31 Beautiful Flowers That Attract Butterflies To Your Garden

Butterflies aren’t just beautiful to watch—they play an important role in pollination. If you love seeing them fluttering around, planting the right flowers is the secret. But what flowers attract butterflies the most? They prefer nectar-rich blooms that offer a steady food supply, and lucky for you, there are plenty to choose from.

Here’s a list of 31 flowers that butterflies like, so you can transform your garden into a butterfly paradise!

1. Lantana

A butterfly favourite, lantanas bloom in bright pink, orange, yellow, and purple clusters. They thrive in warm climates and are easy to care for. These flowers produce nectar throughout the day, ensuring butterflies always have a food source. Plus, their mild drought tolerance makes them perfect for low-maintenance gardens.

2. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)

True to its name, the butterfly bush attracts butterflies. Its fragrant, cone-shaped flowers bloom throughout the year. 

This shrub is fast-growing and thrives in full sunlight, making it an excellent addition to any butterfly-friendly garden. Regular pruning helps encourage more blooms and a bushier shape.

3. Pentas

These star-shaped flowers come in shades of red, pink, and white. Their high nectar content makes them one of the flowers that butterflies like best. Pentas are well-suited for tropical climates and can handle Singapore’s warm temperatures with ease. They also attract bees and hummingbirds, making your garden even more vibrant.

4. Zinnia

Easy to grow and bursting with colour, zinnias attract butterflies with their open petals and abundant nectar. These annual flowers bloom quickly and come in a variety of sizes, from compact varieties for pots to taller ones that sway beautifully in the wind. Deadheading spent blooms will encourage continuous flowering throughout the season.

5. Milkweed (Asclepias)

Essential for monarch butterflies, milkweed provides both food and a place for caterpillars to grow. The milky sap of this plant deters pests, while its long-lasting blooms keep butterflies visiting. Growing milkweed also supports butterfly conservation, as it plays a key role in the monarch butterfly’s life cycle.

6. Marigold

Bright and cheerful, marigolds provide nectar for butterflies while also keeping pests away. Their natural pest-repelling properties make them an excellent companion plant in vegetable gardens. With their strong scent and hardy nature, they thrive even in poor soil conditions.

7. Cosmos

The cosmos makes an inviting landing spot for butterflies with their delicate petals and wide-open centres. These flowers are known for their feathery foliage and ability to thrive in various soil conditions. Cosmos are self-seeding, meaning they will return each year with minimal effort from gardeners.

8. Verbena

A low-maintenance plant with clusters of tiny flowers, verbena ensures a steady food source for butterflies. It’s a drought-tolerant option that thrives in warm climates and continues blooming with minimal watering. The plant’s trailing habit makes it perfect for hanging baskets, garden beds, and borders.

9. Hibiscus

Large, tropical flowers with plenty of nectar attract butterflies and hummingbirds. With its striking, trumpet-shaped blooms, hibiscus serves as both a visual centrepiece and a reliable nectar source. Some varieties bloom daily, ensuring a constant supply of food for butterflies.

10. Bougainvillaea

Not just a pretty vine, bougainvillaea offers shelter for butterflies and attracts them with its colourful bracts. This hardy plant is perfect for trellises, fences, and walls, adding a vibrant splash of colour to any outdoor space. Although the flowers are small, the showy bracts surrounding them are what make this plant irresistible to butterflies.

11. Coneflower (Echinacea)

A hardy plant with purple petals and a cone-shaped centre that butterflies love. It is drought-resistant and thrives in full sun, making it an excellent low-maintenance addition to any garden. The seed heads also provide food for birds once the flowering season ends, adding more life to your outdoor space.

12. Sunflower

Sunflowers' large, bright blooms provide nectar and resting spots for butterflies. They track the sun throughout the day, making them a dynamic and eye-catching feature in gardens. Their tall, sturdy stems also act as a landing pad for butterflies, giving them a comfortable feeding spot.

13. Lavender

Lavender is not only fragrant for humans; butterflies like it thanks to its sweet nectar. Its long-lasting blooms make it a reliable source of food, and its ability to repel mosquitoes is an added bonus for gardeners. Lavender thrives in well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight, making it ideal for warm climates.

14. Snapdragon

These unique, dragon-shaped flowers attract butterflies looking for a deep nectar source. They come in a variety of colours, adding a whimsical touch to any garden. Although they prefer cooler weather, snapdragons can be grown year-round in the right conditions and will bloom continuously with regular deadheading.

15. Dahlia

Dahlias come in endless colours and are a favourite among butterflies. Their intricate petal arrangements make them visually striking, while their long blooming season ensures a consistent nectar supply. Some varieties can grow quite tall, creating a layered effect that adds depth to garden landscapes.

16. Salvia

Tall spikes of purple, red, or blue flowers provide a rich nectar source for butterflies. Salvia is a hardy plant that tolerates heat well, making it a reliable choice for tropical gardens. Its strong fragrance also deters pests, helping to keep surrounding plants healthy.

17. Daisy

With their open petals and abundant pollen, daisies attract butterflies throughout the year. They are known for their cheerful, sun-like appearance and thrive in various soil conditions. Daisies also reseed themselves, meaning they can continue to bloom year after year with minimal care.

