There’s nothing quite like the sight of butterflies fluttering around your garden on a warm summer day. As a passionate gardener, I’ve learned that the secret to attracting these beautiful creatures lies in the flowers you plant. By starting indoors now, you can ensure a stunning display come summer. From vibrant colors to enticing scents, these 27 flowers will transform your garden into a butterfly paradise. Let’s explore each one and discover how they can brighten up your outdoor space.
1. Milkweed
Imagine a garden filled with fluttering monarchs. Milkweed is the secret to bringing them in. Known for its ability to attract these beautiful butterflies, milkweed is a must-have in any butterfly garden. Start indoors and watch as it grows into a magnificent plant with clusters of vibrant flowers.
Its allure doesn’t end with beauty; it plays a crucial role in the life cycle of monarchs, providing a place for them to lay eggs. With a little care, your garden will become a hub of activity as these delicate creatures take over. Get ready for a butterfly spectacle!
2. Coneflower
With its vibrant petals and sturdy structure, the coneflower stands tall in any garden. Its charm lies in the way it attracts not just butterflies but also bees, making it a vital part of your garden’s ecosystem. Start these flowers indoors and watch them thrive in the summer sun.
Their resilience means they’ll bloom beautifully even in less-than-ideal conditions. Coneflowers are more than just a pretty face; they’re a powerhouse of nectar, drawing in a variety of butterflies. Plant them and enjoy a garden buzzing with life. Your summer just got more colorful!
3. Zinnia
Bright, bold, and beautiful, zinnias are a gardener’s delight. These flowers burst into color, attracting butterflies with their rich nectar. Start them indoors, and by summer, they’ll transform your garden into a butterfly haven. Zinnias are easy to grow, making them perfect for novice gardeners.
Their long-lasting blooms ensure that your garden remains vibrant all season long. Ideal for borders or mixed flower beds, zinnias bring unparalleled joy to any outdoor space. Watch as butterflies dance among the blossoms, creating a scene straight out of a fairy tale.
4. Lantana
Lantana is a feast for the eyes and a treat for butterflies. This vibrant plant offers clusters of flowers in various shades, creating an ever-changing tapestry of color. By starting indoors, you can ensure lantana thrives in your garden come summer. It’s perfect for attracting butterflies, thanks to the sweet nectar it provides.
Not just beautiful, lantana is also drought-tolerant and requires minimal maintenance. Plant it in containers or as part of a mixed border, and watch your garden come alive with color and activity. Your butterfly guests will thank you!
5. Butterfly Bush
Aptly named, the butterfly bush is a magnet for these winged wonders. Its fragrant blossoms are irresistible to butterflies, making it a staple in any butterfly garden. Starting indoors gives it a head start, ensuring a lush display by summer.
The butterfly bush doesn’t just attract butterflies; it also adds height and structure to your garden. With its long spikes of flowers, it creates a stunning focal point in any landscape. Enjoy the sight of butterflies flitting from bloom to bloom, as they revel in the nectar this beautiful bush provides.
6. Aster
As the summer sun sets, asters come into their own. These late bloomers ensure your garden remains a butterfly haven even as the season winds down. Start indoors, and watch them flourish into a sea of purple, pink, and white. Asters are loved by butterflies for their abundant nectar.
Their daisy-like flowers add a touch of wild beauty to any garden. Perfect for creating a naturalistic look, asters blend seamlessly with other perennials. By planting asters, you’re ensuring that your garden remains a vibrant, butterfly-filled space until the very end of summer.
7. Marigold
Golden hues that light up your garden—marigolds are more than just a pretty face. These flowers are butterfly magnets, drawing them in with their vibrant colors and easy access to nectar. Start them indoors and enjoy a burst of color in your garden by summer.
Marigolds are hardy and can withstand the summer heat, ensuring a long-lasting display. Perfect for borders or containers, they add a touch of sunshine wherever they’re planted. Watch as butterflies flock to your garden, adding movement and life to the bright marigold blooms.
8. Lavender
The soothing scent of lavender wafts through the air, attracting butterflies and calming the senses. Starting indoors gives lavender the best chance to thrive in your summer garden. Its aromatic blooms are not only a treat for the senses but also a magnet for butterflies seeking nectar.
Lavender’s silvery foliage and purple flowers add a touch of elegance to any setting. Plant it along pathways or in containers for a delightful sensory experience. As butterflies flit from flower to flower, your garden becomes a tranquil haven filled with color and fragrance.
9. Sunflower
Towering giants of the garden, sunflowers bring joy and life to any outdoor space. Start them indoors, and by summer, they’ll be reaching for the sky, their large blooms providing shade and nectar for butterflies. Sunflowers are a favorite for their striking appearance and the way they attract a variety of pollinators.
