21 Best Plants to Attract Beneficial Insects

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Attracting beneficial insects to your garden is one of the easiest ways to boost plant health and natural pest control. From pollinators like bees and butterflies to predatory insects like ladybugs and lacewings, these tiny garden helpers play a vital role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem.

Planting the right flowers and herbs can transform your outdoor space into a buzzing paradise, full of color, movement, and life. Whether you’re growing vegetables, herbs, or ornamentals, incorporating plants that attract beneficial insects ensures a thriving and sustainable environment.

I learned this firsthand when I noticed an explosion of aphids on my tomato plants last summer. Instead of reaching for pesticides, I planted lavender, marigolds, and dill nearby. Within weeks, bees, hoverflies, and ladybugs took over, naturally keeping pests in check.

Plants to Attract Beneficial Insects

1. Lavender

Lavender is a top choice for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies while deterring garden pests. Its fragrant purple blooms provide a rich nectar source, making it a magnet for honeybees. The plant’s strong aroma also repels harmful insects like mosquitoes and moths.

Produces long-lasting purple flowers that bloom throughout summer
Attracts honeybees, bumblebees, and butterflies
Thrives in well-drained soil and full sun

2. Sunflowers

Towering sunflowers brighten up any garden while drawing in pollinators and pest-eating insects. Their large seed-filled centers attract honeybees, while their thick stems provide shelter for ladybugs and beetles. Even after blooming, sunflower heads serve as a food source for birds.

Produces nectar-rich blooms that support bees and butterflies
Provides habitat for ladybugs, lacewings, and other beneficial insects
Grows well in sunny locations with minimal care

3. Wildflowers

A mix of wildflowers creates a diverse habitat for beneficial insects like hoverflies, beetles, and native bees. Plants like coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and goldenrod offer pollen and nectar from spring through fall. A wildflower meadow also supports biodiversity and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.

Provides continuous nectar for pollinators throughout the seasons
Attracts a wide variety of beneficial insects, including predatory wasps
Easy to grow in naturalized areas with minimal maintenance

4. Marigolds

Marigolds are well-known for their pest-repelling properties, but they also attract lacewings, hoverflies, and ladybugs that feed on aphids and whiteflies. Their bright yellow and orange flowers add a pop of color to vegetable gardens while improving soil health.

Releases a natural compound that deters root-knot nematodes
Provides pollen for beneficial insects that control garden pests
Grows easily in garden beds, containers, and borders

5. Borage

With its striking blue, star-shaped flowers, borage is a powerhouse for attracting bees and hoverflies. It self-seeds easily, making it a low-maintenance addition to pollinator-friendly gardens. The leaves and flowers are also edible, often used in teas and salads.

Attracts honeybees and other pollinators with its abundant nectar
Improves soil quality and repels tomato hornworms
Thrives in well-drained soil and full sun

6. Milkweed

Essential for supporting monarch butterflies, milkweed provides both a nectar source for adult butterflies and a food supply for caterpillars. Its pinkish-purple flowers bloom in clusters, drawing in bees and other nectar-loving insects.

Serves as the primary host plant for monarch caterpillars
Produces fragrant flowers that attract various pollinators
Requires minimal care and thrives in meadows and garden beds

7. Goldenrod

Often mistaken as a cause of allergies, goldenrod is actually one of the best pollinator plants available. Its small yellow flowers bloom late in the season, providing an important food source for bees and butterflies preparing for migration.

Attracts pollinators, including native bees and butterflies
Supports beneficial predatory insects that help control pests
Grows well along pathways, borders, and open fields

8. Dill

A staple in herb gardens, dill not only flavors dishes but also lures lacewings, parasitic wasps, and ladybugs that keep pests in check. Its delicate yellow flowers attract hoverflies, which feed on aphids and whiteflies.

Provides nectar and shelter for beneficial predatory insects
Enhances the flavor of vegetables like cucumbers and tomatoes when planted nearby
Thrives in full sun with well-drained soil

9. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea)

A stunning addition to pollinator gardens, purple coneflower draws in bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with its large, daisy-like flowers. It also serves as a food source for birds in the winter when seed heads are left uncut.

Provides nectar-rich blooms from summer to fall
Supports honeybees, bumblebees, and native pollinators
Drought-tolerant and thrives in a variety of soil conditions

10. Sweet Alyssum

Sweet alyssum forms a dense carpet of tiny white and purple flowers, attracting hoverflies that help control aphid populations. Its compact growth makes it perfect for edging garden beds, pathways, or container plantings.

