Top 20 Plants that Attract Butterflies and Bring Your Garden to Life

Butterflies are extremely pleasing to the eyes with their intricate patterns and bright hues. There is a sense of peace in watching their gentle fluttering movements in the garden. You can attract these delicate creatures into your yard with butterfly plants, and they play a crucial role in the ecosystem. 

If you want to make your garden feel more alive with colourful butterflies drifting from flower to flower, follow along with this article to learn about the top 20 plants that attract butterflies.

Quick Answer

Some of the best plants that attract butterflies include butterfly milkweed, false indigo, black willow, scarlet sage, flowering tobacco, aromatic aster, butterfly bush, ponderosa pine, and river birch. 

Top 20 Plants to Attract Butterflies

Different butterfly species feed on different plants. If you want to build a butterfly-friendly garden, some of the plants that butterflies like are catmint, verbena, scarlet sage, dill, and river birch. 

Let’s learn about the best 20 butterfly attracting flowers and their growing conditions:

1. Butterfly Milkweed

Butterfly milkweed is one of the most important flowers that attract butterflies. These blooms are crucial for monarch butterfly survival. The adult monarchs can feed on a wide range of flowers, but they breed only where milkweeds grow. These plants feature orange or yellow flowers in summer and do well in poor, dry soils. 

Scientific Name	Asclepias tuberosa
Hardiness Zones	USDA zones 3-9
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Water Needs	It’s best to water when the top inch of the soil is dry
Soil Preference	Well-draining, dry, sandy or rocky soil

2. False Indigo 

False indigo is an upright shrub with purple flowers that emerge in spring. This is a plant for butterflies attraction, found in woodland environments. Native to the central and southeastern United States, it is a great low-maintenance plant. It works as a host plant for various butterfly species like orange sulphur, frosted elfin, hoary edge, and eastern tailed blue.

Scientific Name	Baptisia australis
Hardiness Zones	USDA zones 3-9
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun is ideal, tolerant of partial shade
Water Needs	Water regularly in the first season; drought tolerant once established
Soil Preference	Well-draining, rich soil is ideal, but it is tolerant of poor soils

3. Black Willow 

The black willow tree, native to the Eastern United States and Mexico, is the largest willow found in America. It grows along the edges of streams and lakes and can reach 150 feet tall in the Mississippi River Valley. These are butterfly attracting plants that are liked by the Callophrys genus, Compton tortoiseshells, and northern pearly eyes.

Scientific Name	Salix nigra
Hardiness Zones	USDA zones 4-9
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun is best, tolerant of partial shade
Water Needs	Consistent moisture
Soil Preference	Prefers poorly drained, wet soil

4. Scarlet Sage 

Scarlet Sage is a tender perennial that features vibrant red butterfly flowers. The plant is native to Brazil and blooms from spring to fall. It grows best in high humidity and year-round warmth. The perennial has hummingbird flowers that also attract butterflies and bees to the landscape.

Scientific Name	Salvia splendens
Hardiness Zones	USDA zones 10-11
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun is best, tolerant of partial shade
Water Needs	Consistent moisture; can handle short dry spells
Soil Preference	Well-draining and fertile soil

5. Flowering Tobacco 

Flowering tobacco, also known as sweet tobacco, is a sun-loving plant that has a sweet fragrance. Native to South America, these plants can be started easily from seeds. It blooms from late summer to fall and attracts butterflies to the garden. To encourage further blooming, you can deadhead the flowers or prune the plant.

Scientific Name	Nicotiana alata
Hardiness Zones	USDA zones 9-11
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun to partial shade
Water Needs	Water when the top inch of the soil is dry
Soil Preference	Adaptable to different soil types if they are well-drained

6. Aromatic Aster 

Aromatic Aster is part of the daisy family that features attractive purple flowers. It is a herbaceous perennial that is native to the Northeastern and central United States. The plant hosts caterpillars, silvery checkerspot butterflies, and a variety of moths. It also acts as a source of nectar to various pollinators, blooming in late summer.

Scientific Name	Symphyotrichum oblongifolium
Hardiness Zones	USDA zones 3-8
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun is best; tolerant of partial shade
Water Needs	Water regularly in the first growing season; drought tolerant once established
Soil Preference	Well-drained soil with neutral to acidic pH

7. Butterfly Bush

Butterfly bush, also called summer lilac or orange eye, is native to Japan and China. The species is considered invasive in the United States, so research regulations before planting it in your garden. These are the wonderful flowers that bring butterflies species like western tiger swallowtails and black swallowtails to the garden. 

