Got Japanese Beetles? Five Plants to Avoid & Their Alternatives (2024)

• July 25, 2023

The Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) is a destructive species of scarab beetle native to northern Japan. They emerge from the ground from early June to late August, feeding on various flowers, foliage, and fruits. They’re readily identifiable, thanks to their iridescent green heads and copper bodies. Japanese beetles are considered destructive from their grub stage, where they feed on plant roots and lawns, to their more familiar adult stage. They are heavy feeders, taking bites and skeletonizing foliage, potentially killing beneficial insects and pollinators while also severely disfiguring plants.

But not all hope is lost! Being choosy with your garden plants can help avoid these nuisance pests. Something important to note: much like deer, rabbit, and other pests, Japanese beetles are opportunistic eaters, and there is no telling for sure what this beetle will snack on. However, there are a few plant features this little crawler is drawn to.Japanese beetles generally seek plants with large flower petals and surrounding foliage with a soft, smooth texture and a light sweet scent. Fruit trees and plants are especially susceptible to this damage.

Here we’ll list five plants to avoid if your garden is susceptible to a Japanese beetle infestation and what to plant instead.

The beauty of roses attracts all those who gaze upon its romantic petals and intoxicating scent. Sadly that also includes the Japanese beetle. These creepy crawlers love the sweet smell of the flowers and will often take bites out of petals and surrounding leaves, leaving a lace-like skeleton behind.

If you’re not looking to sacrifice the gorgeous rose appeal, you can aim to plant other full sun plants around it that Japanese beetles avoid to deter them from staking claim in your garden. If you want to reduce the risk, some rose garden alternatives require similar light and soil conditions. And most importantly, they also are generally avoided by Japanese beetles!

Crape myrtle is a heat-tolerant upright shrub that helps support bees by creating two different types of pollen from its frilled flowers. According to research conducted by the Journal of Environmental Horticulture, a kind of pollen from crape myrtle aids bees’ digestion, while the other aids in fertilization. Pretty impressive, right? While it attracts pollinators in droves, it attracts Japanese beetles too, who love to munch on the blooms and subsequent seedpods.

Luckily you can still support the pollinators by adding these companion plants for sun that Japanese beetles generally avoid!

The large petals and stunning colors of hibiscus have made it a garden favorite across the globe. Unfortunately, hibiscus flowers, especially Rose of Sharon varieties, are a magnet for Japanese beetles due to their soft foliage. They especially love chomping on the leaves surrounding the flowers during the daytime, making for an unsightly spectacle. The loss of foliage surface also makes their habit less beneficial to pollinators.

Luckily, there are hibiscus alternatives and companion plants that Japanese beetles generally do not favor, all without sacrificing the flower power. Try planting these alternatives in a sunny area alongside your hibiscus plants to help keep Japanese beetles at bay.

Hollyhock is a cottage garden staple for its tall habit, large flowers, and pollinator appeal. Unfortunately, Japanese beetles will munch out of nearly every area of this plant, potentially obstructing or removing any home for pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds, which adore its cup-shaped flowers full of nectar.

If you’re looking to spruce up your cottage garden, but want to keep the Japanese beetles at bay, try these hollyhock alternatives! Not only do the beetles not bother with these plants, but they are also cottage garden staples that bring all the grace and charm to your landscape.

Japanese maple is sought after for its versatility, lacy foliage, stunning fall color, and low-maintenance habit. Unfortunately, it’s also sought after by Japanese beetles for its tender leaves and light, slightly sweet scent. If you’re dealing with a significant infestation, you may even find the foliage of your Japanese maple completely skeletonized. Once Japanese beetles have done the damage, it can start a chain effect for maples and attract more insects that target dying foliage, which could result in irreversible damage.

If you’re looking for a landscape shrub or tree without creating a buffet for Japanese beetles, these alternatives will do! Regular Japanese beetle infestations come summertime; skip the maple and deter them by planting them close to these alternatives.

If changing or adding companion plants to your garden isn’t an option, you can try spraying an organic insecticide or neem oil on your plants. Neem oil is also low risk to bees and other beneficial insects and can easily be found shopping online. For more information, visit the University of Minnesota website HERE.

To avoid spraying completely, pick them off by hand and dump them into a bucket of soapy water. As a forewarning, this isn’t for the squeamish!

Written by: Lindsey Griffith, click here to read bio.

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