These plants that attract butterflies will turn your garden into a magical butterfly oasis.
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We’ll show you the best flower varieties to get your garden fluttering.
verify these plants take well to their new home with this guide.
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Take a closer look at these plants that attract butterflies to turn your garden into a magical butterfly oasis.
Abelia
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This compact, rounded shrub is a winner for borders.
Some varieties have variegated foliage.
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Abelias are suited for USDA Zones 5-9.
Agapanthus
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Agapanthus blooms come in a variety of blue and purple hues.
Also, some agapanthus selections can tolerate near coastal conditions, frost, and neglect.
Even the pollen of Agapanthus africanus is lilac-blue.Credit:Michelle Garrett/Getty Images
If you live close to the sea, you may see even more plentiful blooms.
This perennial is recommended for USDA Zones 8-10. requires regular water and moist, well-draining soil.
Bee balm thrives in USDA Zones 4-9.
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Gold flowers bloom from spring through summer, and goldfinches eat their seeds in fall.
They’re suited for USDA Zones 3-9.
It grows best in open spaces and with plenty of full sun.
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Butterfly Bush
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Butterfly bush(Buddleiasp.
), a bright bloomer loved by pollinators, flowers in summer.
It is recommended for USDA Zones 5-9.
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Catmint
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Loved for its fragrance, catmint (Nepetasp.)
is ahardy perennialthat grows in bushes of purple flower spikes.
Its soft, gray-green leaves are edible and give off a minty fragrance.
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It can thrive in USDA Zones 3-9 in a variety of soils, as long as they are well-drained.
Coneflowers (Echinaceasp.)
Zone hardiness depends on the species, but they are typically suited for USDA Zones 3-9.
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The flowers we know and love as geraniums are actuallyPelargoniums.
Flowers in theGeraniumgenus are mostly wild species.
They are suited for USDA Zones 9-11.
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Goldenrod
Enjoy clusters of small flowers from mid-summer to fall.
Perfect for natural areas, this showy wildflower attracts butterflies, songbirds, and other pollinators.
Its easy to grow as it tolerates dry and poor soils, drought, and clay.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
Plant in USDA Zones 2a-8b.
Lantana
Lantanas are some of the best-known garden plants that attract butterflies.
Credit: Ralph Anderson
They bloom in mounds across a vibrant spectrum of colors.
Lavender
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Many species of lavender are popular with butterflies.
They are lovely additions to herb gardens, and they produce frilly purple spires and deeply aromatic foliage.
Lantana.Credit: Getty Images
Blooms and foliage from some species can be used forculinary purposesin the kitchen.
Plant lavender in USDA Zones 5-9.
Butterflies are drawn to the violet-blue blooms.
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Deadhead spent flowers to increase blooms or let them go to seed for the next growing season.
Perfect for USDA Zones 8-10.
Milkweed
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Hardy milkweed produces bright blooms.
Credit: Robbie Caponetto
Milkweeds sap is toxic, so if you plant it, ensure pets and children are protected.
Grow it in USDA Zones 3-10.
Lush dark green and white variegated foliage provides hearty additions to the garden.
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They grow from 12 to 24 inches high with a clumping habit in USDA Zones 9-11.
The long-blooming flowers appear in summer and draw butterflies with their nectar.
Phlox is suited for USDA Zones 4-8.
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Many varieties will provide plentiful blooms with strong disease resistance.Shasta daisiesare identified asLeucanthemum x superbum.
They typically prefer well-drained soil in sunny borders in USDA Zones 5-9.
Snapdragon
Snapdragons multiply easily, provide dramatic height, and make beautiful cut flowers.
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Plant them in containers,hanging baskets, flower beds, or rock gardens in USDA Zones 6-11.
They are cool-season flowers that bloom in early spring or during mild winters.
If you keep them watered during summer, they may bloom again in the fall.
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There are also sporadic blooms throughout the summer months.
Spiraeas are sometimes known as meadowsweets.
They are heat tolerant and will attract both birds and butterflies.
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They can be counted on to bloom continuously until frost.
Grow in USDA Zones 8-11.
Verbena
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These stunners bloom from spring until fall in USDA Zones 8-11.
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They’re disease- and pest-resistant and drought-tolerant.
Verbenas come in both annual and perennial options.
Veronica
G.N.
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This compact bush is covered in eye-catching spikes of blooms all season long.
It will flower up to the first frost and is drought-tolerant.
Foliage varies too and can be gold, green, or silver.
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Grow in USDA Zones 6-9.
Weigela
These beauties will provide a rainbow of color from spring to fall.
Gardeners like how easy they are to care for.
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They will grow in average soil and can tolerate dry periods, though they prefer moist, well-drained soil.
Butterflies and other pollinators are attracted to them.
Plant in USDA Zones 6-11.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A monarch butterfly’s host plant is native milkweed.
Monarchs drink nectar from the flower as well as lay eggs in the leaves.
Milkweed is a monarch butterfly’s host plant.
Zinnias.Credit:Courtesy of Selena N. B. H.
Doing so can negatively impact the monarch’s natural behavior.
Native Milkweed Planting And Establishment In The Western U.S. Xerces Society For Invertebrate Conservation.
