While there are a few of these beneficial insects that are completely predatory, the vast majority need food from other sources, namely and chiefly nectar and pollen. The smaller and more numerous the flowers that provide the nectar and pollen are, the more useful the flowers are for the beneficial insects.
Following is a list of some more common plants that attract and sustain beneficial insects, but keep in mind that this list is not all inclusive. There are many other plants not listed here today. Also, remember Permaculture Principle One: Observe and Interact. Observe what is occuring in your yard and in your area. What plants are covered with Lacewings or Predatory Wasps? Consider growing more of these on your land. Also, keep in mind that many of these plants are beautiful in their own right and also useful in many other ways such as cullinary herbs, edible greens, root vegetables, medicinal plants, etc.
- Basket of Gold
- Buckwheat
- Butterfly weed
- Carpet bugleweed
- Chamomile
- Chervil
- Chives
- Clover
- Cornflower (Bachelors button)
- Cosmos
- Coreopsis
- Cinquefoil
- Coriander
- Dandelion
- Dill
- Fennel
- Four-wing saltbush
- Golden marguerite
- Marigold
- Mustard
- Parsley
- Queen anne’s lace
- Scented geraniums
- Spike speedwell
- Sunflowers
- Tansy
- Vetch
- Wild carrot
- Yarrow
