They’re not pests—they’re part of the peony experience. Here’s what gardeners (and bouquet lovers) should really know.
Every spring, peony lovers eagerly await those lush, cloud-like blooms—and then spot something unexpected: ants crawling all over the buds. It’s a familiar sight from early May through late June, and a frequent cause for concern. Do ants help the flowers bloom? Are they harming the plant? And what happens if they end up in your bouquet?
To untangle this floral mystery, I turned to someone who knows her peonies inside and out: my mom, Anna, a lifelong gardener and flower farmer in western New Jersey, just a few miles from where George Washington once crossed the Delaware.
A Gardener’s Perspective from 600 Peony Plants Deep
On her small family farm, my mom grows over 600 peony plants, selling bundles to florists and party planners—and, of course, bringing plenty into our own home. It’s not unusual to find a few tiny black dots—ants—marching across a vase or side table.
“It’s the number one hesitation people have when bringing peonies indoors,” she said, pausing between corraling guinea hens and restocking the farm stand.
But here’s the real deal: peonies do not need ants to bloom.
What’s Really Going On Between Ants and Peonies?
According to my mom—and backed by a stack of well-thumbed peony books—the relationship is about sugar, not survival.
Peony buds are wrapped in green leaf-like sepals that secrete a sticky, sugary sap while the flower matures. This nectar is irresistible to ants, which explains their enthusiastic presence on every unopened bloom.
So, no—they don’t “help” the flower open. But they’re also not harming it.
“It’s actually a mutually beneficial relationship,” she explained.
“The ants get to feed on the nectar, and in return, they help defend the buds from other insects like beetles.”
In other words, the ants act as tiny, uninvited—but welcome—bodyguards.
Ants in Your Bouquet? Here’s What to Do
If you adore peonies but don’t want to bring the ants in with them, you’re not alone. My mom’s go-to trick? A gentle dunk in a bucket of water before arranging them in a vase. This usually sends any stragglers packing.
Still worried? Here’s what to know:
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Ants don’t harm the flowers or the plant.
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They’re unlikely to cause an infestation inside.
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Any that make it indoors are few, focused on leftover nectar, and easy to remove.
As she put it:
“It would be such a shame to miss out on the splendor of peonies just because of a few ants.”
The Takeaway: It’s Nature, Not a Nuisance
Ants and peonies may seem like an odd couple, but they’ve been coexisting beautifully for generations. While the myth that ants are needed for blooming isn’t true, their role in protecting buds and enjoying nature’s sugar rush makes them more friend than foe.
So the next time you spot ants on your peony buds, take a deep breath—and maybe a quick rinse. But don’t let them keep you from enjoying one of spring’s most fleeting, fabulous flowers.