10 Fast-Growing Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds

A hummingbird feeding from a flower — Credit:
Marcia Straub / Getty Images

Nothing is more fulfilling than creating a vibrant garden that blooms beautifully and attracts hummingbird visitors daily. When selecting flowers for your garden, consider fast-growing varieties that are particularly appealing to these unique birds.

Fast-growing flowers are typically abundant bloomers, providing a rich supply of nectar that lures hummingbirds to your yard throughout the day. Annuals and perennials, in particular, have long blooming seasons, ensuring a steady source of food. In addition to their vibrant colors, which attract the birds, their tubular and trumpet-shaped blossoms are perfectly shaped for hummingbirds to feed efficiently.

Consider planting the following beautiful, fast-growing flowers. They'll be as much of a treat for you as they will be for your tiny guests.

01 of 10

Bee Balm

Bee balms attract hummingbirds with its bold purple hues, signaling a rich food source. Its blooming season extends well into summer, providing a stable energy supply for hummingbirds during the breeding and migration season. In addition to attracting pollinators, bee balm flowers have a pleasant fragrance and thrive in full sun.

Zone: 3 to 9
Mature size: 12 to 48 inches tall x 12 to 48 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; evenly moist, well-draining soil; deep, infrequent watering

02 of 10

Columbine

Columbine flowers feature long, tubular spurs that perfectly accommodate hummingbirds' bills and tongues. These spurs allow easy access to abundant nectar while deterring insects. The flowers' vibrant red and orange hues attract hummingbirds, and their blooming period aligns with the birds' migration season, offering a consistent, accessible food source during peak activity. Columbine flowers make an excellent addition to any flower garden. They're drought-resistant and require little water.

Zone: 3 to 8
Mature size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil; moderate watering

03 of 10

Zinnia

Zinnias are very prolific bloomers with single, double, or semi-double flowers in a variety of bold colors. Their central florets provide easy access to nectar and produce a steady supply throughout the summer to support hummingbirds' high energy needs. Zinnias are drought-tolerant, making them ideal for a wide range of growing zones. To encourage continuous blooms, it is best to regularly deadhead spent flowers.

Zones: 3 to 10
Size: 12 to 36 inches tall x 8 to 10 inches wide
Care requirements: full sun; well-draining soil

04 of 10

Nasturtium

Nasturtium flowers produce beautiful blooms in shades of canary, carmine, and salmon, set against vibrant green leaves. Although their shape is shorter than that of some other hummingbird favorites, they still contain abundant nectar accessible to the birds' long tongues. These fast-growing blooms benefit from occasional trimming to maintain a tidy appearance in the garden.

Zones: 2 to 11
Size: 12 to 18 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide
Care requirements: full sun to partial shade; moist, rich, well-draining soil

05 of 10

Morning Glory

Morning glory is a fast-growing vine that is covered in beautiful, trumpet-shaped blooms in a variety of colors. Its rapid growth makes it ideal for covering fences or walls while attracting hummingbirds. This vibrant plant adds life to any garden with minimal effort.

Zones: 2 to 11
Size: 6 to 10 feet tall x 3 to 6 feet wide
Days to maturity: 50 to 90
Growing Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil

06 of 10

Petunia

Petunias are among some of the most popular flowers, and for good reason. They come in a wide range of hues, and their fragrant, trumpet-shaped blooms provide plenty of nectar to attract hummingbirds and butterflies—a gardener's dream.

Zones: 2 to 11
Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 4 feet wide
Care requirements: full sun to part shade; moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter

07 of 10

Red Salvia

There are many salvia varieties, but hummingbirds are especially drawn to red salvia for its vibrant color. The bold hue signals a rich nectar source, making it highly attractive to the birds. Beyond their appeal to pollinators, red salvias are low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established in the garden. They add color and vertical dimension to flower beds and container gardens.

Zones: 4 to 9, depending on the variety
Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained to clay soils

08 of 10

Spider Flower

Spider flowers have a striking contrast between dark green foliage and white blooms. They thrive in full sun and grow well across a wide range of zones, blooming until the first frost. While they don't display bright colors, they still attract hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden. Spider flowers can self-sow, ensuring fresh sprouts return in the next spring.

Zones: 2 to 11
Size: 3 to 6 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: full sun; well-draining soil rich in organic matter

09 of 10

Penstemon

Penstemon adds a vibrant array of colorful, tubular flowers to any garden, providing year-round interest. It is low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, making it ideal for a variety of growing zones. Its nectar-rich blooms attract hummingbirds throughout the flowering season.

Zones: 4 to 9
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet tall by 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to part shade; light watering; well-draining soil

10 of 10

Lupin

Lupin makes a great addition to your garden, offering bold color and vertical dimension while thriving in poor soil. These hardy perennials attract hummingbirds with their tall, clustered, tubular blossoms and rich nectar.