20 Butterfly-Magnet Plants That Attract Butterflies to Your Garden
The summer my youngest son planted a handful of wildflower seeds in a plastic yogurt cup, we didn’t expect much. He had scooped up some soil from the yard, pushed the seeds in with his finger, and left the cup on the porch railing, where the rain and sunshine could do the rest. Weeks later, when the flowers finally opened, a single monarch landed on one of the blooms. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such awe on his face. “It came to say thank you,” he whispered, eyes wide.
That tiny miracle was enough to send us spiraling into full-blown butterfly garden mode. We turned a patch of lawn into a nectar-rich haven, filling it with plants we hoped would invite even more winged visitors. And they came—swallowtails, painted ladies, clouded sulphurs—each one seeming to dance with purpose, floating from bloom to bloom like little pieces of flying sunlight.
Creating a butterfly-friendly garden isn’t just rewarding—it’s deeply joyful. They don’t just add beauty and life to your space—they remind you to slow down, breathe, and notice what’s blooming right in front of you.
If you’re ready to welcome that joy into your own backyard, here are 20 plants I (and many gardening friends) love for inviting butterflies home.
#1. Butterfly Bush
My neighbor June swears by her butterfly bush. Every summer, her front yard turns into a fluttering festival of wings, and you can always catch her sitting on the porch with her coffee, just watching. With its long, tapering clusters of blooms in purples, whites, and pinks, this shrub truly lives up to its name.
It flowers steadily from midsummer through fall, offering nectar long after other blooms have faded. Just a tip—opt for sterile or non-invasive cultivars like ‘Miss Molly’ if you’re in an area where it tends to spread too much.
#2. Coneflower
Something is grounding about coneflowers: tall, strong, and dependable. Their vivid purple petals and coppery centers draw in pollinators like a magnet. Mine line the back of my veggie garden, and by mid-July, it’s like a butterfly café back there.
Coneflowers don’t need much pampering. They’re drought-tolerant, sun-loving, and if you leave the seed heads on after blooming, you’ll spot birds pecking away in winter.
#3. Milkweed
If you plant only one thing for butterflies, let it be milkweed. Monarchs rely on it to lay their eggs, and without it, their caterpillars wouldn’t stand a chance. That simple fact gave me chills the first time I learned it.
We tucked a few butterfly weeds into a sunny corner, and not long after, we found fat little caterpillars munching away. My kids named each one. They cheered as they turned into chrysalises—and cried happy tears when they saw them fly.
#4. Lantana
Lantana has a wild, party-like personality. Its blooms look like tiny clusters of confetti, and the butterflies adore every inch of them. It thrives in hot weather, doesn’t mind drought, and keeps blooming for months.
I like planting lantana near stone paths where its citrusy scent wafts up as you walk by. Plus, it’s a deer-deterrent—an added bonus if you’re in a nibble-prone area.
#5. Verbena
With its tall, airy stems and clusters of tiny purple flowers, verbena creates the perfect landing pads for butterflies. This perennial thrives in warm climates, is highly drought-resistant, and blooms all summer.
Its nectar-rich flowers are particularly attractive to swallowtails and painted lady butterflies. It works well in borders or mixed with other flowering plants.
#6. Zinnias
Every time I scatter zinnia seeds, it feels like tossing joy into the wind. They’re easy to grow and reward you with a vibrant explosion of reds, oranges, pinks, and yellows.
Butterflies adore their wide, open blooms—and honestly, so do I. Last summer, a child walking past our fence asked if she could “borrow a flower for a wish.” She picked a zinnia and blew on it like a dandelion. I hope her wish involved butterflies.
#7. Black-Eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susans are the kind of plant that feels like a smile. Bold, sunny, and easygoing, they grow in just about anything and bloom their hearts out late into the season.
I love mixing them with ornamental grasses and coneflowers—it’s like planting a little prairie right in the yard. And butterflies come in waves to drink from their golden cups.
#8. Joe-Pye Weed
At the back of my garden, where the hose barely reaches, Joe-Pye weed stretches up taller than me, its mauve-pink heads buzzing with life. Butterflies love it, especially late in the summer when other flowers start to fade.
