Ants on Peonies: Why You Should Welcome These Garden Guests

If you’ve ever admired a peony in full bud and noticed a crowd of ants crawling over it, you’re not alone. This common garden sight often sparks concern—are the ants hurting the peonies? Should you spray them away? Let’s set the record straight: ants and peonies have a fascinating, mutually beneficial relationship, and there’s no need to reach for insecticides.

Why Are Ants Attracted to Peonies?

Peony buds secrete a sweet nectar from special glands called extrafloral nectarines located on the green sepals that surround the flower bud. This nectar is rich in sugars and acts as a magnet for ants, who are always on the lookout for a sweet treat. When a scout ant discovers the nectar, she leaves a pheromone trail, quickly attracting more ants to the feast.

Do Ants Help Peonies Bloom?

A popular garden myth claims that peonies need ants to open their flowers. This is not true—peonies will bloom beautifully with or without ants. The real benefit of having ants around is protection. As ants feed on the nectar, they act as tiny bodyguards, defending the buds from harmful insects like thrips and beetles that might otherwise damage the delicate petals.

“Ants act like a little army, defending the buds from other pests that might want to destroy their beautiful petals.”

Are Ants Harmful to Peonies or Your Garden?

Rest assured, ants do not harm peony plants or increase the ant population in your garden. The ants you see are the same ones already living nearby—they’re just more visible when peonies are in bud. Once the flowers open and the nectar is gone, the ants move on to other food sources.

Should You Spray for Ants on Peonies?

Absolutely not. Spraying insecticides is unnecessary and can do more harm than good, potentially affecting beneficial insects and pollinators. The ants are harmless to your peonies and garden, and their presence is temporary.

Bringing Peonies Indoors: How to Remove Ants

If you’re cutting peonies for indoor arrangements, you might worry about bringing ants inside. Here’s how to handle it:

• Harvest at the “marshmallow stage”: When buds are soft and just showing color, but not fully open.

• Rinse or shake: Hold the stems upside down and gently shake or rinse the buds with water to remove ants before bringing them indoors.

• Let them rest: Place cut flowers in a shaded spot or in water for a few hours; remaining ants will usually leave on their own.

Will Peonies Attract Ants to My House?

The ants attracted to peonies are not the type that invade homes. Planting peonies near your house will not cause an ant infestation indoors. The ants’ interest is strictly in the nectar, and once it’s gone, so are they.

The Bottom Line

Ants and peonies have developed a unique partnership over thousands of years. The ants enjoy a sweet meal, and in return, they protect the peony’s precious blooms from pests. There’s no need to worry or intervene—just enjoy this remarkable example of nature’s teamwork in your garden.

So next time you see ants on your peonies, remember they’re not pests, they’re partners!

For more peony tips and to celebrate these stunning blooms, visit us at www.peonies.org.

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