Gardening can be a rewarding experience, but sometimes we need a little help from our tiny winged friends. By carefully selecting flowers that attract beneficial insects, you can create a thriving ecosystem right in your backyard.
These 27 flowers not only add beauty to your garden, but they also invite pollinators and pest predators that help keep your plants healthy.
Let’s explore these floral wonders and learn how to grow them effectively!
1. Sunflower
Known for their towering height and sunny disposition, these blooms are more than just a pretty face. Sunflowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.
To grow sunflowers, plant them in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. They are hardy and can thrive even in poor soil conditions. Regular watering helps them reach their full potential, adding joy to any garden.
2. Lavender
This fragrant flower is not only a sensory delight but also a magnet for bees. Lavender’s calming scent and vibrant purple hues make it a favorite among gardeners.
Plant lavender in well-drained, sandy soil and full sun. It requires minimal watering, making it a low-maintenance choice for busy gardeners.
3. Marigold
Often seen as a garden’s knight, marigolds are excellent at deterring pests while attracting beneficial insects like ladybugs.
They thrive in sunny locations and prefer well-drained soil. Regular deadheading encourages more blooms, ensuring your garden remains vibrant.
4. Coneflower
These hardy blooms are a staple in many gardens, known for their ability to attract a variety of pollinators. Coneflowers are resilient and add a splash of color.
Plant them in full sun with average soil. They’re drought-tolerant once established, making them an easy addition to any landscape.
5. Borage
With its star-shaped blue flowers, borage is not just an edible plant but also a top choice for attracting bees.
Grow borage in well-drained soil under full sun. It’s a self-seeding annual, so once you plant it, it’ll continue to bloom year after year with little effort.
6. Yarrow
Known for its flat-topped clusters, yarrow is a favorite among butterflies and predatory insects.
It’s a hardy plant that thrives in poor soil, making it suitable for areas with less-than-ideal conditions. Yarrow requires little watering once established.
7. Calendula
Celebrated for its cheerful blooms, calendula is a versatile plant that attracts a range of beneficial insects.
It grows best in full sun with well-drained soil. Regular watering and deadheading enhance its flowering, ensuring continuous blooms.
8. Zinnia
Bursting with color, zinnias are a garden favorite for attracting butterflies and bees. Their long-lasting blooms add cheer to any garden.
Plant zinnias in well-drained soil with plenty of sun. They’re easy to grow and require minimal care, making them perfect for beginners.
9. Cosmos
These delicate blooms sway gently in the breeze, making them a favorite among pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Cosmos thrive in poor soil and need little water. Plant them in full sun to enjoy their graceful presence throughout the growing season.
10. Fennel
Beyond its culinary uses, fennel is a powerhouse for attracting beneficial insects like hoverflies.
Plant fennel in well-drained soil with full sun. It’s a perennial that grows back each year, requiring minimal maintenance once established.
11. Catnip
Not just for cats, catnip attracts bees with its aromatic blooms. Its purple flowers add a touch of elegance to gardens.
Grow catnip in well-drained soil with full sun. It’s a hardy perennial that thrives with little care, making it a staple for many gardeners.
12. Dill
This culinary favorite is also a magnet for beneficial insects, including ladybugs and predatory wasps.
Dill prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It’s an annual that self-seeds easily, providing continuous growth with minimal effort.
13. Alyssum
Famed for its sweet scent, alyssum draws in pollinators while adding ground cover beauty.
Plant alyssum in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade. It’s a low-maintenance plant that provides continuous blooms throughout the season.
14. Goldenrod
Often mistaken for ragweed, goldenrod is a pollinator’s paradise, attracting bees and butterflies.
Plant it in full sun with well-drained soil. It’s a hardy perennial that requires little care, making it an effortless addition to any garden.
15. Coriander
Beyond its culinary appeal, coriander flowers attract predatory insects that help control pests.
Plant coriander in well-drained soil with plenty of sun. It’s an annual herb that self-seeds, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardens.
16. Mint
A refreshing addition to any garden, mint’s fragrant leaves and flowers attract bees and other pollinators.
Grow mint in well-drained soil with partial sun. It’s a perennial that spreads easily, so consider using containers to contain its growth.
17. Bee Balm
Known for its striking flowers, bee balm is a favorite among bees and hummingbirds.
Plant bee balm in rich, well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade. It’s a perennial that requires regular watering and deadheading for optimal blooms.
18. Verbena
This vibrant flower is a magnet for butterflies, adding a splash of color to any garden.
Grow verbena in well-drained soil with full sun. It’s a drought-tolerant annual that provides continuous blooms with minimal care.
19. Salvia
With its tall spikes, salvia is a visual delight and a haven for pollinators like bees and hummingbirds.
Plant salvia in well-drained soil with plenty of sun. It’s a hardy perennial that requires little maintenance, making it a garden favorite.
20. Snapdragon
These whimsical flowers captivate with their dragon-like blooms and are particularly attractive to bees.
Plant snapdragons in rich, well-drained soil with full sun. They’re annuals that thrive with regular watering and deadheading.
21. Tansy
Renowned for its pest-repellent properties, tansy also attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs.
Grow tansy in well-drained soil with full sun. It’s a hardy perennial that requires little care, making it a practical addition to any garden.
22. Hollyhock
These tall, stately flowers bring a touch of old-world charm and are loved by bees.
Plant hollyhocks in well-drained soil with full sun. They are biennials that self-seed, offering beauty year after year with minimal effort.
23. Rudbeckia
Known for their daisy-like appearance, rudbeckias are a staple for attracting butterflies.
Plant them in well-drained soil with full sun. They’re hardy perennials that require minimal care, making them perfect for busy gardeners.
24. Hyssop
This aromatic herb is a magnet for bees and boasts beautiful spikes of purple flowers.
Grow hyssop in well-drained soil with full sun. It’s a hardy perennial that requires little maintenance, adding elegance to any herb garden.
25. Sweet Alyssum
Renowned for its sweet fragrance, sweet alyssum attracts pollinators and adds charm to garden borders.
Plant it in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade. It’s a low-maintenance annual that provides continuous blooms throughout the season.
26. Bachelor’s Button
Also known as cornflower, these blooms attract butterflies with their vibrant blue hues.
Plant bachelor’s button in well-drained soil with full sun. It’s an easy-to-grow annual that requires minimal care, making it a delightful addition to any garden.
27. Nasturtium
Celebrated for their edible flowers, nasturtiums attract beneficial insects while adding color to gardens.
Grow them in well-drained soil with full sun. They’re hardy annuals that require little care, offering beauty and utility throughout the season.