Flowers That Attract Butterflies: Create a Butterfly Garden
Turn your garden into a butterfly paradise with these nectar-rich flowers that butterflies can't resist. Plus, essential tips for supporting their lifecycle.
Butterflies are more than beautiful garden visitors—they're important pollinators. By planting the right flowers that attract butterflies, you can enjoy their colorful presence while supporting local ecosystems. Here's how to create the ultimate butterfly garden.
What Butterflies Need
Nectar Plants (Adults)
Adult butterflies drink nectar for energy. They prefer:
- - Flat or clustered flowers for easy landing
- - Tubular flowers they can probe with their proboscis
- - Bright colors: purple, pink, red, orange, yellow
- - Fragrant blooms
Host Plants (Caterpillars)
Caterpillars need specific plants to eat:
- - Monarchs: Milkweed only
- - Swallowtails: Parsley, dill, fennel
- - Painted Ladies: Thistles, hollyhocks
- - Fritillaries: Violets
Top 15 Butterfly Flowers
1. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
Long fragrant spikes are a butterfly magnet. Blooms summer to fall.
Zone 5-9 | Full sun | Height 4-10 ft
2. Coneflowers (Echinacea)
Native wildflowers with wide landing pads butterflies love.
Zone 3-9 | Full sun | Height 2-4 ft
3. Milkweed
Essential for Monarch survival. Both nectar and host plant.
Zone 3-9 | Full sun | Height 2-4 ft
4. Zinnias
Easy annuals that bloom all summer. Butterflies love the flat blooms.
Annual | Full sun | Height 1-4 ft
5. Lavender
Fragrant spikes attract butterflies plus bees. Drought tolerant.
Zone 5-9 | Full sun | Height 1-3 ft
6. Black-Eyed Susans
Native prairie flower with long bloom period.
Zone 3-9 | Full sun | Height 2-3 ft
7. Lantana
Heat-loving with colorful clusters. Blooms nonstop in warm climates.
Zone 8-11 (annual elsewhere) | Full sun
8. Phlox
Fragrant summer blooms in garden and creeping varieties.
Zone 4-8 | Full sun to part shade
9. Bee Balm (Monarda)
Shaggy red, pink, or purple flowers attract both butterflies and hummingbirds.
Zone 4-9 | Full sun to part shade
10. Salvia
Spiky blooms in blue, purple, and red. Long blooming season.
Zone 4-10 (varies) | Full sun
11. Marigolds
Easy annuals with blooms all summer. Orange and yellow attract many species.
Annual | Full sun | Height 6 in - 3 ft
12. Asters
Essential fall nectar source when other flowers are fading.
Zone 3-8 | Full sun | Height 1-6 ft
13. Sunflowers
Large flower heads provide easy landing spots and abundant nectar.
Annual | Full sun | Height 2-12 ft
14. Verbena
Clusters of tiny flowers in purple, pink, red, and white.
Zone 7-11 | Full sun | Height 6-12 in
15. Joe Pye Weed
Native giant with huge pink flower clusters. Late summer bloomer.
Zone 4-9 | Full sun to part shade | Height 5-7 ft
Butterfly Garden Design Tips
- 1Plant in masses
Groups of the same flower are more visible and efficient for butterflies to find and feed.
- 2Provide sun and shelter
Butterflies need warm sun to fly but also windbreaks and shade for resting.
- 3Plan for continuous bloom
Choose flowers that bloom at different times from spring through fall.
- 4Add puddling spots
Create shallow wet sand or mud areas where butterflies can drink water and minerals.
- 5Avoid pesticides
Even organic pesticides can harm butterflies and caterpillars. Embrace a natural approach.
Common Butterflies & Their Favorite Flowers
Monarchs
Nectar: Milkweed, zinnias, lantana, coneflowers | Host plant: Milkweed only
Swallowtails
Nectar: Butterfly bush, phlox, bee balm | Host plants: Parsley, dill, fennel, rue
Painted Ladies
Nectar: Asters, cosmos, zinnias | Host plants: Thistles, hollyhocks, sunflowers
Red Admirals
Nectar: Asters, milkweed, rotting fruit | Host plants: Nettles
Frequently Asked Questions
When do butterflies visit gardens?
Butterflies are most active on warm, sunny days between 10am and 3pm. They're cold-blooded and need warmth to fly.
How do I attract more butterflies quickly?
Plant a butterfly bush for instant results. For a more natural approach, add native wildflowers like milkweed, coneflowers, and black-eyed Susans in masses.
Should I accept caterpillar damage?
Yes! Caterpillars eating host plants is part of the cycle. Plant extras of parsley, dill, and milkweed specifically for caterpillars. The butterflies are worth it.
Creating a butterfly garden is one of the most rewarding gardening projects. By planting flowers that attract butterflies along with essential host plants, you'll create a vibrant ecosystem that supports these beautiful pollinators throughout their lifecycle.
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