10 Best Flowers for Hummingbirds and Butterflies in 2026
If you want a garden that keeps hummingbirds and butterflies moving through it in 2026, you will need more than a few pretty blooms. Choose flowers that offer the right shape, nectar, and bloom timing, and place them where they will thrive.
Some plants will do more than attract visitors, they will shape the whole pollinator space in ways you might not expect.
| Solar Garden Lily Flower Lights with Butterfly Decor |  | Best Decorative Option | Product Type: Solar flower lights | Pollinator Appeal: Hummingbirds, butterflies | Sunlight: Solar-powered | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Hummingbird Butterfly Wildflower Seed Mix (1 oz) |  | Best Seed Mix | Product Type: Wildflower seed mix | Pollinator Appeal: Hummingbirds, butterflies | Sunlight: Full sun | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Live Flowering Bee Balm Pollinator Plants (2 Pack) | Best Live Plant | Product Type: Live bee balm plants | Pollinator Appeal: Butterflies, pollinators | Sunlight: Full sun | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis | |
| Old Farmer’s Almanac Wildflower Seeds Pollinator Mix |  | Best Variety Mix | Product Type: Wildflower seed mix | Pollinator Appeal: Butterflies, hummingbirds, bees | Sunlight: Full sun | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Wildflower Seeds Shaker for Hummingbirds and Butterflies |  | Best For Pollinators | Product Type: Wildflower seed shaker | Pollinator Appeal: Hummingbirds, butterflies, bees | Sunlight: Full sun | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Solar Butterfly Garden Lights 2 Pack Warm White |  | Best Solar Accent | Product Type: Solar flower lights | Pollinator Appeal: Butterflies, hummingbirds | Sunlight: Solar-powered | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Seed Needs Borage Seeds for Planting Blue Star Flowers |  | Best Edible Flower | Product Type: Borage seeds | Pollinator Appeal: Bees, butterflies | Sunlight: Full sun | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Perfect Plants Nanho Butterfly Shrub 1 Gallon |  | Best Shrub Choice | Product Type: Live butterfly shrub | Pollinator Appeal: Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds | Sunlight: Full sun | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Wildflower Seeds Bulk Mix for Hummingbirds & Butterflies |  | Best Meadow Mix | Product Type: Wildflower seed mix | Pollinator Appeal: Hummingbirds, butterflies, bees | Sunlight: Full sun | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Organo Republic Wildflower Seeds Mix for Birds & Butterflies |  | Best Large Pack | Product Type: Wildflower seed mix | Pollinator Appeal: Birds, butterflies, hummingbirds | Sunlight: Full/partial sun | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Solar Garden Lily Flower Lights with Butterfly Decor
If you want an easy way to add butterfly-friendly charm to your outdoor space, the Solar Garden Lights 4 Pack with 16 lily flowers and butterfly decor is a strong pick. You get four solar units with realistic silk lilies, butterfly accents, and bendable stainless steel stems, so you can shape them for beds, fences, or walkways. Each unit uses 54 warm white LEDs and a smart sensor for dusk to dawn lighting. After 4 to 6 hours of sun, they can glow up to 12 hours. They are IP65 waterproof, rust resistant, and gift ready for holidays or memorials.
- Product Type:Solar flower lights
- Pollinator Appeal:Hummingbirds, butterflies
- Sunlight:Solar-powered
- Bloom Color:Warm white
- Pack Size:4-pack
- Outdoor Use:Yard, garden
- Additional Feature:54 warm-white LEDs
- Additional Feature:800 mAh solar panel
- Additional Feature:IP65 waterproof rating
Hummingbird Butterfly Wildflower Seed Mix (1 oz)
The FAMILY SOWN Hummingbird Butterfly Wildflower Mix is an excellent choice if you want a simple, giftable seed packet that attracts pollinators and fills your garden with color all season. This 1 ounce mix contains over 7,500 pure live seeds and can cover up to 100 square feet, allowing you to create a lively border or wildflower patch with ease. You will get nectar rich blooms that draw hummingbirds and butterflies, plus a reusable zipper pack and clear planting instructions. FAMILY SOWN supports the product with a 30 day refund if your seeds do not grow.
- Product Type:Wildflower seed mix
- Pollinator Appeal:Hummingbirds, butterflies
- Sunlight:Full sun
- Bloom Color:Mixed colors
- Pack Size:1 oz
- Outdoor Use:Borders, wildflower areas
- Additional Feature:Over 7,500 seeds
- Additional Feature:Reusable zipper packaging
- Additional Feature:30-day grow refund
Live Flowering Bee Balm Pollinator Plants (2 Pack)
Bee balm is a smart pick for gardeners who want a fragrant, low-maintenance pollinator plant that reliably draws butterflies and other beneficial visitors to the yard. You get two live plants in 1-quart pots, shipped fresh from the greenhouse in assorted pink and purple. Set them in full sun and well-draining soil, and water deeply at the base every 1 to 2 weeks. In USDA zones 3 to 9, they can reach about 4 feet tall and bloom through summer. Their mint-family foliage smells great, too.
