Easy to Grow Butterfly and Ladybug Plants

I'm a really keen gardener too. and I do my best to plant flowers, plants, and other flora and fauna that I know my Ladybugs like. I call them 'my Ladybugs' because the ones in my garden I kind of refer to as my friends.

Plus, they are my friends, they're friends of all us gardeners that like to maintain a nice flowering backyard, or grow vegetables and other homegrown produce.

So now, you can consider a plant of some kind for every week of the year with these 52 choices!

I've added all my knowledge and research into one handy reference guide for you. I hope it helps! I like to think of it as 'Ladybug Companion Planting'!

What Plants Do Ladybugs Like? The best, most natural way to attract Ladybugs is to add flowers and plants that provide the best sources of food and habitat. Their favorite plants include Nasturtiums, Marigolds, Sunflowers, Calendula or Dill. Along with places to shade from rain, to breed and even to hibernate. Here's how to create a paradise!

That all seems pretty easy right? Stick some aphid-prone plants in and hey presto! But we have to remember there are dynamics at work here.

We're looking for a balance of enough food… the right kind of food, and environment to attract pest eaters like Ladybugs, as well as Pollinators. But also ensure we don't provide so much 'food' that your fave plants get overwhelmed!

Why Should We Attract Ladybugs?

I wrote a previous article which talks about the Importance of Ladybugs to Us and the environment. Plus I also touched on this subject in another one regarding What attracts Ladybugs.

It's a big subject so I won't cover it too much here, but I think it's fair to say there are already too many pollinators and crop protecting species at risk in the world today. Yet they're so valuable to our backyards and our agriculture.

Ladybugs are one of the best pest control insects you could have around. They eat lots of types of pests, But even if they only ate aphids, that would almost be reason enough to have them.

Which Plants Attract Ladybugs?

Below you'll find a really good comprehensive (and quick take away) list of plants, flowers, herbs, trees and even wildflowers that you could… or should consider having in your yard to attract Ladybugs.

Some are better for For Breeding, or Food Source and some are also good for Hibernating.

So, here's your quick take away list, then we'll dive into more detail below on each of them too so you know why they're on the list. So I'll be sharing some 'insider information' on some of them based on my research and experience.

Angelica
Alyssum
Azalea
Asparagus
Bachelor's Button
Beans
Birch
Butterfly Weed
Bugleweed
Cacti
Cassava
Calendula (Pot Marigold)
Caraway
Cilantro
Coneflowers
Coriander
Coreopsis
Chives
Cosmos
Dandelion
Dill
Fennel
Ferns
Feverfew
Gardenias
Garlic
Geranium

Grapes
Honeydew
Hibiscus
Juniper
Marigold
Mustard
Melons
Mint
Mulberry
Mustard
Orchids
Papaya
Parsley
Peas
Pineapple
Queen Anne's Lace
Roses
Statice
Strawberries
Squash
Sugarcane
Sunflower
Tansy
Tomatoes
Wild Carrot
Yarrow
Yew

The trick here is to separate out the plants you want to keep pest free, and add decoy plants in less significant areas that are more likely to attract pests. Thus leaving your cherished plants clear.

This may seem counter intuitive, but it should also serve to attract more Ladybugs, which will then also give your favored plants greater protection.

Below I've added what pests these decoy and other plants will attract, so you can add additional flora and fauna to combat any possible attacks. Some of these may not be appropriate for your Country, climate or region. But as they say… take what you need and leave the rest.

52 Plants, Herbs, Shrubs, Flowers and Trees That Attract Ladybugs

You should be able to get most of these locally, but in case you can't, I've added links to the seeds on Amazon where I can, I hope it helps.

Angelica

A plant, often used as a medicinal ingredient, and in the flavoring of gin and some sweet wines. So there's another reason to include it! Ladybugs like the shelter these plants provide and for laying eggs. [here on amazon]

Alyssum

With a strong fragrance, Sweet Alyssum attracts pollination agents, it can also be prone to pests. So attracts Ladybugs. [the most stylish ones I think are here on amazon]

Azalea

Ladybugs can help deter vine Weevil Larva on Azaleas, when they can find them during dusk hours. [I like these stunning red ones]

Asparagus

The Asparagus beetle can devastate your asparagus crops. Ladybugs will actively eat asparagus beetle larvae, which are small green to gray grubs. Also planting ferns at the border of your Asparagus plants will deter the Asparagus Beetle and encourage more Ladybugs too. [you might prefer the improved variety on amazon]

Bachelor's Button

Also known as 'Cornflower' or 'Blue Button'. Native to America, it's a wildflower that's easy to grow, easy on the eye and very little maintenance. The colorful blue look of this plant is all you need to attract Ladybugs, also available in Pink and White.

