June 6, 2025, 4:17 am | Read time: 4 minutes
When the magnificent peony blossoms are about to bloom in spring or early summer, numerous ants can often be seen on the buds. myHOMEBOOK explains whether the ants harm the flowers.
The name of the royal peony has two origins—depending on whether you consider the German or botanical name. It’s called a peony because it often blooms around Pentecost. The botanical name, Paeonia, comes from the Greek god’s physician, Paeon. Whatever you choose to call the peony, each year it’s notable for the swarms of ants that prefer to settle on the plant’s flowers. But what’s behind this? Should you remove the insects, or do they serve a purpose?
Overview
Why Are Ants Often Found on Peonies?
The reason for the heavy ant presence on peony flowers is simple: The buds of many peony varieties secrete a sweet sap. This is a sugary secretion released through fine glands on the bud’s outer layer (the calyx). For ants, this nectar is a welcome food source—similar to honeydew, which they harvest from aphids.
Once an ant discovers this sweet sap on a flower, it uses a scent trail to lead other ants to the sugary food source. Soon, the flower is covered with ants. Since the buds take several days to weeks to fully bloom, the ants have a plentiful feast during this time.
Helpful Allies or Pests?
Many amateur gardeners initially suspect that ants might harm the plant or possibly hinder the blooming of the buds. But this concern is unfounded. The insects neither eat the buds nor the petals. They don’t harm the plant overall, even though they indulge in the sweet flower secretion.
On the contrary, some experts even suspect a kind of symbiosis between peonies and ants. While collecting the sweet sap, ants simultaneously keep other small pests away. Their presence deters aphids or caterpillars that might otherwise damage the plant.
Additionally, an old gardener’s myth suggests that ants “cleaning” the buds help the flowers open. However, this is not true. Peonies open independently of ants. Otherwise, half-open peony flowers in a vase would hardly open on their own.
Should You Drive Ants Away from Peonies?
While ants in the house are usually a nuisance and should be quickly removed, ants on peony flowers are not a problem. At least as long as the ants only visit the flower buds. However, if you fear that ants might invade your home in large numbers after cutting peonies as cut flowers, you should take precautions:
- Gently shake the flowers outdoors
- Wipe the buds with a damp cloth
- If necessary, briefly dip the flower stems in water to remove any remaining ants
Conclusion
Ants on peonies are a completely natural phenomenon and not a cause for concern. The insects simply follow their preference for the sugary sap of the buds. They are generally unproblematic for the plant’s health—and can even keep unwanted pests away. So if you’re not bothered by their busy activity, you can let the ants be and look forward to the magnificent bloom of the peonies.
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Care Tips for Lush Blooms
To ensure peonies display their impressive blooms in full glory, proper care is essential. The location should be sunny to partially shaded, as the more sun the plant receives, the richer the bloom usually is.
The soil should ideally be rich in humus and well-drained—peonies do not tolerate waterlogging. An annual application of mature compost or organic fertilizer in early spring supports growth and flower formation. Just before and during blooming, the plant benefits from ample water supply, without the root area remaining constantly wet. Faded flower heads can be carefully removed to focus the plant’s energy on growing and developing more splendid flower heads.
Another tip: Peonies are rather site-loyal. Once given a good spot in the garden and with patience, they will reward you year after year with increasingly magnificent blooms—at least if the care is right.