- Product Type:Live bee balm plants
- Pollinator Appeal:Butterflies, pollinators
- Sunlight:Full sun
- Bloom Color:Pink, purple
- Pack Size:2 plants
- Outdoor Use:Outdoor garden
- Additional Feature:Live 1-quart plants
- Additional Feature:Grown in greenhouse
- Additional Feature:USDA zones 3–9
Old Farmer’s Almanac Wildflower Seeds Pollinator Mix
Looking for an easy way to fill your garden with color and pollinators? The Old Farmer’s Almanac Premium Wildflower Seeds Pollinator Mix contains 23 non-GMO, open-pollinated varieties, including columbine, cosmos, foxglove, larkspur, poppy, snapdragon, and zinnia. You will get nectar-rich blooms that attract butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, birds, and other pollinators while boosting biodiversity. Plant it in full sun and enjoy vibrant flowers from summer into fall. Its mix of annuals and perennials provides quick color now and recurring blooms later in pollinator gardens, meadows, borders, or cottage-style beds.
- Product Type:Wildflower seed mix
- Pollinator Appeal:Butterflies, hummingbirds, bees
- Sunlight:Full sun
- Bloom Color:Mixed colors
- Pack Size:Mix pack
- Outdoor Use:Pollinator gardens
- Additional Feature:23-variety blend
- Additional Feature:Non-GMO open-pollinated
- Additional Feature:Annual and perennial mix
Wildflower Seeds Shaker for Hummingbirds and Butterflies
If you want a low-effort way to create a pollinator-friendly garden, the Wildflower Seeds Shaker, Hummingbird and Butterfly Mix is a strong pick for you. You get an easy-to-sow shaker with 100,000+ GMO-free seeds from 23 non-GMO varieties, including butterfly milkweed, columbine, cosmos, zinnia, and penstemon. Plant it in full sun with moderate watering, and you will support hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. It is suited to wildflower patches across North America, and some perennials come back year after year. Kids and novice gardeners can use it, too.
- Product Type:Wildflower seed shaker
- Pollinator Appeal:Hummingbirds, butterflies, bees
- Sunlight:Full sun
- Bloom Color:Mixed colors
- Pack Size:1 shaker
- Outdoor Use:Outdoor wildflower patches
- Additional Feature:Easy-sow shaker
- Additional Feature:100,000+ seeds
- Additional Feature:23 pure varieties
Solar Butterfly Garden Lights 2 Pack Warm White
For gardeners who want a low-maintenance way to add color after dark, the Solar Butterfly Garden Lights, 2 Pack, Warm White combine lifelike purple lavender blooms with eight large butterflies per unit and a soft warm white glow. Place them in beds, pots, along pathways, or on a porch to create instant charm. Each lightweight stake uses 112 LEDs, charges in 6 to 8 hours, and shines up to 10 hours. With IP65 waterproof protection, they hold up through rain, snow, heat, and frost. The fade-resistant finish helps them stay vivid season after season.
- Product Type:Solar flower lights
- Pollinator Appeal:Butterflies, hummingbirds
- Sunlight:Solar-powered
- Bloom Color:Purple, warm white
- Pack Size:2-pack
- Outdoor Use:Yard, patio
- Additional Feature:112 built-in LEDs
- Additional Feature:21% solar efficiency
- Additional Feature:800 mAh battery
Seed Needs Borage Seeds for Planting Blue Star Flowers
Seed Needs Borage Seeds are a smart pick if you want an easy-to-grow herb that attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators with vivid blue, star-shaped blooms. You get heirloom, non-GMO, untreated seeds for an annual herb that reaches 12 to 24 inches tall and blooms from summer to fall. Plant them in full sun and rich, fertile soil, and water regularly. Sow them outdoors in spring or start indoors. The flowers and young leaves are edible, and the packet includes clear sowing steps. Packaged fresh, it is great for sharing or saving.
- Product Type:Borage seeds
- Pollinator Appeal:Bees, butterflies
- Sunlight:Full sun
- Bloom Color:Blue
- Pack Size:1 packet
- Outdoor Use:Garden beds
- Additional Feature:Edible flowers and leaves
- Additional Feature:Tear-resistant seed packet
- Additional Feature:Detailed sowing instructions
Perfect Plants Nanho Butterfly Shrub 1 Gallon
Perfect Plants Nanho Butterfly Shrub is a smart pick if you want a fast-growing, low-maintenance pollinator magnet that turns a sunny spot into a butterfly and hummingbird stopover. This live 1-gallon Buddleja arrives with a full potted root system, so you can plant it right away. You will get dark purple, honey-scented blooms from early summer into fall, plus a bushy shrub that can reach 6 to 10 feet in USDA zones 5 to 9. Give it full sun and moderate water, and expect drought tolerance once established. It is rabbit resistant as well.
