Adding butterfly bloom and host flora is the better style to attract these stunning creatures to your G .

You ’re sure to find tons of outstanding options that will keep them coming back for more with this list of the dear butterfly stroke plants .

The right plants and flowers will attract multiple generation of butterfly , and fulfil your one thousand with their timeless stunner year after year .

19 Of The Best Butterfly Plants (Flowers & Host Plants)

Yellow swallowtail butterfly sitting on a wide flower

But you have to take wisely , because there are sealed types they like better than others . This list of my top picks for the best butterfly stroke plants and flower includes both annual and perennials .

I select them because they ’re either ambrosia robust for the adult , or are hosts for their larvae ( the Caterpillar ) .

To aid you well find the best options for your garden and climate , I provided canonical care requirements and the hardiness zones for each one .

19 Of The Best Butterfly Plants (Flowers & Host Plants)

If you desire to make abutterfly - favorable gardenin your M , you ca n’t go amiss with this list of the best plants .

What Are The Best Plants For Butterflies?

What type of plants do butterflies even like ? There are specific dimension that draw them the most . Here are some things to look for .

Nectar Rich

Flowers rich in ambrosia are a primary food rootage for butterfly stroke . When you have a garden full of their favorite types of food , they will stay longer , and keep amount back for more .

Host Plants

Many butterflies have plant that they favor , or where the adult will lay their eggs . The foliation provides food for the Caterpillar after they hatch , and uphold to feed them as they grow .

Assorted Bright Colors

promising colour ; such as crimson , yellow , orangish , and purple draw in them more than flush with muted tones . So be certain to let in a skillful assorted mix of the smart hues that they love .

Good Landing Pads

butterfly are also more likely to spend time on flowers if they have flat tops , so they can easily perch on them while they fertilise . These provide a dependable place where they can land , rest , and bask in the Lord’s Day too .

Best Butterfly Plants & Flowers List

This list contains the flower and plants that are sure to pull , and peradventure even provide a lasting home for butterfly .

1. Sunflower

These bold , yellow flowers develop their name because they sour to look the Dominicus . If it ’s cloudy , they will face each other .

As their name involve , these cheery yearbook need full sunshine . That imply at least 6 - 8 time of day of lineal vulnerability . If you give them enough light , they can get as braggart as 5 - 10 ’ .

Butterflies dearest sunflower because they have blooms that can reach 1 - 3 ’ wide , which is plenty large enough for them to land on .

19 Of The Best Butterfly Plants (Flowers & Host Plants)

2. Salvia

These popular plants get to be about 1 - 3 ’ tall and all-inclusive , depending on the species . Butterflies troop to them because of their bright efflorescence in late outpouring to early fall .

There are tons of different types to select from . They all thrive in full sun , and the hardiness ranges from zones 4 - 10 .

Some varieties with light - colourize bloom will do reasonably well in part - nicety , but the flush may be smaller .

19 Host Plants & Flowers For Butterflies

3. Echinacea (Cone Flower)

With bright pink flower petal , echinacea is part of the daisy family . Also recognise as “ butterfly kiss , ” this hardy specimen can survive in almost any mood , but does best in zones 3 through 9 .

The bold flowers can get up to 18 ” . They choose full sun or light shade , so put them in the front or around the edges of your garden where they can soak plenty of rays .

Even though the plants themselves can exist the rough winters , they bloom the best from July - September .

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4. Penstemon

Also commonly called “ beardtongues ” , the penstemon kinfolk of plant have vibrant pinkish , electric blueing , or purple flowers that draw in all kinds of butterfly stroke .

Like a few other choices on this list , they prefer full sun or lightheaded nuance . They execute well in zone 3 - 9 , and bloom from April to June .

You ’ll find a wide variety to opt from , both in color and size of it . reckon on the specie , they can be as short as 6 ” or as tall as 8 ’ .

Yellow swallowtail butterfly sitting on a wide flower

5. Lavender

Known for its calming effects on mass , lavender attracts butterflies with its fragrant purple flowers . This popular herb reach up to 24 ” and , count on the type , can be audacious anywhere from zone 4 - 10 .

It usually blooms in summertime , often as early on as May , but typically in June and July . This summer - loving lulu requires full Lord’s Day , with at least 8 hours of direct exposure . Learn how to care for lavender here .

6. Zinnia

Another splendid plant , zinnias draw in butterfly because of the super colourful blossoms and abundance of nectar .

From sheer orangeness and ruby-red flowers , to the show - stopping yellowness , or even whitened ones , they ’ll add tons of people of color to layer or containers .

There are a few choice you may choose from : nanus miscellanea are only about 12 ” , but other eccentric can get up to 4 ’ marvellous .

Red admiral butterfly on purple cone flower

These annuals will blossom from later springiness until the first hard frost of fall in any full - sun garden . Learn how to rise old maid here .

7. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)

Also called a summertime lilac , butterflies adore this pubic hair that is named for them because the prime are full of nectar .

These beautiful shrubs reach heights of 6 - 10 ’ in geographical zone 5 - 9 . So , keep the size of it in mind when you plant them , they require raft of room .

They bloom from summertime to fall , especially if they are kept in a place with direct sunlight .

Monarch butterfly on pink zinnia flower

8. Butterfly Weed

Another favorite nectar source , this gorgeous industrial plant swear out as food for milkweed butterfly larvae too .

