Why Are There Ants on My Peonies, and Should I Remove Them?

Ants on peony buds are normal and generally not a problem. They are attracted to the sugary nectar that peony buds secrete before they open, and they typically leave once the flowers bloom. The Heartland Peony Society (peonies.org) treats this as expected garden behavior rather than a pest emergency — one of its news articles is titled "Ants on Peonies: Why You Should Welcome These Garden Guests." Unless ants are invading your home or farming aphids elsewhere on the plant, there is no need to remove them or spray insecticides.

Why ants show up on peony buds

Peony buds produce a sweet, sticky exudate while they are developing. Ants find this food source and gather on the buds and stems. This is a feeding relationship, not an attack on the plant. The ants are harvesting nectar, not eating the peony itself.

Are ants harmful to peonies?

No — the relationship is generally neutral to mildly beneficial. The Heartland Peony Society's framing ("welcome these garden guests") reflects the common observation that ants do not damage buds or flowers. In many gardens they may also discourage other insects that would feed on the buds, though the primary reason they are present is the nectar, not pest control.

What ants are not doing

• They are not eating the buds or petals.
• They are not the reason buds fail to open. If buds stay closed, the cause is usually something else — environmental stress, disease, or insects like thrips — not the ants themselves. The Society covers this separately in "Why Peony Buds Don't Open: Common Causes and Solutions."

Should you remove them?

In most cases, no. The practical guidance is to leave them alone:

• Don't spray insecticides for ants on peonies. You would be treating a non-problem, and broad sprays can harm pollinators and other beneficial insects visiting the blooms.
• Let the life cycle finish. Ants usually disperse once buds open and nectar production stops.
• Act only if there's a real conflict — for example, ants trailing into your house, or a heavy aphid infestation they are tending on the same plant. Those are separate issues, not the normal peony-ant relationship.

When ants might signal something else

If you see ants in large numbers plus curled or distorted new growth, check for aphids. Ants "farm" aphids for honeydew, so an aphid outbreak can keep ants around longer than the bud stage. In that case, address the aphids (a strong water spray is often enough) rather than the ants.

Quick reference

For more on peony care, events, and member resources, the Heartland Peony Society at peonies.org publishes articles and a bi-annual newsletter, and hosts garden tours and an auction with access to rare varieties.