12 Plants That Will Bring Butterflies Into Your Yard

Butterflies are one of the most wondrous and important insects in the world. These beautiful winged creatures famously undergo a metamorphosis from being a caterpillar to becoming a technicolor winged marvel. They are one of the best pollinators on the planet, and are often a sign of a healthy ecosystem. If you want to attract more of them to your yard, there are several plants you should add to your garden. 

Some of the best plants that can help bring more butterflies into your yard include milkweed, aster, dill, and passion flowers. Host plants are essential, as they help ensure butterflies have a place to feed and grow as they transition. Some flowers that are known to attract butterflies include butterfly bush, bee balm, lavender, sunflowers, cone flowers, and marigolds. Plant these flowers in protected areas, and don’t use pesticides.

If you have a yard with plenty of plants, but never see butterflies, then keep reading. Not all plants and flowers attract butterflies, so it’s important to know which ones work best and how you should care for them. Below is a list of the top plants that attract butterflies, as well as the dos and don’ts to remember when creating a butterfly garden.

12 Plants That Will Help Attract Butterflies To Your Yard

1. Milkweed

Milkweed is one of the best plants to add to a garden to attract butterflies, and Monarch butterflies in particular. This plant is one of the host plants for Monarch butterflies, which means it provides what butterflies need to grow and survive.

Milkweed produces tons of nectar and can even attract hummingbirds into your yard. This plant is easy to grow, requires minimal maintenance, and can even handle a bit of drought. Best of all, these plants help get rid of spotted lantern flies, a destructive invasive insect.

2. Aster

Aster is another host plant for butterflies, which makes it a fantastic addition to any butterfly garden. Aster provides beautiful purple flowers that last into the fall. The plant attracts several pollinators, including butterflies. The plant is resistant to disease, and deters deer and pests quite well.

3. Cone Flowers

Cone flowers are colorful flowers that bloom annually if you care for them properly. In addition to its annual blooms and beautiful colors, this flower also helps attract butterflies. For one, their bright colors are appealing to butterflies. These flowers are also flat and easy to reach. This makes it easy for butterflies to access the abundant nectar.

4. Butterfly Bush

It should come as no surprise that a plant called butterfly bush is fantastic at attracting butterflies. The two main ways this bush attracts these colorful insects have to do with the bountiful nectar it produces, as well as the sweet aroma it emits. 

While this plant has the word butterfly in its name, this bush is not a host plant for these insects. Therefore, while they will attract butterflies, it’s important you also have host plants nearby.

5. Lavender 

If you are already planning on having an herb garden, ensure you add lavender to it so you can attract butterflies while growing herbs. While some insects like mosquitoes are repelled and confused by the scent of lavender, butterflies love it.

This herb also has flowers that bloom at the very top of the plant, which makes them easy for these pretty pollinators to access.

6. Salvia 

Salvia is another purple flowering plant that can make a great addition to a butterfly garden. These plants have long-lasting blooms, which means butterflies will be attracted to them for most of the spring and summer. The flowers are vertical stalks as well, making them easy to access.

7. Bee Balm

Bee balm is known for attracting bees, but bees aren’t the only pollinators that love this plant. This plant will also attract butterflies and hummingbirds, making it an ideal plant for those who need more pollinators in their yard.

Bee palm is colorful and full of sweet nectar that butterflies and other pollinators can’t get enough of.

8. Lantana

If you want to attract butterflies into your yard but don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to gardening, consider lantana. Lantana is drought tolerant, which means it’s ok to forget to water it from time to time. It can also thrive in all sorts of soil conditions.

Thanks to its long-lasting blooms and ample nectar, butterflies and other pollinators flock to this plant.

9. Marigold

Marigolds have tons of benefits. They are edible flowers you can add to all sorts of cuisine. The roots of marigolds help repel snakes and other pests. The beautiful orange flowers also help attract butterflies.

Butterflies love the nectar from marigolds, and caterpillars feed off the lush leaves of the plants. Since this flower also repels so many pests, butterflies are also more protected when there are marigolds around.

10. Passion Flowers

Passion flowers aren’t only great climbing plants for your pergola, but they can be highly effective for those trying to attract more butterflies. Passion flowers turn into tasty passion fruit, but before they turn to fruit, they have stunning and unique blossoms that butterflies love. This is a great plant for those who live in a warm or tropical climate and want to attract more pollinators.

11. Dill

Dill is another herb that can be a great addition to a butterfly garden. This herb is not only delicious in dips and sauces, but it also serves as a host plant for several species of butterflies, including swallowtail butterflies.

It’s great to have a variety of host plants, so you can attract multiple butterfly species into your yard. 

12. Sunflower

Sunflowers are one of the most iconic flowers of summer. In addition to brightening up every yard they are in, they also attract butterflies. Not only do these flowers offer nectar for most butterflies, but they also act as a host plant for some species of butterflies.

Six Do’s And Don’ts When Trying To Attract Butterflies

1. Plant Your Butterfly Garden In The Sun

One of the most important things to remember when you are trying to attract butterflies is to provide sunlight. Butterflies and all the plants they are attracted to need plenty of sunlight to thrive. Plant your butterfly garden in an area that gets full sun.

2. Leave Fallen Fruits On The Ground

You might feel compelled to pick up rotting fruit like berries, citrus, and even tomatoes. But letting these plants rot is good for the soil and can even attract butterflies. These insects love feeding on over-ripe fruit.

3. Provide Butterflies With Protection From Harsh Weather

Butterflies are fragile creatures. Try to provide a safe space for them from strong winds and heavy rain. A glass roof, or pergola, can offer a bit of added protection for these insects and their fragile wings.

4. Choose A Variety Of Plants 

Remember that variety is key when you are trying to attract butterflies using plants. Choose at least one host plant and a variety of flowering and nectar plants. Different colors, aromas, and sizes will attract more butterflies.

5. Don’t Use Pesticides

Remember that pesticides don’t only kill harmful insects, they can also kill beneficial insects, including butterflies. Use only natural insect mitigation methods, especially on plants you are using to attract butterflies.

6. Don’t Choose Only Nectar Plants

Although butterflies feed on nectar, you should plant a variety of plants. Use host plants, protective plants, and aromatic plants to help attract these insects and form a complete garden ecosystem for them.

Wrapping Up Best Plants To Help Bring Butterflies Into Your Yard

If you want to attract more butterflies, then you need to have plants that provide the nectar they love, as well as host plants where they can grow and develop. Some host plants include milkweed, aster, dill, and sunflowers. Some great flowering plants that attract butterflies include bee balm, cone flowers, lavender, passion flowers, marigolds, and lantana. 

Remember to plant this garden in full sun, but do your best to create protections from harsh weather, and never use pesticides on these plants.

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