15 Common Plants That Attract Wasps

Wasps are an intriguing visitor in the garden, and are not always met with a warm welcome. Many of us know the pain of a sting and have no desire for a reminder. Given this, it’s hard to understand why anyone would want to know about plants to attract wasps. 

Yet, here we are, talking about that precise thing. If you’ll give me a moment of your time, I might be able to change your mind about these insects. They’re actually integral members of the ecosystem. 

Wasps are pollinators. Although not as efficient as bees, moths, and butterflies, some plants are pollinated exclusively by them. Fig trees, for example. But this isn’t the only way they are valuable in the garden. 

Wasps are also a valuable part of the food web. Many are predatory or parasitic and help to keep down populations of other nuisance insects. By pollinating, they help provide seeds that feed birds and other small animals. And they, themselves, are food for other animals. 

There are only a few types that commonly sting humans, and most of them are social types. You run little to no risk of most wasps in the garden bothering you. With many benefits and few drawbacks, wasps are great for the garden. Here are some things you can plant to keep them around!

Colorado Blend Yarrow

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Yarrow

	botanical name Achillea millefolium
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Yarrow is a fantastic pollinator plant that attracts wasps. The flat-topped flower clusters are easily accessible to them and other insects, making them an excellent source of nectar for these pollinators. 

This plant is particularly attractive to parasitic and predatory wasps. This, in turn, helps to control the populations of pests. Yarrow has a long bloom time and looks beautiful, too!

Goldenrod

	botanical name Solidago spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-7’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Goldenrod blooms at just the right time to attract wasps and other pollinators. It’s an ample source of nectar and pollen that blooms between summer and fall, when little else is flowering. It produces high-energy nectar, which is crucial as the season draws to a close. 

All kinds of beneficial insects love goldenrod. The nectar is readily available and abundant. It’s also a beautiful plant that adds a ton of late-season color to the garden.

Smooth Aster

	botanical name Symphyotrichum laeve
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1.5’-4’
	hardiness zones 4-8

Wasps’ peak activity period is late summer and early fall. Many are coming to an end, and queens are preparing to hibernate. Smooth aster blooms from August to October, which overlaps with this productive period. 

Smooth aster is a North American native, perennial wildflower. Its blooming time makes it a vitally important plant for pollinators. It’s versatile in terms of soil and climate, and tolerates a range of moisture levels. This plant attracts wasps and many other beneficial insects.

Sedum

	botanical name Sedum spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height Up to 3’
	hardiness zones 3-9

This plant attracts wasps exceptionally well. Sedum produces dense clusters of flowers on upright stems. Their shape, nectar content, and extended bloom time make them a popular attractor for pollinators. 

Sedum is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. They come in creeping, ground cover forms, as well as tall, upright forms. It tolerates dry, sandy, and gravelly soil types and is perennial in a wide range of climates. 

Dill

	botanical name Anethum graveolens
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2’-4’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Dill isn’t just a tasty herb; this important pollinator plant attracts wasps to the garden, as well. It’s a host plant for Black Swallowtail butterflies and a nectar source for many. 

Dill’s flat-topped flowers are easy for wasps to land on. They offer a high-quality and ample nectar supply in summer. Dill also attracts common pests, so predatory wasps get both carbohydrates and protein when they visit this herb. 

Sunflower

	botanical name Helianthus annuus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1’-20’+
	hardiness zones 2-11

Sunflowers are one of the most popular plants in the garden for wasps and other pollinators. They produce ample pollen and nectar from their large, central discs, providing an important energy source. 

Sunflowers also attract garden pests, providing an additional food source for wasps. Their broad, flat flower heads are an easy place to land and forage from. Sunflowers have sweet nectar and provide it for an extended period. 

Mint

	botanical name Mentha spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 3-9

When your mint plants are in bloom, they will attract all kinds of pollinators. It joins the ranks of many plants that attract wasps. Their blooms hold a significant amount of nectar, and their open shape makes it easy to access. 

Mint is a great companion plant in the vegetable garden as it repels some common pests. Additionally, it attracts predatory wasps that help control the pests it doesn’t deter. 

Basil

	botanical name Ocimum basilicum
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1’-4’
	hardiness zones 10-11

Wasps are attracted to basil if you allow it to flower. The sweetly aromatic blooms are an excellent source of food for them. These blooms are tubular and easily accessible. 

Herbs, in general, are attractive to pollinators. Basil makes a great companion plant, as a result. Plant this with your tomatoes to improve the flavor and attract predatory wasps. They will help keep down pest populations on your vegetables. 

Coneflower

	botanical name Echinacea spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-5’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Coneflowers are an attractive North American native plant with numerous ecological benefits. Their central cone is an ample source of nectar for pollinators seeking energy. They have a wide landing surface and bloom for an extended period. 

Coneflowers are pretty and functional in the garden. When the seed heads dry, they provide food for small birds and mammals in fall and winter. In this way, they support many members of the ecosystem. 

Zinnia

	botanical name Zinnia elegans
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6”-4’+
	hardiness zones 2-11

Zinnias are fabulous for pollinators. This plant attracts wasps of many types, too. Their wide, flat, daisylike flowers create a perfect landing space and make it easier to feed. They have an abundant supply of nectar that attracts wasps, keeping them coming back for more. 

 Add zinnias to your garden, not just because the plant attracts wasps, but for the beauty they bring. They have a long blooming season that lasts from late spring until frost. 

Black-Eyed Susan

	botanical name Rudbeckia hirta
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2’-5’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Black-eyed Susans are an excellent native wildflower that doubles as an ornamental. It’s also a must-have for the pollinator garden. I see few plants getting more attention from native bees and wasps.

Wasps are attracted to these colorful flowers because of their open form, which makes it easy for them to land. This makes it easy for them to rest and fill up on an abundance of sweet nectar. Their long blooming period is another major benefit to planting these. 

Bee Balm

	botanical name Monarda spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 18”-3’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Bee balm is another superb pollinator attractor. Their blooms are highly nectar-rich, which makes them an important energy source for wasps. Their bloom time also aligns with peak activity. 

Bee balm is especially attractive to thread-waisted and other solitary species. It also attracts prey insects, such as aphids, beetles, and leafhoppers. This provides an additional food source. 

Milkweed

	botanical name Asclepias spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1’-5’
	hardiness zones 3-10

I hesitate to add this plant to the list of wasp attractors, but I can’t overlook it, as it’s a favorite among them. Milkweed has an abundant supply of nectar, which attracts a wide range of pollinators. It also attracts pests like aphids. 

You probably already know that milkweeds are the sole larval hosts for monarch butterflies. This means they lay their eggs here, and their larvae eat the foliage. Wasps, in turn, eat the caterpillars, which is why this one is a double-edged sword for me and other butterfly enthusiasts. 

Cilantro

	botanical name Coriandrum sativum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Cilantro is another herb that attracts wasps when it blooms. Once you’re done with your cilantro for the year, allow it to bolt, or go to seed. The flowers are beautiful and delicate, and have a plentiful and accessible nectar supply. 

The flowers are small and white or pink. They grow in flat-topped umbels that are easy for pollinators to land on. It also attracts some soft-bodied insects, which are prey for predatory wasps. 

Cosmos

	botanical name Cosmos bipinnatus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2’-6’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Cheerful cosmos is a perfect plant for attracting wasps and other pollinators. Their pretty, daisy-like flowers are easy to access and contain plenty of pollen and nectar. Their structure makes it easy to collect.