15 Best Plants That Attract Dragonflies and Repel Mosquitoes
Dragonflies are more than just graceful garden visitors; they re powerful natural pest controllers. These shimmering insects feed on mosquitoes, gnats, and other tiny pests, making your yard both beautiful and comfortable.
The best way to invite them into your garden is by planting flowers and aquatic plants they love. In this guide, you ll discover 15 plants that not only attract dragonflies but also help repel mosquitoes naturally.
Many of these species bloom with vibrant colors, while others thrive around ponds or water features, creating the perfect habitat for dragonflies to rest and lay eggs.
Plant a mix of these varieties and your outdoor space will soon transform into a buzzing, mosquito-free retreat.
#1 Giant Coneflower
The Giant Coneflower produces bright yellow petals surrounding bold centers that can reach up to six inches across. Dragonflies are drawn to the sturdy blooms where they rest while scouting for mosquitoes.
This plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, growing tall enough to make a striking garden focal point. Add it to sunny borders or near water features for the best effect.
Regular deadheading will extend the blooming season and keep your garden lively.
#2 Joe-Pye Weed
Joe-Pye Weed is a magnet for dragonflies thanks to its large clusters of light-purple flowers that appear in midsummer. Growing three to seven feet tall, it provides both nectar for pollinators and resting spots for dragonflies.
It prefers moist, well-drained soil and a sunny to partly shaded location. Once established, this perennial requires little care and will come back stronger each year. Plant it near ponds or in wildflower gardens to add both beauty and function.
#3 Meadow Sage
Meadow Sage offers vertical spikes of purple-blue flowers that rise above lush green foliage. The tall stems attract dragonflies looking for perches, while its natural oils repel smaller garden pests.
This hardy perennial thrives in sunny spots and tolerates dry soil, making it ideal for low-maintenance gardeners.
To encourage continuous blooms, trim spent flowers throughout the season. Its vibrant color and easy growth make it a favorite for pollinator-friendly gardens.
#4 Cattail
Cattails are classic pond plants that provide shelter and breeding areas for dragonflies. Their tall, grass-like leaves and cylindrical flower spikes create a natural border along water edges.
Dragonflies love hiding among the dense foliage while laying eggs. Plant cattails in shallow water or containers placed inside ponds for controlled growth.
They spread quickly, so trimming regularly will keep them from taking over your water garden.
#5 Sweet Coneflower
Sweet Coneflower brings a cheerful splash of yellow to your garden with daisy-like flowers that dragonflies flock to. Its dark central cones provide sturdy resting spots, making it a useful plant for encouraging predatory insects.
It grows well in sunny areas with moderately moist soil and can reach up to five feet tall. Besides attracting dragonflies, these blooms also draw bees and butterflies, boosting biodiversity in your yard.
#6 Borage
Borage stands out with star-shaped blue flowers that look as good as they taste. The blossoms attract dragonflies while its fuzzy stems offer perching spots.
This herb isn t just ornamental, its leaves can be added to summer salads or used as a garnish. Plant borage in full sun with well-draining soil, and it will self-seed for future seasons.
Dragonflies benefit from its nectar-rich flowers, while you enjoy both its beauty and kitchen uses.
#7 Water Horsetail
Water Horsetail is a unique aquatic plant that looks like miniature bamboo with its tall, jointed green stems. It provides perfect egg-laying sites for dragonflies and thrives along the edges of ponds or water containers.
It s very low maintenance, requiring only plenty of moisture and light. Because it spreads quickly, consider planting it in containers submerged in water to control its growth. Its architectural look adds a modern touch to water gardens.
#8 Black-Eyed Susan
Black-Eyed Susan adds golden-yellow petals with dark brown centers, making it a summer classic. Dragonflies use its wide foliage and flowers as landing pads, while the dense growth offers protection for young nymphs in nearby water.
This plant thrives in full sun and adapts to many soil types. Regular watering during dry spells will keep blooms fresh. Beyond dragonflies, it also attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.
