25 Beautiful Plants For Attracting Butterflies To Your Garden

Do you ever dream of filling your garden with colorful butterflies all season long? A simple way to achieve this is by planting flowers that attract them for nectar and shelter! This guide will take you through the best plants for attracting butterflies, allowing you to create a beautiful, butterfly-friendly space right in your backyard.

Butterfly on orange butterfly weed flower.

Types Of Plants That Attract Butterflies

Butterflies are drawn to plants that provide nectar, pollen, and suitable places to lay their eggs. The best butterfly-friendly plants can be grouped into two categories:

Nectar Plants – These are flowering plants that provide a rich food source for adult butterflies. They thrive in sunny locations and bloom throughout the growing season, ensuring a continuous supply of nectar.
Host Plants – Certain plants serve as breeding grounds where butterflies lay their eggs. Once the larvae hatch, the caterpillars feed on the leaves before metamorphosing into butterflies.

To create the ultimate butterfly garden, aim for a mix of both nectar and host plants while ensuring a variety of colors, heights, and bloom times to attract different species.

Best Plants For Butterflies

Below are some of the best plants for butterflies, each offering vibrant blooms and the nectar they crave:

1. Butterfly Bush

Butterfly in garden on a butterfly bush.

Butterfly bush is a fast-growing shrub that produces long, fragrant flower spikes in shades of purple, pink, white, and blue. Its high nectar content makes it one of the top plants for attracting a variety of butterflies.

Since it blooms from summer to fall, it provides a reliable nectar source when many other flowers fade. However, it can be invasive in some regions, so check before planting.

2. Butterfly Weed

Macro shot of Plain tiger or African monarch butterfly (Danaus chrysippus) in yellow and red flower habitat background.

Butterfly weed is a type of milkweed, making it an essential plant for monarch butterflies. Its bright orange flowers provide nectar while its leaves serve as a food source for caterpillars.

This drought-tolerant perennial thrives in poor soil and full sun, making it a low-maintenance choice. Once established, it will return year after year, benefiting butterflies and other pollinators.

3. Verbena

Red Admiral butterfly on a Verbena Bonariensis in a cottage garden.

Verbena is a long-blooming plant that produces clusters of small, nectar-rich flowers in shades of purple, pink, and red. Butterflies are drawn to its abundant nectar, making it a favorite for many species.

It thrives in hot, dry conditions and requires minimal care to flourish. Whether planted in garden beds or containers, it adds beauty and attracts pollinators all season long.

4. Lantana

Delias henningia butterfly or Malayan Jezebel on Lantana camara.

Lantana is a hardy plant that produces vibrant flowers in shades of yellow, orange, pink, and purple. Its continuous blooms provide nectar throughout the growing season, ensuring butterflies always have a food source.

This plant thrives in full sun and is highly drought-tolerant, making it perfect for warm climates. Its ability to attract a variety of pollinators makes it a valuable addition to any garden.

5. Joe-Pye Weed

Joe-Pye weed is a tall, late-season bloomer with clusters of pinkish-purple flowers. Butterflies, especially swallowtails and monarchs, flock to its nectar-rich blooms in late summer.

This perennial thrives in moist soil and partial sun, making it a great choice for naturalized or wildflower gardens. Its towering height also provides shelter for butterflies and other insects.

6. Goldenrod

Monarch Butterfly Danaus plexippus on Goldenrod flower.

Goldenrod is an important late-season nectar source for butterflies preparing for migration. Its bright yellow flowers bloom in late summer and fall, providing food when many other flowers have faded.

Despite the misconception that it causes allergies, goldenrod is actually pollinated by insects, not the wind. It’s a hardy, drought-tolerant plant that grows well in meadows, borders, and naturalized gardens.

7. Marigolds

Marigolds produce bright orange and yellow flowers that butterflies love. Their strong scent also helps repel pests, making them a practical and beautiful addition to any garden.

These easy-to-grow annuals bloom all season with minimal care. They thrive in sunny locations and can be planted in flower beds, borders, or containers.

8. Sunflowers

Red black butterfly flying on yellow bright sunflowers on field.

Sunflowers provide both nectar and shelter for butterflies, making them an excellent choice for a butterfly garden. Their large blooms act as landing pads, allowing butterflies to feed easily.

These sun-loving plants also attract birds and bees, enhancing biodiversity in your garden. They grow well in most soils and add a striking visual element to any landscape.

9. Shasta Daisy

Daisy flowers growing in a field or botanical garden on a sunny day outdoors. Shasta or max chrysanthemum daisies from the asteraceae species with white petals and yellow pistil blooming in spring.

Shasta daisies have large, white flowers with golden centers that are rich in nectar. Their sturdy blooms provide an ideal resting place for butterflies while they feed.

This perennial plant is easy to grow and requires little maintenance. It blooms from early summer to fall, ensuring a long-lasting nectar source.

10. Liatris (Blazing Star)

Pink Liatris or Blazing Star flowers in a garden.

Liatris features tall spikes of purple flowers that bloom from the top down. Butterflies are drawn to its abundant nectar, especially monarchs and swallowtails.

This drought-tolerant perennial thrives in well-drained soil and full sun. It adds height and texture to butterfly gardens, making it a beautiful and functional choice.

11. Salvia

Butterfly pollinating flowers of a sage plant.

Salvia produces tubular flowers that butterflies and hummingbirds love. Available in a variety of colors, it provides nectar throughout the growing season.

This hardy plant thrives in hot, dry conditions and requires little upkeep. Its long blooming period makes it a valuable addition to any butterfly garden.

