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If you’ve ever seen a dragonfly gliding over a pond or resting on a plant, you’ve probably noticed how peaceful and steady they seem. But there’s more to these fascinating insects than their graceful flight—they’re also excellent pest controllers. As natural predators, dragonflies help keep mosquito and other insect populations in check, all without the need for chemical sprays. Their presence is also a good sign that your garden is healthy and balanced.
Creating a space where dragonflies feel at home takes more than just adding water. While they don’t feed on nectar, the plants you grow still play an important role. Certain plants attract the insects dragonflies eat, while others offer perching spots or support the aquatic areas where dragonflies lay their eggs.
With a thoughtful mix of plants, you can help invite more dragonflies into your yard. Here are some great options to consider when planting your dragonfly-friendly garden.
Purple Coneflower
Coneflowers attract many insects that are a food source for dragonflies. These plants thrive in well-drained soil and full sun, and they are drought-tolerant once established.
Water Lily (Nymphaea spp.)
Water lilies provide a perfect place for dragonflies to perch and lay their eggs. Their floating leaves create shaded areas in the water, ideal for dragonfly larvae to hide and thrive.
Cattails (Typha spp.)
Cattails grow in marshy ground, offering dragonflies both perching spots and ideal conditions for laying eggs. The tall, slender stalks are perfect for emerging adult dragonflies to rest before flying off into the big wide world.
Aster
Asters will bring vibrant color to your garden. They thrive in full sun with moist, well-drained soil and benefit from regular watering and periodic division to maintain their health and vibrancy. Growing
Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.)
Joe-Pye weed attracts a variety of insects, which in turn draw dragonflies looking for an easy meal. Its tall stems also provide excellent perching spots for resting dragonflies.
Blue Flag Iris
Blue flag irises provide the perfect habitat for dragonflies to lay their eggs. The tall, vibrant blooms offer dragonflies a natural place to perch while they hunt.
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Known for their bold yellow flowers, Black-Eyed Susans are excellent for drawing in butterflies. These robust plants love the sun and are versatile enough to serve as borders, ground covers, or grouped in flower gardens, blooming from midsummer through the first frost. Zones 3-9
Borage
Borage is a self-seeding annual plant with edible flowers. It makes an excellent pollinator garden addition and attracts dragonflies. This plant isn’t picky about soil and rarely needs fertilizer, but it prefers full sun to partial shade.
Tickseed (Coreopsis spp.)
With its bright, daisy-like flowers, Coreopsis is a drought-tolerant perennial that thrives in full sun. Available in yellow, gold, red, and pink hues, it provides months of low-maintenance color from early summer through fall. It is a reliable choice for sunny gardens and attracting dragonflies.
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Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow is celebrated for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in full sun. It produces clusters of small, flat-topped flowers available in various colors, adding a beautiful and resilient element to any garden.
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnate)
Swamp milkweed is an excellent plant to grow to attract more dragonflies. This perennial is a breeding ground for dragonflies, and it grows well in moist soil near ponds.
Arrowhead (Sagittaria spp.)
Growing Arrowhead will offer dragonflies a place to perch and for nymphs to emerge after maturing underwater. They grow best in shallow water or along the edges of ponds.
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Kate Chalmers
Kate is a passionate gardener who has a keen interest in all things related to homesteading and sustainability. She resides in Portugal with her husband and menagerie of animals and has over 15 years of experience in the UK veterinary industry. In 2020, Kate and her husband took on a dilapidated Portuguese house and abandoned olive grove, turning it into an abundant food forest and home for nature.
Life on the homestead is never the same from one day to the next, and Kate has mastered many skills that she is keen to pass on to anyone with an interest in becoming more self-sufficient. Kate believes that living a sustainable lifestyle is the key to happiness and fulfillment and that everyone can make simple changes that connect us back to nature and reduce our impact on the planet.
