Tackle aphid infestations naturally with five flowers that attract predators

Pests are a gardener's worst nightmare, and unfortunately, there are a lot of different types of insects that want to eat your plants.

From slugs that want to munch on the leaves of just about any plant you've got growing, to specific types of flies which are attracted to the crops you might have growing.

One of the most common pests gardeners encounter is small flies known as aphids. There are more than 500 species of aphid in Britain, and they come in many colours, though some of the most common are green and black, which is where they get their alternative names, greenfly and blackfly.

Aphids are sap-sucking bugs that feed on the sap within your plants, and you can usually find them all over the stems and leaves. The insects can cause stunted growth and can weaken your plants, as well as make them more susceptible to disease.

Removing aphids using pesticides is possible, but is not recommended, as even organic pesticides can reduce biodiversity, impact soil health, and have wider environmental effects.

But there is something you can do to get rid of aphid infestations. According to one gardening expert, planting flowers that encourage natural predators of aphids to come to your garden can help control their population and may even save your plants.

Chloe Taylor shared a video on TikTok in which she highlighted five plants that encourage hoverflies, ladybirds, and parasitic wasps to enter your garden. These three insects are the "dream team for organic pest control" as they will eat the aphids attacking your other plants and help keep the ecosystem working as it should.

Nasturtiums

Chloe explained that nasturtiums are known as a "trap" plant for aphids. This means that aphids will target them first, so you can essentially sacrifice them to keep the rest of your garden safe from the small insects.

Nasturtiums also help to deter whiteflies and attract beneficial insects like ladybirds and hoverflies, which will prey on the aphids and reduce their numbers.

French marigolds

The expert claimed French marigolds are one of the "best all-rounders" when it comes to companion planting. Their strong scent keeps several pests at bay, including aphids.

Marigolds are often used as companion plants for fruiting plants such as tomatoes and cabbage, as they keep hornworms and cabbage worms away from your crops. They are also good at keeping slugs and snails out of your garden, so they can be a great plant to fill in any gaps in a flowerbed when you don't know what else to plant.

Echinacea

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) describes echinacea as "easy to grow" and a popular choice in many gardens. They flower in late summer and are attractive to bees and butterflies.

In the battle against aphids, echinacea is a magnet for other pollinators like hoverflies and lacewings, both of which also love to feast on a diet of aphids.

Calendula

Also known as pot marigold, calendula is an annual plant that flowers from summer through to early autumn, meaning it's not too late to plant some in your garden if you have the space.

These "unfussy" plants attract aphid-eating insects much like the other flowers on the list. However, they are an excellent choice if you're still having pest problems later in the year, as they'll still have flowers at the end of summer, so will continue to attract pollinators long after the other plants have stopped flowering.

Lavender

Finally, Chloe recommended planting lavender to bring a touch of countryside charm to your garden. Lavender is known for attracting pollinators such as bees, but it also attracts parasitic wasps. These insects are not as scary as they sound, and they're fantastic for controlling aphid populations as they lay eggs inside the aphid.

To end her video, Chloe said: "Companion planting is about working with nature, not against it. This ecosystem-based approach is increasingly popular with no-dig, permaculture, and organic gardeners (because it works)."

So there you have it - five plants that are guaranteed to keep your garden aphid-free.