If you’re trying to make your garden more wildlife-friendly, don’t forget about the frogs.
These quiet little creatures are not only adorable, they’re also natural pest control, feeding on mosquitoes, slugs, and other garden nuisances. But to attract frogs, you need more than a water source.
You need the right plants, ones that offer shelter, moisture, and places to hide and hunt. Here are 10 plants that frogs love, and why they’ll love them in your garden.
1. Hosta (Hosta spp.)
Hostas are a classic frog favorite, and for good reason. Their broad, dense leaves create the perfect shady hideaway for frogs during the day, keeping the ground cool and moist underneath.
These hardy perennials thrive in shady spots, making them ideal around the edges of ponds or under trees.
Even better, they’re easy to grow and come in dozens of beautiful varieties. Just be sure to keep them well-watered during dry spells.
2. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
This low-growing ground cover spreads like a living carpet, which frogs absolutely adore. Creeping Jenny hugs the soil, keeping it moist and cool.
Its small round leaves form dense mats that offer shelter, while its golden-green color adds brightness to shaded areas.
Plus, it grows best in damp soil and partial shade, and can be especially beautiful trailing around a small pond or water feature.
3. Ferns (especially Lady Fern or Cinnamon Fern)
Ferns are practically made for frogs. Their lacy fronds provide excellent cover, and they naturally grow in the damp, shaded areas that frogs prefer.
Lady Fern and Cinnamon Fern are two of the best for wildlife gardens, as they’re non-toxic and thrive in moist woodland conditions.
You should plant them near rocks, logs, or in a shady corner of your yard, and you’ll often find frogs nestled underneath on warm days.
4. Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata)
If you have a pond or plan to build one, Pickerelweed is a must-have. This aquatic plant grows right at the water’s edge, offering frogs a safe spot to rest and hunt.
Its thick leaves and purple flower spikes attract bees and other pollinators, which in turn draw in hungry frogs looking for a snack.
Also, pickerelweed helps stabilize the edges of ponds and filters the water, making it a functional beauty in any frog-friendly setup.
5. Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)
Bright and cheerful, marsh marigold is a magnet for frogs and early-season pollinators alike.
This moisture-loving perennial thrives in boggy soil or shallow pond edges, where frogs love to hang out.
Its round, glossy leaves create shade at ground level, while its golden flowers add a pop of color in early spring.
Frogs often hide beneath it or rest nearby after hopping out of the water. Just be sure it gets consistently damp soil as it won’t tolerate drying out.
6. Water Lily (Nymphaea spp.)
Water lilies are not just beautiful, they’re essential in a frog-friendly pond.
Their broad, floating leaves provide shade and shelter for tadpoles and adult frogs alike, while also helping to cool the water and reduce algae growth.
Frogs often sit on lily pads or rest beneath them to stay safe from predators. Water lilies need full sun and calm, still water, so they’re ideal for naturalistic or ornamental ponds.
7. Monkey Flower (Mimulus spp.)
Monkey flower is a bright, moisture-loving plant that thrives along the edges of ponds or in wet soil.
Its cheerful trumpet-shaped flowers come in yellows, reds, and purples, and they attract insects that frogs are eager to eat.
This native plant forms low, bushy growth that frogs can hide beneath, and it can tolerate a bit of standing water.
Specially, it’s great for natural-looking rain gardens, stream edges, or boggy garden corners that stay damp most of the year.
8. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Known for its vivid red blooms, cardinal flower is a striking native perennial that does double duty, attracting hummingbirds above and frogs below.
It prefers wet, shaded areas and often grows naturally near streams or pond edges. Its base provides cover and shelter for frogs, while the flowers lure in insects for easy meals.
Cardinal flower thrives in rich, moist soil and can be used to add both color and function to a wild or semi-wild garden.
9. Cattail (Typha spp.)
Cattails are classic wetland plants that frogs absolutely love. Tall, dense, and perfect for the margins of ponds, they provide vertical shelter for frogs while also offering a place to hide from predators.
The thick stems create a humid, protected microclimate that’s ideal for both adult frogs and developing tadpoles.
Be mindful, though, cattails can spread aggressively. In small ponds, plant them in containers or isolated patches to keep them under control.
10. Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor)
Blue flag iris is a stunning native plant with sword-like leaves and showy blue-purple flowers. It grows in wet soils and shallow water, making it perfect for the edges of ponds or marshy spots.
Frogs love to tuck themselves in between its upright leaves, which offer excellent cover and protection.
This iris adds elegance to any pond or rain garden and helps support local biodiversity.
Tips for a Frog-Friendly Garden
A small, shallow pond or even a buried dish of water can work wonders, especially if surrounded by dense, low-growing plants.
Moreover, keep some areas wild and a bit messy. Frogs thrive in the kind of places where fallen leaves, old logs, and mossy corners are left untouched.
Most importantly, skip the chemicals. Pesticides and fertilizers might seem harmless, but frogs absorb everything through their skin.
What to Avoid in a Frog-Friendly Garden
If you’re adding a pond, avoid putting in fish, they tend to eat frog eggs and tadpoles. Also, steer clear of invasive plants and bright night lights, which disrupt frogs’ natural behavior.
And if you’re tempted to tidy every inch of the garden, try leaving one quiet corner a bit wild.
