How to Grow Beneficial Insectary Plants
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Beneficial Insectary Plants
Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) & Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)
flowerInsectary plants are flowering species specifically grown to attract and support beneficial insects like pollinators, parasitic wasps, and predatory beetles that control garden pests. Yarrow and coneflower are premier choices, offering abundant nectar and pollen while thriving in diverse garden conditions. Together, they create a dynamic ecosystem that improves pollination and natural pest management.
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Example Beneficial Insectary Plants timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Beneficial Insectary Plants
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Beneficial Insectary Plants blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Beneficial Insectary Plants dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 3-9; both are extremely hardy and adaptable across most of North America
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny cotyledons emerge; yarrow shows fine, feathery foliage in miniature; coneflower displays oval leaves.
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light. Thin seedlings to spacing distance after true leaves emerge.
Vegetative Growth
4-8 weeksYarrow develops dense, feathery, finely-divided foliage mounding 12-18 inches; coneflower builds upright stems with coarse, lance-shaped leaves.
Water moderately; reduce frequency as drought tolerance develops. No fertilizer needed for most soils. Pinch tips early to encourage bushier growth if desired.
Budding & Flowering
8-12 weeks (extends with deadheading)Yarrow produces flat-topped flower clusters (corymbs) in red, pink, yellow, or white; coneflower shows spiky, daisy-like blooms with prominent orange-red central disk and drooping purple-pink petals.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal issues. Beneficial insects actively forage; do not use pesticides.
Peak Insectary Activity
6-10 weeksFlowers fully mature and abundant; nectar and pollen at peak; insects congregate heavily. Seed heads develop as flowers fade.
Allow some flowers to remain for seed production and late-season pollinators. Monitor for disease (powdery mildew in humidity). Enjoy natural pest control.
Seed Set & Maturation
4-6 weeksPetals drop; seed heads harden and dry. Yarrow produces tiny seeds in dried flower clusters; coneflower produces spiky, cone-like seed heads attractive to birds and insects.
Leave seed heads standing for wildlife food and overwintering insects. Collect seeds in fall for propagation if desired. Cut back after hard frost or early spring.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Improve air circulation with proper spacing. Avoid overhead watering. Remove affected foliage. Spray with sulfur or neem oil if severe. Both plants often recover despite infection.
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Strong water spray dislodges them. Attract parasitic wasps and ladybugs (which these insectary plants promote). Apply insecticidal soap if needed; avoid broad-spectrum pesticides.
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Increase humidity if possible. Remove heavily infested foliage. Encourage predatory mites through diverse insectary planting. Spray with neem oil if necessary.
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Remove infected leaves. Avoid wetting foliage. Ensure good drainage and air flow. Generally not severe; plants tolerate some leaf damage.
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No cure; remove affected plants to prevent spread. Minimize leafhopper populations by promoting beneficials. Resistant varieties may be available.
Uses
Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeBoth yarrow and coneflower are premier nectar and pollen sources attracting bees, butterflies, hover flies, and parasitic wasps that prey on garden pests. A single insectary planting can reduce pest pressure across an entire vegetable or ornamental garden through natural biological control. [source]
Herbal Infusions & Tea
CulinaryYarrow flowers and leaves make a traditional herbal tea with a slightly bitter, aromatic flavor. Coneflower (Echinacea) root and flower are widely used in immune-supporting herbal remedies. Both are steeped fresh or dried to create tisanes. [source]
Traditional Herbal Medicine
MedicinalYarrow has been used for centuries as a wound healer and fever reducer due to its astringent and antimicrobial properties. Coneflower is renowned for supporting respiratory and immune function, particularly during cold and flu season. [source]
Dried Flower Arrangements & Dyes
CraftBoth flowers dry beautifully and retain color for months, making them ideal for dried bouquets, wreaths, and floral crafts. Yarrow's flat clusters and coneflower's spiky cones add interesting texture. Yarrow petals can be used as natural plant dyes. [source]
Natural Garden Pest Management Strategy
HouseholdEstablishing insectary plantings reduces or eliminates the need for chemical pesticides by supporting populations of natural enemies like parasitic wasps, ladybugs, and ground beetles that consume aphids, caterpillars, and other pests. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
These are primarily grown for flowers and seeds, not culinary harvest. Deadhead regularly to extend blooming for maximum pollinator attraction. For seed collection: allow flowers to dry on plant; harvest seed heads in late fall when fully dry and brown. Store in paper bags in cool, dry conditions. Cut back plants to 3-4 inches in early spring. Yarrow and coneflower flowers can be dried for herbal tea or craft use; harvest mid-morning after dew dries when flower color is brightest.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Yarrow (Achillea) is named after Achilles of Greek mythology, who allegedly used it to heal wounded soldiers during the Trojan War, giving it the historic nickname 'soldier's woundwort.'
- 🌱 Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is native to the central and eastern United States and was used medicinally by Native American tribes centuries before modern science validated many of its properties.
- 🌱 A single insectary planting can support over 100 species of beneficial insects; hover fly larvae alone can consume 50+ aphids each before pupating, making them exceptional natural pest controllers.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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