Here I am with my morning coffee in hand, out in the garden with those splendid queens of the flower bed, my peonies. I draw close to one bud. It seems certain that this green floss will burst into pink… but no. It is crowded with ants. It’s like having a whole tiny insect party in my flowerbed. So then I was thinking, “Is this a bad sign? Surely not? Or maybe we should be worried?”
Have you had that feeling? Don’t be alarmed—you’re not alone. And the dirt (pun intended) is that it might not be as bad as you think.
Now let’s break down the issue: What’s going on, whether you need to stress out about it, and in fact what you should do about ants on the peony buds.
They just can’t resist peppery-tasting ants. Here’s the delicious truth—literally. New buds on peonies produce a sticky fluid called nectar or extrafloral nectar that delights ants. This sweet secretion from the buds’ surface works as a magnet for ants from colonies nearby.
Now here’s the interesting part: for many years, people thought that ants helped peony buds to open by “tickling” them open. This is indeed a charming notion, but science now tells us otherwise. Peonies bloom just as well without their six-legged friends. The ants are not carrying out any manual labor—they’re only in it for the sugar.
Will this cause problems for my plants?
Short answer? No. Not for the plant. Not for the ants. Not for you, either.
Contrary to what an inner voice might lead you to suspect from the pest-control angle, the fact that ants are on peony buds does not harm the plant at all. They’re just there to take advantage of free meals. The buds are not infected or diseased, they’re simply a little stuck up.
Simply put, peonies present no problems for ants as aphids do. The ants are not setting up shop in your bug city of a backyard.
And when the peonies bloom, the ants buzz off as suddenly as that.
But when should I really start fretting, then?
OK, so now you know that ants on peony buds = totally normal. But are there times when it might be a warning sign?
Oh, sure.
If you spot other pests such as scale insects and aphids, that’s another story. Ants will also usually protect these pests in exchange for their honeydew (a sweet liquid excretion). In that case, the ants are involved in a bigger problem—you’ll need to deal with both removal of ants and tackling the root insect issue.
Also, large ant trails leading into your house from a field or foraging near foundations? That’s a different matter. It’s a pest control issue. But just sticking around on your blossoms? There’s no problem with that either.
So… Should I be getting rid of the ants?
The honest answer is, no. Don’t waste your time. There is no need to treat them, spray them or even just brush them off (though I won’t blame you if you do it every now and again—ant legs are quite ticklish).
But if you really don’t want them around at all—or perhaps you’re a little bit obsessed with your cut flowers and really wouldn’t want ants in them—here is what you can do:
What to do when ants are driven mad by peony buds
1. Allow nature its course.
When the nectar dries up and the peony blooms completely, those ants will be gone. This usually takes a number of days.
2. Give them a gentle rinse with water.
If you are bringing peonies into the house, rinse the buds with cold water first to get rid of most of the ants. Then let them dry out before using them in an arrangement.
3. Discourage them gently.
If it is your desire to keep them away without causing harm, try dusting a few grains of diatomaceous earth onto the ground near the base. Don’t sprinkle it directly on top of the buds themselves—only where you put your foot when stepping down into that area. It’s in harmony with nature and does not harm plants.
4. Avoid insecticides.
Do not use ant killer on peonies. Nor will this help, and you may risk harming the very insects that keep peonies healthy or even your own pets. Also: those ants are no threat to anybody.
5. Keep things in the garden in balance.
Encourage “good” insects and birds that prey on harmful ones. By doing so, you won’t have any secondary problems such as aphid infestations—which would also attract those ants for all the wrong reasons.
Don’t destroy your peonies’ guards
So, yes, those insects that crawl on the peony swelling? They’re just there for nectar and definitely aren’t gnawing, harming or otherwise injuring the flowers. At first glance it might seem strange to many people but it’s 100% natural—and to tell the truth kind of beautiful.
Think of it as a win-win situation. The ants get some sweet juice to counteract all that activity and hustle. Peonies—best of all things? They have fresh buds with no damage.
Moral of the story: don’t worry. Don’t spray. Let the ants have their way! Meanwhile, bask in your beautiful flowers.
And if a couple of ants take the chance to hitch a ride home with your indoor bouquet? Well… that’s just part of the charm of gardening, right?