12. False Indigo

False indigo is a hardy perennial with spiky blue, purple, or yellow flowers that attract butterflies. Its deep roots make it drought-resistant and perfect for low-maintenance gardens.

In addition to providing nectar, its foliage serves as a host plant for butterfly larvae. Once established, it blooms every spring, adding long-lasting beauty to your landscape.

13. Lavender

Beautiful butterfly sitting on a branch of lavender. This type of insect is gathered in huge swamps.

Lavender’s fragrant purple blooms are a favorite nectar source for butterflies and other pollinators. Its long blooming season ensures a steady supply of food from spring to late summer.

This drought-tolerant plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It also repels pests, making it a great companion plant for vegetable gardens.

14. Coneflower

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly Papilio glaucus on purple coneflower.

Coneflowers are sturdy perennials with large, daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. Their nectar-rich blooms attract butterflies, while their seed heads provide food for birds in the fall.

This low-maintenance plant thrives in full sun and is highly drought-resistant. It blooms from early summer to frost, making it a long-lasting addition to any butterfly garden.

15. Sedum

Dark colored summer generation of Map butterfly or Araschnia levana on Sedum flowers in autumn.

Sedum, also known as stonecrop, produces clusters of tiny, nectar-filled flowers that butterflies love. Its succulent leaves store water, making it highly drought-tolerant.

This perennial blooms in late summer and fall, providing a crucial nectar source when other flowers fade. It thrives in poor soil and requires little care, making it an easy choice for any garden.

16. Zinnia

White butterfly on a zinnia flower. Beauty of nature.

Zinnias are colorful annuals that produce a continuous supply of nectar throughout the summer. Their bright blooms attract butterflies and create a lively, vibrant garden.

These flowers grow easily from seed and thrive in warm, sunny conditions. They come in a variety of heights, making them perfect for borders, flower beds, and containers.

17. Black-Eyed Susan

Banded Orange Heliconian Butterfly on yellow brown eyed susan flower with green background.

Black-eyed Susans have golden-yellow petals with dark centers that attract butterflies and bees. Their sturdy stems provide a stable resting spot for butterflies as they feed.

This drought-tolerant perennial thrives in full sun and blooms from summer to fall. It also provides seeds for birds in the winter, making it a beneficial plant year-round.

18. Bee Balm

Eastern Black Swallowtail Butterfly Papilio polyxenes feeding on bee balm flower.

Bee balm is a fragrant perennial with bright red, pink, purple, or white flowers that butterflies love. Its tubular flowers provide easy access to nectar for many pollinators.

This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. It also has antifungal properties, making it resistant to common plant diseases.

19. Asters

Beautiful purple aster flowers with butterfly on blurred background

Asters bloom in late summer and fall, providing nectar when many other flowers have finished. Their small, daisy-like blooms come in shades of purple, pink, blue, and white.

These perennials are easy to grow and thrive in full sun to partial shade. They are a vital nectar source for butterflies, especially during migration season.

20. Anise Hyssop

Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum). Called Blue giant hyssop, Fragrant giant hyssop and Lavender giant hysop also.

Anise hyssop is a fragrant herb with tall spikes of purple flowers that attract butterflies and bees. Its sweet, licorice-scented leaves make it a favorite among pollinators.

This drought-tolerant plant thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil. It blooms from midsummer to fall, providing nectar when other plants begin to fade.

21. Marjoram

Orange butterfly on a flower oregano on a background of green grass.

Marjoram is a fragrant herb with delicate pink or purple flowers that butterflies love. Its small blooms provide a rich nectar source throughout the growing season.

This plant thrives in warm, sunny conditions and is also a great culinary herb. It grows well in garden beds, borders, and containers, making it a versatile addition to any butterfly garden.

22. Cornflower

A beautiful blue cornflower in a butterfly garden.

Cornflowers, also known as bachelor’s buttons, produce bright blue, pink, or white flowers rich in nectar. Their open, daisy-like blooms provide easy access for butterflies.

These annuals thrive in full sun and poor soil, making them easy to grow. They also reseed themselves, ensuring continuous blooms year after year.

23. Yarrow

Yarrow produces clusters of small, flat-topped flowers that are perfect landing spots for butterflies. Its nectar-rich blooms come in shades of white, yellow, pink, and red.

This hardy perennial thrives in dry, poor soil and requires minimal maintenance. It also repels pests, making it a great companion plant in any garden.

24. Catmint

Catmint is a low-growing perennial with lavender-blue flowers that attract butterflies. Its long blooming season ensures a consistent nectar source from late spring to fall.

This drought-tolerant plant is easy to grow and thrives in full sun. It also repels mosquitoes, making it a practical choice for outdoor spaces.

25. Hollyhock

Pink hollyhock in a garden outdoors, alcea rosea, althaea rosea.

Hollyhocks are tall, biennial flowers with large, open blooms that butterflies adore. Their height provides shelter and resting spots for pollinators.

These plants thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. They add a beautiful vertical element to gardens and attract butterflies throughout the summer.

Monarch Butterfly on purple Echinacea Flower surrounded by yellow Rudbeckia Goldsturm flowers.

Conclusion

By selecting the best plants for attracting butterflies, you can create a garden that not only looks gorgeous but also supports the health of local pollinators. Whether you’re looking for vibrant blooms or aromatic flowers, there’s a plant perfect for every butterfly-friendly garden.

Remember that a diverse assortment of plants will help establish a habitat that caters to various butterfly species throughout the seasons. With some planning and the right choices, your garden can transform into a beautiful, buzzing sanctuary for butterflies all year round!

25 Beautiful Plants For Attracting Butterflies To Your Garden

Types Of Plants That Attract Butterflies