Their sunny disposition brightens up any garden, making them a must-have for butterfly enthusiasts. Whether planted in rows or as a standalone feature, sunflowers create a vibrant, lively atmosphere that draws butterflies from near and far.
10. Salvia
With its tall spikes and rich hues, salvia is a feast for the eyes—and for butterflies. Start these indoor beauties early, and by summer, they’ll be a highlight in your garden. Salvia’s nectar-rich flowers are irresistible to butterflies, providing them with the sustenance they need.
The plant’s aromatic foliage adds another layer of interest, making it a fantastic addition to any garden. Whether in a border or a container, salvia’s vibrant blooms attract butterflies in droves, transforming your garden into a buzzing hub of activity. Enjoy the show as they dance among the flowers.
11. Verbena
Vibrant, versatile, and vivacious, verbena is a favorite for butterfly gardens. Start these flowers indoors, and by the time summer rolls around, they’ll be the stars of your garden. Verbena’s small, clustered flowers provide an abundant source of nectar, drawing butterflies in with their sweet scent.
Perfect for hanging baskets or as ground cover, verbena adds a pop of color wherever it’s planted. Its low-growing habit makes it ideal for borders, ensuring a continuous display of blooms. Watch as butterflies flock to your garden, creating a lively, enchanting scene.
12. Black-eyed Susan
Bright and cheerful, black-eyed Susans are a garden classic. Their sunny yellow petals and dark centers make them a striking addition to any butterfly garden. Start them indoors, and watch as they flourish into vibrant blooms by summer. Black-eyed Susans are beloved by butterflies for their easy-to-access nectar. Perfect for adding height and color to your garden, they thrive in a variety of conditions. Plant them en masse for a stunning visual display, and enjoy the lively dance of butterflies as they visit each flower. A garden favorite, black-eyed Susans never fail to impress.
13. Cosmos
Delicate and dreamy, cosmos flowers add a touch of whimsy to any garden. These elegant blooms sway gently in the breeze, attracting butterflies with their open, flat petals. Start indoors, and by summer, your garden will be a sea of pinks, whites, and purples.
Cosmos are easy to grow, making them perfect for beginners. Their airy nature and long-lasting blooms add movement and grace to flower beds and borders. Butterflies can’t resist the charm of cosmos, making them a staple in any butterfly-friendly garden. Get ready for a summer filled with fluttering beauty.
14. Pentsemon
Pentsemon is a garden gem that never fails to attract butterflies. Its tubular flowers come in an array of colors, providing a feast for the eyes and a buffet for butterflies. Start these plants indoors to ensure a stunning summer display.
Pentsemon’s upright growth habit adds height and structure to your garden, creating a dynamic landscape. Whether planted in borders or containers, these flowers are a magnet for butterflies, offering them the nectar they crave. Enjoy the sight of colorful blooms and delicate butterflies as they bring your garden to life.
15. Bee Balm
Bee balm is more than just a butterfly magnet; it’s a pollinator’s paradise. With its bright, shaggy blooms, this plant offers a feast for the senses and a haven for butterflies. Start indoors, and by summer, bee balm will be a star in your garden. Its vibrant colors and enticing scent make it a must-have for attracting butterflies and bees alike.
Whether in a border or a meadow setting, bee balm’s presence guarantees a lively, buzzing garden filled with life. Watch as butterflies dance among the flowers, creating a scene of beauty and harmony.
16. Snapdragon
Snapdragons bring a splash of color to any garden. Their unique flowers, which open like dragon’s mouths, are a hit with butterflies seeking nectar. Start them indoors, and by summer, they’ll add vertical interest to your garden.
Snapdragons come in an array of colors, providing endless possibilities for creative planting. Their tall, spiky blooms attract butterflies in droves, making them a staple in any butterfly-friendly garden. Perfect for borders or containers, these flowers add a playful element to your outdoor space.
Enjoy a summer filled with color and movement as butterflies visit each vibrant bloom.
17. Phlox
Phlox is a garden staple, known for its abundant blooms and sweet fragrance. These flowers are a favorite among butterflies, offering a plentiful supply of nectar. Start them indoors, and by summer, phlox will transform your garden into a colorful paradise.
With its low-growing habit, phlox is perfect for borders or ground cover, ensuring a continuous display of blooms. Its vibrant colors create a stunning backdrop for butterflies as they flit from flower to flower. Plant phlox, and enjoy a garden filled with life, color, and the gentle hum of butterfly wings.
18. Purple Coneflower
Purple coneflowers are a visual delight, adding depth and interest to any garden. Their vibrant hues and spiky centers draw butterflies in, offering them a rich source of nectar. Start these flowers indoors to ensure a spectacular summer display.
