10 Plants That Attract Butterflies

About Brookdale Senior Living

Brookdale Senior Living offers multiple care levels for seniors in more than 600 communities nationwide. Brookdale helps you find the right care plan for yourself or your loved one. With amenities such as transportation services, salons and private dining rooms and activities such as gardening, fitness classes and trivia nights Brookdale caters to a wide range of interests and needs.

a blue butterfly landing on orange flowers

We all love butterflies and a garden just isn’t complete without them. They bring joy and peacefulness and seeing them flutter around in your garden is a truly magical experience. Not only are butterflies beautiful creatures, they also are essential (along with bees) for pollinating the plants in your garden, and seeing butterflies in your garden is generally a sign of a healthy ecosystem. So, you might want to leave those caterpillars alone—even if they are munching on your plants!

There are many different plants that you can add to your garden to attract these lovely creatures. “Perennial plants, which are planted once and flower every year, are wonderful choices for attracting butterflies and other pollinators,” says Nathan Heinrich, landscape designer and horticulturist at Nathan Heinrich Design. You can also lure in butterflies with some annuals, which, on the other hand, have to be planted every year.

It’s also recommended to focus on plants that are native to your area. “These are the most beneficial to native butterflies and provide necessary food for caterpillars and adult butterflies, says Jennifer Schutter, a certified master gardener and editor of Plantcarefully. Schutter recommends visiting your local nursery to inquire about plants that are native to your area. In the meantime, here are 10 plants that produce gorgeous, sweet-smelling flowers that will be irresistible to butterflies as well as make your garden look beautiful!

Salvia

Also known as sage, this beautiful plant can attracts butterflies as well as hummingbirds and is a favorite among gardeners. Salvia typically does well in hot and dry conditions and provides long-lasting flowers and beautiful scented foliage that butterflies just love.

Calamint

Calamint is an easy-to-care-for plane that's durable and great for beginner gardeners. Not only will the small white flowers add an etherial look to your garden but they also atract pollinators like bees and butterflies. As an added bonus, calamint's aromatic foliage is deer resistant, so you won't have to worry about bambi and friends snacking on this part of your garden.

Joe Pye Weed

These plants can get really big—with tall stalks reaching up to seven feet7ft and small clusters of pink/purplish flowers. “Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators are drawn to the strong, almost vanilla fragrance and dense flower clusters,” says Erinn Witz, a garden/plant expert and co-founder of Seedsandspades.com. The Joe Pye Weed is a fast-growing wildflower that’s native to eastern and central North America and usually blooms later in the season.

Shrub Verbena

This plant blooms long-lasting clusters of tiny colorful flowers that come in a rainbow of colors including orange, pink, yellow, red, and purple. The majority of verbena species are perennial and provide a long-lasting source of nectar to several species of butterflies including the monarch, swallowtail, skipper, and red admiral. The Shrub Verbena are robust, low-maintenance plants that are generally heat and drought-tolerant and make for a beautiful addition to any garden.

Milkweed

Milkweed is a wildflower that is critical for the survival of the endangered monarch butterfly. “Leaves of milkweed are the sole food source for larvae,” says Janet Loughrey, a garden writer for Garden Design and without the plant, she explains, they would not be able to turn into butterflies. “Other types of butterflies including swallowtails, fritillaries and admirals are attracted to the colorful flower clusters that offer a rich source of nectar,” she adds. Milkweed blooms small pink to purple flowers and is native to North America. Planting the local milkweed species is always recommended.

Lantana

This plant is perfect for those dry sunny areas in your garden that many plants have trouble growing in. “Be sure to place your Lantana in a sunny spot, as they require at least six hours of sunlight per day. Remember to water regularly but avoid overwatering, and you'll have a happy Lantana that brings in those winged beauties!” says Naomi Robinson, a gardening expert and founder of Houseplant Authority. The Lantana produces beautiful flowers in a variety of hues and sweet-smelling scents that can attract just about every species of butterflies as well as hummingbirds. These typically do well in containers as well as in the ground.

Black-Eyed Susan

This common wildflower can be seen in many open fields and roadsides as well as in gardens for their beautiful daisy-like flowers. The bright yellow flowers of the black-eyed Susan are irresistible to many butterfly species, including painted ladies and American ladies. Plus, they look beautiful in your garden!

Coneflower

This beautiful perennial plant produces small, tubular purple to pink flowers with a sweet fragrance that attracts butterflies, bees, and songbirds. “The purple coneflower attracts many butterfly species primarily through its colorful and fragrant flowers that are rich in nectar,” says Neil Bevan, founder of Gardening Vibe. The Coneflowers are American wildflowers that are native to the eastern and central United States. They generally like to be planted in full sun and are drought-resistant. And as a bonus, the petals can be dried to make a delicious immune-boosting tea.

Aster

This North American native is one of the best plants to attract butterflies and is a host plant for painted and pearl crescent butterflies. It blooms daisy-like colorful flowers that typically attract skippers, buckeyes, admirals, and painted ladies and are a source of food for migrating monarchs. Asters do best in cool, moist climates planted in full to partial sun.

Fennel

Fennel is another nice addition to your butterfly-attracting garden. This perennial plant is easy to grow and produces tall fern-like branches that will attract butterflies as well as add color and texture to your garden. “This aromatic herb attracts butterflies and serves as a host plant for swallowtail butterflies. Its yellow flowers provide nectar for various butterfly species, while the feathery foliage offers a place for them to lay their eggs”, says Tony O'Neill, gardening expert and educator. Fennel also has several health benefits and is rich in vitamins and nutrients.