12 Plants That Attract Pests to Your Garden

As you plant your garden, you likely picture a stunning display of flowers, a bounty of fresh vegetables and fruits, or fragrant herbs for your meals. However, common garden pests like squirrels, rabbits, and various insects might interfere with your gardening dreams.

Before you begin planting, take a moment to consider these tips for safeguarding pest-sensitive plants in your garden—and explore a list of the most alluring plants that may require extra protection.

Tips for Protecting Your Plants Against Pests

Even if your cherished roses attract Japanese beetles, there's no need to uproot the plant. There are measures you can take to shield your pest-prone plants. "Integrated pest—or as I prefer to call it, integrated possibilities management—focuses on potential problems and anticipates them," says Rooney. When you know what to expect, you can develop a strategic plan to address the situation.

Try using one (or ideally, several!) of these strategies to safeguard your pest-attracting plants from unwanted visitors.

Set up barriers

Chicken wire or netting can be a great way to keep larger animals, like rabbits, squirrels, and deer, from munching on your beloved plants. You can also wrap bags around your fruit to protect it from being disturbed, allowing your apples or tomatoes to grow without a bite taken out of them.

Protect your plants from other stressors

A resilient plant can recover from a pest problem, so making sure it has proper access to water, fertilizer, and sunlight will go a long way in helping it thrive despite a few pests. "Most plants can bounce back from this damage and return strong—though perhaps not this season," says Rooney.  

Plant trap crops and deterrents

Trap crops are plants that are even more appealing to certain pests. For example, planting nasturtiums next to your tomatoes will attract flea beetles, keeping them away from your tomatoes. (As long as you're okay with losing your nasturtiums, your tomatoes will do well!)

In some instances, surrounding a plant with repellent plants can also work—like planting a dense row of marigolds around tulips to ward off rabbits.

Attract natural predators

Introducing helpful insects like ladybugs and praying mantises to your garden can keep pests in check. Plants such as dill, fennel, and sweet alyssum attract beneficial insects like soldier flies and ladybugs, providing natural pest control," says Rooney.

Be mindful of standing water

"Mosquitoes thrive in stagnant water and dense underbrush—they seek out humid, hidden spaces and standing water," says Rooney. Regularly empty and clean birdbaths and saucers under potted plants every three days, and consider trimming back any dense vegetation that may conceal mosquitoes.

Cultivate a diverse selection of plants

While an all-rose garden can look stunning, it may also attract the natural pests that target roses. It’s wise to create variety in your garden. As Rooney points out, "A mix of plants ensures your garden remains inviting to all, preventing any one species from taking over."

1. Tulips

Rabbits and deer are particularly fond of the soft new shoots of tulip plants and may devour them before they even have a chance to bloom. Once your tulips reach full size, they can fall victim to pests like aphids, thrips, and spider mites.

2. Roses

Roses are susceptible to a variety of pests, such as the well-known Japanese beetles, aphids, spider mites, and thrips, as well as rose-specific invaders like rose slugs and rose leafhoppers. Rabbits, too, have a fondness for roses.

3. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a favorite of larger animals like rabbits, squirrels, and deer, but they also attract a variety of insects, such as hornworms, whiteflies, aphids, stink bugs, and more hornworms.

4. Grapevines

While grapevines attract pollinators like bees and birds, they also face a threat from a new plant pest—the spotted lanternfly. Both the nymphs and adult lanternflies feed on the sap of grapevines, causing harm to the plants and their yield. The pests also leave behind a sticky residue that encourages the growth of sooty mold on the vines.

5. Bamboo

While bamboo can be seen as invasive, it offers a sanctuary for mosquitoes, particularly if its hollow stalks collect moisture.

6. Berry Bushes

Berry bushes are often targeted by your curious garden visitors, but they also face threats from common garden pests like aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and thrips.

7. Water Lilies and Other Aquatic Plants

It's likely no surprise that aquatic plants, such as water lilies, offer ideal breeding grounds and shallow pools for mosquitoes to lay their eggs.

8. Sunflowers

Sunflower seeds are a favorite snack for many creatures, such as squirrels and birds, but sunflowers also attract various insects, including moths and weevils.

9. Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are highly attractive to pests like flea beetles, aphids, spider mites, and other common garden invaders, which is why they are often recommended as a 'trap crop.' However, they can also act as a natural deterrent for some pests, so think about the specific pests you are dealing with.

10. English Ivy

English ivy can provide a sheltered spot for mosquitoes, thanks to the humid, shady areas beneath the plants. It is also known to attract pests like mealybugs and spider mites, among others.

11. Broccoli

Aphids are notorious for munching on broccoli, but they aren't alone in their appetite for this plant. Other pests like army worms, flea beetles, and whiteflies can also target your broccoli and spread damage across your garden.

12. Strawberries

Rabbits, squirrels, and other hungry creatures might strip your strawberry plants bare. Meanwhile, pests like thrips, whiteflies, and aphids also pose a threat to your crop.