Scientific Name	Buddleja davidii
Hardiness Zones	USDA zones 4-10
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Water Needs	Water regularly in the first growing season; drought-tolerant once established
Soil Preference	Fertile, well-draining soil

8. Ponderosa Pine 

Ponderosa pines are native to the Rocky Mountains. They have the ability to quickly establish deep roots. These trees can grow up to 60 feet tall and 25 feet wide. Due to their deep roots, they are often planted for erosion control. They are also famous for their lush needles and fresh fragrance. 

A study in Restoration Ecology has found that restoring ponderosa pine forests increased butterfly species richness and abundance, mainly because the restored forests had greater light intensity.

Scientific Name	Pinus ponderosa
Hardiness Zones	USDA zones 3-7
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Water Needs	Regular watering for 1-2 years, drought-tolerant once established
Soil Preference	Well-draining and slightly acidic soil

9. Pasture Thistle

Pasture Thistle is native to the United States and parts of Canada. Once the plant blooms, numerous butterfly species feed on their large purple flowers. These are great plants to draw butterflies due to their generous amount of pollen and nectar. The plants are often seen at the edges of forest openings and prairies.

Scientific Name	Cirsium discolor
Hardiness Zones	USDA zones 3-9
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun is best, tolerant of partial shade
Water Needs	Young plants need water to get established; mature plants rarely require any supplemental water
Soil Preference	Adaptable to a wide range of well-drained soils

10. Dill 

Dill is part of the celery family, and most people are familiar with this plant, as its leaves and seeds are used in cooking. These plants produce delicate yellow blooms and thread-like fronds. They feature one of the best flowers for butterflies, as many species of swallowtail feed on these plants.

Scientific Name	Anethum graveolens
Hardiness Zones	USDA zones 2-11
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Water Needs	Water regularly, avoiding soggy conditions
Soil Preference	Loose, loamy, well-draining soil

11. River Birch

River birch trees, also famous as black birch or water birch, are native to the Eastern United States. These are among the plants butterflies like; species like the morning birch and tiger swallowtail feed on these deciduous trees. As the name also suggests, these trees commonly grow near rivers and swamps. It is a heat-tolerant variety of birch tree that prefers colder northeastern weather.

Scientific Name	Betula nigra
Hardiness Zones	USDA zones 4-9
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun to partial shade
Water Needs	Young trees need regular watering; they are moderately drought-tolerant once established
Soil Preference	Adaptable to a wide range of soils from sandy to heavy clay

12. Catmint 

Catmint, native to Asia, Africa, Europe, and Macaronesia, is an ornamental perennial that has exceptional bloom time. It is an easy-to-grow, drought-tolerant plant that blooms from spring to fall. As a result, it acts as a continuous food source for butterflies. Plant “cat’s meow” to enjoy the visuals of both the bluish-purple flowers and butterflies. 

Scientific Name	Nepeta racemosa
Hardiness Zones	USDA zones 3-9
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun is best, tolerant of light shade
Water Needs	Water regularly for the first few weeks to get the roots established; it is very drought tolerant once established
Soil Preference	Well-draining, lean soil

13. American Licorice 

American Licorice, also known as wild licorice, belongs to the bean family. Native to North America, the plant features white flowers in groups. The butterfly attracting flowers act as a food source for the larvae of the Mellisa blue and silver spotted skipper butterfly. In their blooming season of June to August, they are a crucial nectar source for pollinators.

Scientific Name	Glycyrrhiza lepidota
Hardiness Zones	USDA zones 3-9
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun to partial shade
Water Needs	Consistent moisture, avoiding waterlogging conditions
Soil Preference	Loose, loamy, well-draining soil

14. Common Lilac 

Common lilacs are large deciduous shrubs that are native to the Balkan Peninsula. Part of the olive family, they feature groupings of white and purple flowers. Growing on rocky hills, they provide food for hummingbirds, moths, butterflies, and bees.

Scientific Name	Syringa vulgaris
Hardiness Zones	USDA zones 3-7
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Water Needs	Young plants need regular watering; drought-tolerant once established
Soil Preference	Well-drained clay or loamy soil with low acidity

15. Verbena 

The verbena plant is a fast-growing perennial that is native to tropical South America. The plant features purple blooms within the first year of being planted from seeds. This purple-top verbena is great for flowers to attract butterflies, moths, bees, and hummingbirds. However, due to its rapid growth habit, the plant is considered invasive in Washington state. 