Purple coneflowers are hardy and can thrive in a variety of conditions, making them a versatile choice for gardeners. Whether planted in a meadow or as part of a mixed border, these flowers create a lively, colorful scene. Enjoy the sight of butterflies fluttering from bloom to bloom, as your garden becomes a hub of activity.
19. Coreopsis
Coreopsis is a burst of sunshine in any garden. Its bright yellow flowers are a butterfly’s delight, offering easy access to nectar. Start indoors, and by summer, coreopsis will light up your garden with its cheerful blooms. These flowers are perfect for adding color and movement to borders or containers. Coreopsis is hardy and can withstand the summer heat, ensuring a long-lasting display.
Enjoy the lively dance of butterflies as they visit each flower, bringing your garden to life with their fluttering wings. Coreopsis is a must-have for creating a vibrant, butterfly-filled haven.
20. Gaillardia
Gaillardia, or blanket flower, is a standout in any garden. Its bold, fiery blooms are a magnet for butterflies, offering them a rich source of nectar. Start these flowers indoors, and by summer, they’ll be a vibrant addition to your landscape.
Gaillardia’s long-lasting blooms and drought-tolerant nature make it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners. Whether planted in a border or as part of a mixed bed, these flowers create a stunning display that draws butterflies in. Enjoy a summer filled with color and life as butterflies dance among the gaillardia blooms.
21. Dahlia
Dahlias are a gardener’s delight, offering a stunning array of colors and forms. These flowers are a hit with butterflies, who flock to them for their rich nectar. Start dahlias indoors, and by summer, they’ll be a centerpiece in your garden.
Their bold blooms and intricate petals create a visual spectacle that draws butterflies in. Whether in a border or a container, dahlias add drama and elegance to any outdoor space. Enjoy the vibrant display and the gentle flutter of butterfly wings as they visit each dahlia bloom, adding life and movement to your garden.
22. Pentas
Pentas bring a tropical touch to any garden. Their star-shaped flowers are a butterfly’s delight, offering them a sweet source of nectar. Start pentas indoors, and by summer, they’ll be a vibrant addition to your garden.
These flowers thrive in the heat, ensuring a long-lasting display of color and life. Perfect for borders or containers, pentas add a pop of color that brightens up any outdoor space. Enjoy the lively dance of butterflies as they visit each blossom, creating a scene of beauty and harmony in your garden.
23. Hollyhock
Hollyhocks are the towering giants of the garden. Their tall spikes and colorful blooms create a stunning backdrop for butterflies as they flit from flower to flower. Start these flowers indoors, and by summer, they’ll add height and drama to your garden.
Hollyhocks are a butterfly favorite, providing them with an abundant source of nectar. Perfect for adding vertical interest to borders or against walls, these flowers create a vibrant, lively atmosphere. Enjoy the sight of butterflies fluttering around the blooms, bringing your garden to life with their delicate beauty.
24. Yarrow
Yarrow is a hardy, versatile plant that brings life to any garden. Its flat-topped clusters of flowers are a hit with butterflies, offering them easy access to nectar. Start yarrow indoors, and by summer, it’ll be a staple in your garden.
These flowers thrive in various conditions, making them a low-maintenance choice for gardeners. Whether in a border or a meadow, yarrow adds texture and movement to your landscape. Enjoy the gentle flutter of butterfly wings as they visit each yarrow bloom, creating a garden filled with color and life.
25. Catmint
Catmint is more than just a treat for cats; it’s a butterfly magnet. With its aromatic foliage and delicate blue flowers, catmint offers a feast for the senses and a haven for butterflies. Start indoors, and by summer, it’ll be a highlight in your garden.
These flowers thrive in sunny spots, ensuring a long-lasting display of color and movement. Perfect for borders or as a ground cover, catmint adds a touch of elegance to any outdoor space. Enjoy the lively dance of butterflies as they flit among the blooms, bringing your garden to life.
26. Scabiosa
Scabiosa, also known as the pincushion flower, is a delicate addition to any garden. Its unique blooms are a hit with butterflies, offering them a rich source of nectar. Start these flowers indoors, and by summer, they’ll be a standout in your garden.
Scabiosa’s airy blooms and intricate petals create a visual spectacle that draws butterflies in. Perfect for borders or as part of a mixed bed, these flowers add movement and grace to your outdoor space. Enjoy a summer filled with color and life as butterflies visit each scabiosa bloom.
27. Tithonia
Tithonia, also known as the Mexican sunflower, is a standout in any butterfly garden. Its vibrant orange blooms are a beacon for butterflies, offering them a rich source of nectar. Start these flowers indoors to ensure a stunning summer display.
Tithonia’s tall, bushy habit adds height and drama to your garden, creating a dynamic landscape. Whether planted in borders or as a standalone feature, these flowers create a lively, colorful scene. Enjoy the sight of butterflies fluttering from bloom to bloom, as your garden becomes a hub of activity and life.