Best & Worst Plants for Japanese Beetles (Resistant List)

What Plants Do Japanese Beetles Like to Eat?

As larvae, Japanese beetles live underground, feeding on the roots of grasses and other garden plants. This often leads to brown spots of dead or dying grass in lawns—a tell-tale sign of a Japanese beetle larva infestation.

The adults like to feed on a variety of fruit and shade trees, roses, shrubs, asparagus, corn, soybeans, and a variety of other vegetables and ornamentals. The beetles will also readily munch on geraniums, but geraniums contain a substance that temporarily paralyzes Japanese beetles, making them susceptible to predators. Therefore, geraniums are often used as trap plants.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has identified the following best and worst landscape plants to have in your yard when hungry Japanese beetles come calling in their Japanese Beetle Program Manual. Use these suggestions as guidelines if you’re adding new plants.

Plants Most Often Damaged by Japanese Beetles

Adult Japanese beetles favor these plants and are more susceptible to destruction. Avoid planting them in areas that get regular infestations. 

• American linden
• Apple
• Apricot, cherry, peach, and plum
• Beans
• Birch
• Crab apple
• Crepe myrtle
• Grape vines
• Hibiscus
• Japanese maple
• Norway maple
• Pin oak
• Raspberry
• Roses

Japanese Beetle Resistant Plants

Adult Japanese beetles least favor these plants and are less susceptible to destruction. (However, there is no guarantee that these plants won’t be attacked if there are limited food sources in the area!)

• Ash
• Boxwood
• Burning bush
• Clematis
• Dogwood
• Fir
• Forsythia
• Hemlock
• Holly
• Lilac
• Magnolia
• Northern red oak
• Pine
• Redbud
• Red maple
• Spruce
• Yew

Frequently Asked Questions

What plants attract Japanese beetles the most?

Japanese beetles are especially attracted to roses, grapes, linden trees, crabapples, Japanese maple, raspberries, beans, and stone fruit trees like peaches and plums. They prefer plants with thin, tender leaves and strong fragrance.

What plants are resistant to Japanese beetles?

While no plant is completely beetle-proof, Japanese beetles tend to avoid boxwood, lilac, forsythia, holly, magnolia, red maple, spruce, fir, and yew. These plants are often recommended for gardens in areas with heavy infestations.

Do Japanese beetles eat vegetable plants?

Yes. Adult Japanese beetles commonly feed on beans, asparagus, corn, and soybeans. The larvae (grubs) live underground and feed on grass roots, which can cause brown patches in lawns.

Do geraniums repel Japanese beetles?

Geraniums don’t repel Japanese beetles, but they contain a compound that temporarily paralyzes the beetles after feeding. This makes them more vulnerable to predators and is why they’re sometimes used as trap plants.

Why do Japanese beetles damage lawns?

Japanese beetle larvae (white grubs) feed on grass roots underground. This root damage causes turf to turn brown, thin out, and lift easily from the soil.

Are Japanese beetles active all summer?

Adult beetles are typically active from late June through August, depending on your region. Peak feeding usually occurs in mid-summer.

Do you get Japanese Beetles? Here’s help! See our pest page on Japanese Beetles Control.

Have Japanese beetles visited your garden? Tell us which plants they target—and which ones they leave alone—in the comments below. Your experience could help fellow gardeners grow smarter this season!