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Butterfly friendly plants provide nectar for feeding, places for resting and important habitat for butterflies in a wildlife friendly garden. Choosing nectar plants throughout the season is one of the best ways to attract butterflies to your garden. Butterflies are more than beautiful visitors to our gardens. They play an important role as pollinators and are part of a much wider web of life. As they move between flowers in search of plants with nectar, they help plants reproduce and contribute to a healthy garden ecosystem. This guide focuses on how butterflies use flowers for feeding, resting and shelter.

Many butterflies are in decline, largely due to habitat loss. That is what encouraged me to write this series of articles. By understanding how butterflies feed, rest and move through our gardens, we can make small but meaningful changes that support them. Together, these small actions can help butterflies survives and thrive.

Butterfly Friendly Plants

When we plant butterfly friendly plants, we provide butterflies with the nectar they need to feed, as well as places to rest and stay. Butterflies are often drawn to bright colours and scented blooms, particularly yellow, pink, mauve and purple blooms. Plants that attract butterflies, such as buddleia and asters, are especially attractive. Red flowers however, tend to be less appealing to butterflies.

Plants with lots of flowers or are grown in groups of the same species, are particularly useful. They reduce the time butterflies spend searching for food and provide a more reliable nectar source. Butterflies also need safe resting places where they can blend into their surroundings. For example, white butterflies often rest on the underside of white leaves, where they are less visible to predators. 

Much of what I have learned about butterfly friendly gardening comes from RHS advice, alongside practical observation in my own garden. Here I share 10 reliable, butterfly friendly plants that butterflies return to again and again. These flowers offer both nectar and suitable resting spots. Flowering times and butterfly activity vary by region and weather, but the plants and behaviors described here are widely applicable.

Some nectar plants for butterflies can be seen in the photograph of my pollinator flower bed, above. A project I developed over three years. I also share when to plant each one, when it flowers, and where it grows best in the garden. Butterflies feed on nectar plants from spring to autumn and the plants included here flower for around eight months, from March to October. By planting this kind of variety, you can help butterflies feed, rest and thrive throughout the year. 

Why Butterfly Friendly Plants Matter for Butterflies

Butterfly garden plants are an essential part of the butterfly life cycle. As adults, butterflies rely entirely on nectar for energy, and nectar plants provide their only source of food at this stage of life.

Many butterfly species are in decline, largely due to habitat loss and a lack of suitable plants. By growing plants that attract butterflies in our gardens, we can offer vital support to adult butterflies and help sustain populations locally. While caterpillars feed on the leaves of specific host plants, adult butterflies switch to feeding on nectar once they emerge. Supporting both stages – caterpillar and adult – is key to completing the butterfly life cycle. By choosing the right plants, gardeners can help create small, important habitats for butterflies.

How Butterflies Use Flowers in the Garden

Butterflies use flowers in the garden for much more than feeding on nectar. Flowers also provide places to rest, warm up, and stay alert between feeds.

Some flowers for butterflies offer deep or clustered flower heads that create warmth and shelter, particularly in cooler or breezy conditions. Tall or prominent flowers can act as lookout points, allowing butterflies to pause while remaining aware of their surroundings, and potential predators. By understanding how butterflies use flowers in these different ways, we can choose plants that support not just feeding, but the daily behavior that helps butterflies survive.

Many plants that attract butterflies also provide nectar for other pollinators, such as hoverflies and bees, which helps to increase biodiversity in the garden.

10 Reliable Butterfly Friendly Plants

1 . Virginia Bluebells (Martens Virginia) Flowers: April-May

Virginia bluebells produce soft blue, bell-shaped flowers in early spring, often before many other nectar plants are available. They grow well in dappled shade beneath shrubs and trees, and die back naturally by early summer.

Their early flowering period makes them especially valuable to butterflies emerging from early broods or hibernation, when nectar sources are limited. The gently swaying, tubular flowers suit butterflies with longer tongues, allowing them to feed efficiently. Once flowering has finished, the foliage retreats quietly, making space for later season plants.

Attracts: Fritillary butterflies.

2. Woodland Sage (Salvia nemorosa) Flowers: June-August (into September if dead -headed)

Woodland Sage is a hardy perennial with tall upright stems, of blue-purple flowers and silver-green leaves. It thrives in sunny positions and flowers reliably over a long period.

The tall flower spikes provide easy access to nectar and also act as a convenient resting points, where butterflies often pause between feeds, When planted in groups, sage creates a strong visual signal that butterflies quickly learn to return to. Regular dead-heading extends the flowering season, increasing its value as a summer nectar source.