Moreover, it's a pollinating plant, so it's an additional Ladybug food source. [lots of types but I love this eye-catching pure, bright white snowman variety]

Beans

Beans can be plagued by a number of pests that Ladybugs will predate. Examples include Seedcorn Maggots that invade beans, vine crops, and sweet corn. Leafhoppers and Mexican Bean Beetle. But most of all for Ladybugs, there are Aphids and Spider Mites which they love. [lots of types usually sold locally]

BUT! Are you mistaking Mexican Bean Beetles for Ladybugs?
What Other beetles are you mistaking?

Birch

You may need a sizeable backyard to plant these. They are prone to Birch leafminers, which are the larvae of the tiny wasps, black sawflies. Ladybugs can feed on the Larvae when they can find them. [Paper Birch on amazon]

Butterfly Weed

Butterflies love butterfly weed – hence the name. It's a native American wild plant. Because of it's bright colored flowers and nectar it will attract a number of pollinators – including Ladybugs. [you could try these on amazon]

Bugleweed

Not really susceptible to pests, but a good one to have around as again the bright colors attract pollinators. [this is the chocolate chip variety on amazon]

Cacti

I use the word Cacti to mean most succulents, as many can attract Ladybug loving pests. If you have the option to grow cacti, then it's a great feeding ground for Ladybugs, they are prone to Mealy bugs which Ladybugs love, and Red Spider Mites. [too many varieties to recommend any particular one]

Cassava

A great plant to have which attracts Whiteflies and Mealybugs. Ladybugs will flock to your yard and keep the rest of your plants safe! [standard sort are here on amazon]

Calendula (aka Pot Marigold)

Easy to grow and a great option for Ladybugs to feed and hide in the foliage. They love the pollen from this plant. [the improved orange calendulas – amazon]

Caraway

Prone to cotton aphids, Mealybugs and Whiteflies. All a favorite of Ladybugs. They'll keep it safe for you as well as the rest of your yard. [get them locally, or if not they're here on amazon]

Carnation

Carnations are prone to Spider Mites, which Ladybugs will happily help keep control of. [lots of varieties and you shouldn't have much trouble finding them locally]

Cilantro (Coriander)

A sweet and aromatic herb, the smell is ideal for attracting Ladybugs to your garden. [again these are readily available, but here's the amazon link anyway]

Coneflowers

Silverleaf whitefly and Aphids can get a hold of your Coneflowers and destroy them. You should find this will attract Ladybugs in to help sort them out! [I love these beautiful green envy coneflowers on amazon]

Coreopsis

This should bring in the local Ladybug population as these are prone to all their favorites. Aphids, Whiteflies and Spider Mites. [loads of varieties, but you might like this Red Dwarf Variety from amazon]

Chives

Chives can attract their fair share of aphids. The Ladybugs favorite. [pretty easy to get locally]

Cosmos

Aphids, Thrips and Lygus Plant Bugs are known to attack Cosmos. Attracting or releasing Ladybugs can help with these. Note: I'm not sure I've seen Ladybugs eating Lygus Plant Bugs. Perhaps you can enlighten me in the comments below? [I sort of fell in love with this cupcake and saucer mix on amazon]

Dandelion

Yes, dandelions are generally considered a weed, but allowing an area for them to thrive in can help attract ladybugs. [available without trying!]