- Product Type:Live butterfly shrub
- Pollinator Appeal:Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds
- Sunlight:Full sun
- Bloom Color:Purple
- Pack Size:1 gallon
- Outdoor Use:Landscape shrub
- Additional Feature:Full potted root system
- Additional Feature:Honey-like fragrance
- Additional Feature:Rabbit resistant
Wildflower Seeds Bulk Mix for Hummingbirds & Butterflies
If you want a pollinator-packed meadow without the fuss, the Wildflower Seeds Bulk Mix for Hummingbirds & Butterflies is an easy choice. It contains PlantMe’s American Meadow Magic blend with 25 wildflower varieties, including cosmos, to attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. The 30 gram pouch holds more than 10,000 pure, live heirloom seeds and covers about 100 square feet. It arrives in a resealable, moisture-proof bag. Simply scatter the seeds on prepared soil in full sun. The mix is low maintenance, suitable for outdoor use, and comes with clear instructions. It also makes a thoughtful gift.
- Product Type:Wildflower seed mix
- Pollinator Appeal:Hummingbirds, butterflies, bees
- Sunlight:Full sun
- Bloom Color:Mixed colors
- Pack Size:30 g
- Outdoor Use:Meadows, borders
- Additional Feature:10,000+ pure seeds
- Additional Feature:Resealable moisture-proof pouch
- Additional Feature:Throw-and-grow planting
Organo Republic Wildflower Seeds Mix for Birds & Butterflies
Organo Republic’s 23 Wildflower Seeds Annual & Perennial Mix is a smart pick if you want a pollinator-friendly blend that draws in bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and birds with very little fuss. You get more than 100,000 non-GMO heirloom seeds in a 4 ounce resealable packet, so you can sow thick color in beds, borders, pathways, meadows, or a window garden. Expect red, orange, purple, and pink blooms from spring through fall, with plants reaching about 15 inches. The seeds perform well in full sun to partial shade, prefer loam or potting mix, and require moderate watering.
- Product Type:Wildflower seed mix
- Pollinator Appeal:Birds, butterflies, hummingbirds
- Sunlight:Full/partial sun
- Bloom Color:Red, orange, purple, pink
- Pack Size:4 oz
- Outdoor Use:Garden, meadow, borders
- Additional Feature:4 oz packet
- Additional Feature:QR code instructions
- Additional Feature:Viable up to 3 years
Factors to Consider When Choosing Flowers For Hummingbirds And Butterflies
When choosing flowers for hummingbirds and butterflies, focus on nectar-rich blooms that offer easy fuel and bright color. Include a mix of plants that bloom at different times to provide continuous food. Consider sunlight requirements and prioritize native varieties that suit your garden. Plant height is important, as taller flowers tend to attract hummingbirds while shorter ones make landing easier for butterflies.
Nectar-Rich Blooms
Choosing nectar-rich blooms means focusing on flowers that offer plenty of food in a form pollinators can easily use. You will get the best results when you pick flowers that produce about 1 to 4 µL of nectar per bloom, and that offer the right sugar level: roughly 20 to 30 percent for hummingbirds and 15 to 25 percent for many butterflies. Favor tubular or trumpet-shaped blossoms for hummingbirds, since their bills can reach the nectar quickly. For butterflies, choose flat or clustered flowers that give them a landing spot and steady access. Look for bright red, orange, pink, or purple blooms for hummingbirds, and vivid, fragrant flowers for butterflies. Native, pollinator-adapted plants usually reward you with more usable nectar and dependable visits.
Blooming Season
Even the best nectar-rich flowers won’t help much if they all bloom at once and then fade away. You will get better results when you choose plants with staggered bloom times, so nectar keeps flowing from spring through fall. Mix early, mid, and late-season bloomers to support migrating and resident hummingbirds and butterflies across the whole season. Include annuals, perennials, and biennials, because some bloom quickly the first year, while others return later and extend the display. Plant at least three species with overlapping bloom windows, so one starts as another peaks, and a third follows. Also combine short-blooming flowers with long-blooming ones, and sow fast growers every two to three weeks. That way you will not create nectar gaps during breeding or migration.
Sunlight Needs
Sunlight is one of the biggest factors in how well your hummingbird and butterfly flowers perform. You will get the best nectar production when you place most favorites in full sun, where they can receive 6 to 8 hours of direct light each day. If your garden has partial shade, pick flowers that tolerate 3 to 6 hours of sun and still form the tubular or clustered blooms pollinators love. In hot climates, morning sun and afternoon shade can help flowers last longer and keep nectar available by limiting heat stress and evaporation. Group sun-loving plants in the brightest spots so they bloom heavily and catch pollinators’ attention fast. Also watch seasonal sun shifts, since you may need to adjust placement to match peak bloom with the light each plant needs.
