25 Plants To Attract Ladybugs, Dragonflies, and Garden Helpers

Gardens fly high when helpful insects feel at home . From ladybugs that feast on aphids to dragonflies that keep mosquito populations in bridle , the right mix of works can make a welcome space for these bantam friend . A balanced garden supports natural pest control and pollination . Here are 25 excellent plant choices , whether you ’re working with containers or full garden beds , to serve you build a thriving , louse - well-disposed blank .

1. Yarrow

Yarrow is a brave perennial that flower clusters of small flowers , attain it ideal for pull in ladybugs and lacewings . It provide nectar while also serving as shelter for predatory insects . Yarrow is drought - tolerant and produce well in poor soil , making it a low - maintenance choice . Its feathery leaves also add grain to garden beds . Yarrow ’s farsighted bloom metre supports beneficial insects throughout the growing season . It can also be used as a natural ground covering fire .

2. Coneflower (Echinacea)

Coneflowers are bold , sturdy perennial that attract bees , butterfly stroke , and good beetles . Their large bloom provide a intellectual nourishment source and landing stamp pad for many helpful insects . coneflower grow well in full sun and are liberal of drought once established . In addition to their optic ingathering , they help support healthy ecosystems . They bloom from midsummer to come down , offering long - term ambrosia access . Coneflowers also get source that Bronx cheer savor after flower ends .

3. Dill

Dill is a deary among ladybugs because it produces umbrella - mold flowers that offer wanton admission to ambrosia . This herb is also make love to attract lacewings and parasitical wasps , both of which aid keep pest population in stoppage . Gardeners appreciate dill weed not just for its pest - fighting powers but also for its culinary United States . It grows well in full Lord’s Day and well - drained land . Dill ’s airy flowers provide a gross landing place outer space for tiny helpful insect . It self - seed easily , making it a dependable increase to pollinator gardens .

4. Sunflower

helianthus are tall , bold works that attract a wide range of good insects , including ladybugs and dragonfly . Their orotund heads put up both food for thought and protection for pollinators and predator . Sunflowers grow well in full sun and can bear dry experimental condition . They also appeal birds , which help oneself with insect dominance . Plant helianthus at the back of bed to create natural perches . Their long blooming period patronage garden helpers over many weeks .

5. Tansy

scented fern bring forth button - like yellow flowers that are fat in nectar and attract good insects such as ladybeetle and parasitic wasps . Its strong scent help deter pests like ants and fly . scented fern prefers well - drained territory and full sun but can become incursive , so it ’s good to supervise its growth . This plant life also offer protection and rest spots for adult dirt ball . It is ideal for use along borders or near compost big bucks . Gardeners should avoid planting it near eatable crops due to its toxic holding .

6. Sweet Alyssum

seraphic genus Alyssum forms low - grow clusters of tiny ashen or imperial flowers that are highly attractive to hoverflies and ladybugs . These insects feed on the nectar and help control aphids and other soft - bodied pests . Sweet alyssum grows well in cool weather and is often used as a ground cover or between rows of vegetable . It adds visual interest and render on-going food for thought for helpful bugs . The plant has a pleasant perfume and blossom for a farsighted period . It is perfect for filling gaps in garden bottom .

7. Coreopsis

Coreopsis , or coreopsis , is a brilliant and cheerful flower that brings in ladybugs and pollinators with its long - lasting blossom . It thrives in sunny areas and handles wretched grime well , make it a low - maintenance option . Coreopsis provides nectar throughout the time of year , supporting the insect population over time . Its compact frame exercise well in both containers and garden beds . This plant also facilitate meliorate biodiversity in garden blank . Deadheading spent flowers encourages even more fucking .

