15 Plants That Will Attract Dragonflies to Your Garden

Dragonflies are beneficial insects that not only add beauty to your garden but also help control the population of mosquitoes and other pests. To attract dragonflies to your garden, you can incorporate plants that provide shelter, food, and suitable breeding sites. Here are 15 plants that will attract dragonflies:

Water Lily (Nymphaea spp.): Water lilies provide a resting spot for dragonflies and offer shelter for their nymphs in the water.

Lotus (Nelumbo spp.): Similar to water lilies, lotus plants are attractive to dragonflies and create a beautiful focal point in a water garden.

Bulrushes (Schoenoplectus spp.): These emergent aquatic plants provide perches for dragonflies and offer ideal locations for their eggs.

Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata): Pickerelweed attracts dragonflies with its attractive flowers and is an excellent habitat for their nymphs.

Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor): This plant grows well near the water’s edge and attracts dragonflies with its vibrant flowers.

Cattails (Typha spp.): Cattails are well-known for attracting dragonflies and providing suitable egg-laying sites.

Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.): The tall, nectar-rich blooms of Joe-Pye Weed are attractive to adult dragonflies.

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis): This vibrant red flower is a favorite of dragonflies and butterflies alike.

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata): Swamp Milkweed attracts dragonflies while also serving as a host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars.

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria): Meadowsweet’s fragrant flowers attract both dragonflies and butterflies.

Golden Club (Orontium aquaticum): Golden Club is a unique aquatic plant that attracts dragonflies to its blooms.

Lizard’s Tail (Saururus cernuus): This water-loving plant provides habitat for dragonfly nymphs.

Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata): Blue Vervain’s tall spikes of purple flowers are loved by adult dragonflies.

Horsetail (Equisetum spp.): Horsetails provide shelter for dragonfly nymphs in water gardens.

Sedges (Carex spp.): Various sedges attract dragonflies and serve as sites for egg-laying.

Creating a diverse garden with a mix of aquatic plants, native flowers, and grasses will help attract a variety of dragonfly species. Also, keep in mind that dragonflies are territorial and will need open spaces for flying and hunting. Providing a water feature such as a pond, birdbath, or small fountain will also increase the chances of dragonflies visiting and inhabiting your garden.