Native Varieties
Native flowering species are often your best bet, because they are already adapted to your local climate and soil. They usually need less water and maintenance, while still delivering dependable nectar and pollen for nearby hummingbirds and butterflies. You will also benefit from blooms that line up with local pollinator schedules, giving migrating adults and hungry larvae food when they need it most. Native plants can boost biodiversity too, because they host caterpillars and other larvae that feed birds and support butterfly development. For steady forage, mix native perennials, self-seeding natives, and native annuals. When you choose species, look for bright tubular flowers for hummingbirds, and flat or clustered blooms for butterflies. That shape match helps each pollinator feed efficiently and visit more often.
Plant Height
Height matters because different pollinators feed at different levels. You will get better results when you match plant height to how your visitors forage. Use low-growing herbs and annuals, about 6 to 18 inches tall, for butterflies that feed near the ground or along shrubs. Add 1 to 3 foot perennials with broad clusters so butterflies can land easily. For hummingbirds, choose tubular blooms on stems 2 to 5 feet high, or shrubs and flowers that reach 2 to 6 feet or more, so they can hover at comfortable feeding zones. Build a layered planting with groundcovers, mid-height perennials, and taller shrubs to create nectar access and sheltered flight paths. Place taller plants in back and shorter ones in front, and pick varieties that keep their bloom height through the season for steady structure.
Color Selection
Color is one of the easiest ways to draw pollinators into your garden. For hummingbirds, lean into bright reds, oranges, and fuchsia, since those shades often signal tubular, nectar-rich blooms that suit their long bills and hovering style. Butterflies respond well to vivid red, yellow, orange, pink, purple, and white flowers because they can spot them easily and land on them more comfortably. Mix several colors throughout your beds to attract more species and extend appeal as blooms change through the season. Bold contrasts with green foliage help pollinators find flowers faster. Do not rely only on blue flowers; a few can help, but they will not bring the broadest mix of hummingbirds and butterflies to your space.
Water Requirements
Water matters just as much as flower color when you choose plants for hummingbirds and butterflies. You will get better bloom and nectar if you match each plant to your site’s usual moisture. Many butterfly flowers want moderate moisture, while bee balm and other hummingbird favorites prefer steady dampness. Make sure your soil drains well, because soggy roots can weaken perennials and reduce nectar production. If your soil is heavy, work in organic matter so it holds water without staying wet. Water deeply and less often with a soaker hose or drip line; this helps roots grow down and keeps nectar steady. Drought-tolerant salvias, coneflowers, and prairie natives need less care, and grouping plants by water needs makes watering easier and more effective.
Pollinator Support
To support hummingbirds and butterflies, choose nectar-rich flowers with tubular or trumpet-shaped blooms that make feeding easy. You will help hummingbirds most with hanging, tube-shaped blossoms, while butterflies need flat clusters or wide landing pads. Plant a mix of heights and bloom forms so both can feed comfortably. Aim for staggered flowering times, too, so nectar is available from spring through fall. Native or locally adapted plants usually provide more nectar and pollen, and they often attract more visits from local pollinators. Avoid nectar-poor hybrids, double flowers, and overly scented varieties that hide or reduce nectar. Also minimize pesticide use; this protects visiting insects and keeps your garden safer and more reliable for pollinator support all season long.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Flowers Attract Both Hummingbirds and Butterflies Fastest?
You’ll attract both fastest with bright, nectar-rich flowers like salvia, bee balm, lantana, and zinnias. Plant several blooming in clumps, and you will draw hummingbirds and butterflies quickly because they are easy to spot and feed on.
Can These Flowers Grow in Containers on Balconies?
Yes, you can grow them in containers on balconies. Use deep pots, rich, well-draining soil, and water regularly. Think of your balcony as a small stage. These blooms will invite winged guests daily.
What Bloom Colors Do Hummingbirds Prefer Most?
You will most often attract hummingbirds with red blooms, though they also visit orange, pink, and coral flowers. Mix bright, tubular blossoms to catch their attention and keep your container garden lively.
How Do I Keep Pollinator Flowers Blooming Longer?
Deadhead spent blooms, water deeply, mulch, and feed lightly to keep flowers producing. Plant varieties with staggered bloom times, pinch back growth, and provide plenty of sun for longer flowering.
Are Any of These Flowers Safe for Pets?
Yes, some are pet-safe, but you should double-check each one. A garden can look like a rainbow buffet, yet lilies, foxglove, and lantana can be toxic. Confirm every plant before planting.