Its height makes it perfect for borders, and it doesn’t mind wet soil. Once, I watched a dozen monarchs feeding on one cluster. It felt like a quiet celebration.
#9. Phlox
Phlox is a perfume garden in bloom. Its clusters of white, pink, and lavender blooms release the kind of fragrance that stops you mid-step—and butterflies are just as enchanted.
I’ve planted them near the patio so I can enjoy their scent in the evenings. Go for mildew-resistant varieties if you live in humid areas.
#10. Asters
When fall rolls in and the summer color fades, asters step in like late guests at a garden party. Their small, daisy-like blooms come in purples, blues, and whites, offering a vital food source for migrating butterflies.
A gardening friend named Carla told me she plants them just for the stragglers—the late monarchs and painted ladies who need that final boost.
#11. Pentas
Pentas are like little starbursts of nectar, each bloom made for sipping. These warm-weather plants shine in pots, borders, or tucked among other sun-lovers.
We grow them in containers on the deck, and it’s become our morning routine to count how many butterflies show up before breakfast. So far, the record is nine.
#12. Salvia
Salvias bring elegance and endurance. Their tall spires and jewel-toned flowers are beloved by butterflies and hummingbirds alike.
Once established, they bloom from spring to frost. I especially love the ‘Mystic Spires Blue’—its deep violet blooms sway like dancers in the breeze.
#13. Bee Balm
My grandmother called bee balm “firework flowers,” and I can see why. Their bright, shaggy blooms are a firecracker in the garden.
I grow them along the fence where they catch morning light, and every year, butterflies show up in flocks. Their minty leaves also make a calming tea—just be sure to give them room to spread.
#14. Marigolds
Marigolds are like the garden’s golden guardians. Tough, cheerful, and bright, they line our veggie beds like sunshine sentries.
They pull double duty—attracting butterflies while repelling pests. I tuck them in wherever I find a gap, and they always reward me with a burst of color and a buzz of wings.
#15. Globe Thistle
Globe thistle adds texture and a cool-toned contrast to a warm garden palette. Its silvery stems and spherical blue flowers draw butterflies with surprising intensity.
They’re also cat-proof—our furry garden companion gave up trying after the first prickly encounter.
#16. Alyssum
Alyssum is like floral snow that never melts. Low-growing, fragrant, and continuous in bloom, it carpets garden edges and containers with charm.
Butterflies love the scent, and I love how it softens the edges of beds and borders. It’s especially beautiful spilling over rock walls or planter edges.
#17. Sunflowers
Sunflowers are childhood joy incarnate. We grow a few rows every year just for the fun of watching them stretch toward the sky. Their giant, nectar-filled centers draw butterflies and bees all season.
They’re also great for kids to plant—it’s a thrill to watch something that big grow from such a tiny seed.
#18. Coreopsis
Coreopsis always makes me think of sunshine on a stem. With its delicate petals and non-stop blooming, it’s a workhorse in the butterfly garden.
It’s drought-tolerant, spreads easily, and never complains. I like mixing it with darker flowers for a contrast that really pops.
#19. Catmint
There’s a softness to catmint that butterflies seem to appreciate. Its blue-lavender flowers dance above silvery foliage, and the scent keeps pests at bay.
Ours grows along the front walkway. It greets you gently, with a rustle, a breeze, and sometimes a butterfly hovering near your ankle.
#20. Goldenrod
Goldenrod glows like sunset trapped in a flower. It’s one of the last to bloom before winter and plays a crucial role for migrating butterflies.
I love seeing it sway in the wind, tall and strong, with monarchs stopping by like travelers at a roadside inn.
Final Thoughts
Inviting butterflies into your garden isn’t just about planting flowers—it’s about creating a space that hums with life. A place where color, scent, and motion come together in a celebration of nature’s rhythm. Each plant you choose becomes part of a story—one that changes with the seasons, the weather, and your own hands in the soil.
Let your garden become a place of delight, healing, and tiny wonders. The wings will follow.
