When it comes to beneficial insects, most of you first think of bees or butterflies. Did you know that dragonflies are also among them? They are predatory, carnivorous insects that eat a wide variety of garden pests, including mosquitoes. In addition, they possess colorful bodies and dramatic aerobatic movements that make them a beautiful addition to any garden. Not only are they helpful, but they are beautiful too! So when you plan your garden, add some plants that attract dragonflies. They will transform your garden into a spectacular mosquito-free zone.
And in today’s post, we want to share the 15 best plants that attract dragonflies and also repel mosquitoes so you can enjoy time outdoors more. These plants are so easy to grow and maintain. At the same time, they display stunning, colorful flowers that will beautify your landscape and also attract the beautiful insects. Just grow some of the pond plants and surround the garden with blooming flowers from the selection below. Read on to learn more about them!
#1 Giant coneflower
The flower of the giant coneflower can reach 6 inches in diameter, giving your garden a striking, eye-catching look. The plant prefers to grow in locations with plenty of sunshine. Dragonflies love to rest in the centers, so you don’t have to worry about mosquitoes either.
#2 Joe-Pye Weed
Joe-Pye Weed is a beautiful flower that will easily attract more dragonflies to your garden. Around mid-summer, the plants produce large clusters of light purple flowers. This plant is an easy-care option and prefers a location with adequate drainage.
#3 Meadow sage
Meadow sage has tall, purple flower spikes that rise high above the light green leaves, and dragonflies like to stay nearby. In addition, the natural ingredients in meadow sage have a pest-controlling effect.
#4 Cattail
If you have a large pond in the garden, consider growing cattails as this plant is an excellent way to deter mosquitoes and attract dragonflies. Plus, the plant is large and lush and creates a beautiful border at the water’s edge while providing dragonflies with plenty of hiding places.
#5 Sweet sun hat
The coneflower blooms with stunning flowers that attract dragonflies and liven up your garden in an instant. The flowers have bright yellow petals that contrast beautifully with the dark center for an eye-catching twist.
#6 Borretsch
Borage produces stunning bright blue flowers with pointed petals that attract dragonflies. Its stems are also covered with a delicate, feathery coating that is attractive to dragonflies. The leaves of this herb can be used to make summer dishes.
#7 Horsetail
Horsetail grows in tall, slender stems that look a bit like miniature bamboo plants, making this plant the best way to attract dragonflies to lay eggs.
#8 Black-eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susan attracts dragonflies by producing lush green leaves and large flowers that dragonflies fly into to lay their eggs and care for nymphs. Once the new insects have grown, your garden will come alive.
#9 Wild Celery
Wild celery is a great shelter for dragonflies because it produces lots of long, thin leaves and provides dragonflies with plenty of places to lay their eggs and raise their young.
#10 Water Lily
The water lily is one of the most beautiful aquatic plants, with flowers consisting of thick, layered petals resting on large, round leaves. And dragonflies love to lay their eggs on these beautiful plants.
#11 Arrowhead
Arrowhead is an aquatic species that takes root beneath the surface of a pond or pool. Its stems and leaves grow above the water, providing plenty of room for dragonflies to rest. The large, arrow-shaped leaves add a splash of bright color to your garden, and the delicate white flowers bring the garden to life each spring.
#12 Yarrow
Yarrow is one of the beautiful flowers that will bring both color and dragonflies to your garden. This plant is an easy-care choice, so you can start growing it from seed. This hardy plant will reward your work with bright pink flowers every summer.
#13 Marsh spurge
Swamp milkweed is an excellent option for garden cultivation as it reaches a width of about 3 feet (90 cm) in just one season. It produces huge clusters of delicate flowers that attract dragonflies and also encourage butterflies to visit your garden.