Plants That Look Like Hummingbirds

Are you fascinated by hummingbirds' beauty and grace? What if you could have plants in your garden or balcony that look like hummingbirds? Yes, it's true! These plants are known as "hummingbird plants" because their flowers resemble the birds. They are not only attractive but also attract real hummingbirds to your garden. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most popular and beautiful plants that look like hummingbirds.

What are Hummingbird Plants?

Hummingbird plants are flowering plants that produce nectar-rich flowers that resemble hummingbirds. These plants have evolved to attract hummingbirds to their flowers, and the birds are essential pollinators for these plants. Some hummingbird plants are native to North America, while others come from South America, Asia, and Africa.

15+ Plants That Look Like Hummingbirds

1. Fuchsia

Fuchsia is a popular plant that produces stunning, hanging flowers that resemble hummingbirds. The flowers are usually pink and purple, but they can also be red, white, or orange. Fuchsia plants prefer cool, moist environments and do well in hanging baskets or containers.

How to grow Fuchsia?

Fuchsia plants thrive in partial shade or filtered sunlight. They prefer well-draining soil that is kept moist but not waterlogged. You can fertilize them once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. Prune them back in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth.

2. Bee Balm

Bee balm, also known as Oswego tea, produces showy flowers that attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. The flowers are usually red, pink, or purple and bloom in mid to late summer. Bee balm plants prefer full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil.

How to grow Bee Balm?

Bee balm prefers fertile, well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. The plants should be spaced 18 to 24 inches apart to allow for good air circulation. You can fertilize them once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. Deadhead the spent flowers to encourage new growth.

3. Cardinal Flower

Cardinal flower produces stunning, bright red flowers that resemble hummingbirds. The flowers bloom in mid to late summer and prefer moist soil and partial shade to full sun. Cardinal flower is native to North America and attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.

How to grow Cardinal Flower?

Cardinal flower prefers rich, moist soil that is acidic to neutral. The plants should be spaced 12 to 18 inches apart to allow for good air circulation. You can fertilize them once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. Cut the plants back after they have finished blooming.

4. Trumpet Vine

Trumpet vine produces large, showy flowers that resemble hummingbirds. The flowers are usually orange or red and bloom in mid to late summer. Trumpet vine is a fast-growing plant that prefers full sun and well-draining soil.

How to grow Trumpet Vine?

Trumpet vine prefers well-draining soil that is kept moist but not waterlogged. The plants need support to climb, such as a trellis or fence. You can fertilize them once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. Prune them back in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth.

5. Salvia

Salvia produces beautiful, tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and bees. The flowers are usually purple, pink, or red and bloom in mid to late summer. Salvia prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil.

How to grow Salvia?

Salvia prefers well-draining soil that is kept moist but not waterlogged. The plants should be spaced 12 to 18 inches apart to allow for good air circulation. You can fertilize them once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. Deadhead the spent flowers to encourage new growth.

6. Columbine

Columbine produces delicate, bell-shaped flowers that resemble hummingbirds. The flowers are usually red, pink, yellow, or blue and bloom in spring to early summer. Columbine prefers partial shade to full sun and well-draining soil.

How to grow Columbine?

Columbine prefers rich, well-draining soil that is kept moist but not waterlogged. The plants should be spaced 12 to 18 inches apart to allow for good air circulation. You can fertilize them once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. Cut the plants back after they have finished blooming.

7. Lobelia

Lobelia produces bright, showy flowers that resemble hummingbirds. The flowers are usually blue, purple, or pink and bloom in mid to late summer. Lobelia prefers full sun to partial shade and moist soil.

How to grow Lobelia?

Lobelia prefers well-draining soil that is kept moist but not waterlogged. The plants should be spaced 6 to 12 inches apart to allow for good air circulation. You can fertilize them once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. Deadhead the spent flowers to encourage new growth.

8. Petunia

Petunia produces beautiful, trumpet-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The flowers are usually pink, purple, or white and bloom from spring to fall. Petunia prefers full sun and well-draining soil.

How to grow Petunia?

Petunia prefers fertile, well-draining soil that is kept moist but not waterlogged. The plants should be spaced 6 to 12 inches apart to allow for good air circulation. You can fertilize them once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. Deadhead the spent flowers to encourage new growth.