Releases a sweet fragrance that attracts pollinators
Acts as a ground cover, reducing soil erosion and weed growth
Thrives in cool-season gardens and requires little maintenance

11. Zinnias

Bursting with color, zinnias attract butterflies, bees, and hoverflies with their long-lasting blooms. These hardy annuals provide a steady nectar supply throughout the growing season, making them a favorite for pollinators. Their bright hues also add vibrant contrast to flower beds and garden borders.

Offers nectar-rich flowers that support a variety of pollinators
Thrives in warm weather with minimal watering
Comes in a range of colors, including red, pink, orange, and yellow

12. Catmint

A resilient, drought-tolerant perennial, catmint produces clusters of lavender-blue flowers that are irresistible to bumblebees and honeybees. Its fragrant foliage also deters garden pests, making it a valuable companion plant for vegetables and herbs.

Attracts pollinators while repelling aphids and mosquitoes
Blooms for an extended period, providing a continuous nectar source
Thrives in dry, rocky soils and full sun

13. Daisy Fleabane

Often found growing naturally along roadsides and meadows, daisy fleabane produces delicate white flowers with yellow centers that attract hoverflies and native bees. This low-maintenance wildflower thrives in poor soil and requires little care once established.

Provides an early-season nectar source for pollinators
Grows well in naturalized areas, meadows, and garden borders
Helps control aphid populations by attracting predatory insects

14. Cosmos

With their delicate, feathery foliage and colorful blooms, cosmos draw in a variety of pollinators, including honeybees, butterflies, and beneficial beetles. These tall, graceful flowers make an excellent backdrop for garden beds and wildflower patches.

Offers a long-lasting nectar source from summer to fall
Self-seeds easily, making them a low-maintenance garden addition
Available in shades of pink, white, magenta, and orange

15. Fennel

Aromatic and visually striking, fennel produces umbrella-shaped yellow flowers that attract hoverflies, parasitic wasps, and lacewings. These beneficial insects help control caterpillars and aphids, making fennel a valuable plant for organic gardeners.

Provides a food source for swallowtail butterfly caterpillars
Acts as a natural pest deterrent for vegetable gardens
Prefers well-drained soil and full sun

16. Yarrow

A hardy perennial, yarrow is known for its flat-topped clusters of tiny flowers in shades of white, yellow, and pink. It attracts bees, butterflies, and predatory wasps, making it a must-have for beneficial insect gardens.

Supports a wide range of pollinators with its long-lasting blooms
Improves soil health by accumulating nutrients in its deep roots
Drought-tolerant and thrives in poor soil conditions

17. Verbena

With its tiny clusters of purple flowers, verbena is a butterfly magnet that also supports hummingbirds and bees. This plant’s ability to bloom continuously throughout the warm months makes it a favorite in pollinator-friendly landscapes.

Provides nectar for long-tongued pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds
Tolerates heat and drought, making it a great choice for dry gardens
Works well in hanging baskets, borders, and mixed flower beds

18. Sweet Alyssum

Low-growing and fragrant, sweet alyssum forms dense clusters of tiny flowers that attract hoverflies, honeybees, and lacewings. Its compact growth makes it an excellent choice for edging walkways, flower beds, and container gardens.

Produces a sweet scent that attracts beneficial insects
Acts as a living mulch, suppressing weeds and retaining soil moisture
Grows well in cool weather and requires little maintenance

19. Nasturtiums

A dual-purpose plant, nasturtiums not only attract pollinators like bees and butterflies but also serve as a trap crop for aphids. Their edible leaves and flowers make them a great addition to both ornamental and vegetable gardens.

Attracts ladybugs, which feed on aphids and whiteflies
Provides nectar for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
Grows well in poor soil and requires little care

20. Snapdragons

Known for their unique, tubular flowers, snapdragons are favored by hummingbirds and bumblebees, which can access the deep nectar reserves. Available in a variety of colors, these striking flowers add vertical interest to any garden.

Attracts large-bodied pollinators like bumblebees and hummingbirds
Blooms from early spring to late fall, extending the nectar supply
Prefers cool weather and partial sun

21. Chamomile

A soothing herb with small, daisy-like flowers, chamomile attracts honeybees, hoverflies, and predatory wasps that help control garden pests. Its gentle fragrance and medicinal properties make it a valuable addition to herb gardens.

Provides nectar for beneficial insects while repelling harmful pests
Used in herbal teas and natural remedies
Grows well in pots, garden beds, and herb borders