7 Plants That Attract Ladybugs for Natural Pest Control

A ladybug on the petal of an orange flower — Credit:
Olga Tarasyuk / Getty Images

Ladybugs are heroes in the garden. Not only do they pollinate plants, but they are also predatory insects that feed on pests like spider mites and aphids. While you can purchase ladybugs from garden centers, experts say to avoid doing so as store-bought ladybugs are typically wild-collected or non-native invasive species. Instead, try attracting ladybugs to your garden naturally by growing the following desirable plants.

David Mizejewski, naturalist with the National Wildlife Federation and author of Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife
Adrienne Roethling head gardener for a private estate and former curator of Juniper Level Botanic Gardens at Plant Delights Nursery

01 of 07

Yarrow

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) grows well in dry climates, withstanding periods of drought and heat. Plus, it is a ladybug magnet. "Ladybugs generally prefer to feed on nectar and pollen from plants with tiny, flat flowers," says David Mizejewski, naturalist with the National Wildlife Federation. "Yarrow has tiny, daisy-like individual flowers that are densely packed into flat-topped clusters."

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 12 to 36 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; sandy to loamy soil

02 of 07

Dill

Dill (Anethum graveolens) is a great companion plant because it attracts beneficial bugs that feed on harmful pests. "Ladybugs are attracted to chemicals that plants emit when they are being fed upon by pests, as well as by the pheromones produced by aphids and other prey species," says Mizejewski. Dill, along with other herbs like fennel and cilantro, attracts aphids, which ladybugs feed on.

Zones: 2 to 11
Size: 18 to 48 inches tall x 12 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; consistently moist, slightly acidic soil

03 of 07

Sunflowers

Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) don't just add color and cheer to your garden; they also attract ladybugs. These bright, colorful blooms are rich with pollen and nectar, which lure ladybugs. Plus, sunflowers can also attract other harmful pests, like mites and aphids, which ladybugs help control. "Ladybugs are predatory in both their larval and adult forms," says Mizejewski. "They prey upon other insects that feed on plant juices, some of which are pests."

Zones: 2 to 11
Size: 3 to 16 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

04 of 07

Elderberry

Elderberry plants (Sambucus) contain extrafloral nectaries, which are special structures that produce nectar. "Unlike flowers, which offer nectar to attract pollinators, extrafloral nectaries are designed to attract predatory insects such as ladybugs to help the plant control pest insects," says Mizejewski. In addition to elderberry plants, cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, and almonds all contain extrafloral nectaries.

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 5 to 12 feet tall x 5 to 12 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; medium to wet, well-draining soil

05 of 07

Purple Coneflower

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a native perennial that grows well in gardens and flourishes in various growing conditions. "Purple coneflower has purple-pink petals with a prominent, dark red to orange cone," says Adrienne Roethling head gardener for a private estate. "When in flower, the cone bears pollen that attracts all sorts of pollinators, including ladybugs."

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 24 to 36 inches tall x 18 to 24 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil

06 of 07

Zinnias

tall, colorful zinnia flowers in garden — Nadya So / GETTY IMAGES

Zinnias (Zinnia spp.) bring cheer and pollinators to the garden with their bright, stunning blooms. "They are related to sunflowers and are made up of the same disc and rays," says Roethling. "As the disc matures, a pollen ring forms, attracting ladybugs, butterflies, and honeybees. Spent flowers then go to seed."

Zones: 3 to 10
Size: 14 to 18 inches tall x 20 to 24 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

07 of 07

Butterfly Weed

Despite its name, butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is a native plant that is beloved by gardeners. "Butterfly weed should be in every garden throughout the U.S.," says Roethling. "It’s one of the best species to attract pollinators as well as one of the easiest plants to grow." She adds that ladybugs like butterfly weed because it attracts aphids, which ladybugs feed on for natural pest control. "Ladybugs lay their eggs where the aphids are present and eat the aphids once hatched," she says.