Want to naturally boost pollination and reduce pests in your garden? Then it’s time to welcome hoverflies, the unsung heroes of the garden world.
These small, bee-like insects are powerful pollinators and pest controllers, quietly flitting from bloom to bloom while helping plants thrive. Unlike pests, hoverflies are your garden’s quiet helpers.
They feed on nectar and pollen as adults and prey on aphids in their larval stage. If you want a lush garden that blooms beautifully and stays healthy, planting flowers that attract hoverflies is a simple yet powerful step.
Here are 10 lovely plants that not only brighten up your yard but also roll out the red carpet for these hardworking little insects.
#1 Maximilian Sunflower
Source: Nativefoodsnursery
Tall, bold, and sunny, the Maximilian Sunflower is a true showstopper. This late-season bloomer can grow up to 10 feet tall and bursts with bright yellow petals that hoverflies can’t resist.
Its strong vertical growth makes it a great backdrop in flower beds or borders. You’ll also find bees and butterflies stopping by. Grow it in full sun and give it space to stretch. It loves well-drained soil and thrives even in dry conditions.
#2 Common Yarrow
Source: Crocus
Common Yarrow is a wildflower favorite that’s easygoing and totally garden-friendly. With its flat-topped clusters of blooms, it’s a hoverfly magnet from summer through fall.
Colors range from classic white to shades of pink, red, and yellow, giving you lots of style options. It grows well in poor soil and handles drought like a champ. Snip off spent blooms to keep the show going longer.
#3 Purple Coneflower
Source: Gardeningknowhow
If you’re aiming for vibrant color and hardy beauty, Purple Coneflowers check all the boxes. These daisy-like blooms with their raised orange centers are nectar hotspots. Hoverflies love them, and so do butterflies and birds.
Coneflowers prefer full sun and can tolerate dry soil once established. Add them to sunny borders or pollinator patches for season-long blooms.
#4 Black-Eyed Susan
Source: Gardendesign
This sunny wildflower brings instant cheer to any garden space. Its golden-yellow petals and dark central disk make a bold statement and draw in hoverflies looking for nectar. It’s low-maintenance and blooms from midsummer to fall.
You can grow it in full sun and enjoy its drought tolerance once it settles in. Try grouping several together for a bright, pollinator-friendly patch.
#5 Wild Mock Orange
Source: Gardenerspath
If you want something fragrant as well as beautiful, Wild Mock Orange delivers. The clusters of white blossoms smell like citrus with a hint of pineapple, a scent that hoverflies (and you) will love.
It works well as a hedge or background shrub. Plant it in full sun to part shade, and make sure the soil drains well. A quick trim after flowering helps it stay neat and bushy.
#6 Sneezeweed
Source: Gardenia
Despite its quirky name, Sneezeweed is a charming addition to any pollinator-friendly garden. Its golden, daisy-like flowers bloom in late summer, just when many other plants start to fade. Hoverflies flock to its abundant nectar.
It grows well in moist, rich soil and full sun. Keep it looking fresh by deadheading spent blooms.
#7 Great Blanket Flower
Source: Americanmeadows
Looking for bold color with low upkeep? Great Blanket Flower is your go-to. Its fiery red and yellow blooms are packed with nectar, making them a favorite stop for hoverflies.
This plant is drought-tolerant, heat-resistant, and blooms all summer long. Full sun is a must, and it does best in well-drained soil. Add it to borders, beds, or even containers.
#8 Lanceleaf Coreopsis 
Source: Gardenia
This bright and cheerful wildflower is a hoverfly magnet. Its sunny yellow petals bloom early and keep coming, offering plenty of nectar for pollinators. Lanceleaf Coreopsis loves full sun and tolerates poor soil.
It’s ideal for naturalized areas, cottage gardens, or meadow-style planting. Light pruning can extend blooming time through the season.
#9 American Angelica 
Source: Growfoodguide
If you have a damp spot or rain garden, American Angelica will feel right at home. This tall native plant produces huge clusters of creamy green flowers that hoverflies love.
It also attracts a wide variety of beneficial insects. Plant it near streams, ponds, or in low-lying areas. It appreciates moist soil and partial sun to full sun.
#10 Meadowfoam
Source: Gardenia
With its delicate white petals and sunny yellow centers, Meadowfoam looks like something from a springtime dream. Its blooms resemble tiny poached eggs and make a lovely groundcover.
Hoverflies adore the flowers’ open shape and accessible nectar. Meadowfoam prefers cool, moist conditions and thrives in well-drained soil. Sow it in early spring for a soft, pollinator-friendly carpet.