#9 Wild Celery
Wild Celery is a submerged aquatic plant that plays an important role in supporting dragonfly life cycles.
Its long, ribbon-like leaves provide shelter and egg-laying spots for dragonflies, while also oxygenating the water for fish and other pond life. It grows best in shallow water with sandy soil at the base.
If you have a pond or aquarium, adding wild celery helps balance the ecosystem while drawing dragonflies.
#10 Water Lily
Water Lilies bring elegance with their floating leaves and colorful blooms in shades of pink, white, or yellow. Dragonflies are naturally drawn to the broad leaves, which serve as resting pads and egg-laying sites.
They thrive in still water with plenty of sunlight, making them ideal for backyard ponds. For best results, plant them in containers submerged in shallow water.
Their blooms not only attract dragonflies but also add breathtaking beauty to your garden.
#11 Arrowhead
Arrowhead plants produce arrow-shaped green leaves and delicate white flowers that rise above the water s surface. These aquatic plants give dragonflies an ideal place to perch and lay eggs.
They grow quickly in ponds or shallow water features, thriving in full sun. Their lush foliage creates a naturalistic look while helping repel mosquitoes by encouraging dragonfly activity.
Trim back old leaves to keep the plant tidy and encourage new growth.
#12 Yarrow
Yarrow is a versatile flower known for its medicinal uses and its ability to attract beneficial insects. Its flat-topped clusters of blooms provide excellent resting platforms for dragonflies.
This hardy perennial thrives in poor soil and full sun, requiring little care once established. Dragonflies appreciate its presence as much as butterflies and bees do.
For continuous flowers, cut back spent blooms to encourage fresh growth throughout the summer.
#13 Swamp Milkweed
Swamp Milkweed produces clusters of pink to purple flowers that bring both dragonflies and butterflies into your yard. It grows well in moist soil and reaches about three feet wide in a single season.
Plant it near ponds or along garden edges to take advantage of its water-loving nature. Dragonflies benefit from the dense clusters that provide shade and shelter. Plus, it s a host plant for monarch butterflies, giving your garden double the beauty.
#14 Blue Flag Iris
Blue Flag Iris thrives along pond edges and marshy spots, offering tall, sword-like leaves and striking violet-blue flowers. Dragonflies love these plants because the upright foliage provides a safe perch and resting place near the water.
They prefer full sun but will tolerate partial shade, and the soil should stay consistently moist. Plant them in shallow water containers or directly in damp soil near ponds.
Besides attracting dragonflies, Blue Flag Iris adds dramatic color that brightens your garden in late spring.
#15 Pickerelweed
Pickerelweed is an aquatic perennial with glossy green leaves and spiky clusters of violet-blue flowers. Dragonflies are drawn to its sturdy stems, which make ideal perches as they hunt for mosquitoes.
This plant grows best in shallow water, around 6â12 inches deep, and needs full sun to bloom profusely. You can grow it in containers submerged in ponds to control its spread.
Its flowers bloom all summer, creating a lively and colorful habitat that dragonflies will never resist.
How to Make Your Garden More Dragonfly-Friendly
Attracting dragonflies isn t only about planting the right flowers and aquatic greens. To really turn your garden into a dragonfly haven, you ll need to create the conditions they love.
These insects spend most of their life cycle in water, so having a small pond, birdbath, or water feature makes a huge difference. Even a large container filled with aquatic plants can provide the habitat they need.
Sunlight is also key; dragonflies thrive in warm, bright areas, so keep plants in spots that get at least 6 hours of sun daily. Avoid chemical pesticides, as these harm both dragonflies and the insects they feed on. Adding flat stones or driftwood around water edges gives them perfect perches to rest between hunts.
By combining flowering plants, aquatic foliage, and a safe environment, you ll not only attract dragonflies but also create a natural balance in your outdoor space. The result? A vibrant, colorful garden where mosquitoes are kept under control and you can relax in peace.