Dill

Dill not only attracts other pollinators and Ladybugs, but when grown alongside tomatoes it can repel pesky tomato hornworms. [locally available I'm sure]

Fennel

Fennel aphid can attack this plant, another that Ladybugs are likely to to predate. [locally available]

Ferns

Ferns attract bugs of all kinds, plenty of food for Ladybugs here, including Brown Scale, Mealybugs, Aphids, Whitefly, Thrips and Red Spider Mites. They're a great way to keep pests off your prize flowers and to attract Ladybugs. [usually always available locally]

Feverfew (Chrysanthemum)

Feverfew is a member of the daisy family and has historically been linked with a traditional herb to used to prevent migraine. Considered a weed in many places, but as it's often prone to aphids, leaf and bud eelworms and leaf-mining flies it's worth having some around to attract Ladybugs. [they're here on amazon]

Gardenia

Aphids and Mites love Gardenias, so having these around will being more Ladybugs to help service the rest of your plants.

[beautiful white Qupida here on amazon]

Garlic

The Garlic flowering period can help attract pollinators They can also sometimes attract Onion Thrips and Western Flower Thrips. Ladybugs may take on these depending on if they mind the scent or not. Worth a try. Plus they also help repel mosquitoes and flies. [available locally for sure]

Geranium

A low maintenance and hardy plant. And one that can help on a number of fronts. As well as attracting Ladybugs with aphids and mites. Scented Geraniums also also help in repelling mosquitoes. They also attract Butterflies. [here's the apple bloom rosebud on amazon]

Grapes

Among other pests, grapes can attract Spider Mites, Ladybugs can help deal with those. Be aware though that on occasion Ladybugs quite like to eat grapes. [if you're able to grow them in your region, then here an heirloom mix from amazon]

Hibiscus

These are great for Ladybirds, they attract Mealybugs, Thrips, Aphids and Spider Mites. A veritable Ladybug heaven. [I quite like these rare giants on amazon]

Juniper

Juniper Scale has now spread throughout North America as well as Europe. Ladybugs can possibly benefit from this and come to the rescue of your Junipers! [available locally]

Quick Quiz…
How High Can a Ladybug Fly?
160', 1600'. 2600', 3600'
Find the Answer Here

Marigold

Marigolds are a great companion plant for lots of other plants. They're also more likely to attract Ladybugs as they're prone to Aphids, Mealybugs, Thrips, and Whiteflies. [the lovely Tiger Eye French Marigolds on amazon]

Mustard

Mid to late summer your Mustard plants might well attract Ladybugs, mainly as they can be targeted by Mustard Aphids. And Moths and other insects like to deposit their larva there too. [black mustard on amazon]

Mint

Prone to Aphids and Spider Mites. Steer clear of strong mints though like peppermint/spearmint as this can actually repel Ladybugs. [I don't think you'll need a link for these, they should be available locally]

You could try this Herb Garden Starter Kit from amazon, which has most of these favorite herbs in there

Mulberry

Mulberry tends to be prone to Aphids and Mealybugs. But they're quite hardy, so planning these will attract Ladybugs and help in other areas of your yard. [here's the link on amazon]

Orchids

Again Aphids and Mealybugs are often found around Orchids. Either plant these to attract Ladybugs, or plant some other not so important plants for your needs in the garden to attract more ladybugs. [This looked interesting, growing orchids from seed book on amazon]

Papaya

These can be prone to the Papaya Mealybug if they're likely to come in contact with it. Otherwise certainly Aphids might be interested. [dwarf hovey bonsai seeds here on amazon]

Parsley

Parsley is the most common herb, it is a plant that's really easy to grow. [you should be able to get these locally pretty easily]

Peas

These attract the Pea aphid – of course! Acyrthosiphon pisum, which feeds on a number of legumes. As well as Field Thrips. [again locally should be fairly easy]

Pineapple

There are lots of insects which attack Pineapple. Among them some Ladybug favorites such as Mealybugs, Thrips and Scale insects. [if you can grow these in your region, then they're here on amazon]

Queen Anne's Lace

Also called Bishop's Lace. It's a beneficial herbaceous plant. Declared as a noxious weed by the United States Department of agriculture if it's identified as Hemlocks Lace.

