Honeybee
Pollinator
Honeybees are social bees that live in colonies, usually with a single queen and many workers. As they travel between flowers for nectar and pollen, they help fruit, beans, squash and many ornamentals set seed. A flower-rich garden gives these busy allies valuable forage across the seasons.
How to identify it
A worker honeybee is usually about 12-15 mm long, with a brown-and-gold banded, softly hairy body and flattened pollen baskets on the hind legs. You may see workers visiting flowers in warm weather, or flying purposefully back towards a nest. Colonies include a larger queen, workers and male drones. Eggs become grubs, then pupae, before emerging as adults. Honeybees are less fluffy and more slender than most bumblebees.
How it helps your garden
Honeybees carry pollen between open flowers while gathering food for their colony. This improves pollination of apples, pears, currants, runner beans and many other crops, as well as wildflowers. Their work is especially useful where several compatible plants flower together, helping gardens become more productive and botanically diverse.
How to attract it
Plant a long relay of single flowers, from early crocus, willow and fruit blossom through to herbs, salvias, asters and ivy. Choose varieties marked RHS Plants for Pollinators where possible. Let some herbs flower and keep a shallow water source with pebbles for safe landing. Retain hedges and wild corners, and never use pesticides that can harm bees or contaminate their forage.
Tips
Watch honeybees without blocking their flight path or disturbing a nest. A tired bee may rest briefly; offer it a safe sunny spot rather than handling it. Grow several kinds of flowers together so workers can forage efficiently, especially during gaps between major flowering periods.
Honeybee: frequently asked questions
How does honeybee help the garden?
Honeybees carry pollen between open flowers while gathering food for their colony.
How do I attract honeybee to my garden?
Plant a long relay of single flowers, from early crocus, willow and fruit blossom through to herbs, salvias, asters and ivy.
How do I identify honeybee?
A worker honeybee is usually about 12-15 mm long, with a brown-and-gold banded, softly hairy body and flattened pollen baskets on the hind legs.
General guidance for encouraging wildlife in UK gardens. Page updated 19 Sep 2026.