Feeling a little overwhelmed by all the talk about pollinators? You’re not alone. Between the statistics about declining bee populations and the endless lists of what to plant and what not to plant, it’s easy to feel like helping pollinators is a full-time job. But here’s the good news: it’s actually really simple to make a difference. And it starts with something you might already be growing…
Herbs.
Yep, that rosemary by your front step or the patch of basil in your veggie garden isn’t just there to make dinner taste better. Herbs are powerhouse plants that attract bees, butterflies, and all kinds of beneficial bugs. They’re easy to grow, delicious to cook with, and incredibly helpful to the tiny winged workers who keep our food system humming along.
A bee gets pollen from an accommodating basil flower.
Why Do Pollinators Matter So Much, Anyway?
We hear it a lot: “Save the bees!” But what’s really at stake here?
Well, consider this: Around 1,000 different plant species—plants that give us food, beverages, fibers, spices, and medicines—need to be pollinated by animals in order to produce. That means bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, and even bats play a direct role in growing the things we rely on every day.
Without pollinators, a lot of our favorite things (like chocolate, coffee, apples, and almonds) would be in serious trouble. And it’s not just about food. Pollinators help maintain healthy ecosystems, which in turn support clean air, water, and soil.
So, yes, pollinators are a big deal. But helping them doesn’t have to be hard.
Monarchs have discovered the lavender flowers.
Herbs: The Unsung Heroes of the Pollinator Garden
You probably already know that herbs are great companion plants and that they’re handy to have just a few steps from your kitchen. But did you know that when you let them bloom, herbs become major pollinator magnets?
Here’s why herbs are so great for pollinators:
- Long blooming seasons: Many herbs flower for months, providing a steady food source.
- Nectar and pollen rich: Their blooms are loaded with exactly what pollinators need.
- Easy to grow: Even beginner gardeners can have success with most herbs.
- Dual-purpose: Useful in the kitchen and in the garden.
The key? Let them flower! While we often snip herbs before they bloom to keep the flavor mild, allowing some plants to go to flower is the best gift you can give your local pollinators.
A hoverfly gathers pollen from this dill flower.
Five Herbs Pollinators (and Gardeners) Love
Let’s break down five superstar herbs that pollinators adore, and why you should plant them in your garden this year.
1. Borage (Borago officinalis)
Type: Annual
Blooms: May to September
Pollinators: Honey bees, bumblebees, and more
Also attracts: Spiders, damsel bugs, ground beetles, parasitoid wasps
Great with: Tomatoes, squash, strawberries
Edible parts: Leaves and flowers
Borage is a beautiful, bee-friendly herb with star-shaped blue flowers that absolutely buzz with activity. It’s easy to start from seed and thrives in full sun. The taproot is great for breaking up heavy clay soils. Plus, the flowers are edible and make a charming garnish for salads or drinks. Win-win!
2. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Type: Annual
Blooms: May to September
Pollinators: Bees and butterflies
Also repels: Aphids, flies, tomato hornworms, mosquitoes
Great with: Tomatoes, asparagus
Edible parts: Leaves (and flowers, if you want to try something new!)
Basil isn’t just for pesto. When allowed to bloom, it draws in bees like a magnet. Try planting a few extra basil plants just to let them flower; it’s worth it for the pollinator activity alone. Bonus, basil has loads of antioxidants and is high in vitamins and minerals.
Pro tip: Use basil transplants to get a jump on the season, especially here in WNC where the growing window can shift quickly.
3. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
Type: Perennial
Blooms: May to October
Pollinators: Bees
Also attracts: Lacewings, spiders, parasitoid wasps
Great with: As groundcover in orchards
Edible parts: Not edible
Comfrey is a bit of a garden powerhouse. Not only does it bloom for nearly half the year, but it also makes a fantastic mulch or compost tea thanks to its well-balanced nutrients (N-P-K). It has deep taproots that mine minerals from the subsoil and improve your garden’s structure, especially helpful in our sometimes-heavy WNC clay.
It’s not edible, but it’s incredibly valuable. Consider planting it at the back of a perennial border for a lush, pollinator-friendly backdrop.
4. Dill (Anethum graveolens)
Type: Annual
Blooms: August to September
Pollinators: Butterflies
Also attracts: Hoverflies, predatory wasps, ladybugs
Great with: Brassicas
Edible parts: Leaves and seeds
Dill isn’t just for pickles! Its feathery foliage and umbrella-shaped flower heads attract swallowtail butterflies, who use it as a host plant. The blooms also lure in hoverflies and ladybugs, two of your best friends in the fight against aphids.
Dill is easy to grow from seed, and once it flowers, it’s a mini wildlife preserve all on its own. Scatter it near your broccoli, cabbage, and kale to make the most of its companion planting superpowers.
5. Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
Type: Perennial
Blooms: June to August
Pollinators: Bees, butterflies
Also attracts: Ladybugs and lacewings
Great with: Cabbage and cauliflower
Edible parts: Select varieties; check first!
Lavender is the poster child of a fragrant garden, and it turns out pollinators agree. Bees adore its sweet-smelling flowers, and so do butterflies. Lavender also pairs well with many crops in the brassica family, where it helps confuse pests.
And yes, culinary lavender can be used in baked goods, teas, or homemade syrups. Just make sure you’ve got the right variety. Bonus: A lavender spray or sachet under your pillow really can help you sleep better.
A bee lands on the comfrey.
Herb Garden Tips for Maximum Pollinator Impact
Here’s how to get the most from your herbs, for both you and the pollinators.
Let them bloom!
Seriously, this is the most important step. Don’t deadhead every herb before it flowers. Let at least a few go to bloom, and you’ll be rewarded with a garden buzzing with life.
Mix them in
Herbs don’t have to stay in their own little section. Tuck borage near your tomatoes, add basil between rows of peppers, or plant dill alongside your broccoli. Many herbs are excellent companion plants and can actually improve your vegetable yields by attracting helpful bugs and repelling pests.
Start from seed… Or transplants
Most herbs are easy to start from seed once the danger of frost has passed. Others, like basil and lavender, tend to do better if you start with a transplant. Either way, they’re forgiving and rewarding.
Use containers, borders, or raised beds
No room for a big garden? No problem. Many herbs grow beautifully in containers, on patios, or along walkways. Comfrey makes a striking back-of-the-border plant, and lavender thrives in sunny raised beds with good drainage.
This ladybug is waiting for the dill flower buds to burst…
You Can Do This! And We’re Here to Help…
Whether you’re new to gardening or a seasoned green thumb, herbs are one of the easiest ways to support pollinators and bring more life into your landscape. They’re beautiful, practical, and powerful in more ways than one.
And remember, if you ever have questions about how to grow these herbs, when to plant, or what varieties are best for our Asheville and WNC climate, don’t hesitate to ask. Our knowledgeable staff loves talking plants… And pollinators! We also have a fabulous Garden Coaching program where you still do the planting, but just need a little guidance from us. Check it out!
So go ahead. Plant that basil. Let the dill bloom. Watch the bees do their thing. It’s a small act with a big impact, and your garden (and dinner table) will thank you.