Scientific Name	Verbena bonariensis
Hardiness Zones	USDA zones 7-11
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun is best, tolerant of partial shade
Water Needs	Water when the top inch of the soil feels dry
Soil Preference	Well-draining sandy or loamy soil

16. Common Sunflower 

Sunflowers are annuals that can grow up to 8 feet tall. They have hairy stems that produce large yellow flowers between July and October. Native wild birds feed on their seeds. In only the California region, the plant hosts a dozen butterflies and moths. Butterflies and flowers come together well in the garden filled with these sunflowers. 

Scientific Name	Helianthus annuus
Hardiness Zones	USDA zones 2-11
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Water Needs	Keep young plants consistently moist; drought-tolerant once established
Soil Preference	Nutrient-rich, well-drained loamy soil

17. Alfalfa 

Alfalfa is a perennial flowering plant that is related to clover. It is a rich nectar source for a variety of butterfly species like orange and clouded sulphur, as well as checkered white. Ancient Greeks used to cultivate it as food for livestock. It is native to South Central Asia and found in many parts of the world. 

Scientific Name	Medicago sativa
Hardiness Zones	USDA zones 2-11
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Water Needs	Deep infrequent watering
Soil Preference	Well-drained sandy, loamy, or clay-loam soils

18. Arrowwood Viburnum

Arrowwood Viburnum that are also known as American viburnum are the shrubs that are native to Eastern United States. It produces berries that are eaten by songbirds. The plant acts as a nectar source and larval host for various butterflies and moths. 

Scientific Name	Viburnum dentatum
Hardiness Zones	USDA zones 2-8
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun to partial shade
Water Needs	Water consistently, tolerant of wet soils
Soil Preference	Adaptable to clay, loamy, rocky and sandy soils

19. Flossflower 

Flossflower, also known as blueweed, bluemink, or Mexican paintbrush, is one of the best plants for butterflies. This plant is native to Central America, where it grows in pastures and forest clearings. It features visually appealing blue, purple, and pink flowers. As the blooms look like strands of floss, that’s why it has got its name flossflower.

Scientific Name	Ageratum houstonianum
Hardiness Zones	Tender annual in USDA zones 2-11 and short-lived perennial in USDA zones 9-11
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Water Needs	Water when the top inch of the soil feels dry
Soil Preference	Fertile, well-draining soil

20. Purple Coneflower

Purple coneflower is an herbaceous perennial that is native to North America. It can grow 2-3 feet tall at maturity and blooms from summer to fall. The plant provides nectar to bees and other pollinators. These are ornamental plants that are grown in curbs and walkways. 

Scientific Name	Echinacea purpurea
Hardiness Zones	USDA zones 3-8
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun is best, tolerant of partial shade
Water Needs	Needs 1 inch of water per week
Soil Preference	Adaptable to a wide range of soils if well-drained

Tips for Planting a Butterfly Garden

As you have understood the best plants for butterflies, you can also follow some tips to create a butterfly garden. For instance, ensure proper sunlight, provide shelter, and add host plants. You can also create a feeding destination and avoid insecticides.

• Provide proper sunlight: Butterflies prefer warmth to become active. Choose a sunny spot to grow the plants to encourage feeding and basking of butterflies. However, some butterflies like shadier places, but generally nectar borders benefit from good sunlight.
• Shelter from the wind: Add shelter with a hedge, fence, shrub border, wall, or layered planting to create calmer pockets for the butterflies. It will lead to convenient landing and feeding for them. 
• Add host plants: Explore which butterflies occur locally. Plant some larval host plants for them rather than depending on nectar plants to create the habitat.
• Avoid insecticides: Products that are formulated to kill insects can also harm the caterpillars. Even the products that are described as natural can be harmful when applied directly. 
• Create visible patches: Create an obvious feeding destination by repeating several plants of the productive nectar species. It’s more beneficial than scattering isolated plants throughout a large border.

Final Thoughts

Butterflies are truly elegant insects with their unique patterns and wonderful colours. Plants that attract butterflies, including verbena, flossflower, common sunflower, catmint, dill, and black willow, play a pivotal role in the ecosystem. If you want to create a butterfly garden, a golden rule to remember is to grow nectar plants for adult butterflies and host plants for their caterpillars. 

FAQs

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