Are ants on peonies good or bad?

Peonies are well known for attracting ants, especially when the flower buds begin to develop. Many gardeners become concerned when they see large numbers of ants crawling over peony buds and flowers. This often leads to the question: are ants on peonies good or bad? In most cases, ants are completely harmless to peonies and can even be beneficial. In this blog, we explain why ants are attracted to peonies and whether you should remove them.

This blog in short

• Ants on peonies are usually harmless
• Peonies attract ants because of sugary nectar
• Ants do not damage peony flowers or plants
• Peonies do not depend on ants to bloom
• Ants can sometimes help protect peonies from pests

Why are ants attracted to peonies?

Peony buds produce a sweet, sticky substance known as nectar. This nectar forms on the outside of the buds before the flowers open. Ants are naturally attracted to sugary food sources, which is why they often gather on peonies during the blooming period.

The ants feed on the nectar without harming the flower itself. Once the flowers fully open and nectar production decreases, the ants usually disappear naturally.

Are ants harmful to peonies?

In general, ants are not harmful to peonies. They do not eat the petals, damage the buds or weaken the plant. Unlike some garden pests, ants are mainly interested in the sugary nectar produced by the buds.

Many gardeners assume ants cause buds to fail or flowers to become damaged, but this is usually not the case. Problems such as fungal disease, poor weather conditions or incorrect planting depth are more common causes of peony issues.

Do peonies need ants to bloom?

A common myth is that peonies need ants in order to bloom properly. This is not true. Peony flowers will open whether ants are present or not.

The confusion likely comes from the fact that ants are almost always seen on peony buds shortly before blooming. However, the ants are simply attracted to the nectar and are not responsible for opening the flowers.

Benefits and disadvantages of ants on peonies

Although ants are mostly harmless, there are both advantages and disadvantages to having them around peonies. Some of the most common situations and their effects on peonies are explained in the table below.

In some situations, ants may help protect peonies from certain pests by attacking small insects that approach the buds. However, ants can also encourage aphid populations because they feed on the honeydew aphids produce.

Should you remove ants from peonies?

In most gardens, there is no need to remove ants from peonies. The ants do not damage the flowers and usually disappear once blooming has finished. For outdoor peonies, ants are generally considered part of the natural garden environment and rarely require treatment.

If you use peonies as cut flowers indoors, you may want to gently remove ants before placing the flowers in a vase. This can be done by lightly shaking the stems or rinsing the buds with water. Avoid using strong chemical insecticides unless there is a serious pest problem, as these products can also harm beneficial insects in the garden.

Ants on peonies are usually nothing to worry about

Ants on peonies are generally harmless and are attracted by the sugary nectar produced by the buds. Despite common myths, peonies do not need ants to bloom, and the ants rarely cause damage to the plant. For most gardeners, ants are simply a temporary and natural visitor during peony season.

Groot & Groot: order peonies in bulk

Would you like to know more about ants on peonies, or are you curious about the availability and prices of our peonies or peony roots? Feel free to contact us. Groot & Groot supplies peony flowers and peony cuttings in wholesale quantities.

We supply worldwide to professional growers and export wholesalers. At Groot & Groot, we are able to grow peonies all year round, so we are not seasonal. You can email us at info@grootgroot.nl or call us at 0228-208050. We would be happy to help you.