You can use certain plants to lure desirable insects to your garden to help with biocontrol. Many of these workhorse plants are attractive to a wide number of beneficial insects beyond the ones featured below; together the insects they attract help keep pests from munching on your veggies. 

Learn more about attracting beneficial insects in Jessica’s article
Companion Planting Is Not a Myth

Attracting plants

• Chamomile (Matricaria recutita, annual)
• Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus, annual)
• Goldenrod (Solidago spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9)

Spotlight beneficial insect: Ladybugs

Pests they control

• aphids (pictured)
• beetle larvae
• mealybugs
• scale
• spider mites

Attracting plants

• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta and cvs., Zones 3–8)
• English daisy (Bellis perennis, Zones 4–8)
• Oregano (Origanum vulgare, Zones 4–8)

Spotlight beneficial insect: Syrphid flies

Pests they control

• aphids
• cabbageworms
• thrips
• leafhoppers (pictured)
• scales
• mealybugs
• caterpillars

Attracting plants

• Angelica (Angelica spp. and cvs., Zones 4–11)
• Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium, Zones 5–8)
• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium, Zones 3–9)

Spotlight beneficial insect: Lacewings

Pests they control

• aphids
• beetle larvae
• caterpillars (pictured)
• corn earworms
• whiteflies
• spider mites
• various insect eggs

Attracting plants

• Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9)
• Aster (Symphyotrichum spp. and cvs., Zones 4–8)
• Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum, annual)

Spotlight beneficial insect: Parasitic wasps

Pests they control

• aphids
• beetle larvae
• cabbageworms
• earworms
• cutworms
• caterpillars
• leaf miners
• mealybugs (pictured)
• budworms
• hornworms
• scales
• true bugs

Jessica Walliser is a horticulturist, award-winning author of seven garden books, and a cofounder of SavvyGardening.com. For more information on companion planting, see her book Plant Partners: Science-Based Companion Strategies for the Vegetable Garden.

Illustrations: Allison Mia Starcher

From Fine Gardening #208