Peonies are one of spring’s most beloved blooms. They light up gardens with their lush fragrance and layers of frilly petals in shades from white to deep fuchsia. However, just as soon as the buds appear, so do the ants. If you spot ants on your peonies, don’t panic—they aren’t harming your plants. In fact, they’re helping. Find out why ants are attracted to peony buds, their important role in plant health, and what to do if you want to bring blooms indoors without the ants tagging along.

Why Ants Are Attracted to Peonies

Peony buds have what are called “extrafloral nectaries”—tiny glands on the outside of a bud that secrete nectar, explains Barb Mrgich, a Penn State Master gardener from Adams County. Ants love the sugary substance, which is why you often see them swarming the buds.

At first glance, seeing so many ants on your peonies can be alarming. However, don’t worry—they’re not causing any harm. “It’s perfectly normal,” says Mrgich, “they’re not bothering the plant.” She assures that ants won’t kill the peony, chew holes in the leaves, or damage the flowers. And despite what you may have heard, ants aren’t necessary for peony buds to bloom. They’re just there for a sweet snack.

Natural Pest Control

Ants may be drawn to peony buds for the nectar, but they end up doing more than just feeding. While they’re there, they also help protect the plant from pests that can cause real damage—like thrips.

Thrips are tiny insects that feed on plant sap, often damaging buds, leaves, and flowers, leaving them deformed or discolored. However, ants are territorial with peony nectar and won’t tolerate other insects trying to nab it.

“Peonies have some pretty bad enemies, like the thrips, which can kill a peony,” says Mrgich. “The ants will kill [thrips]…because they’re protecting their food source.” So, if you see ants on your peonies, think of them not as a nuisance but as tiny bodyguards protecting your plants.

Ants Help Your Entire Garden

Ants aren’t just good for your peonies—they’re also important for the health of your entire garden, says Mrgich. As they tunnel through the soil, they improve soil aeration and drainage, which helps water and oxygen reach plant roots. They also disperse seeds, including those of native wildflowers, and help break down organic material, speeding up decomposition.

Because of the role they play in supporting other species, ants are considered important players in many ecosystems. In fact, in some environments, they’re classified as “keystone species,” which are organisms that other species depend on, and whose absence would cause the entire system to change. “We don’t want to get rid of them because it would ruin the entire ecosystem,” says Mrgich.

How to Remove Ants Before Bringing Peonies Inside

While ants are helpful in your garden, you probably don’t want them inside your home, crawling around your kitchen table. Luckily, there are a few simple tricks for removing ants from cut peony flowers before bringing them indoors:

• Tap the Flowers: Hold the peony stems upside down and gently tap or shake the flowers. Most ants will drop right off.
• Dip the Blooms: Submerge the flowers in a bowl of cool water for a few seconds to rinse off any lingering ants.
• Wait to Cut: Ants are most attracted to unopened buds. If you wait until the flowers are fully open, they’re less likely to have ants on them.
• Let Them Sit Outside: Place your peony stems in a vase of water on your porch or patio for 20-30 minutes before bringing them inside. Any remaining ants will likely wander off on their own.

Seeing ants on your peonies might startle you, but they’re a sign that nature is doing its job. The next time you spot them on your peony buds, take a moment to appreciate the work they’re doing. “They’re not hurting anything,” says Mrgich. “They’re actually protecting your plant from destructive pests—be glad when you see them.”​