Although Ants Are a Nuisance, They Do Not Actually Cause Any Harm to Potted Plants. Ants Are Attracted to the Sweet Honeydew-Esque Excretions Left by Other...
Although ants are a nuisance, they do not actually cause any harm to potted plants. Ants are attracted to the sweet honeydew-esque excretions left by other pests that reside in the soil, such as aphids and mealybugs; fire ants like to make nests in potted plants and hide in the plants' foliage.
Are ants good for potted plants?
The answer is simple. Ants are extremely smart insects and ALWAYS have a good motive for inhabiting your plants, pots or soil.
Ants will kill potted plants if they nest in the plants and harm the roots. Ants consume honeydew that pests like aphids and whiteflies produce. So they like to farm these pests and protect them from predators. These pests will harm the foliage of your potted plants and could end up killing them.