21 Flowers That Attract Beneficial Insects to Your Garden

Beneficial garden insects and bugs do a stellar job of helping plants grow and keeping natural ecosystems in check. But how do you get more of them to visit? The answer is simple: plant flowers! Certain blooms act like magnets for good insects, drawing them in with bright colors and sweet nectar. It’s an easy way to boost your garden’s health without using chemicals. Here’s a collection of our favorite flowers that will attract beneficial insects to your garden.

Flowers that attract helpful garden insects

What Are Beneficial Insects?

Beneficial insects are the good guys in your garden. These little helpers work hard to keep pests in check and help plants grow. Common beneficial insects include Ladybugs, Praying mantises, Lacewings, Hoverflies, Bees, Butterflies, and Solider Beetles.

Lavender (Lavandula)

Lavender is a superstar when it comes to attracting helpful bugs. This sweet-smelling plant is like a magnet for bees, butterflies, and other flying friends.

Its purple flowers are packed with nectar, making it a top choice for these busy pollinators. When bees visit lavender, they help pollinate other plants in your garden too.

But it’s not just bees that flock to lavender. Butterflies and hoverflies also can’t resist its charm. These insects play a big role in keeping your garden healthy and balanced.

Lavender doesn’t just attract good bugs, it also keeps some pesky ones away. Its strong scent acts as a natural pest repellent.

There are many different types of Lavender to grow as well. English lavender is a popular choice for gardens. It’s hardy and smells amazing. French lavender has pretty tufted flowers that look like little ribbons.

Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea)

What makes coneflowers special? They’re like a buffet for helpful bugs! Bees, butterflies, and other good insects can’t resist their sweet nectar. The wide, flat petals make great landing spots for these tiny visitors.

Want to start growing coneflowers? It’s easy! You can plant seeds or buy small plants from a nursery. They love sunny spots and don’t need much water once they’re settled in.

These flowers aren’t just pretty faces. They also attract birds! Goldfinches love to munch on coneflower seeds in the fall. So, by planting coneflowers, you’re feeding birds and bugs!

Remember, coneflowers are types of perennials. That means they’ll come back year after year, giving you a beautiful, bug-friendly garden with less work.

Marigolds (Tagetes)

These cheery flowers come in shades of yellow, orange, and red that catch the eye of both humans and insects.

Marigolds attract ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies. These beneficial insects love to munch on pests like aphids and whiteflies.

The smell of marigolds is special too. Many pests don’t like it, so planting marigolds can help keep the bad bugs away. Talk about a win-win situation!

French marigolds are excellent pest control agents. Their strong smell and natural chemicals make them especially effective at keeping unwanted critters away.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Yarrow is a tough little plant that attracts an array of beneficial insects.

The plant’s flat-topped flower clusters are a buffet for pollinators. Bees, butterflies, and hoverflies can’t resist them. These insects help pollinate other plants in your garden, boosting overall productivity.

Yarrow also brings in predatory insects that feed on garden pests. Ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps are all fans of yarrow. They’ll hang out on the plant and then hunt down aphids, caterpillars, and other troublemakers.

Yarrow is easy to grow and doesn’t need much fuss. It thrives in poor, dry soil and full sun.

Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)

Sunflowers are more than just pretty faces in the garden. These tall, sunny blooms attract a variety of beneficial insects, making them a smart choice for any gardener.

Bees and butterflies love sunflowers. They flock to these golden beauties, helping to pollinate other plants in your garden.

Sunflowers also bring in predatory beetles. These little guys are the superheroes of pest control, consuming aphids and caterpillars that might otherwise damage your plants.

Helianthus annuus ‘Ring of Fire’ is a show-stopping variety. Its red and gold petals look like flames dancing around a dark center.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Calendula is a love garden flowers that showcases bright orange and yellow blooms.

But these pretty flowers do more than just look nice. They attract bees, butterflies, and other helpful bugs to your garden. These insects help pollinate your plants and keep pests in check.

Gardeners love calendula because it’s easy to grow. You can plant it in spring or fall, and it will bloom for months. It doesn’t mind different types of soil and can handle some drought.

Calendula plays well with other plants. It’s a great buddy for tomatoes and other veggies. The flowers help keep bad bugs away while inviting the good ones.

Borage (Borago officinalis)

Borage attracts beneficial insects like bees and butterflies. Its pretty blue star-shaped flowers are eye-catching and edible too!

Borage is an excellent companion for the likes of tomatoes, strawberries, squash, and cucumbers.

Alyssum (Lobularia maritime)

Alyssum, also known as sweet alyssum, is a charming little flower that packs a big punch in the garden. This low-growing plant forms a carpet of tiny, fragrant blooms that are irresistible to beneficial insects.

Hoverflies, ladybugs, and predatory wasps all flock to these tiny flowers. These insects help keep pest populations in check, making your garden a healthier place.

Companion planting is another strength of alyssum. Its dense growth helps suppress weeds and retain soil moisture. Plus, it looks great as a border or spilling over the edges of containers.

Zinnias (Zinnia elegans)

Bees love zinnias! The flowers provide nectar and pollen that bees need. You’ll see honeybees, bumblebees, and native bees buzzing around your zinnia patch.

