Butterfly Nectar Plants

Of the two types of plants you'll need to attract butterflies to your garden, nectar plants usually get top billing. And why not? They add color, style and beauty to your garden while providing the food most butterflies and other wildlife need to sustain life.

For butterflies, presentation is everything so by grouping a number of the same nectar plants together you’ll help butterflies see your scrumptious offering from a distance.

Some nectar plants have the reputation of being favorites to a wide variety of butterflies – plants such as Coneflower, Butterfly Bush, Tall Verbena and Lantana, to name a few. Be sure to check with your local garden organizations for any plants that may be considered ‘invasive’ in your area.

You may want to consider planting nectar plants that are native to your area. They not only can require less maintenance than non-natives but can bring a welcome variety to your gardens. Check with your local garden organizations for a list of the native plants in your area.

Finally, be sure to extend your garden ‘menu’ with your favorite butterflies’ host plants.

Here is a list of some popular nectar plants:  

Nectar Plants

Flowers:
Aster spp. (Aster)
Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed Susan)
Liatris (Blazing stars)
Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush)
Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed)
Lantana camara (Lantana)
Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed)
Coreopsis spp. (Coreopsis)
Cosmos (Cosmos)
Diantus spp. (Dianthus Family)
Tagetes (Marigold)
Tithonia rotundifolia (Mexican Sunflowers)
Petunia x hybrida (Petunia)
Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflowers)
Leucanthemum spp. (Shasta Daisy)
Helianthus (Sunflower)
Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed )
Verbena bonariensis (Tall Verbena)
Achillea (Yarrow)
Zinnia elegans (Zinnia)

Herbs:

Shrubs:
Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)

Vines:
Passiflora spp. (Passion Flowers)

Trees:

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