Butterflies visit literally thousands of different plants, both to sip nectar and to lay their eggs. A few plant families are particularly important to them, as either a nectar source or a larvae plant, or both. If you incorporate at least three (3) plants from each of the plant families described here, you will increase your chances of attracting many different butterfly species.
3 x 3 Success Plan (DO NOT INCLUDE TREES IN THIS EQUATION)
Order a minimum of 3 species
Order a minimum of 3 plants per species
You should end up with at least nine (9) plants to start your garden.
To guarantee success, it is recommended to first plant species that have earned the IFBE Gold Star Award. Gold Star Awards are given to plant species that are known to attract both adult butterflies and caterpillar’s.
For additional questions, please consult your local nursery trained in IFBE recommended butterfly plants.
PLANTS THAT HAVE EARNED THE IFBE GOLD STAR AWARD
| Annuals and Perennials | Shrubs | Vines | Trees | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asclepias | Buddleia | Passion Vine | Horsechestnut | |||
| Aster | Coffeberry | Wisteria | Madrone | |||
| Beard Tongue | Elderberry | Willow | ||||
| Columbine | Gooseberry | |||||
| Common Foxglove | Honeysuckle | |||||
| Common Heliotrope | Lantana | |||||
| Hollyhock | Lavender | |||||
| Lupine | Lilac | |||||
| Snapdragon | Manzanita | |||||
| Spirae | ||||||
| Toyon | ||||||
| Wild Lilac | ||||||
| Wild Buckwheat |
If you find that you would like to add some variety to this list of plant species, the following plants are also favorable.
OTHER PLANTS THAT HELP WITH HABITAT CONSERVATION
FOOD PLANTS FOR BUTTERFLY LARVAE
| Annuals and Perennials | Shrubs | Trees | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artichoke | Cape Plumbago | Birch | ||
| Bleeding Heart | Hibiscus | Citrus | ||
| Broccoli | Mallow | Crabapple | ||
| Cabbage | Ocean Spray | Dogwood | ||
| Common Fennel | Rose | Douglas Fir | ||
| Garden Nasturtium | Senna | Hackberry | ||
| Geum | Sticky Monkey Flower | Hawthorn | ||
| Mustard | Tree Mallow | Mesquite | ||
| Speedwell | Virburnum | Oak | ||
| Stawberry | Pine | |||
| Sunflower | Poplar | |||
| Twinspur | Prunus | |||
| Troadflax | Sycamore |
NECTAR PLANTS FOR ADULT BUTTERFLIES
| Annuals and Perennials | Shrubs | Trees | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bee Balm | Abelia | Apple | ||
| Blanket Flower | Bluebeard | Chaste Tree | ||
| Borage | California Fushia | Maple | ||
| Bouvardia | Cinquefoil | Orange | ||
| Candytuft | Escallonia | |||
| Coreopsis | Hebe | |||
| Cosmos | Lavender Starflower | |||
| Cupid’s Dart | Mahonia | |||
| Cynoglossum | Mexican Orange | |||
| Delphinium | Mock Orange | |||
| False Spirea | Rhododendron | |||
| Fleabane | Rosemary | |||
| Gayfeather | Scotch Heather | |||
| Globe Thistle | Squawbush | |||
| Gloriosa Daisy | Summersweet | |||
| Goldenrod | Vaccinium | |||
| Jupiter’s Beard | ||||
| Lily-of-the-Nile | ||||
| Lobelia | ||||
| Marigold | ||||
| Oregano | ||||
| Pholx | ||||
| Pincushion Flower | ||||
| Pink | ||||
| Purple Coneflower | ||||
| Ranunculus | ||||
| Sage | ||||
| Sea Holly | ||||
| Shasta Daisy | ||||
| Stonecrop | ||||
| Sweet Alyssum | ||||
| Sweet Pea | ||||
| Yarrow | ||||
| Wallflower |