Mosquitoes are essential in balancing the ecosystem. But they pose a great danger, too.
Thankfully, dragonflies love to eat mosquitos.
One mosquito bite can cause various diseases, including dengue and malaria. They also carry and spread viruses like the Zika virus.
That is why it is important to keep mosquitoes away from your home.
Studies show that dragonfly nymphs feed on mosquitos that are immature or still in their young stages. This could either be its first instar larvae or pupal stage. However, according to these studies, most dragonflies feed more on mosquito larvae since only the larger ones can feed on the pupae.
Nonetheless, this proves that dragonflies can prevent the growth of mosquito colonies.
But how do you attract dragonflies? With their favorite flowers, of course.
Here are 10 things to plant in your garden to attract dragonflies
1. Black-Eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susans are the most popular choice among dragonflies. These bright beauties attract most pollinators, so expect that dragonflies will come flying in and out of your yard when you have this one.
It adapts well to almost any soil and requires regular watering and full sunlight. However, they don’t live long during winter, especially in cooler climates. But neither do mosquitos.
2. White Yarrow
Also known as Yarrow White Wildflower, white yarrows are perennials that grow in flat clusters and bloom a beautiful white spread through your garden. This plant also attracts bugs like butterflies and dragonflies.
People love growing white yarrows because they grow quickly. As long as your soil is well-drained with dry-to-medium moisture, this plant will thrive in your garden.
3. Meadow Sage
The beautiful thing about Meadow sage is it grows purple flowers that add color to your garden.
So, if you like to attract dragonflies and have some beautiful flowers around, this is something you’d love to plant. Plus, it doesn’t need that much maintenance.
You can grow it under full sun or partial shade and it can survive dry soils. You barely need to water it.
4. Swamp Milkweed
Another plant that attracts dragonflies is Swamp milkweed. They bloom white and pink flowers that grow each year. This plant grows best in moist soils or wetlands and prefers full sun.
5. Joe-Pye Weed
Looks attractive, isn’t it? These pink-purple flowers are a product of the Joe-Pye weed. This attracts multiple pollinators like bees, butterflies, and dragonflies.
This plant grows in moist meadows and loves either full or partial sunlight. The bonus? The flowers smell like vanilla. Isn’t that sweet?
6. Coneflowers
Coneflowers look a lot like a daisy but come with a more conical petal. It grows in various colors like purple, white, pink, yellow, and orange. Perfect, if you like to attract dragonflies for mosquito control and make your garden look pretty.
It is a low-maintenance plant, so you don’t have to worry so much about it.
7. Borage
Borage is a plant that does not only attract dragonflies but looks unique and lovely too. Its flowers are star-shaped and bloom during the summer until the first snowfall. It can tolerate drought and is self-seeding.
Another interesting about this plant is that its young spring foliage is edible, which is excellent for salads, yogurts, and soft cheese. Their taste compares strongly to cucumbers.
8. Water Lily
We’re all familiar with this one! Water lilies attract dragonflies who love to lay their eggs here. Younger, smaller dragonflies also use the flowers for a place to hide and the rocks that weigh this plant down.
If you have a nearby pond or water in your yard, you’ll find these will come in handy in mosquito control.
9. Pickerel Rush
Another aquatic plant that attracts dragonflies is the pickerel rush. It has violet blooms that look like a bottle brush, and its leaves are glossy.
The flower is home to many insects, which attracts predators like dragonflies all the more. Pickerel rush can grow in water at three feet deep at most.
10. Arrowhead
Also called Duck-potato, arrowheads grow flowers with white petals in a whorled formation. They grow in moist land or above water up to three feet. Dragonflies love this plant and often lays their egg here.
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