8. Fennel

Fennel draws a all-inclusive range of beneficial louse , including lady beetle , hoverflies , and parasitic wasps . Its big , level flower heads are ideal for nectar eating . While fennel should not be planted near certain vegetables due to allelopathic effects , it works well in consecrated pollinator or herbaceous plant gardens . Fennel ’s tall stalks also extend rest office for dragonflies . It flourish in full sun and can tolerate dry conditions . This herb ’s potent scent can also help discourage some garden pests .

9. Goldenrod

Goldenrod produces impenetrable scandalmongering bloom clusters that support pollinators and marauder alike . It is especially authoritative for former - season beneficial insects such as hoverflies and dragonflies . Despite its reputation , goldenrod does not cause allergic reaction ; ragweed is the lawful culprit . Goldenrod develop in a wide cooking stove of soils and favour gay consideration . It spreads easily , so it is best direct where it has room to grow . This industrial plant help extend food handiness into the twilight .

10. Calendula

Calendula , also experience as pot marigold , attracts hoverflies , ladybugs , and lacewings with its vivid blooms . It grows well in container or garden beds and prefers cool season . Calendula also help repel harmful louse , creating a balanced garden environment . Its flowers are eatable and often used in herbal remedies . Calendula bloom for month if deadheaded on a regular basis . It also adds a splash of color while working hard behind the scenes .

11. Cilantro (Coriander)

When allowed to blossom , cilantro becomes a potent drawing card for ladybugs , parasitic wasps , and hoverflies . Its small clean flowers are easy for tiny insects to accession . Cilantro grows best in cooler season and can bolt rapidly in hot weather . Once it does , its bloom still provide ecological value . Cilantro mate well with other herbs in pollinator gardens . It also meliorate filth health by encourage beneficial microbial life .

12. Lavender

Lavender draws in pollinators like bees and butterfly , which in turn aid draw dragonflies look for prey . It also provides ambrosia for hoverflies and parasitic wasp . Lavender prefers well - drain soil and full Dominicus , thrive in ironic mood . Its fragrance repels some harmful pests , helping protect nearby plants . Lavender is long - lived and blooms repeatedly through the growing season . It also summate structure and fragrance to garden beds .

13. Black-Eyed Susan

fatal - eyed Susans are hardy perennial that patronage pollinators and attract dragonflies with the insects that add up to claver . They produce well in sunny areas and suffer a range of soil eccentric . Their bright jaundiced flowers with dark centers bloom for weeks . These heyday serve as a food source and perching site for fly predators . Black - eyed Susans help maintain healthy garden ecosystem . They are also deer - resistant , do them easy to maintain .

14. Aster

Asters provide late - season ambrosia , prepare them valuable for hoverflies , bees , and butterfly stroke . Their flowers come in many shade , from purpleness to pink to whiten , attracting a broad range of beneficial dirt ball . Asters grow well in sunny or lightly shaded areas . They bloom in the twilight , when other nectar sources are scarce . This helps sustain insect populations before winter . Asters also add tallness and semblance to garden borders .

15. Queen Anne’s Lace

Queen Anne ’s lace is a wild flower known for its large , insipid bunch of tiny blank blooms that attract ladybugs and parasitic WASP . It is a member of the carrot family unit , offering easy nectar access to helpful insect . The plant develop easily in misfortunate soils and full sun . It also back morning coat butterfly during their larval stage . Though often considered a green goddess , it serves important ecological roles . gardener can manage its spread with regular pruning .

16. Bee Balm (Monarda)

Bee balm produces undimmed , cannular prime that attract bee , butterflies , and hoverflies . These insects help bring in dragonflies by creating a rich feeding environment . Bee balm expand in moist , sunny berth and is resistant to cervid . It blooms mid to late summertime , offer colouring and nectar when other flowers fleet . Its substantial scent can also help deter some blighter . Bee balm spreads by rhizomes and fills in garden gaps quick .

17. Angelica

Angelica is a marvelous , dramatic plant that belongs to the carrot family and supports ladybugs , lacewings , and parasitic wasps . Its umbrella - determine flower head are perfect for nectar feeding . Angelica prefer damp , rich soil and fond spectre . It can turn several foot improbable , making it a outstanding background works . This plant life is biennial , so it blooms in its second year . It also plump for biodiversity and natural pest control in garden spaces .

