"5 Flora Attractions for Ladybugs: Invite Them Abundantly to Your Yard for Harmless, Venom-Free Pest Management"
Boost your garden's pest control efforts and create a haven for beneficial insects by planting nectar-rich flowers. Here's a list of plants that will attract and support ladybug populations in your garden.
The Best Plants for Ladybugs
- Nasturtiums: Brightly colored varieties like 'Empress of India' are particularly effective at luring ladybugs due to their abundant nectar and vibrant colours [1].
- Herbs in the Carrot Family: Dill, fennel, parsley, and especially cilantro when allowed to flower, are highly attractive to ladybugs due to their small, flat-topped flowers that provide easy nectar access [1].
- Elderflowers (Elderberry, Sambucus): This plant produces extrafloral nectaries—nectar sources that attract predatory insects like ladybugs to reduce pest populations on the plant [2].
- Cosmos and Zinnias: Both have bright, nectar-rich flowers; zinnias are well-known to attract ladybugs and other beneficial insects for pest control [1].
Additional plants with a proven ability to attract ladybugs include wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) and purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), which also contribute to supporting ladybug populations because they provide nectar and pollen blooms attractive to these beneficial insects [2][3].
Ideal Varieties for Attracting Ladybugs
- Nasturtiums: Old Mexico Zinnias and Raspberry Lemonade Mix Zinnias are popular among gardeners who love bright, bombastic colors and appeal to ladybugs [4]. The 'Empress of India' nasturtium variety is a beautiful and easy-to-grow option that attracts large quantities of ladybugs [1].
- Cosmos: 'Apricotta' cosmos bipinnatus seeds are available at Burpee for a cottage garden look, while planting cosmos all around your garden will bring out the ladybugs in their droves due to their open shape, making pollen easily accessible [5].
Caring for Your Ladybug Garden
To keep ladybugs in the garden, ensure a continuous bloom of these nectar-rich plants through the growing season, avoid using pesticides that harm beneficial insects, and provide a habitat with shelter and moisture (like mulches or shallow water sources), which is important for ladybug survival and reproduction.
Incorporating more nectar-rich blooms for pollinators will naturally increase your population of ladybugs. Single-flowered zinnia varieties are preferred by wildlife, including ladybugs, and elderflowers make for the perfect ladybug hangout due to their structure, providing a great spot for laying eggs [1][2].
By focusing on planting bright, nectar-rich varieties like nasturtium 'Empress of India', flowering cilantro, dill, fennel, elderberry shrubs, cosmos, and zinnias, you'll effectively attract and support ladybug populations in your garden [1][2].
[1] Gardening Know How. (2021). Attracting Ladybugs to Your Garden. Retrieved from https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/beneficial/how-to-attract-ladybugs.htm
[2] Fine Gardening. (2021). How to Attract Lady Beetles to Your Garden. Retrieved from https://www.finegardening.com/how-to/attract-ladybugs-to-your-garden
[3] The Spruce. (2021). How to Attract Ladybugs to Your Garden. Retrieved from https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-attract-ladybugs-to-your-garden-3137765
[4] Burpee. (2021). Apricotta Cosmos Bipinnatus Seeds. Retrieved from https://www.burpee.com/product/apricotta-cosmos-bipinnatus-seeds/10066560
[5] True Leaf Market. (2021). Empress of India Nasturtium Seeds. Retrieved from https://www.trueleafmarket.com/products/empress-of-india-nasturtium-seeds
By choosing plants that attract ladybugs, such as Nasturtiums, herbs in the carrot family, elderflowers, cosmos, and zinnias, you can enhance your home-and-garden lifestyle and promote natural pest control in your garden. Cultivating a garden filled with these nectar-rich blooms will not only create a vibrant aesthetic but also support ladybug populations, contributing to a healthier garden lifestyle.
