Creating a pollinator-friendly garden requires more than just planting flowers—you need the right varieties that provide ample nectar, pollen, and habitat for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Below is an in-depth guide to the 21 best plants for attracting pollinators, including their growing conditions, bloom times, and unique benefits.
1. Lavender (Lavandula)
Bloom Time: Late spring to summer
Colors: Purple, blue, pink, white
Sunlight: Full sun (6+ hours/day)
Soil: Well-drained, slightly alkaline
Why Pollinators Love It: High nectar content, strong fragrance
Bonus: Drought-resistant, deer-resistant, great for borders and containers
2. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
Bloom Time: Summer to early fall
Colors: Yellow, red, orange, bi-colored
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Fertile, well-drained
Why Pollinators Love It: Large, pollen-rich centers
Bonus: Seeds attract birds; dwarf varieties work in small gardens
3. Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Bloom Time: Summer to fall
Colors: Purple, pink, white, orange
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well-drained, tolerates drought
Why Pollinators Love It: Long-lasting blooms, high nectar production
Bonus: Medicinal properties; great for cut flowers
4. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Bloom Time: Mid to late summer
Colors: Red, pink, purple, white
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist, rich
Why Pollinators Love It: Tubular flowers perfect for hummingbirds and bees
Bonus: Leaves can be used for herbal tea
5. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii)
Bloom Time: Summer to fall
Colors: Purple, pink, white, yellow
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained
Why Pollinators Love It: Fragrant, cone-shaped flower clusters
Bonus: Fast-growing; attracts swallowtails and monarchs
6. Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)
Bloom Time: Summer until frost
Colors: Red, orange, pink, yellow, white
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained, average fertility
Why Pollinators Love It: Continuous blooming, easy-to-access nectar
Bonus: Great for cut flowers; resistant to deer
7. Milkweed (Asclepias)
Bloom Time: Summer
Colors: Pink, orange, white, purple
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained, tolerates poor soil
Why Pollinators Love It: Essential for monarch butterflies (host plant)
Bonus: Drought-tolerant; seed pods attract birds
8. Salvia (Salvia spp.)
Bloom Time: Spring to fall (varies by species)
Colors: Blue, purple, red, white
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained
Why Pollinators Love It: Tubular flowers hold abundant nectar
Bonus: Deer-resistant; some varieties are perennial
9. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Bloom Time: Summer to early fall
Colors: Yellow, gold, orange
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Adaptable, drought-tolerant
Why Pollinators Love It: Daisy-like blooms with easy-to-access pollen
Bonus: Self-seeding; great for wildflower gardens
10. Catmint (Nepeta)
Bloom Time: Late spring to fall
Colors: Lavender-blue, white
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well-drained
Why Pollinators Love It: Long blooming period, fragrant foliage
Bonus: Deer-resistant; low-maintenance
11. Aster (Symphyotrichum)
Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
Colors: Purple, blue, pink, white
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well-drained, moist
Why Pollinators Love It: Critical late-season nectar source
Bonus: Supports migrating monarchs
13. Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Bloom Time: Summer
Colors: Pink, purple, white, red
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist, well-drained
Why Pollinators Love It: Sweet fragrance, clustered blooms
Bonus: Attracts hummingbirds
14. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Bloom Time: Early to late summer
Colors: White, yellow, pink, red
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained, drought-tolerant
Why Pollinators Love It: Flat flower clusters for easy feeding
Bonus: Medicinal uses; deer-resistant
15. Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)
Bloom Time: Summer to frost
Colors: Pink, white, orange, yellow
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Tolerates poor soil
Why Pollinators Love It: Open, daisy-like blooms
Bonus: Self-seeding; great for beginner gardeners
16. Lantana (Lantana camara)
Bloom Time: Summer to frost
Colors: Multi-colored (pink, yellow, orange, red)
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained
Why Pollinators Love It: Continuous nectar source
Bonus: Heat and drought-tolerant
17. Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
Colors: Pinkish-purple
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist, rich
Why Pollinators Love It: Massive flower heads attract swarms of butterflies
Bonus: Great for rain gardens
18. Marigold (Tagetes)
Bloom Time: Summer to frost
Colors: Yellow, orange, red
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained
Why Pollinators Love It: Nectar-rich, pest-repellent
Bonus: Deters garden pests like nematodes
19. Verbena (Verbena bonariensis)
Bloom Time: Summer to fall
Colors: Purple, pink, white
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained
Why Pollinators Love It: Tiny clustered flowers for easy feeding
Bonus: Airy growth habit fits in tight spaces
20. Sedum (Stonecrop)
Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
Colors: Pink, red, white
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained, drought-tolerant
Why Pollinators Love It: Late-season blooms when other flowers fade
Bonus: Succulent leaves store water
21. Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
Bloom Time: Summer to fall
Colors: Purple, blue
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained
Why Pollinators Love It: Licorice-scented flowers attract bees and butterflies
Bonus: Leaves can be used in tea
Final Tips for a Buzzing Garden
✔ Plant in groups – Clusters of the same flower help pollinators find food efficiently. ✔ Include host plants – Milkweed for monarchs, parsley for swallowtails. ✔ Avoid pesticides – Opt for natural pest control like ladybugs and neem oil. ✔ Provide water – A shallow dish with pebbles makes a safe drinking spot.
By choosing these 21 pollinator-friendly plants, you’ll create a vibrant, eco-friendly garden buzzing with life!
