Butterflies are like living confetti drifting through our gardens, and it’s such a bummer when you nurture a bed full of blooms only to see a handful of flutterers! Whether you’re longing for the regal monarchs, the delicate swallowtails, or a kaleidoscope of painted ladies, these winged wonders are drawn to specific plants and garden features. In this article, I’m excited to share ten of my top plant-based strategies—each one a surefire way to boost butterfly traffic and keep your garden humming with life.
From planting nectar-rich clusters to providing cozy perches for basking, we’ll cover species native to North America and beyond, note any invasive tendencies, and dive into butterfly behaviors like puddling, egg-laying, and perching. As a gardener who’s seen firsthand the thrill of a new chrysalis or the first flutter of a freshly emerged butterfly, I can’t wait to guide you through these tips and help you create the ultimate butterfly haven!
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
Goldenrod is a late-blooming superstar native throughout much of North America, and its bright yellow plumes are a vital nectar source for migrating monarchs, sulphurs, and hairstreaks. The dense flower clusters provide ample landing platforms, making it easy for butterflies to settle and sip for extended periods. In addition to sipping, some species—even painted ladies—will lay eggs on the leaves, turning your goldenrod patch into both a restaurant and a nursery!
While goldenrod spreads via creeping rhizomes and can become aggressive in richer soils, I find that selecting clumping varieties like Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’ keeps it well-behaved. Grouping plants in drifts near the garden’s sunny edge not only showcases their beauty but also invites butterflies to bask on the stems between sips. It’s such a thrill to see those wings catch the sunlight as they pause—definitely worth a little goldenrod management to get that magical moment!
Verbena bonariensis
Tall and elegant, Verbena bonariensis boasts airy clusters of lavender-purple flowers that tower above surrounding foliage. Native to South America, this species has naturalized in parts of California and Australia; while it can self-seed, it rarely outcompetes native plants in well-tended borders. Butterflies adore verbena’s nectar-rich blooms, and the long stems offer perfect perching spots for resting between flights or surveying the garden below.
When I first added verbena to my butterfly border, I was amazed at how quickly it became a gathering spot for swallowtails and skipper species! To keep seedlings in check, I simply deadhead spent flowers before they drop seeds. A few plants interspersed among lower-growing companions create a dynamic, layered look and ensure that fluttering friends of all sizes can access those sweet, fragrant blooms.
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
One of the most iconic host plants for monarchs, Common Milkweed is native to much of the eastern United States and Canada. Its umbrella-like clusters of pinkish flowers are brimming with nectar, attracting everything from queen butterflies to red admirals. Monarchs particularly appreciate milkweed for both feeding and egg-laying; you’ll often find tiny caterpillars munching on the leaves, a sight any butterfly-lover finds thrilling!
Although milkweed can spread prolifically by underground rhizomes—sometimes popping up in unexpected corners—I love having a dedicated patch for these vital plants. Keeping them corralled in a sunny spot, and removing stray shoots early, ensures they don’t take over flower beds. There’s nothing quite like watching a monarch chrysalis hang from a sturdy milkweed leaf, and knowing you provided the only food those caterpillars will ever need!
Zinnias (Zinnia elegans)
Zinnias, native to Mexico, are a colorful staple in butterfly gardens for good reason: their wide flower heads provide generous landing pads and copious nectar for a spectrum of butterfly species. From fiery reds to soft pinks and sunny yellows, these annuals bloom prolifically from summer until frost, ensuring a continuous banquet. Painted ladies, monarchs, and fritillaries will flock to zinnia beds, turning your garden into a flutter zone!
I always plant zinnias in dense drifts—three or more of the same color together—to create a visual target that butterflies can spot from afar. Deadheading spent blooms keeps the show going and signals to pollinators that fresh nectar awaits. Plus, watching those bold, daisy-like flowers dance in the breeze is a joyful reminder of why we garden in the first place!
Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)
Despite its flashy name, Butterfly Bush is native to central China and has earned invasive status in some regions, including parts of the Pacific Northwest. Choose sterile cultivars—such as ‘Nanho Blue’ or ‘Miss Ruby’—to enjoy its irresistible, fragrant panicles without the risk of runaway spread. Butterflies simply can’t resist Buddleja’s sweet-smelling flowers, and you’ll often see dozens of them clustered on the blooms, fueling up for migration or lazy summer days.
I admit, I was hesitant about butterfly bush until I discovered the sterile types—now it’s a centerpiece in my garden! Its long bloom period (mid-summer to fall) bridges the nectar gap between early perennials and late bloomers like goldenrod. A well-placed butterfly bush near seating areas lets me watch the spectacle up close: the gentle hum of wings is the best gardening reward!
Native Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.)
Native asters, such as New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) and Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium), provide a late-season feast of lavender, pink, and white daisies. These perennials are indigenous to North America and are seldom invasive beyond their natural habitats. As the days shorten, butterflies including monarchs and sulphurs will gravitate toward these asters, stocking up on energy before cooler weather arrives. I love seeing these bright crowns waving in the autumn light!
Maintenance is a breeze: asters thrive in full sun to light shade and need just moderate moisture. Cutting them back slightly after the first flush of blooms encourages a second wave, extending the season of attraction. No matter your zone, incorporating aster varieties ensures your butterfly visitors have a summer-to-fall nectar source just when they need it most.
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Echinacea purpurea, or Purple Coneflower, is native to the central and eastern United States and celebrated for its daisy-like petals surrounding a robust, spiny center. This perennial powerhouse draws a swarm of butterflies, from fritillaries to skippers, who are drawn to its nectar-rich disk florets. Not only do butterflies love it, but you might catch them perching on the coneflowers to bask in morning sunlight—pure garden magic!
While echinacea rarely behaves invasively, it self-sows sparingly in favorable conditions, so deadheading spent heads is wise if you want to avoid volunteer seedlings. These coneflowers also tolerate drought once established, making them a dependable choice for low-maintenance beds. I often pair them with blazing star and black-eyed Susans to create a prairie-inspired palette that has butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds vying for space at the buffet.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Hailing from the rocky hills of the Mediterranean, English lavender is not typically invasive in cooler climates, and its silvery foliage adds year-round interest. When the lavender spikes emerge in late spring and early summer, they attract a host of butterflies—particularly swallowtails and skippers—that can’t resist the fragrance or the purple blooms. Beyond nectar, lavender stems serve as perching sites, giving butterflies a vantage point over the garden.
One of my favorite tricks is to plant lavender along garden paths or near seating areas. As I stroll by, the butterflies follow, creating a sensory symphony of scent and color! Trim lavender back by about a third after the first bloom to maintain a tidy shape and encourage a light rebloom in late summer.
Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
A towering native of eastern North America, Joe-Pye Weed produces large umbels of pinkish-lavender flowers that soar up to six feet tall! Butterflies, especially the regal swallowtails and giants like the monarch, adore these nectar-rich clusters, and their height makes them visible targets from across the garden. It’s a thrill to look out and see those big fans of wings settling on the blooms.
Because Joe-Pye Weed thrives in moist soils and can form substantial clumps, I recommend situating it near rain gardens or water features. It’s not invasive in its native range, but be prepared for plenty of growth—this is a statement piece! I find that planting shorter companions like asters or coneflowers at its base balances the composition and ensures butterflies of all sizes can access the blooms.
Lantana (Lantana camara)
Lantana camara, native to tropical regions of Central and South America, is prized for its multicolored flower clusters that transition through yellow, orange, pink, and red. While it’s considered invasive in warmer climates (USDA zones 9–11), in cooler regions it behaves beautifully as an annual or container plant. Butterflies—including monarchs, sulphurs, and red admirals—are instantly attracted to lantana’s rich nectar reserves and bright hues!
I use lantana in containers or hanging baskets to boost color where perennial beds thin out. In my zone, it flourishes from late spring frost until the first hard freeze, maintaining a nonstop nectar festival. Deadheading spent clusters keeps it blooming, and the wildlife spectacle is pure joy—nothing beats the sight of dozens of butterflies dancing around those rainbow blooms!
