9 Plants That Attract Butterflies to Your Garden

To attract butterflies to your garden, you can plant a variety of flowers and plants that provide nectar and in turn, attract butterflies. Create your own oasis with these plants.

9 Butterfly-Friendly Plants to Add to your Garden

1. Milkweed (Asclepias)

Milkweed is essential for monarch butterflies as it serves as a host plant for their caterpillars. Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) and butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) are popular choices.

2. Coneflowers (Echinacea)

Coneflowers are not only beautiful but also attract butterflies with their nectar-rich blooms. They are easy to grow and come in various colors.

3. Butterfly Bush (Buddleja)

As the name suggests, butterfly bush is a favorite of butterflies. It produces clusters of fragrant flowers that attract a wide range of butterfly species.

4. Lantana

Lantana is a heat-tolerant plant that produces colorful blooms in shades of red, orange, pink, and yellow. It is highly attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.

5. Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia)

These vibrant, daisy-like flowers are adored by butterflies. They provide nectar and make a beautiful addition to any butterfly garden.

6. Verbena

Verbena is a low-growing plant that blooms in a variety of colors, such as purple, pink, and white. It is known to attract various butterfly species.

7. Zinnias

Zinnias come in a wide range of colors and are highly attractive to butterflies. They are easy to grow from seeds and provide abundant nectar.

8. Marigolds

Marigolds not only add vibrant colors to your garden but also act as a natural repellent for certain pests. They attract butterflies with their bright blooms.

9. Phlox

Phlox produces clusters of fragrant flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. They are a favorite of butterflies and are great for attracting pollinators.

Remember to provide a variety of plants that bloom at different times throughout the season to ensure a continuous food source for butterflies.

Also, avoid using pesticides in your garden, as they can harm butterflies and other beneficial insects.