You ever notice how some flowers bring in all the bugs—but like, the good ones?
Well, ladybugs are one of those little guys you want in your garden. And it’s not just because they’re cute.
Ladybugs are like your garden’s secret defense team. They eat a bunch of nasty pests like aphids and other bugs that mess with your plants.
You just need to know what to plant to get them to come.
So let’s talk about the flowers that attract ladybugs—and how to make sure they stick around, too.
Why Even Bother with Ladybugs?
Alright, here’s the deal. Ladybugs, especially in their larval stage, eat pests like crazy. A single larva can eat 30–50 aphids a day. That’s a lot of pest control—for free.
And unlike pesticides, which can harm bees, butterflies, and other helpful insects, ladybugs only go after the bad guys. They help fix the problem without messing up the natural balance.
Supporting ladybugs means less spraying and more letting nature do the work.
Flowers = Food + Shelter
Even though ladybugs love to snack on pests, they also need nectar and pollen, especially when they’re adults. And certain flowers give them just that.
Some flowers even provide shelter for resting or overwintering, making your garden feel more like home for them.
Here are 8 flowers that ladybugs love, and they’ll make your garden look gorgeous too.
1. Tansy
This plant has feathery leaves and yellow button-like flowers that ladybugs love.
Tip: Tansy can be invasive, so be careful where you plant it. It’s great in wild gardens, but if you want to keep things neat, grow it in containers or monitor it closely.
Note: Tansy is toxic to pets and livestock if eaten, so keep it away from curious animals.
2. Dill (Yes, the Herb)
Dill’s yellow, umbrella-shaped flowers are perfect for ladybugs. Once it blooms, it attracts not only ladybugs but also lacewings and hoverflies, which are also great pest controllers.
If you grow dill for cooking, just let a few plants flower to bring in the beneficial bugs. Double win.
3. Calendula (Also Called Pot Marigold)
Calendula’s bright orange or yellow blooms show up in summer and stick around into fall. That means plenty of nectar for ladybugs when they need it.
Plus, aphids are drawn to calendula, so it works as a trap plant—keeping pests away from your more delicate crops like beans or brassicas.
4. Yarrow
Yarrow grows flat clusters of tiny, nectar-rich flowers. They’re easy for ladybugs to land on and snack from.
It’s a low-maintenance, perennial flower that’s great in wildflower meadows or natural garden beds. Once established, just cut it back seasonally.
5. Cosmos
Cosmos are easy to grow and thrive in poor soil. They're low-maintenance but high impact when it comes to attracting good bugs.
Ladybugs love cosmos for their nectar, and the feathery foliage provides shelter. Tall varieties can even shade nearby plants from wind and sun.
6. Fennel
Fennel is part of the same plant family as dill. It produces umbrella-shaped flowers that are a favorite for ladybugs and other helpful insects.
Even though fennel is usually grown for the bulbs or fronds, you should let some plants go to seed and flower—the blooms are beneficial to your garden’s ecosystem.
7. Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)
Single-flower marigold varieties offer nectar and pollen that ladybugs (and other helpful bugs) need.
Their compact growth habit makes them easy to plant alongside vegetables or borders without crowding your garden.
8. Sweet Alyssum
This plant forms low, dense mats with clusters of tiny, fragrant flowers.
Sweet alyssum blooms all the way until the first frost, which makes it especially useful for feeding ladybugs late in the season, when prey insects might be harder to find.
Tips for a Ladybug-Friendly Garden
Avoid Pesticides
Even natural or organic sprays can be harmful if used without care. Broad-spectrum sprays kill everything, not just pests.
If you want ladybugs around, let them handle the bugs before reaching for chemicals.
Choose Variety
Plant a mix of flowering species alongside vegetables and fruit. This adds height, texture, and extended bloom times, which helps attract and keep ladybugs.
Cluster nectar-rich flowers near pest-prone crops to keep ladybugs right where you need them.
Provide Water
Ladybugs need water, but not deep puddles.
Set out a shallow dish filled with pebbles, and keep it topped off. It gives them a place to drink without drowning.
Final Thoughts
Ladybugs are your garden’s natural pest control system. And bringing them in is as easy as planting the right flowers and keeping the space chemical-free.
But attracting them once isn’t enough—you need to create a place they want to stay. That means flowers for nectar, shelter for safety, and a bit of water.
Even a few well-placed plants can make a big difference, especially if they’re mixed in with your veggies or flower borders.
Over time, you’ll build a garden that supports itself, where pests get controlled by the natural balance of the ecosystem.
