Attract Pollinators with These Amazing Plants

Why are Pollinators Important?

Pollinators are essential for the survival of many plant species. They transfer pollen from the male reproductive organs of a flower to the female reproductive organs, leading to fertilization and the production of seeds. Without pollinators, many plants would not be able to reproduce, and the food chain would be severely impacted.

What are some common pollinators?

Bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, and beetles are all common pollinators. Each species has different preferences when it comes to flowers, so attracting a diverse range of pollinators requires planting a variety of flowering plants.

The Top 15 Plants to Attract Pollinators

1. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)

Bee balm is a popular choice among gardeners looking to attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The bright red, pink, or purple flowers bloom in mid-summer and continue through early fall. Bee balm prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

How to Care for Bee Balm

Bee balm should be planted in late spring or early summer, after the danger of frost has passed. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continued blooming.

2. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Butterfly weed is a native perennial that produces bright orange or yellow flowers from mid-summer to early fall. It is a host plant for monarch butterfly larvae and attracts a wide range of other butterflies, as well as bees and hummingbirds.

How to Care for Butterfly Weed

Butterfly weed prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established but should be watered regularly during its first growing season. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming.

3. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Black-eyed Susan is a native annual or biennial that produces bright yellow or orange flowers from mid-summer to early fall. It attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators and is often used in wildflower meadows.

How to Care for Black-eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susan prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established but should be watered regularly during its first growing season. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming.

4. Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Coneflower is a native perennial that produces pink, purple, or white flowers from mid-summer to early fall. It attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators and is often used in wildflower meadows.

How to Care for Coneflower

Coneflower prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established but should be watered regularly during its first growing season. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming.

5. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Lavender is a fragrant perennial that produces purple, pink, or white flowers in early summer. It attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators and is often used in herb gardens.

How to Care for Lavender

Lavender prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established but should be watered regularly during its first growing season. Prune back the plant by one-third in the spring to encourage bushy growth.

6. Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Sage is a fragrant perennial that produces purple, pink, or white flowers in early summer. It attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators and is often used in herb gardens.

How to Care for Sage

Sage prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established but should be watered regularly during its first growing season. Prune back the plant by one-third in the spring to encourage bushy growth.

7. Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

Milkweed is a native perennial that produces pink, purple, or white flowers from mid-summer to early fall. It is a host plant for monarch butterfly larvae and attracts a wide range of other butterflies, as well as bees and hummingbirds.

How to Care for Milkweed

Milkweed prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established but should be watered regularly during its first growing season. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming.

8. Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

Goldenrod is a native perennial that produces bright yellow flowers in late summer and early fall. It attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators and is often used in wildflower meadows.

How to Care for Goldenrod

Goldenrod prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established but should be watered regularly during its first growing season. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming.

9. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Sunflower is an annual that produces large yellow or orange flowers in mid-summer. It attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators and is often used in wildflower meadows.

How to Care for Sunflower

Sunflower prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established but should be watered regularly during its first growing season. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming.

10. Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatorium maculatum)

Joe-Pye weed is a native perennial that produces pink, purple, or white flowers from mid-summer to early fall. It attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators and is often used in wildflower meadows.

How to Care for Joe-Pye Weed

Joe-Pye weed prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established but should be watered regularly during its first growing season. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming.

11. Aster (Aster spp.)

Aster is a native perennial that produces pink, purple, or white flowers in late summer and early fall. It attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators and is often used in wildflower meadows.

How to Care for Aster

Aster prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established but should be watered regularly during its first growing season. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming.

12. Phlox (Phlox paniculata)

Phlox is a fragrant perennial that produces pink, purple, or white flowers in mid-summer. It attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators and is often used in cottage gardens.

How to Care for Phlox

Phlox prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established but should be watered regularly during its first growing season. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming.

13. Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)

Zinnia is an annual that produces bright pink, purple, red, orange, or yellow flowers from mid-summer to early fall. It attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators and is often used in wildflower meadows.

How to Care for Zinnia

Zinnia prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established but should be watered regularly during its first growing season. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming.

14. Catmint (Nepeta spp.)

Catmint is a fragrant perennial that produces purple, blue, or white flowers in early summer. It attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators and is often used in herb gardens.

How to Care for Catmint

Catmint prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established but should be watered regularly during its first growing season. Prune back the plant by one-third in the spring to encourage bushy growth.

15. Liatris (Liatris spp.)

Liatris is a native perennial that produces pink, purple, or white flowers in late summer and early fall. It attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators and is often used in wildflower meadows.

How to Care for Liatris

Liatris prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established but should be watered regularly during its first growing season. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming.


Attracting pollinators to your garden is easy with the right plants. By planting a variety of flowering species, you can provide food and shelter for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other important pollinators. Remember to choose plants that are native to your area whenever possible, as these will be best adapted to the local climate and soil conditions.

FAQs

1. What time of year should I plant pollinator-friendly plants?

The best time to plant pollinator-friendly plants is in the spring or fall, when temperatures are mild and there is plenty of moisture in the soil.

2. Do I need to fertilize my pollinator-friendly plants?

Most pollinator-friendly plants do not require fertilizer, as they are adapted to grow in poor soils. However, if you do choose to fertilize, use a slow-release organic fertilizer.

3. How often should I water my pollinator-friendly plants?

Water your pollinator-friendly plants regularly during their first growing season to help them establish a strong root system. After that, most plants will only need to be watered during periods of drought.

4. Can I attract pollinators with non-flowering plants?

Some non-flowering plants, such as ferns and hostas, can provide habitat for pollinators, but they will not attract them in the same way that flowering plants do.

5. Can I attract pollinators to a balcony or small space?

Yes! Even small spaces can be planted with pollinator-friendly flowers in containers or hanging baskets. Just make sure to choose plants that are appropriate for the amount of sunlight and growing conditions in your space.