We all love a lush, thriving garden, but some plants bring more than just beauty—they also invite an army of pests! While you might expect fruit trees or vegetable gardens to attract bugs, some seemingly harmless flowers and shrubs can turn your yard into a pest paradise.
If you’ve ever wondered why your garden is crawling with unwanted guests, these plants might be to blame. Here are 13 common garden plants that attract way more pests than you’d expect—and what you can do about it!
1. Marigolds
Wait—aren’t marigolds supposed to repel pests? Yes… and no. While marigolds are often planted to deter nematodes and aphids, they also attract spider mites, slugs, and snails. These little troublemakers love the dense foliage and will munch on the leaves if given the chance.
If you’re using marigolds as a companion plant, be strategic. Keep an eye out for infestations, and remove dead or damaged leaves to prevent pests from settling in. A little neem oil spray can also help keep them under control.
2. Sunflowers
Sunflowers are stunning and easy to grow, but they’re also pest magnets. Their bright blooms and abundant pollen attract aphids, caterpillars, and even squirrels and birds that can tear the flowers apart.
If you’re growing sunflowers, plant them away from your vegetable garden to keep pests from spreading. You can also use sticky traps or a gentle blast of water to knock off aphids before they multiply.
3. Nasturtiums
Gardeners love nasturtiums for their vibrant flowers and peppery leaves, but so do aphids, whiteflies, and cabbage worms. In fact, nasturtiums are sometimes used as a trap crop—planted intentionally to lure pests away from vegetables.
If you’re planting nasturtiums near your vegetables, check them frequently for infestations. When they become overrun, remove the affected parts or relocate the whole plant to keep pests from migrating to your prized crops.
4. Petunias
Petunias are often considered low-maintenance flowers, but they’re a favorite snack for aphids, caterpillars, and thrips. These pests suck the juices out of the plant, leaving behind yellowing leaves and distorted flowers.
To keep petunia pests in check, try introducing ladybugs or lacewings to your garden. These beneficial insects will feast on aphids and help keep your flowers looking their best.
5. Roses
Few flowers are as beloved as roses, but they come with a price—aphids, Japanese beetles, spider mites, and thrips all love them. If left unchecked, these pests can skeletonize the leaves and ruin your blooms.
Regularly inspect your roses and use insecticidal soap or neem oil to control infestations. Planting garlic or chives nearby can also help deter some pests naturally.
6. Dahlias
Dahlias add a burst of color to any garden, but they’re also highly attractive to earwigs, slugs, and aphids. Earwigs, in particular, love to hide in the petals and feast on the flowers at night.
To prevent an earwig invasion, try placing damp rolled-up newspapers around your garden in the evening. In the morning, toss the newspapers (and the hiding earwigs) into soapy water.
7. Zinnias
Zinnias are easy to grow, but they tend to attract aphids, spider mites, and Japanese beetles. These pests suck the sap from the leaves, causing stunted growth and discoloration.
A strong blast of water can knock off aphids, and introducing praying mantises or ladybugs can help keep populations in check.
8. Lavender
Lavender is famous for repelling mosquitoes and moths, but it actually attracts spittlebugs and whiteflies. While these pests aren’t the most destructive, they can leave behind sticky residue and stunt plant growth.
If you spot whiteflies, try spraying your lavender plants with a mix of water and dish soap to break up the sticky film and discourage further infestations.
9. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a must-have for many gardens, but they’re also a buffet for pests. Hornworms, aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites love tomato plants and can destroy an entire crop if left unchecked.
To protect your tomatoes, plant basil nearby—it naturally repels some pests. Also, regularly inspect your plants for hornworms and handpick them off before they cause serious damage.
10. Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are gorgeous, but they tend to attract aphids, scale insects, and Japanese beetles. These pests can weaken the plant by sucking nutrients from the leaves, leading to yellowing and stunted growth.
A mix of neem oil and water can help keep these pests at bay, and manually removing beetles can prevent an infestation from spreading.
11. Mint
Mint is often planted for its fragrant leaves and pest-repelling qualities, but ironically, it also attracts spider mites, aphids, and flea beetles. If you let it grow unchecked, you might find more bugs than you bargained for!
Keep mint contained in a pot rather than the ground to prevent spreading. If you notice pests, prune the affected leaves and keep the plant well-watered—spider mites love dry conditions.
12. Strawberries
Strawberries are sweet and delicious, but unfortunately, so many pests agree. Slugs, spider mites, and aphids love feasting on strawberry plants, often ruining the fruit before you can even harvest it.
To prevent slug damage, sprinkle crushed eggshells or diatomaceous earth around the plants. For aphids, companion planting with onions or garlic can help repel them naturally.
13. Hollyhocks
These tall, elegant flowers add a cottage garden vibe, but they also attract Japanese beetles, spider mites, and aphids. Their large, tender leaves are particularly prone to pest infestations.
Spraying the leaves with soapy water can help deter aphids and mites, and introducing natural predators like parasitic wasps can help keep Japanese beetles in check.
*this article was created with the help of AI.