Want a more productive and resilient vegetable garden? Add flowers! Certain blooms do more than look pretty—they attract helpful pollinators, repel harmful pests, and improve soil and plant health naturally.
By strategically planting flowers alongside your veggies, you’ll boost yields and reduce the need for chemicals. Here are 13 flowers that bring beauty and benefits to your edible garden.
Marigolds
Marigolds are a gardener’s best friend. Their scent deters nematodes, aphids, and other pests, while their bright blooms draw in pollinators. Plant them around tomatoes, peppers, and beans for natural pest control.
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums act as a “trap crop,” drawing aphids away from vegetables like squash, cucumbers, and cabbage. Their flowers are edible, too! They also attract predatory insects like ladybugs and hoverflies that feed on garden pests.
Calendula (Pot Marigold)
Calendula draws beneficial insects like lacewings and parasitic wasps while helping to repel aphids and whiteflies. Its sticky resin traps pests before they reach your crops. It's perfect for cool-season gardens and adds a sunny touch.
Borage
This star-shaped flower attracts bees like a magnet, improving pollination for tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers. Its leaves are also believed to enhance the flavor and growth of nearby plants. Bonus: borage reseeds itself, making it a low-maintenance ally.
Chamomile
Chamomile improves soil health and may even boost the flavor of neighboring herbs and veggies. It attracts hoverflies and tiny parasitic wasps that prey on aphids. Let a few blooms go to seed and it will return year after year.
Sweet Alyssum
This ground-hugging flower is a powerhouse when it comes to attracting pollinators and beneficial insects. It also acts as a living mulch, reducing weeds and retaining moisture. Plant it around lettuce, carrots, and broccoli for best results.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers attract pollinators and can also act as living trellises for vining crops like beans or cucumbers. Their height provides shade for tender greens during hot afternoons. Birds love the seeds, and they help create a biodiverse garden.
Zinnias
Bright and long-blooming, zinnias attract pollinators and predatory insects like lacewings and ladybugs. Plant them near squash and melons to help fight pests and increase fruit production.
Cosmos
Cosmos are low-maintenance flowers that bring in beneficial insects like bees and parasitic wasps. Their airy foliage allows airflow and deters fungal diseases. They reseed readily, making them an easy addition each year.
Dill (yes, it flowers!)
When allowed to flower, dill attracts pollinators and predator insects like tachinid flies and ladybugs. It pairs perfectly with brassicas like kale and broccoli. Just don’t let it bolt too early—harvest leaves before it blooms to extend its use.
Tansy
Tansy repels pests like ants, squash bugs, and cucumber beetles with its strong scent. Though not edible, it makes a useful companion plant when kept in check. Use it around the perimeter of your vegetable garden to form a natural barrier.
Bee Balm (Monarda)
Bee balm draws pollinators like hummingbirds and bees with its vibrant, nectar-rich flowers. It also has antifungal properties and may help nearby plants resist disease. This perennial adds fragrance and resilience to your garden ecosystem.
Yarrow
Yarrow attracts ladybugs, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps that feed on aphids and other garden pests. Its deep roots improve soil structure and bring up nutrients. It’s a great choice for borders and pollinator pathways.
Adding flowers to your vegetable garden isn’t just about looks—it’s a smart strategy for boosting plant health, attracting allies, and keeping pests away naturally. With these 13 powerhouse blooms, your garden will be healthier, more productive, and buzzing with life.
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