18. Phlox

Clusters of tiny flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white provide a great nectar source. Phlox thrives in both sun and partial shade, making it adaptable to different garden conditions. It is also a great ground cover plant, helping to prevent soil erosion while adding colour to your garden.

19. Mexican Sunflower

These bright orange flowers are an absolute magnet for butterflies. Unlike traditional sunflowers, Mexican sunflowers have a bushy growth habit and can reach up to six feet in height. Their fast-growing nature makes them an excellent choice for quickly filling empty garden spaces.

20. Passionflower

A late-season bloom that ensures butterflies have nectar even as other flowers fade. Goldenrod is often mistaken for causing allergies, but it is a beneficial plant supporting pollinators. Its bright yellow flowers stand out in gardens, and it thrives in a variety of soil conditions.

21. Goldenrod

A late-season bloom that ensures butterflies have nectar even as other flowers fade. Goldenrod is often mistaken for causing allergies, but it is actually a beneficial plant that supports pollinators. Its bright yellow flowers stand out in gardens, and it thrives in a variety of soil conditions.

22. Coreopsis

Also known as tickseed, coreopsis offers vibrant yellow flowers that butterflies love. This hardy plant blooms profusely with minimal care and can withstand heat and drought. It reseeds itself easily, ensuring a long-lasting presence in any butterfly-friendly garden.

23. Sweet Alyssum

Tiny, fragrant blooms that spread easily and attract butterflies in large numbers. Sweet alyssum’s honey-like scent makes it a favourite among pollinators, and it grows well in garden beds, pots, and hanging baskets. It also acts as a natural ground cover, helping to suppress weeds while adding beauty to the landscape.

24. Yarrow

Flat-topped clusters of tiny flowers make for an easy landing pad. Yarrow is a tough, drought-tolerant plant that thrives in poor soil and requires little maintenance. Its feathery foliage adds texture to gardens, and its long blooming season provides a reliable nectar source for butterflies.

25. Aster

One of the last flowers to bloom before winter, asters provide much-needed nectar. Their daisy-like flowers come in shades of purple, pink, and white, offering a beautiful contrast to autumn gardens. Asters are also a key food source for migrating butterflies, helping them prepare for long journeys.

26. Black-Eyed Susan

A tough, sun-loving flower that butterflies can’t resist. Its golden petals and dark centres create a striking visual in gardens, while its ability to tolerate dry conditions makes it a reliable choice. Black-eyed Susans also support various pollinators, including bees and birds.

27. Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)

These fiery red and yellow blooms offer nectar-rich feasts for butterflies. Gaillardia thrives in full sun and can handle poor soil, making it a great low-maintenance option. Its long blooming season ensures butterflies have access to nectar for months.

28. Bee Balm

With its spiky, bright petals, bee balm is loved by both butterflies and bees. It has a strong minty fragrance that deters pests, making it a natural companion plant in gardens. Bee balm is also known for its medicinal properties and can be used in herbal teas.

29. Catmint

This fragrant plant attracts butterflies and is loved by cats! Its soft lavender-blue flowers and silvery foliage make it an elegant addition to gardens. Catmint is drought-tolerant and grows well along borders, where it creates a cascading effect.

30. Morning Glory

Beautiful, fast-growing vines that butterflies visit in the morning for nectar. Morning glories unfurl their trumpet-shaped blooms early in the day, providing an early source of nectar for butterflies. They can be trained on trellises and fences, adding vertical beauty to outdoor spaces.

31. Foxglove

These bell-shaped flowers are a unique addition that butterflies enjoy. Foxgloves thrive in partial shade and add height to garden beds with their tall flower spikes. While they are beautiful, gardeners should be cautious as foxglove is toxic if ingested.

Conclusion About Flowers That Butterflies Like

Now that you know what kind of flowers do butterflies like, it’s time to start planting! Whether you have a small balcony or a spacious garden, adding these flowers will bring colour, movement, and life to your space.

If you're looking for the best way to get these beautiful blooms delivered, we at Singapore Florist offer the best flower delivery in Singapore. 

Our fresh, high-quality flowers will help you create a stunning butterfly-friendly garden with ease.

Frequently Asked Questions About Flowers That Butterflies Like

How Do I Attract More Butterflies To My Garden?

Plant a variety of nectar-rich flowers in bright colours, provide a water source, and avoid pesticides. Having host plants like milkweed also helps butterflies lay eggs.

Do Butterflies Prefer Certain Colours?

Yes! Butterflies are especially drawn to red, orange, yellow, pink, and purple flowers. These bright hues signal a rich nectar source.

Can I Grow Butterfly-Friendly Flowers In Pots?

Absolutely! Many flowers that attract butterflies, such as lantana, pentas, and verbena, thrive in pots, making them perfect for balconies and small spaces.

How Often Should I Water Butterfly-Friendly Plants?

Most nectar-rich flowers need moderate watering. Avoid overwatering, as butterflies prefer slightly drier conditions with plenty of sunlight.

Do Butterflies Like Fragrant Flowers?

Yes! Butterflies are attracted to sweet-smelling flowers like lavender, jasmine, and sweet alyssum. These scents help guide them to nectar sources.