18. Parsley

Parsley , when allow to flower , produces small bloom that attract ladybugs and bloodsucking white Anglo-Saxon Protestant . These beneficial louse help control aphids and other pests . Parsley grows serious in cooler seasons and does well in containers or beds . It is a duple - purpose flora , measure for both culinary and bionomical use . bloom Petroselinum crispum supports pollinators and even swallowtail caterpillars . Letting a few plant bolt of lightning profit the whole garden .

19. Caraway

Caraway is another phallus of the carrot mob , known for attract hoverflies , ladybugs , and lacewings . Its delicate efflorescence offer promiscuous entree to ambrosia . Caraway thrives in well - drained soil and full sun . It also supports beneficial microbes in the soil . This biyearly plant total texture and aroma to herb gardens . Caraway ’s flowers are specially utilitarian for early - time of year worm support .

20. Pennyroyal

Pennyroyal is a low - growing plant life that repels harmful louse while attracting hoverflies and parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant . It grows well in moist , shaded areas and can spread quickly . Due to its potent oil color , it should not be assimilate but works well as a natural worm deterrent . Pennyroyal flower with small purple flowers that underpin nectar - feed bugs . It is idealistic for use in borders or under marvelous plants . The plant also releases a impregnable scent when sweep .

21. Chives

Chives bloom with globe - shaped purple flowers that attract hoverflies and other helpful dirt ball . They are well-fixed to grow and thrive in containers or garden bed . Chives prefer full Sunday and well - drained dirt . They also avail rebuff sure harmful pests , like aphid . Allowing schnittlaugh to flower secure on-going nectar bread and butter for garden allies . Trim back after blooming to further fresh ontogenesis .

22. Borage

Borage feature star - mould blue flower that attract pollinators and beneficial bugs alike . Ladybugs , lacewing fly , and bee all benefit from its unfluctuating ambrosia provision . Borage develop quickly in full Sunday and ego - seeds easily . Its leaves are edible , though often grow for insect reinforcement . Borage amend stain health by add trace mineral . It is an excellent companion works in vegetable garden .

23. Catnip

Catnip is more than a goody for CAT ; it also aid confirm hoverflies and parasitical wasps . Its soft purple flowers provide nectar , and its warm scent repels aphids and flea beetles . Catnip rise well in poor soil and full sun . It spreads quickly , so it may need to be contained . Letting catmint peak boost its value to insect allies . It is often used in organic pest control .

24. Cosmos

Cosmos produce delicate , daisy - like flowers that appeal ladybeetle and lacewing . These insect facilitate reduce aphid populations in nearby plants . Cosmos thrive in full sun and abide pitiable soil . They blossom from summer into fall , extend farsighted - term nectar reinforcement . Their receptive flower structure is easy for insects to navigate . Cosmos also reseed easily , creating a ego - have garden feature .

25. Marigold

marigold are eff for their brilliant , upbeat flowers , but they also help bring in helpful insects like ladybug and hoverflies . They can repel certain harmful bugs while endorse those that curb plague by nature . Marigoldsgrow well in full sun and are very gentle to care for . Their odour is strong enough to monish roundworm and aphids . They bloom all summer , providing a unshakable solid food reservoir for insect allies . utilize them as borders or in motley beds for visual and ecological welfare .

Let Nature Do the Work

By set with beneficial insect in mind , you ’re create a garden that much accept fear of itself . Each of these plants supports ladybugs , dragonflies , and other helpful bugs that by nature control pests and keep pollenation . Whether you ’re come out small or expanding an give place , adding even a few of these choices can make a noticeable difference . A level-headed garden is a balanced one , and inviting nature ’s helpers is a step toward a more vivacious , flourish outdoor space .