmol/m²/s | 100–200 µmol/m²/s |
| Seedling | 100–250 µmol/m²/s | Growth | 210–310 µmol/m²/s | 210–250 µmol/m²/s |
| Seedling | 100–250 µmol/m²/s | Mature | 245–380 µmol/m²/s | none |
| Vegetative | 400–600 µmol/m²/s | Seedling | 100–200 µmol/m²/s | none |
| Vegetative | 400–600 µmol/m²/s | Growth | 210–310 µmol/m²/s | none |
| Vegetative | 400–600 µmol/m²/s | Mature | 245–380 µmol/m²/s | none |
| Flowering/fruiting | 600–950 µmol/m²/s | Seedling | 100–200 µmol/m²/s | none |
| Flowering/fruiting | 600–950 µmol/m²/s | Growth | 210–310 µmol/m²/s | none |
| Flowering/fruiting | 600–950 µmol/m²/s | Mature | 245–380 µmol/m²/s | none |
They share a light level in 2 of 9 stage combinations.
For plants whose target is daily light (DLI), the PPFD shown is at their usual day length. On a different timer it changes.
How to make it work
Light is strongest under the centre of the fixture and weaker towards the edges. Put Tomato under the centre and Basil towards an edge or the back of the tent.
If Tomato still falls short, lift its pot on a box: closer to the light means more light, without changing anything for Basil.
Where exactly, in your tent?
That depends on your tent, your fixture and how high it hangs. Add Tomato and Basil in the app and it shows where each pot gets its own light.