What to Plant in a Florida Butterfly Garden

Florida’s warm climate and long growing season make it a hotbed for butterfly diversity. Because many parts of the state allow year-round breeding, there are endless opportunities for observing these beautiful pollinators. That is, if you have the right plants to attract them. 

So, what type of plants do you need to construct a thriving and active Florida butterfly garden? There are two specific functions that you’ll need to focus on if you want to do it right. 

The first is food, which comes in the form of nectar. Flowers that are easy to access and hold plenty of nectar will draw them in. If they know they can rely on a food source, they are more likely to return. 

However, it’s the host plants that will keep them around, to stay in your Florida butterfly garden. The host plants are larval food sources. This is where butterflies lay their eggs, so that their young have something to eat as soon as they emerge. 

If you provide these two things, butterflies won’t just stop by for a sip of nectar. They are far more likely to stick around and reproduce, leaving you with another generation to call your garden home. Let’s take a look at some great host and nectar plants that feed Florida native butterflies.

Swamp Milkweed

	botanical name Asclepias incarnata
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3’-5’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Milkweed is an absolute must for every Florida butterfly garden. Milkweeds are the sole larval food of the monarch butterfly, so if you want these around, this is how to do it. 

Because monarchs are migratory, they rely on different types of milkweed at different times. What their larvae eat influences the generational differences, which aid them in their migration and overwintering. 

Sadly, many nurseries sell tropical milkweed (A. curassavica), the wrong kind, because it is easy to grow in our climate. It’s better to plant a native species like A. incarnata or A. tuberosa. These are the perfect food for monarchs while they are here in your space. 

Maypop Passionvine

	botanical name Passiflora incarnata
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 10’-25’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Maypop passionvine is one of the best host plants you can add to your Florida butterfly garden! This stunning plant is incredibly valuable as a host plant. It acts as larval food to Florida’s state butterfly, the zebra longwing! Not only that, it’s also a host to the Gulf and variegated fritillary butterflies. 

In addition to being a butterfly host, maypop passionvine also produces incredibly beautiful flowers. They are large and ornate, and attractive to tons of pollinators. Large, egg-shaped fruits follow the flowers. They are edible with a sweet and tangy pulp, and pop when you step on them. 

Bahama Cassia

	botanical name Senna mexicana var. chapmanii
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 4’-8’
	hardiness zones 10-11

Bahama cassia is also known as Bahama senna. It’s one of the most valuable native butterfly host plants you can grow in your Florida butterfly garden. It’s both a nectar plant and a host for several species of butterfly, including cloudless sulphur, sleepy orange, and orange-barred sulphur. 

This is a relatively large, shrubby plant, so it makes an excellent foundational piece. Planting this anchors the garden visually, as well as functionally. It blooms profusely and nearly year-round in frost-free areas. The attractive foliage and pretty yellow flowers make this a wonderful ornamental. 

Spicebush

	botanical name Lindera benzoin
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 6’-15’
	hardiness zones 4-9

If you’re a North Florida butterfly gardener, spicebush is a must-have to anchor the garden. It’s a large shrub that makes an excellent foundational piece. It prefers a spot with dappled sun, so under the live oak canopy is perfect. 

Spicebush provides beautiful yellow flowers in the spring, red berries in the summer, and stunning golden fall foliage. Its foliage and flowers have a pleasant, spicy fragrance when crushed. It’s also the primary host plant for the spicebush swallowtail and sometimes, the eastern tiger swallowtail. 

Woolly Dutchman’s Pipevine

	botanical name Aristolochia tomentosa
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 15’-30’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Another North Florida native that belongs in your butterfly garden, woolly dutchman’s pipevine is a great selection. It plays host to one of Florida’s most beautiful butterflies, the pipevine swallowtail. While it’s not a major nectar source, it is necessary for attracting these butterflies. 

This vining plant doesn’t mind partial sun, but it needs something to climb. It also needs moist soil, so keep that in mind when choosing a location for it. It produces unique and interesting flowers and has large, attractive foliage, making it a nice ornamental as well. 

Coontie

	botanical name Zamia integrifolia
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 8-11

Coontie is an important Florida native and absolutely belongs in any Florida butterfly garden. It’s our only native cycad, which makes it a fun novelty. It’s also the sole larval host of the atala butterfly. This striking species was once endangered, but made a remarkable comeback thanks to native gardeners. 

Coontie doesn’t provide nectar, but it’s vital to the atala’s lifecycle. It also adds a wonderful textural element to contrast with softer leaves and vines. It’s a slow grower, but extremely tough and long-lived. It tolerates sun or partial shade, and is virtually pest-free. 

