Why Ants Are Obsessed With Succulents And How To Deter Them

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

If you keep seeing ants in your succulents, it's likely not the plant that attracts them. Instead, the cause may be the presence of common plant pests, such as aphids, mealybugs, and certain scale insects. The ants stick around because they're drawn to honeydew, a sugary waste substance that these insects leave on the leaves. The symbiotic relationship between the ants and the pests, often called ant farming, leads the ants to protect the pests from predators. When the ants and aphids are together, they act as caretakers, even stroking them with their antennae so they release more honeydew.

Ants don't directly damage your succulents, but the pests they protect can. When you see consistent ant activity, it's a warning sign that there's an infestation in your plants, and you should take action. Look for clusters of aphids or other pests to confirm why you might have ants. Check your succulent's leaves for signs of infestation: tiny bugs, sticky or discolored leaves, discoloration, fuzzy white coatings, or puncture marks. Once confirmed, take steps to get rid of the aphids by using a treatment of Neem oil or insecticidal soap. After addressing the pest problem, it's time to take some easy steps to prevent ants from returning.

Keeping your ants and their companions away begins with the right deterrents. After treating the infestation, wash the roots, then repot your succulent, adding a mesh screen at the planter's bottom to block ants from entering through the drain holes. You also make a moat to keep ants away by setting your planter on top of garden rocks in a larger, shallow container.

Citrus is a powerful yet natural way to get rid of ants, and you can use a bit of citrus oil mixed with water in a spray bottle to repel ants from making themselves at home in your succulent. If you don't want to purchase citrus oil, you can just squeeze a citrus fruit, then mix with equal parts water, shake, and spray. The citrus helps deter ants because its powerful scent disrupts the pheromones that they use for navigation, leaving them disoriented. 

Diatomaceous earth, a natural powder, is another great ant repellent that won't harm your succulents. You can just sprinkle it directly on the soil to help kill ants. The finely-ground silica particles pierce the ants' exoskeletons when they crawl on them, causing dehydration and then death after absorption. You can also find it relatively cheap; the HARRIS Diatomaceous Earth Powder costs under $20 on Amazon. For the best results, try doing a combination of barriers and repellents to keep away all the insects for healthy and thriving plants. You should also periodically check your succulents to ensure pests don't return.