Butterflies can’t resist these blooms either. The flat flower shape gives butterflies a great landing pad. They’ll sip nectar while pollinating your garden.

Even hummingbirds enjoy zinnias. These tiny birds hover near the flowers to drink the sweet nectar.

Grouping zinnias together makes them extra appealing to pollinators. Try planting them near vegetables like cucumbers. The zinnias will bring in pollinators to help your veggies grow.

Remember to deadhead your zinnias. This means removing old flowers. It keeps the plant blooming and attractive to insects all season.

Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)

Cosmos flowers attract helpful lacewings, hoverflies, and mini-wasps. These little helpers eat pests that can damage your plants.

The flowers come in pretty pinks, whites, and purples. Plus, they bloom for a long time, from summer until the first frost. This gives beneficial insects a steady food source.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

Fennel flowers bloom in umbrella-shaped clusters called umbels. These flowers help support beneficial insects such as ladybugs, lacewings, hoverflies, and wasps.

It’s a favorite food for young butterflies. Swallowtail butterflies love to lay their eggs on fennel plants.

Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)

Milkweed is particularly effective at supporting monarch butterflies. It’s the only plant that monarch caterpillars can eat. Without it, these beautiful butterflies wouldn’t survive.

They also provide nectar to bees, ladybugs, lacewings and other helpful bugs.

But there’s more to milkweed than just pretty flowers. It’s the only plant that monarch caterpillars can eat. Without it, these beautiful butterflies wouldn’t survive.

Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)

Bee balm is a colorful flower that’s loved by pollinators.

This native North American plant comes in shades of red, pink, and purple. Its spiky flower heads look like fireworks and bloom from mid to late summer.

Bees love bee balm, but it attracts other helpful insects too. Butterflies, hummingbirds, and even wasps flock to these flowers. These visitors help pollinate your garden and eat pests.

Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii)

This shrub puts on a show with its long, cone-shaped flower clusters that come in shades of purple, pink, and white.

Butterflies love these blooms! They flock to the sweet nectar, creating a lively garden scene. But it’s not just butterflies – bees and hummingbirds are fans too.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Thyme is a small but mighty herb that can bring big benefits to your garden. This fragrant plant isn’t just for cooking – it’s also great for attracting helpful insects.

In spring and summer, thyme puts on a lovely show. Its tiny pink, lavender, or white flowers are particularly popular with helpful pollinators.

But thyme’s insect-friendly features don’t stop there. Its strong scent can actually help keep some pesky bugs away from your other plants.

Catmint (Nepeta faassenii)

Catmint attracts beneficial insects like bees and butterflies. This easy-to-grow perennial has soft, gray-green leaves and beautiful lavender-blue flowers.

Catmint blooms from late spring to early fall. Its long flowering season makes it a reliable food source for pollinators. Bees and butterflies can’t resist its nectar-rich blossoms!

Goldenrod (Solidago)

Bees, butterflies, and helpful bugs can’t resist these nectar-rich flowers. By planting goldenrod, you’ll attract a diverse array of pollinators to your garden.

Goldenrod blooms late in the season, adding a pop of color when other plants are fading.

Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia)

Largeflower Phacelia (Phacelia grandiflora)

Phacelia, also known as lacy phacelia, is an annual flowering plant attracts a wide range of helpful insects to your garden.

Gardeners love phacelia for its beautiful lavender-blue flowers. These blooms form in curved clusters, creating a stunning display.

Bees, butterflies, and hoverflies can’t resist its nectar-rich blooms. This plant also attracts beneficial predatory insects like ladybugs and lacewings.

Growing phacelia is a breeze. Here’s hwer in just 6-8 weeks. It’s perfect for filling empty spaces in your garden or creating a colorful, buzzing pollinator patch.

Salvia (Salvia officinalis)

This herb not only adds flavor to your cooking but also attracts beneficial insects to your garden. Its fragrant leaves and beautiful flower spikes make it a win-win for gardeners.

Bees and butterflies love salvia’s nectar-rich blooms. These pollinators flock to the plant, helping your whole garden thrive. Plus, salvia’s strong scent keeps pesky rabbits away!

Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)

Coreopsis, also known as tickseed, is a cheerful flower that can brighten up any garden. It’s a favorite among gardeners who want to attract beneficial insects. These lovely blooms come in shades of yellow, orange, and red.

Bees and butterflies love coreopsis flowers. They flock to these blossoms for their sweet nectar.

Birds enjoy coreopsis too. The seeds are a tasty treat for many feathered friends. So, by planting these flowers, you’re feeding birds and insects alike!

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)

These pretty plants with purple pom-pom flowers are easy to grow and pack a punch.

Bees, butterflies, and moths love chives. These little pollinators flock to the flowers, helping your whole garden thrive.

They also keep pests away. Japanese beetles and carrot rust flies don’t like the strong smell.

Andrew Gaumond

Editorial Director | andrew@petalrepublic.com | Full Bio

Andrew is the Editorial Director at Petal Republic. He holds a BSc degree in Plant Sciences and has trained professionally at leading floristry schools in London and Paris. In amongst overseeing a global editorial team, Andrew's a passionate content creator around all things flowers, floral design, gardening, and houseplants.

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