For caterpillars, the larval stage of butterflies, plant selection is especially important. You’ll need to include host plants that attract adult butterflies for egg laying, as many species are very particular about where they lay their eggs. Once the caterpillars emerge, they will feed on the foliage of these plants, so it’s important to provide enough to support both their appetite and the overall look of your garden. Planning for this natural feeding process is key to creating a successful and sustainable butterfly habitat.
Nectar Plants That Attract Adult Butterflies
Annuals
|
Ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum) |
Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia) |
Statice (Limonium sinuatum) |
|
Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus), ‘Sensation’ |
Nicotiana, Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana alata) |
Verbena (V. x hortensis, V. x hybrida) |
|
Heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens) |
Pentas (Pentas lanceolata) – Subshrub |
Zinnia (Zinnia elegans) |
|
Lantana (Lantana camara) |
Petunia (Petunia x hybrida) |
|
|
Marigold, French marigold (Tagetes patula) |
Scabiosa, Pincushion Flower (S. atropurpurea) |
Perennials – Early Season
|
Allium (Allium spp.) – Bulb |
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) |
Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis sylvatica) – biennial, perennial |
Perennials – Mid-Season
|
Bee balm (Monarda didyma) |
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) |
Sunflower (Helianthus spp.) |
|
Black-eyed Susan, Gloriosa Daisy (Rudbeckia spp.) – biennial, perennial |
Liatris, Blazing-star, Gay-feather (Liatris spp.) |
Veronica (Veronica spp.) |
|
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) |
Lily (Lilium spp.) |
Veronica (Veronica spp.) |
|
Catmint (Nepeta racemosa) |
Phlox (Phlox spp.) |
|
|
Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.) |
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) |
Perennials – Late Season
|
Aster (Aster spp.) |
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) |
Sedum (Sedum spectabile) |
|
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) |
Obedient plant (Physotegia virginiana) |
Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) |
Butterfly Larval Plants
Perennials – Late Season
|
Butterfly Species |
Larval Food |
|---|---|
|
Black Swallowtail |
Carrots, Parsley, Dill |
|
Tiger Swallowtail |
Wild Cherry, Birch, Poplar, Apple Trees, Tulip Tree |
|
Monarch Butterfly |
Milkweeds, Butterfly Weed |
|
Great Spangled Fritillary |
Violets |
|
Buckeye |
Snapdragon |
|
Morning Cloak |
Willows, Elms |
|
Viceroy |
Pussy Willow, Plums, Cherries |
|
Red-Spotted Purple |
Willows, Poplars |
|
Hackberry Butterfly |
Hackberry |