9. Hollyhock

Hollyhock produces tall spikes of showy flowers that resemble hummingbirds. The flowers are usually pink, red, white, or yellow and bloom in mid to late summer. Hollyhock prefers full sun and well-draining soil.

How to grow Hollyhock?

Hollyhock prefers rich, well-draining soil that is kept moist but not waterlogged. The plants need support to stand, such as a stake. You can fertilize them once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. Cut the plants back after they have finished blooming.

10. Butterfly Bush

Butterfly bush produces large, fragrant flowers that attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. The flowers are usually pink, purple, or white and bloom from mid-summer to fall. Butterfly bush prefers full sun and well-draining soil.

How to grow Butterfly Bush?

Butterfly bush prefers well-draining soil that is kept moist but not waterlogged. The plants need to be pruned back in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth. You can fertilize them once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. Deadhead the spent flowers to encourage new growth.

11. Lantana

Lantana produces clusters of small, colorful flowers that resemble hummingbirds. The flowers are usually pink, yellow, orange, or red and bloom from summer to fall. Lantana prefers full sun and well-draining soil.

How to grow Lantana?

Lantana prefers well-draining soil that is kept moist but not waterlogged. The plants should be spaced 12 to 18 inches apart to allow for good air circulation. You can fertilize them once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. Deadhead the spent flowers to encourage new growth.

12. Cuphea

Cuphea produces tubular flowers that resemble hummingbirds. The flowers are usually red or purple and bloom from summer to fall. Cuphea prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil.

How to grow Cuphea?

Cuphea prefers well-draining soil that is kept moist but not waterlogged. The plants should be spaced 12 to 18 inches apart to allow for good air circulation. You can fertilize them once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. Deadhead the spent flowers to encourage new growth.

13. Penstemon

Penstemon produces bell-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds and bees. The flowers are usually pink, purple, or red and bloom from mid-summer to fall. Penstemon prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil.

How to grow Penstemon?

Penstemon prefers well-draining soil that is kept moist but not waterlogged. The plants should be spaced 12 to 18 inches apart to allow for good air circulation. You can fertilize them once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. Cut the plants back after they have finished blooming.

14. Red Hot Poker

Red hot poker produces tall spikes of bright, tubular flowers that resemble hummingbirds. The flowers are usually red, orange, or yellow and bloom from mid-summer to fall. Red hot poker prefers full sun and well-draining soil.

How to grow Red Hot Poker?

Red hot poker prefers well-draining soil that is kept moist but not waterlogged. The plants should be spaced 12 to 18 inches apart to allow for good air circulation. You can fertilize them once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. Cut the plants back after they have finished blooming.

15. Coral Bells

Coral bells produce bell-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds and bees. The flowers are usually pink or white and bloom in spring to early summer. Coral bells prefer partial shade and well-draining soil.

How to grow Coral Bells?

Coral bells prefer well-draining soil that is kept moist but not waterlogged. The plants should be spaced 12 to 18 inches apart to allow for good air circulation. You can fertilize them once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. Cut the plants back after they have finished blooming.


Plants that look like hummingbirds are not only beautiful but also attract real hummingbirds to your garden. These plants come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, and there is sure to be one that suits your taste. By planting hummingbird plants in your garden, you can help support these amazing birds and create a beautiful outdoor space.

FAQs

Q1. How do hummingbirds pollinate flowers?

Hummingbirds pollinate flowers by sticking their long bills and tongues deep into the flower's nectar tube. As they feed on the nectar, they pick up pollen on their bills and heads, which they transfer to other flowers as they feed.

Q2. Are hummingbird plants native to North America?

No, some hummingbird plants are native to North America, while others come from South America, Asia, and Africa.

Q3. How can I attract hummingbirds to my garden?

You can attract hummingbirds to your garden by planting hummingbird plants, providing fresh water for them to drink and bathe in, and hanging hummingbird feeders filled with sugar water.

Q4. Can I grow hummingbird plants in containers?

Yes, many hummingbird plants can be grown in containers, such as fuchsia and trumpet vine. Just make sure the container has good drainage and use a potting mix that is designed for container gardening.

Q5. How often should I fertilize hummingbird plants?

You can fertilize hummingbird plants once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. However, be careful not to over-fertilize, as this can lead to excessive foliage growth and fewer flowers.