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To attract butterflies, combine nectar plants for adults with host plants for caterpillars, choosing species that suit your region and yard conditions. Plant several kinds with different bloom times, group them together in a sunny, sheltered spot, and avoid pesticides; some eaten leaves are part of a functioning butterfly garden.
The 32 plants below are a menu, not a universal planting plan. The examples come from regional sources, so check local extension or native-plant guidance before choosing plants for your yard.
How to Choose Plants for a Butterfly Garden
Nectar flowers feed adult butterflies. Host plants provide places for some butterflies to lay eggs and food for their caterpillars. Those roles are not interchangeable: a bed with nectar flowers alone may offer adult food without supporting the caterpillar stage. The United States Botanic Garden notes that “A garden that includes plants for the entire life cycle will attract a variety of native butterflies.”
Start by considering which butterflies occur in your area, then match their host plants and nectar sources to your light and soil conditions. The U.S. Botanic Garden’s plant list focuses on the Mid-Atlantic, Illinois DNR guidance is Illinois-oriented, and University of Florida IFAS guidance is Florida-specific. A plant on one of these lists is not automatically suitable everywhere.
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Favor a sunny, sheltered place and use groups of plants rather than isolated specimens. Include different flower forms and bloom times so the garden offers a sequence of nectar sources. Where practical, add sun-warmed rocks and damp ground or a wet-sand area. Avoid insecticides and herbicides in or near the garden, and leave host foliage available for caterpillars.
32 Butterfly Plants to Consider
This comparison is a starting point, not a nationwide planting prescription. Regional suitability, moisture needs, and bloom timing vary by species and location; confirm details with local guidance before planting.
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| Plant | Role and butterfly connection | Regional and site note |
|---|---|---|
| Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) | Milkweed host plant; also a nectar flower | Listed in regional sources as a dry-soil option. Confirm it is suitable for your area. |
| Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) | Milkweed host plant; also a nectar flower | A milkweed example in the reviewed regional sources; check local range and site conditions. |
| Other locally suitable milkweeds | Host plants for monarchs | Choose species appropriate to your region rather than assuming one milkweed suits every yard. |
| Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) | Host plant for zebra swallowtails | Named by Maryland Extension as a host; regional suitability matters. |
| Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) | Host plant for spicebush swallowtails | Named by Maryland Extension; check local range before planting. |
| Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) | Host plant for spicebush swallowtails | Named by Maryland Extension; check local range before planting. |
| Parsley | Carrot-family host plant for black swallowtails | Maryland Extension identifies parsley among the host options; other carrot-family plants may also be used. |
| Other locally suitable carrot-family plants | Host plants for black swallowtails | Match the plant to local guidance and the butterflies present. |
| Violets (Viola) | Host plants for some butterflies | Listed among host examples in the reviewed regional sources; suitability varies by species and place. |
| Willow (Salix) | Host-plant example | Choose an appropriate local species and site; do not generalize from a regional list. |
| White turtlehead (Chelone) | Host-plant example | Included in regional plant guidance; verify which species suits your site. |
| Nettles (Urtica) | Host-plant example | Listed in the reviewed sources; check local suitability and placement. |
| Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea) | Host-plant example | Included in regional guidance; confirm local range and conditions. |
| Switchgrass and other suitable grasses | Host-plant example | Use a locally appropriate species; grass value varies by region and butterfly. |
| Asters (Symphyotrichum) | Nectar flowers; also host-plant examples | Species, bloom time, and conditions vary by region. |
| Bee balm or wild bergamot (Monarda) | Nectar flowers | Choose species suited to your region and growing conditions. |
| Coneflowers (Echinacea) | Nectar flowers | Listed in regional nectar-plant guidance; check local suitability. |
| Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) | Nectar flowers | Species and growing conditions vary; use local guidance. |
| Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium) | Nectar flowers | Listed in regional sources; match species and site conditions to your location. |
| Goldenrods (Solidago) | Nectar flowers | Choose a suitable local species; bloom timing and conditions vary. |