Attracts: Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady, Large Skipper, and Red Admiral.

3. Beardlip Penstemon (Penstemon barbatus) Flowers: June-September

Beardlip penstemon has a tubular, bell shaped flower, in blue, purple, red or pink, perched on tall stems. This is well suited to long-tongued butterflies, which can easily reach deep into the flower and the nectar.

The open structure of the flower allows butterflies to feed without obstruction. The tall stems offer them resting places that are warm and sheltered. Its long flowering season makes it a dependable nectar plant during midsummer and into early autumn, when consistent sources of nectar are vital.

Attracts: Painted Lady, Peacock and Red Admiral.

4. Purple-top Vervain (Verbena bonariensis) Flowers: July-to first frost

Purple-top vervain has tall stems with clusters of purple flowers that are higher than other plants. Its height makes it visible to butterflies. In my garden, one group grows in a sunny, open border near a pond, where it provides dappled shade over the water, while another is planted in a south facing border, in front of a solid wooden fence. Sunny, open positions are perfect for this plant.

Butterflies are often drawn to vervain as a landing and feeding plant, returning to it frequently during warm weather. The open flower heads provide easy access to nectar, while the elevated position allows butterflies to rest and feed, while staying alert to their surroundings. Its long flowering season makes it very valuable later in the season.

Butterflies Attracts: Large Skipper, Comma, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown, Peacock, and Small Tortoiseshell. 

5. Lavender (Lavendula). Flowers: June-August

Lavender is a popular plant for butterflies if grown in full sun and well drained soil. It has tall stems with long cone-shaped blue-purple flowers. Its green-grey leaves are strongly scented. 

The dense flower cones provide a reliable and rich source of nectar, and butterflies often pause on the stems between feeds. Lavender works especially well when planted in groups, creating a large feeding area, that reduces the need for butterflies to move between plants. Its strong scent attracts a wide range of species, making it a dependable mid-summer nectar plant.

Attracts: Large White, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown, Red Admiral, Peacock, and Large Skipper.

6. Primrose (Primula vulgaris) Flowers: March-April

Primroses are low-growing plants with green leaves and pale yellow flowers that appear in early spring. They are a vital source of nectar in early spring, when few other plants are in flower.

Their open, shallow flowers makes it easy for butterflies to reach the nectar, particularly butterflies newly emerged from hibernation. Growing close to the ground, primroses provide sheltered feeding places in cooler spring weather, allowing butterflies to feed without using lots of energy.

Attracts: Orange Tip, Peacock, Brimstone, and Small Tortoiseshell

7. Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus). Flowers: May-June

Sweet william has scented red, pink and white flowers. It is attractive to short-tongued butterflies, because the nectar is easy to access.

Butterflies frequently fly quickly between the densely packed flowers, feeding efficiently without needing to search further for nectar. When sweet william is planted in groups it provides a reliable feeding patch in late spring and early summer, supporting butterflies during an active period of breeding.

Attracts: Large and Small Skippers, Common Blues, and small Whites.

8. Delphinium (Delphinium)  Flowers: June-July

Delphiniums are a tall plant with long, tubular pink, white, blue, or purple flowers. Their height makes it easy for butterflies to see in a border of mixed flowers.

The deep, tubular flowers are most suitable for long-tongued butterflies, enabling them to easily access the nectar efficiently. Butterflies often feed methodically along the flowers on each stem, moving from flower to flower before resting on nearby stems.

Attracts: Large Skipper, Small Tortoiseshell, and Red Admiral.

9. Buddleia (Buddleia davidii) Flowers: July-September

Buddleia is a well-known nectar plant for butterflies, with large cone shaped clusters of flowers in white, purple, or pink. It is one of the most reliable nectar plants for butterflies. Butterflies are drawn to the honey scent and it can attract butterflies from a distance.

Butterflies frequently gather in groups on buddleia, feeding for long periods of time and returning repeatedly during the day. The dense flower head provides an abundant source of nectar, during the middle of summer, making it particularly valuable when butterflies are the most active. In many gardens, butterflies prioritise buddleia over other flowers, while it is in flower.

Attracts: Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady, Peacock,  Comma, and Red Admiral.

10. Michaelmas Daisy (Aster) Flowers: August-October

Michaelmas daisies provide lots of daisy-like flowers with yellow centres, surrounded by blue, pink or purple flowers. They prefer sun but will tolerate some light shade, produceing most nectar in warm sunny positions.

