12 Plants That Attract Dragonflies to the Garden

Dragonflies are beneficial insects that also help in controlling mosquito population. Have a look at Plants That Attract Dragonflies to know more!

Dragonflies are amazing insects known for their dramatic appearance and strong-flying abilities. They are harmless and useful in controlling the population of mosquitoes in gardens. They also help in keeping the predators like frogs and birds at bay. You can invite them by growing these Plants That Attract Dragonflies!

Check out our article on vinegar uses in the garden here

 12 Plants That Attract Dragonflies

1. Arrowhead

Botanical Name: Sagittaria latifolia

Arrowhead plants are easy to grow and produce beautiful white flowers that attract dragonflies. Once mature, they turn in to climbing vines and do well on a trellis. It is one of the best plants to attract dragonflies and bees.

2. Water Lily

Botanical Name: Nymphaeaceae

Water lilies will add a dreamy touch to your garden. You can easily grow these beautiful plants in small containers and tubes easily, growing fragrant flowers in beautiful shades of pink and purple.

3. Yarrow

Botanical Name: Achillea

Yarrows are carefree plants ideal for garden boundaries and ground covers. They grow delightful white pale lilac flowers between June to September in India and attract a variety of insects including butterflies and dragonflies.

4. Meadow Sage

Botanical Name: Salvia marcus

Growing sage is one of the best ways to invite dragonflies in your garden. It is a perennial shrub and thrives amazing blue, white, and purple flowers between early to late summer. Sage also has amazing culinary, health and beauty uses in Indian culture.

5. Indian Borage

Botanical Name: Trichodesma indicum

Popularly known as Chhota Kalpa, this annual herb produces stalkless green leaves and star-shaped, pale blue, and white flowers. You can grow it to enhance the look of your garden.

6. Coneflowers

Botanical Name: Echinacea

Coneflowers are low-maintenance and bloom colorful flowers throughout spring to late summer. Its eastern purple variety is famous in India and known for attracting bees, butterflies, and dragonflies in the garden.

7. Water Horsetail

Botanical Name: Equisetum fluviatile

This evergreen, perennial plant is best to grow in your garden’s little pond. Grow water horsetail in your garden to attract dragonflies and control the annoying population of mosquitoes.

8. Wild Celery

Botanical Name: Vallisneria americana

Wild celery is a submerging aquatic plant and grows underwater. However, you can only grow it if you have atleast 3 feet deep pond in your garden. It is also not easy to grow, thereby not suitable for beginner gardeners.

9. Swamp Milkweed

Botanical Name: Asclepias incarnata

Also known as white Indian hemp, Swamp milkweed is a herbaceous perennial plant. It flowers stunning flowers in the shades of red, purple, and orange that equally attract butterflies and dragonflies.

10. Black-Eyed Susans

Botanical Name: Rudbeckia hirta

Black-Eyed Susans can be a great addition to your flower garden. They thrive in moist soil and enjoy full to partial sun. These beautiful yellow flowers not only attracts dragonflies but also bees and butterflies.

11. Garden Phlox

Botanical Name: Phlox paniculata

Phlox is an alluring ornamental plant known for blooming star-shaped delicate flowers in the shades of pink, blue, purple, white, and red from spring to summer.

12. Indian Blanket

Botanical Name: Gaillardia pulchella

Make your garden bright and cheerful by growing these wonderful plants. They easy to grow, thrive in full sun, and one of the best plants that attract dragonflies.

Preparing Your Garden for Dragonflies

Here are some useful tips for preparing your garden for dragonflies.

1. Setup a Pond

Setting up a pond is a brilliant way to attract dragonflies in your garden. The reason being these attractive flies lay eggs in water and fly in search of a water source. Ensure the pond is atleast 2 feet deep and has shallow edges. Follow this guide to learn how to set up a pond in the garden.

2. Grow Water plants

Getting a pond in your garden alone is not sufficient to attract dragonflies. You will need to grow different types of aquatic plants and shrubs around the pond too in order to attract dragonflies.

3. Add Rocks and Sticks in the Pond

Adding elements like rocks and sticks in the pond will allow dragonflies to rest, stay, and breed in the pond. It will also add a rustic feel to your garden.