18 Best Flowers for Attracting Pollinators to a Vegetable Garden

Raul is an Editor at BalconyGardenWeb and an expert in flower and herb cultivation based in Phoenix, Arizona. A frequent speaker at horticultural events, he is also an active contributor to Facebook flower groups. Holding an MBA degree, Raul blends his gardening skills with strong leadership and analytical abilities.
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Blooms can be your veggies’ best friend! Surprised? Read on to find the Best Flowers for Attracting Pollinators to a Vegetable Garden.

Companion planting with flowers is the easiest technique to have a healthy harvest with the least effort. So, if you are planning one, check out the handpicked list of the Best Flowers for Attracting Pollinators to a Vegetable Garden!

Here are the best tips on vegetable companion planting


Best Flowers for Attracting Pollinators to a Vegetable Garden

1. Marigold

Best Flowers for Attracting Pollinators to a Vegetable Garden

Botanical Name: Tagetes

The vibrant color and the strong scent of the beautiful marigolds attract a swarm of nectar hunting bees while keeping beetles and cabbage worms away.

Best Vegetables to Grow With: Kale, Eggplant, Potato, Broccoli

Learn how to grow unlimited marigolds from petals here

2. Borage

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123rf/ jeancuomo

Botanical Name: Borago officinalis

The star-shaped blooms are rich in nectar that attract pollinating bugs and bees to cabbage, tomato, strawberry, squash, pepper, and other vegetable crops.

Best Vegetables to Grow With: Squash, Tomato, Zucchini

Here are some surprising edible weeds you didn’t know about

3. Coneflower

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Botanical Name: Echinacea

The lance-shaped purple flowers attract butterflies, birds, and bees. Unlike other plants, coneflowers pump out nectar throughout the day.

Best Vegetables to Grow With:  Broccoli, Eggplant, Brussels sprouts, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Peppers, Tomatoes, and Chilies.

Check out some fantastic daisy-like flowers here

4. Butterfly Bush

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Botanical Name: Buddleja

The white, pink, and lavender blooms are an excellent choice for attracting hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies to your vegetable garden.

Best Vegetables to Grow With: Lettuce, Spinach, Rhubarb, Carrots, Beets, Onions

Want to keep your garden free from deer? Grow these 

5. Cow Parsnip

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Botanical Name: Heracleum maximum

Cow Parsnip is another flower that can attract many pollinators, specifically wasps and tiny bees. The plant thrives in clusters keeping your vegetables healthy.

Best Vegetables to Grow With: Onion, Garlic, Radish, Potato, Bush bean, Peas, Pepper

Check out the best African vegetables here

6. Lavender

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Botanical Name: Lavandula

This pretty flowering herb attracts bees and other pollinators with its calming fragrance and nectar-rich flower clusters while keeping the unwanted flies, mosquitoes, and fleas away.  

Best Vegetables to Grow With: Lettuce, Onions, Oregano, Chamomile, Tomatoes,  Squash, Brassicas

Learn how to grow lavenders in pots here

7. Sunflower

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Botanical Name: Helianthus

This cheerful flowering plant is an excellent choice for attracting birds and bees while adding a vibrant hue to your vegetable garden.

Best Vegetables to Grow With: Squashes, Zucchinis, Courgettes, Spring Onions, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Lettuces, Kale, Peppers, Onions.

Learn how to grow sunflowers on the balcony here

8. Cosmos

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Botanical Name: Cosmos bipinnatus

Cosmos helps in pollination as it acts as a magnet for insects like green lacewings that keep scales, thrips, and aphids away, besides attracting hoverflies, bees, butterflies. 

Best Vegetables to Grow With: Tomato, Eggplant, Chilli, Pepper

Check out the best fall flowers here

9. Dahlia

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shutterstock/Peter Turner Photography

Botanical Name: Dahlia

With the ability to attract helpful bugs that keep the pesky, unwanted ones away, it makes for a stunning choice to grow in the vegetable garden. 

Best Vegetables to Grow With: Eggplants, Tomatoes, and Squash.

Check out the stunning flowers that start with ‘D’ here

10. Zinnia

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Botanical Name: Zinnia

These nectar-rich flowers are great for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. The pastel paler varieties also attract Japanese Beetles.

Best Vegetables to Grow With: Tomatoes, Potatoes, Cauliflowers, Beans

Have a look at the best Zinnia varieties here

11. Dandelion

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Botanical Name: Taraxacum

Dandelions bloom for an extended period from early spring to late summers attracting several pollinators to the yellow feathery blooms. They also release ethylene which ripens fruits faster.

Best Vegetables to Grow With: Beans, Apples, Tomatoes

Check out the natural ways to kill aphids here

12. Bee Balm

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Botanical Name: Monarda

Its foliage has a delightful fragrance that helps in repelling pests while drawing in beneficial insects and pollinators.

Best Vegetables to Grow With:  Squashes and tomatoes.

Learn how to grow Bee Balm here

13. Lupine

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Botanical Name: Lupinus

Lupine looks pretty, helps fix nitrogen in the soil, and attracts pollinators. The spiky, tall blooms start blooming in late spring to late summer.

Best Vegetables to Grow With: Cucumber, Spinach, Broccoli, and Squash

Want to attract hummingbirds to your garden? Grow these

14. Nasturtium

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shutterstock/Alison Hancock

Botanical Name: Tropaeolum

This lush groundcover with vibrant blooms is an excellent choice for attracting pollinators and repelling squash bugs, aphids, cabbage loopers, whiteflies, and many more.

Best Vegetables to Grow With: Cucumbers, Broccoli, Squash, Radish, Kale, and Tomato

Learn how to grow Nasturtium in containers here

15. Pansy

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Botanical Name: Viola tricolor var. hortensis

With a subtle citrusy smell, this low-maintenance flowering plant is one of the best plants to attract pollinators in the winter months.

Best Vegetables to Grow With: Cabbages, Swiss Chards, Parsley, and Rosemary

Are Pansies edible? Click here

16. Flowering Thyme

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Botanical Name: Thymus vulgaris

The aromatic foliage and fragrant purple flowers attract bees and other pollinators while serving as a tasty culinary herb.

Best Vegetables to Grow With: Brassicas, Eggplants, Potatoes, Shallots, Broccoli, Cabbage, Shallots, and Brussels Sprouts

Check out the most beautiful groundcovers here

17. Alium

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Botanical Name: Allium

Alium features clusters of oval flower stalks that attract bees and birds to your garden while keeping it free from leaf eaters such as deer and rabbits.

Best Vegetables to Grow With: Carrot, Lettuce, and Radish

Check out the herbs that grow from division here

18. Lantana

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Botanical Name: Lantana camara

The vibrant red, pink, blue, and orange flower clusters release sweet nectar that will attract masses of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your garden.

Best Vegetables to Grow With: Cucumber and Leafy Greens

Learn How to Grow Roses Vertically here

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