This late season nectar plant, makes it an excellent source of nectar at the end of the season, when butterflies are preparing to migrate or hibernate. Butterflies frequently feed steadily on these flowers, eating from abundant nectar before the start of colder weather.

Attracts: Common Blues, Brimstone, Painted Lady, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, and Red Admiral.

The best time to plant, their flower season and where they grow best.

At a Glance: Planting and Flowering Guide

Conclusions

Creating a garden that supports butterflies doesn’t need to be complicated. A small number of nectar-rich plants, a sunny position, and a willingness to let nature take its course can make a real difference. In my own garden, a few well-chosen butterfly friendly plants in a single flower border have been enough to attract familiar species year after year.

Watching butterflies feed, rest and move through the garden is deeply rewarding. These small moments of observation remind us that even modest changes can help support wildlife. By planting nectar-rich flowers, we give butterflies the energy they need to survive, breed and move through the landscape.

Of course, butterflies cannot exist without their caterpillar stage. Nectar rich plants are essential food for adult butterflies, but caterpillars depend on specific plants for food, after the eggs hatch. Including caterpillar plant food in a garden helps support the whole butterfly life cycle. Many butterflies lay their eggs on specific plants where caterpillars can feed and grow. If you would like to learn more about these caterpillar food plant and support the whole butterfly life cycle, you may also enjoy reading:

10 Plant Foods for Caterpillars & How to Spot Leaf Damage

If this guide has inspired you to think more deeply about wildlife gardening, the next step is bringing nectar plants and caterpillar food plants together in one space. You can learn how to do that here:

Designing a Plan for a Butterfly and Caterpillar Garden

FAQs about Butterfly Friendly Plants

Are Butterfly Friendly Plants Essential in the Garden?

Yes. Flowers for butterflies are essential if you want to support adult butterflies. Once butterflies emerge from their chrysalis, nectar is their only source of food. Without suitable flowering plants, butterflies cannot feed, rest, or build the energy they need to breed, migrate, or survive winter.

Is it Best to Grow Native Plants that Attract Butterflies?

Native plants are often the best choice because local butterflies have evolved alongside them and readily recognise them as food sources. However, some non-native plants, such as lavender or verbena, can also be valuable nectar plants. A mixture of native and well-chosen non-native plants can work well in the garden.

Why do Butterflies Need Plants Rich in Nectar?

Butterflies need plants to obtain nectar, which provides the energy required for flying, mating, and laying eggs. Nectar plants also offer places to rest, warm up, and shelter from wind and predators, making them important for daily survival as well as feeding.

Do Butterflies Feed all Year Round?

Butterflies feed on nectar from spring to autumn, depending on the species. Some butterflies emerge early in spring after hibernation, while others are active later in the year. Providing flowers that bloom across the seasons helps ensure a continuous food supply.

Do Butterflies Prefer Certain Flower Colours?

Yes. Butterflies are often attracted to bright colours such as yellow, pink, purple and mauve. Red flowers are less appealing. Flower shape and nectar accessibility are often more important than colour alone.

Is it Best to Plant Flowers for Butterflies in Groups?

Yes. Planting flowers for butterflies in groups makes them easier for butterflies to spot and reduces the energy they need to find food. Larger patches of the same plant tend to attract more butterflies than single specimens.

Can Butterfly Friendly Plants Help Butterflies Even if I Don’t See Many?

Yes. Butterflies may visit at different times of the day, or pause briefly before moving on. Even if you don’t often see them, flowering plants still provide vital nectar and resting opportunities as butterflies move through the landscape.

How do Plants that Attract Butterflies Link to Caterpillar Food Plants

Flowers for butterflies support adult butterflies, while caterpillar food plants support the larval stage. To fully support butterflies in a garden, both types of plants are needed. Nectar plants help adults survive and reproduce, while caterpillar plant foods allow the next generation to develop.

Butterflies and Caterpillars in the Nature Garden – The Series

This article is part of a series exploring how wildlife friendly gardens can support butterflies at every stage of their life cycle, through observation, tolerance and the right plants. The article also sits within a wider wildlife garden, where nectar plants for butterflies also provide food and continuity for other pollinators throughout the year.

If you’d like to read more in the series:

Butterflies at Risk: What Inspired my Writing on Butterflies

Butterfly Friendly Plants for a Thriving Wildlife Garden

10 Plant Foods for Caterpillars & How to Spot Leaf Damage

Designing a Plan for a Butterfly and Caterpillar Garden

5 Ways to Enjoy your New Butterfly and Caterpillar Garden

10 UK Butterfly & Caterpillar Books to Read In or Near Your Garden.