But Queen Anne's Lace attracts wasps and bees as well as Ladybugs which can help pests out on your other plants. [If you need it they're here on amazon]

Radish

Attacked by the usual Aphids. Ladybugs can help to keep these at bay with some decay plants from the list. [here's a pack of 100 organic non-gmo radish seeds on amazon]

Roses

Roses can be attacked by a whole host of insects. For Ladybugs this includes Aphids, Thrips, Mites and Scale. [I'm sure you can get these locally, but if you need them, there are climbing roses here on amazon]

Statice (Sea Lavender)

Also known as Sea Lavender and sporting up to 120 different varieties. They can come in a variety of colors such as purple, pink, white and yellow. The strong colors attract Ladybugs, but also attracting food, like Aphids and Red Spider Mites. [iceberg statice here on amazon]

Strawberries

Notorious for being attacked by Strawberry Thrips and Weevils, but with bright colors too the Ladybugs will come looking for prey around your strawberries. Plant some decoys nearby from this list to help too. [here on amazon]

If you're going to grow strawberries, then you might want to help keep them off the floor – and looking more stylish in a Strawberry Planter like this one on Amazon. Just a thought.

Squash (Zucchini/Corgette)

Ladybugs do no eat Squash Bugs as a general rule, but they will possibly eat the eggs which are usually planted on the underside of squash leaves and they may eat the nymphs too. They will however eat any spider mites that are around. [here's the seeds on amazon]

Sugarcane

It's unlikely many of us will grow sugarcane in our backyards, but if you do then you know that much of the sugarcane crops can be blighted by Spittlebugs, in fact up to 40% can be lost. Ladybugs do eat spittlebugs as they're a soft bodied insect. [I quite like the look of this Thai Sugar Cane seeds on amazon]

Sunflower

Sunflowers are a great source of Pollen and Nectar for beneficial insects. There are few pests that will eat sunflowers that the Ladybug will predate.

However, their large bright colors will definitely attract more Ladybirds into your garden.

[there's a large flowered mix here on amazon if you can't get them nearby]

Tansy

Ladybugs are likely to eat the Tansy Ragwort Flea Beetles as well as any Aphids on Tansy's. They're both soft-bodied insects. Otherwise Tansy's are fairly hardy plants but will attract Ladybugs. [here on amazon]

Tomatoes

Ladybugs will target the Flea Beetles and Whiteflies, so try planting some decoy plants nearby which will more likely attract the pests over as well as attract Ladybugs. [you can probably get these locally]

Wild Carrot

The Aster Leafhopper is known to target Wild Carrot, Ladybugs, along with Lacewing and minute Pirate Bugs will predate the larvae and eggs of the Aster Leafhopper. Consider also planting decoy plants from this list nearby. [best to try locally for varieties]

Yarrow

Yarrow is fairly pest free. But can be prone to green peach aphids and melon aphids. For this reason, Ladybugs can help keep them at bay. [lots of varieties, but I like these gold yarrow on amazon]

Yew

Fairly hardy, but prone to some yew scale, and some mites. A good place for Ladybugs to find shelter. [here on amazon]

Other Ways to Attract and Keep Ladybugs

As I've mentioned in some of the lists, Ladybugs do also eat pollen and nectar, so it's worth adding more of them to your garden too.
Use fewer pesticides and insecticides. Goes without saying, use of pesticides and insecticides will likely prevent any (or many) Ladybugs from entering your garden. There's no guarantee you'll kill all the pests either.
Ladybugs do drink water, so allow some areas where shallow water is allowed to gather, this will encourage them to stay. And try to keep those areas topped up with water
Build or add Ladybug Houses for shelter from predators. Much like birdhouses, there's never any guarantee they'll use them, but it's worth providing them all the same.
Finally, consider buying Ladybugs to bolster the good guys in your garden. If there's enough to keep them there then they will stay.
GOes without saying, familiarize yourself with what the Larva and eggs of Ladybugs look like, so you can avoid killing them

Final Word

There you have it, 52 plants that attract Ladybugs and which can be used as weapons in the fight against pests. As you can tell from this list, there's a large variety of Flora and Fauna that attract Ladybugs, they're not that much different to other pollination agents you'd find within your backyard.

It's about creating a Ladybug paradise in your garden. To protect your favorite flowers, consider planting one of the above as a decoy. Even put down the occasional treat of a little honey with added water.

I hope this list helps you in some way, I've added links to some of the seeds for these in case you cannot find them locally.

Also, don't forget to drop by my resource page for lots of free resources for home and education. As well as a selection of the most stylish Ladybug gifts for Ladybug Lovers like me.