| Phlox (Phlox) | Nectar flowers | Species and site needs vary; check regional recommendations. |
| Blazing-star (Liatris) | Nectar flowers | Use a locally suitable species and confirm site conditions. |
| Coreopsis (Coreopsis) | Nectar flowers | Included in regional nectar-plant lists; suitability depends on species and place. |
| Blanket flower (Gaillardia) | Nectar flowers | Choose according to local conditions and plant guidance. |
| Evening primrose (Oenothera) | Nectar flowers | Species and growing requirements vary; verify local suitability. |
| Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) | Nectar flowers | Listed in regional guidance; check moisture and other site needs locally. |
| Other native nectar flowers for your area | Nectar for adult butterflies | Ask local extension or a native-plant organization for suitable choices. |
| Plants with different bloom times | Nectar across the season | Combine locally appropriate species to provide a sequence of flowers. |
| Plants with varied flower shapes | Nectar for different visitors | Vary floral form, color, and size, as recommended by the U.S. Botanic Garden. |
| Locally suitable shrubs and trees | Shelter and, for some species, host plants | Choose based on local butterfly and plant guidance, plus available space. |
| Locally suitable moisture-area plants | Habitat planting around damp ground | Illinois DNR and other regional sources organize recommendations by soil conditions; match plants to your site. |
| Locally suitable sunny-bed plants | Nectar, host, or both, depending on species | Use regional guidance to match light and soil needs rather than treating this as a single plant category. |
| Locally suitable plants for a sheltered garden | Contribute to a varied garden planting | Favor shelter from wind and choose plants for your area and target butterflies. |
Match Host Plants to Butterflies
Host plants are often specific to butterfly species. Maryland Extension lists pawpaw for zebra swallowtails; spicebush and sassafras for spicebush swallowtails; carrot-family plants, including parsley, for black swallowtails; and milkweed for monarchs. Use those examples as regional guidance, not a guarantee that every listed plant or butterfly occurs in every area.
Host foliage may be eaten. UF/IFAS Extension explains that caterpillar feeding is expected, so visible leaf damage is not necessarily a sign that a planting has failed. Some adult butterflies also use resources beyond flowers, including tree sap, fermenting plant material, dung, or animal remains, according to UF/IFAS.
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Planting and Care Basics
- Check local guidance. Identify butterflies found in your area and confirm plant choices with a local extension service or native-plant organization.
- Choose a suitable spot. Favor sun and shelter from wind, and match plants to the site’s soil and moisture.
- Combine plant roles. Include host plants for caterpillars and several nectar sources for adults.
- Plan a sequence. Select plants with different bloom times and varied flower forms rather than relying on one nectar source.
- Group plants. Plant visible masses rather than scattering single specimens, following U.S. Botanic Garden and Illinois DNR guidance.
- Protect the habitat. Avoid pesticides and herbicides in or near the garden, and allow caterpillars to feed on host foliage.
- Add habitat features where practical. Provide damp ground or a wet-sand area and sun-warmed rocks; nearby shrubs and trees can offer shelter.
FAQ
What plants attract butterflies?
Butterflies use nectar plants as adult food, while their caterpillars need host plants. Choose both kinds based on the butterflies and growing conditions in your region; regional sources list examples such as coneflowers, bee balm, milkweeds, and asters.
What should I plant in a butterfly garden?
Start with locally suitable host plants for butterflies in your area, then add several nectar plants with different bloom times and flower forms. A regional extension service or native-plant organization can help refine the list.
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Why do caterpillars eat the leaves?
Host foliage is food for caterpillars, so some leaf damage is expected. UF/IFAS Extension notes that caterpillar feeding is part of the butterfly life cycle.
Do all butterflies feed on flowers?
No. UF/IFAS Extension notes that some adult butterflies rarely or never visit flowers and instead use resources such as tree sap, fermenting plant material, dung, or animal remains.
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Can I use the same butterfly plant list everywhere?
No. The reviewed lists are regional, and plant suitability varies with local butterflies, climate, light, soil, and moisture. Check guidance for your location before planting.
Should I use pesticides in a butterfly garden?
Avoid pesticides and herbicides in or near the garden. Host plants support caterpillars, and visible feeding damage can be a normal part of the habitat.
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