How to Create a Butterfly Garden to Attract Beautiful Pollinators

Butterfly gardens can bring so much life to your yard. Not only do they attract these delicate pollinators, but they also support local ecosystems, providing nectar and pollen-rich plants for bees, hummingbirds, and other beneficial wildlife.

Planting a butterfly garden with fragrant flowers, shrubs, and water features is also an investment in the survival of butterfly populations, which are currently declining in the United States So, these gardens serve as a simple way to both beautify your outdoor space and boost its biodiversity.

We spoke with gardening experts about everything you need to know to create your own butterfly sanctuary—from selecting the right plants to designing an inviting habitat.

Choose the Right Spot

Sunshine is key for butterfly gardens, says landscape designer Alexander Betz—so you’ll want to select a location that gets at least six hours of natural light per day. “Butterflies thrive in warm, sunny areas, and many nectar-rich plants require full sun,” he adds.

“If possible, choose an area that’s somewhat sheltered from strong winds to help butterflies feed and rest without difficulty,” says Betz. Ideally, there should also be shrubs, trees, and piles of leaves or logs nearby where they can find shelter.

Start With Plants

One of the best ways to attract butterflies is to plant a variety of nectar-rich flowers that bloom across the seasons. These will serve as food for both butterflies and caterpillars—an important mix, says Betz, that "will create a full lifecycle habitat."

Stick to native plants that are adapted to your region to best support local butterfly species and other wildlife. To find out which plants support the highest number of butterfly species in your zip code, we recommend using the Native Plant Finder on the National Wildlife Federation website.

Betz recommends planting in clusters: “Butterflies are more likely to find large groupings of flowers than single plants scattered around."

Experts recommend these blooms in particular, which will attract many species of adult butterflies:

• Columbine
• Blanket flower
• Asters
• Marigolds
• Verbena
• Coneflowers (Echinacea)
• Zinnias
• Salvia
• Black-eyed Susan
• Bee Balm
• Blazing Star
• Joe-Pye Weed
• Asters, Herbs such as mint, oregano, and lavender

 These host plants will also feed caterpillars:

• Milkweed (for monarchs)
• Parsley and fennel (for swallowtails)
• Violets (for fritillaries)

Layer Water Features

Butterflies need water, but they don’t drink like birds. Instead, Betz explains, they “puddle” by sipping moisture from damp sand or soil, which provides them with essential minerals. You can create a puddling station by filling a shallow dish or birdbath with wet sand or soil and placing it in a sunny spot. Adding a few stones nearby will give them a place to soak up the sun.

Keep the puddling area consistently moist by adding water as needed, suggests Mary Phillips, the head of native plant habitat strategy and certifications at the National Wildlife Federation. Alternatively, you can also use drip irrigation or a soaker hose for continuous hydration.

Maintain It

A little upkeep goes a long way toward keeping your butterfly garden thriving. Firstly, make sure to refresh all water sources regularly and keep plant soil moist but not waterlogged.

Also, make sure to deadhead spent flowers from plants like milkweed, which will help encourage more blooms. Prune back overgrown or leggy plants to ensure others have plenty of room to grow.

Make sure you stay on top of invasive species. These will compete for water, nutrients, and space, says Phillips. Aggressive vines, such as English ivy, for example, can overtake native plants and block out sunlight, preventing these beneficial species from growing.

Finally, be prepared to replace host and nectar plants as needed if they’re struggling. “Remember that many species in butterfly gardens are host plants meant to be eaten,” says Phillips. “Embrace imperfection and leave spent flower heads, stalks, and leaves around for crucial overwintering habitat.”

Add Other Decorative Elements

You can enhance your butterfly garden and the look of your outdoor space by selecting decorative elements that also serve a function. Trellises and other vertical structures, for example, support climbing nectar and host plants, says Phillips.

Rocks can add visual interest too—they also provide butterflies with warm basking spots, mineral-rich puddling areas, and safe landing and resting surfaces. Piles of rocks or logs—and other landscaping features such as shrubs, tall grasses, and small trees—can also provide shelter for butterflies during the winter.

“Add flair, such as wind spinners, stepping stones, or butterfly sculptures, for a bit of fun,” Betz adds.

Avoid Chemicals

Skip any pesticides and herbicides—they can harm butterflies, caterpillars, and other pollinators. “These chemicals can disrupt development, impair the ability to navigate, and are often fatal,” says Phillips. If pests become a problem, use natural pesticide alternatives—like neem oil—or introduce beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, which can help control pests without harming your pollinators.