They have bright orangish blooming from summertime to former surrender , and call for lots of cheer to hit their full potential of 2 - 3 ’ .

butterfly stroke skunk is native in zones 4 - 9 , and their lifelike color will liven up any garden space you put them in . Learn all abouthow to grow butterfly pot in your garden here .

Monarch caterpillar feeding on milkweed plant

9. Milkweed

A rough-cut native species , milkweed is one of the only thing crowned head caterpillars eat . So if you want to draw butterflies to your garden , these host plants are a must .

The flowers are mute , with deeper red and pinkish tones , and get up to 5 ‘ high . They require full sun , and will flower from June to August in zone 4 - 9 .

Another fantastic affair about them is that they ’re perennials in many climate , so you might only need to embed them once .

Painted lady butterflies on mint plant flowers

10. Joe-Pye Weed

A pretty wild flower that has promising efflorescence , Joe - pye weed is a native metal money that can get up to 8 ’ in tiptop .

These plant grow large imperial blossom with a ambrosia that the butterflies relish , and they are aboriginal to many climates .

They do best in full sunshine , but can also boom in fond shadiness . These zone 4 - 9 perennial bloom in late summer .

Black swallowtail butterfly on monarda flower

11. Liatris (Blazing Star)

Also sleep together as blazing star , liatris is part of the sunflower family , and aboriginal to North America .

They ’re well-to-do to blot because they can get up to 4 ’ in height , and have lustrous purple or white-hot heyday on tall , stick - like root .

These zona 3 - 8 hardy summer - blossom perennials take full sun so as to do their estimable .

Painted lady butterflies on sedum flowers

12. Mint

This various herb is best known for its aromatic and flavourous leaves . But it also bloom in June - September , and the blossom are extremely attractive to butterflies .

The flower are moderately small with a unaccented empurpled or white shade . Mint plants stay small too , usually only 6 - 12 ” , and prefer full sun , but will tolerate partial shade .

There are tons of unlike varieties , and the hardiness kitchen stove from zone 4 + . They are aggressive spreader , and for this reason many people will only use them in container gardening .

13. Goldenrod

The arresting aboriginal goldenrod can hit up to 30 ” magniloquent . This is one of the expert butterfly stroke plant because the bright yellow efflorescence render plenty of ambrosia for them .

A common wild flower in zona 3 - 9 , it blooms in either the descent or the summertime . It does need full sunlight , so keep them out of the shade .

14. Cosmos

A democratic yearly efflorescence that can expand in a wide range of climates , cosmos plants attract butterflies because they have batch of fat nectar .

They do the skilful in full sun , and bloom from summer to early fall . reckon on the variety , they can be anywhere from 24 - 48 ” in tiptop .

They also come in a bunch of dissimilar hues , like precious coral , reddish , orangish , white , Battle of Magenta , and even chocolate .

15. Bee Balm (Monarda)

Do n’t allow the coarse name fool you , monarda attract flirt too . Also cry barbarian bergamot , this finespun wild flower has vibrant ruddy or violet salad days .

They also have a very unique cast that expect like they leave to sweep their hairsbreadth . When yield full Lord’s Day , they can get up to 4 ’ marvellous . This perennial herbaceous plant flowers during the summertime in zones 4 - 9 .

Many type of beneficial pollinators favour bee balm . This make water them a very pop pick for backyard gardens .

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16. Aster

As one of the best plants for butterfly , aster are hosts to some species , and the caterpillars can bung on their foliage .

It ’s also a fantastic choice for beginning gardeners because they are drought - repellent and very low-pitched alimony .

Perennials in zones 3 - 8 , they fare in various heights , from as short as 12 ” to as tall as 4 ’ . They need full Sunday , and the happy purple flowers come out in late summer through fall .

17. Lupine

Butterflies are attracted to lupines because the flowers acquire plenty of yummy ambrosia .

They have large and showy tall spikes that often uprise 1 - 3 ’ high . They fall in every color imaginable , but the most common are shades of blue and purple .

This summer bloomer does best with full sunshine in zone 4 - 8 , but will tolerate partial refinement . Though they are biennial , if you let them to naturally ego sow , you ’ll have bloom every yr .

18. Sedums

Butterflies are pull to the abundant ambrosia in sedum flowers . When you ’re render to decide which eccentric to get , pick the one with the brightest flush .

There are hundred of species available . The boldness can be anywhere from zones 3 and up , depending on the specific type .

The tallest varieties give up to 3 ’ . They require full sunshine , and bloom the best anytime from former summer to later fall .

19. Carrot Family (Dill, Parsley, Etc)

bestow nutrient for both you and the butterflies with some umbellifers . They have umbrella - like blossoms , and include the cultivated celery , Daucus carota sativa , and Petroselinum crispum family line .

Many of these are host plant for various caterpillars , and also produce lots of nectar and pollen for the adults to eat .

Most are yearly , and can have snowy or chicken bloom . How tall they get depends on the individual species .

mostly speaking , most sort in this chemical group need full sun and prime from July - September .

butterfly stroke plants and flowers will supply sweetheart to your landscape in more way than one . fuse and match as many of these annuls and perennials as you may , and you ’re trusted to have a garden full of butterfly for year to descend .

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