Edible Plants That Attract Pollinators to Your Garden
Discover delicious edible plants that support local pollinators and create a thriving, biodiverse garden.
Creating a pollinator-friendly garden with plants that are both edible and beneficial for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators is a rewarding way to support your local ecosystem while also gathering delicious, homegrown food. Not only do these plants nourish pollinators and people alike, but many also provide beauty, biodiversity, and ecological resilience to your growing space. Whether you’re gardening in a backyard, community plot, or containers on a patio, there’s an edible plant that can enhance your landscape and attract the buzzing life that gardens need to thrive.
Why Grow Edible Plants for Pollinators?
Many garden plants offer edible leaves, flowers, fruits, or seeds while simultaneously providing vital nectar and pollen for bird, bee, butterfly, and beneficial insect populations. Incorporating these multi-purpose edible plants supports:
- Abundant harvests for your kitchen from vegetables, herbs, or fruits.
- Healthy pollinator populations that boost yields of surrounding crops by improving flower pollination.
- Biodiversity and ecosystem resilience in your yard or community landscape.
Below, discover a range of edible plants—herbs, vegetables, and fruits—that support people and pollinators.
1. Borage (Borago officinalis)
Borage is beloved by bees, especially honeybees and bumblebees, drawn to its star-shaped blue flowers teeming with nectar. Besides being a pollinator favorite, all parts—especially the flowers and young leaves—are edible and offer a light, cucumber-like flavor. Borage readily self-seeds, making it a resilient, drought-tolerant addition for pollinator-friendly beds and borders.
- Use flowers in salads, ice cubes, teas, or for candied decorations.
- Plant as a beneficial companion near tomatoes or squash to draw pollinators.
- Deadhead to prolong blooming and attract insects throughout the season.
2. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma and Monarda fistulosa)
Bee balm is a native perennial with vibrant, shaggy blossoms in red, pink, purple, or white. A crucial source of nectar for hummingbirds, butterflies, and especially native bees, bee balm also provides edible flowers and minty leaves that can be used in teas and savory dishes.
- Edible flowers can be scattered over salads or desserts.
- Leaves add herbal flavor to teas and savory recipes.
- Highly attractive to hummingbirds in addition to insect pollinators.
3. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Chives produce abundant purple, globe-shaped blooms in mid to late spring, drawing all manner of bees and hoverflies. The plant is easy to grow, surviving in containers and reblooming perennially. Both the flowers and the hollow leaves are edible, with subtle onion notes that enhance any savory dish.
- Edible blossoms are excellent in salads or as a garnish.
- Leaves can be snipped any time for seasoning.
- Pollinators flock to chives in flower, supporting early-season bees.
4. Dill (Anethum graveolens)
Dill not only provides aromatic leaves and seeds for culinary use but also supports the lifecycle of pollinators and beneficial insects. The umbrella-like yellow flowers attract bees as well as predatory wasps and are especially valuable as larval food for swallowtail butterfly caterpillars.
- Leaves and flowers can be used in pickles, salads, and egg dishes.
- Allows for a continuous cycle of caterpillars and butterflies in the garden.
- Attracts a variety of beneficial insects beyond pollinators.
5. Mint (Mentha spp.)
Mint is a vigorous grower and highly attractive to bees thanks to its clusters of small, pale-purple or white flowers. With a multitude of culinary uses, mint’s leaves flavor teas, desserts, and beverages while the blooms provide reliable summer nectar. Contain mint to pots to prevent it spreading aggressively.
What others are reading
- Flowers feed bees and butterflies over many weeks.
- Leaves can be harvested consistently for the kitchen.
- Grow in containers to control its spread.
6. Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Nasturtium offers peppery, edible flowers in vivid orange, red, and yellow hues that entice bees, hoverflies, and butterflies. The entire plant is edible: flowers, leaves, and immature seeds each add zest to salads and other dishes. Nasturtiums also serve as a natural pest deterrent and companion plant.
- Use flowers and leaves in salads or as attractive plate garnishes.
- Attract pollinators and predatory insects while deterring pests.
- Easy to grow from seed and suitable for hanging baskets and borders.
7. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Basil is a warm-weather annual that, once allowed to flower, produces masses of tiny white or purple blooms beloved by bees. While blooms mark the end of leafy growth, they offer valuable late-season food for pollinators. Edible flowers can also add a mild basil flavor to salads and drinks.
- Allow some plants to flower to attract pollinators after peak harvest.
- Blooms are edible and add flair to culinary dishes.
- African blue basil is especially beneficial and perpetual blooming.
8. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Calendula, or pot marigold, produces abundant golden flowers that are both edible and highly attractive to pollinators. Its petals can brighten salads, rice, or baked goods and the plant is often used for herbal skin preparations. Calendula flowers throughout much of the year if deadheaded, drawing hoverflies, solitary bees, and butterflies.
- Petals and young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked.
- Plant alongside vegetables to draw beneficial insects.
- Blooms make excellent cut flowers as well.
9. Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)
Sunflowers are a magnet for bees and even birds as they mature. The centers are rich with nectar, attracting a variety of pollinators throughout the summer. Later in the season, sunflower seeds can be harvested for snacking or saved for next year’s planting, while any leftovers become food for wildlife.
- Multiple varieties from dwarf to towering for every garden size.
- Flowers provide pollen and nectar, while seeds feed birds.
- Edible petals and sprouts provide unexpected culinary value.
10. Fruit Trees & Berries
Many garden fruit trees and shrubs offer both edible harvests and essential early-season flowers for native bees and other pollinators.
| Plant | Pollinator Benefit | Edible Yield |
|---|---|---|
| Apple, Pear, Plum | Early spring bloom for bees | Fruits for eating, baking, preserves |
| Strawberry | Early flowers support pollinators | Small, sweet fruits |
| Raspberry, Blackberry, Blueberry | Nectar and nesting sites | Berries for fresh meals and preserves |
| Golden Currant, Huckleberry | Berries feed wildlife and pollinators; nectar source | Edible berries for jams and snacking |
Planting a mix of these fruiting perennials not only provides you with delicious harvests but also ensures that food sources are available for pollinators across the seasons.
11. Herbs and Greens That Feed People and Pollinators
- Oregano: Attractive to bees; edible leaves and flowers; blooms well into autumn.
- Lemon Balm: Lemon-scented, hardy, and edible; abundant white blooms loved by bees.
- Parsley: Umbrella-shaped flowers in the second year; attracts hoverflies and tiny native bees.
- Thyme: Low-growing; pink or purple blossoms feed bees and butterflies; edible leaves for cooking.
- Arugula: Peppery edible flowers support a variety of small pollinators; leaves are a salad staple.
Native Edible Plants for Pollinators
Including native edible species ensures best support for local pollinator populations, particularly in North America and Europe. Some outstanding natives include:
- Miner’s Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata): Edible leaves and stems, thrives in shade, early nectar for bees.
- Big Saltbush (Atriplex lentiformis): Edible leaves, drought resilient, provides pollen for native bees.
- Woodland Strawberry (Fragaria vesca): Groundcover; edible fruit; attracts early pollinators.
- Golden Currant (Ribes aureum): Edible berries; nectar-rich flowers for spring bees.
- Roger’s Red Grape (Vitis californica x vinifera): Edible sweet grapes, supports birds and pollinators.
Tips for Creating a Pollinator-Friendly Edible Garden
- Plant a diversity of species—including herbs, fruits, and flowers—to provide nectar and pollen over the entire growing season.
- Include native plants whenever possible to support local ecosystems and pollinators.
- Avoid pesticides that can harm pollinators; encourage natural pest control with beneficial insects and companion planting.
- Grow plants in clusters to make them easier for pollinators to find.
- Provide habitat for pollinators with undisturbed areas, mulch, or small brush piles.
- Allow edible plants to flower before harvesting or after peak harvest to ensure blooms for pollinators.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why should I plant edible flowers and herbs for pollinators?
A: Edible flowers and herbs serve a dual purpose—offering food for you and vital nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. These plants boost garden yield through better pollination and sustain local ecosystems.
Q: Are all pollinator plants edible?
A: Not all pollinator-friendly plants are edible. The ones listed here provide both pollinator support and an edible harvest for humans, but always research the edibility of a plant before consumption to ensure safety.
Q: Can edible pollinator plants grow in containers?
A: Yes, many pollinator-friendly edible plants like mint, chives, nasturtium, borage, and strawberries thrive in containers, making them ideal for small spaces and patios.
Q: When is the best time to plant to help pollinators?
A: Plant a combination of early, mid, and late-season blooming edible varieties to ensure a steady food source for pollinators throughout spring, summer, and fall.
Q: How can I avoid harming pollinators when gardening?
A: The most important step is to avoid using chemical pesticides or herbicides. Instead, encourage natural pest control—plant a wide variety of edible and flowering species and provide habitat for beneficial insects.
Conclusion: Culinary & Ecological Rewards
By growing a variety of edible plants that support pollinators, you create a productive and resilient garden that benefits both your table and your local ecosystem. A garden buzzing with bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects is an indicator of healthy biodiversity and a step toward sustainable abundance. Whether you focus on herbs, fruit, flowers, or all of the above, your choices directly nurture the menu for people and pollinators alike.
References
- https://www.thrivelot.com/resources/top-7-edible-plants-for-biodiversity-gardens
- https://www.sowinginsuburbia.com/blog/10-pollinator-friendly-plants-for-the-home-garden
- https://www.nurturenativenature.com/post/18-edible-herb-flowers-to-grow-for-people-and-pollinators
- https://botanicgarden.wales/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Top-50-Edible-Plants-for-Pollinators.pdf
- https://longwoodgardens.org/blog/2022-06-21/edible-plants-feed-pollinators-too
- https://www.growveg.com/guides/best-edibles-for-pollinator-gardens/
- https://blog.nwf.org/2018/08/edible-gardens-a-win-win-for-pollinators-and-people/
Similar Articles
Read full bio of Sneha Tete
