There is something mesmerizing about watching dragonflies dart and hover over a garden. Their iridescent wings catch the light, their aerial acrobatics are mesmerizing, and their presence signals a healthy ecosystem. But dragonflies are more than just beautiful to watch. They are nature’s most effective pest control, consuming hundreds of mosquitoes and other annoying insects every single day . A single dragonfly can eat its own body weight in bugs every half hour .
That is what makes plants that attract dragonflies so valuable for American gardens, bringing natural pest control, biodiversity, and breathtaking beauty to your outdoor space.
This article covers seven of the best plants for attracting dragonflies to your garden. Every suggestion includes specific varieties, growing conditions, and practical tips. No vague recommendations. No unrealistic expectations. Just proven plants that dragonflies love.
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Why Dragonflies Are a Gardener’s Best Friend
Dragonflies are not just beautiful; they are essential allies in the garden. They are voracious predators that feed on mosquitoes, gnats, flies, and other pests. By creating a habitat for dragonflies, you are inviting natural pest control into your yard.
Dragonflies spend most of their lives underwater as nymphs, sometimes for several years, before emerging as adults . They need water to breed and aquatic plants to lay their eggs. They also need perching spots to rest and hunt, and they are attracted to areas with abundant insect activity .
To successfully attract dragonflies, you need three things: water, plants that support their life cycle, and a pesticide-free environment. The right plants serve multiple purposes. Aquatic plants provide egg-laying sites and shelter for nymphs. Tall plants offer perches for adult dragonflies. And flowering plants attract the small insects that dragonflies hunt.
1. Water Lilies: Essential Pond Plants
✦ Best for: Ponds and water features where dragonflies need resting and egg-laying sites
Water lilies are perhaps the most important plant for attracting dragonflies . Their broad, flat leaves provide perfect resting spots for adult dragonflies and excellent platforms for laying eggs . Their leaves shade the water, reducing algae growth, which improves water quality for dragonfly larvae .
Water lilies thrive in calm ponds and large containers . Plant them from tubers in pots placed just below the water surface . The big leaves will float on the surface, providing ideal habitat for dragonflies throughout their lifecycle.
2. Swamp Milkweed: The Pollinator Magnet
✦ Best for: Pond edges, rain gardens, and moist areas where you want to attract prey insects and pollinators
Swamp milkweed is a native perennial that dragonflies love . It thrives in moist, sunny areas and produces fragrant pink flowers from mid-summer . While dragonflies don’t eat nectar, they are drawn to the insect activity that milkweed attracts . The plant’s damp environment also attracts mosquitoes and other small insects, which are a key food source for dragonflies .
Swamp milkweed grows 3 to 5 feet tall and spreads 2 to 3 feet wide . It is deer-resistant and a host plant for monarch butterflies, adding even more ecological value to your garden .
3. Black-Eyed Susan: Cheerful Insect Magnet
✦ Best for: Garden beds, borders, and wildflower meadows where you want bright color and abundant insect activity
Black-eyed Susans are a cheerful addition to any garden, and they are also excellent for attracting dragonflies . Their bright yellow flowers attract a variety of pollinators and other insects, which in turn attract hungry dragonflies . The plant’s height and structure also provide valuable perching spots for dragonflies .
Black-eyed Susans grow in almost any soil type . They flourish in full sun and need regular watering . They are drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and self-seeding, making them a popular choice for low-maintenance gardens . They bloom from late spring to early fall .
4. Pickerelweed: The Pond Edge Favorite
✦ Best for: Pond edges, shallow water, and marsh gardens where dragonflies hunt and perch
Pickerelweed is a standout aquatic plant for dragonfly fans . It thrives in shallow water along pond edges and produces tall spikes of purple-blue flowers all summer . Dragonflies love pickerelweed for its sturdy stems, which are perfect for perching and egg-laying .
Females often choose the submerged parts of pickerelweed to deposit their eggs, which is a good sign you have created a welcoming habitat . Pickerelweed is a Florida native that benefits wildlife and adds visual appeal to water gardens .
5. Yarrow: The Hardy Perch
✦ Best for: Beds, borders, and wildflower gardens where you want a hardy plant that attracts dragonflies
Yarrow is a tough perennial that dragonflies love . Its flat-topped clusters of small flowers are basically ready-made landing pads for dragonflies . Yarrow grows in clusters of 20 or more flowers that are predominantly white colored . It is disease-resistant and attracts butterflies and other insects that dragonflies prey upon .
Yarrow likes full sun and lightly moist to well-drained soils . It is drought-tolerant once established and a native wildflower of North America . It is a great choice for low-maintenance gardens.
6. Joe-Pye Weed: The Tall Perch
✦ Best for: Moist woodland gardens, pond edges, and rain gardens where you want height and color
Joe-Pye weed stands tall in the garden, often reaching heights of 3 to 12 feet . Its dusky pink-purple flower clusters attract a wide range of insects, including dragonflies . Its sturdy stems offer perfect perches for dragonflies to rest and keep watch over their territory .
Joe-Pye weed thrives in moist woods with plenty of sunshine but can do well in a backyard setting with the right conditions . It grows in summer and fall . An additional benefit of planting Joe-Pye weed is the vanilla fragrance emitted from its flowers .
7. Arrowhead: The Egg-Laying Platform
✦ Best for: Pond edges and water gardens where dragonflies need plants to lay their eggs
Arrowhead is an aquatic plant with unmistakable arrow-shaped leaves . It grows above the water level near the edge of a pond and provides excellent cover for dragonfly larvae . Dragonflies will lay eggs on the plant, making it essential for breeding .
Arrowhead is low-maintenance and does best in water gardens or at the edge of ponds . It is a native wetland plant that is easy to grow . It also has white flowers that add beauty to your water garden.
Frequently Asked Questions About Plants That Attract Dragonflies
What plants attract dragonflies the most?
Water lilies, swamp milkweed, black-eyed Susans, pickerelweed, and yarrow are among the best plants for attracting dragonflies. These plants offer the three essential elements: perching spots, egg-laying sites, and insect-attracting flowers .
How do I attract dragonflies to my garden?
To attract dragonflies, you need three things: water, plants, and a pesticide-free environment . Include a pond or water feature with aquatic plants like water lilies and submerged oxygenators . Add tall perching plants like Joe-Pye weed and yarrow . And avoid pesticides, which can kill the insects dragonflies feed on .
Do dragonflies lay eggs on plants?
Yes, dragonflies lay their eggs on aquatic plants, rotten wood, or other debris in and around the water . They deposit their eggs on the stems or leaves of submerged plants, where the eggs and nymphs will be protected .
What water plants are best for dragonflies?
Water lilies provide resting and egg-laying sites . Submerged plants like wild celery and hornwort provide habitat for nymphs . Cattails, rushes, and arrowhead provide tall perches and egg-laying sites .
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A garden filled with dragonflies is a garden with natural pest control and a healthy ecosystem. Plant the right species, add water, and you will be rewarded with these ancient, beautiful hunters.