Lantana

	botanical name Lantana depressa
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1’-6’
	hardiness zones 8-11

Lantana is great for your Florida butterfly garden, but make sure you plant the right species. L. camara is invasive, so look for L. depressa or L. involucrata instead. These are a wonderful nectar source for nearly every Florida native butterfly species. 

Lantana is a great little plant. It’s drought and heat-tolerant, and in warmer regions, it blooms just about year-round. The clusters of small tubular flowers are nectar-rich and feed all kinds of pollinators. They might even bring a hummingbird or two to the yard!

Zinnia

	botanical name Zinnia elegans
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6”-4’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Speaking of excellent nectar plants, zinnias are one of the best. Zinnias aren’t native to Florida, but they’re non-invasive, so you don’t have to worry about them taking over or crowding out natives. These cheerful flowers make a splash in the garden, and butterflies adore them. 

I find zinnias to be one of the easiest annuals to grow. They don’t mind Florida’s hot summers, and they are drought-tolerant, too. Plant single-petaled varieties in your space, as these are the perfect shape. They provide a comfortable landing pad. They bloom for a long period, and if you’re lucky, they will self-sow and come back next year!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjnYOfuBqeI&t=19s

Blanket Flower

	botanical name Gaillardia pulchella
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12”-24”
	hardiness zones 3-10

Every Florida butterfly garden should feature some blanket flowers. These natives are incredible nectar plants. Not to mention, they are tough as nails and truly beautiful. They provide tons of food for pollinators for a long portion of the year. 

Blanket flower is also tough as nails. It thrives in sandy soil, heat, and full sun. It doesn’t mind coastal areas, and in fact, seems to prefer them. Its name comes from the plant’s habit of spreading, forming a colorful blanket.

Pentas

	botanical name Pentas lanceolata
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12”-36”
	hardiness zones 9-11

Pentas are another non-native, but wonderful nectar plant, for your Florida butterfly garden. Their clusters of star-shaped flowers are just the right shape for butterflies to feed from. They’re reliable in our climate, thriving in heat and blooming nearly year-round. 

The steady supply of nectar from these plants keeps thirsty pollinators refreshed during the summer months. They make good container plants and are perennials in zones 10-11. In zone 9, they behave as tender annuals, so you’ll want to re-plant in the spring. 

Firebush

	botanical name Hamelia patens var. patens
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4’-12’
	hardiness zones 8-11

Firebush is a stellar shrub to add to your Florida butterfly garden. It’s native, long-blooming, hardy, and a wildlife powerhouse. This is a top-tier nectar source with tubular flowers that are ideal for butterflies and hummingbirds. In frost-free areas, it can bloom just about year-round. 

In terms of wildlife value, it’s more than a nectar plant. Firebush also produces small, dark berries that songbirds adore. Expect this shrub to invite mockingbirds and catbirds, along with others, into the garden. Make sure to opt for the native type, not the non-native dwarf variety. 

Coneflower

	botanical name Echinacea spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2’-5’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Coneflowers are a great addition to any butterfly garden. This classic strikes a beautiful and textural silhouette, and though not native, it grows well here. It has incredibly nectar-rich flowers and is a magnet for pollinators of all kinds. 

You may have a tougher time with this one in South Florida, as the heat is a bit much for it. However, in Central and North Florida, it’s a reliable perennial. After flowering, the spiky seed heads often self-sow. However, they’re also quite appealing to goldfinches and other birds. It’s a win either way!

Cosmos

	botanical name Cosmos spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1’-6’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Cosmos, like zinnias, are a perfect annual for the Florida butterfly garden. They’re popular for much the same reason. Not only are these visually appealing, but they’re also a great nectar source. They’re easy to grow from seeds and provide a steady food source for pollinators through the summer.

Because of their flower shape, cosmos are a prime choice for butterflies. They provide a stable landing pad that makes it easy to feed, even on breezy days. Their cheerful flowers and beautiful fernlike foliage make them a favorite as ornamentals, too. 

Porterweed

	botanical name Stachytarpheta spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-6’
	hardiness zones 8-11

Porterweed is one of my favorite butterfly garden plants. Plant this one where you will see it often, because it’s a popular one! This is a large, herbaceous plant that becomes shrubby as it grows large, and it does grow large. The long, slender flower spikes open from top to bottom, over a long period. 

I find this one to be particularly popular with skipper butterflies. It’s also a draw for bumblebees, and most famously, for hummingbirds. It’s beautiful and low-maintenance, and shockingly drought-tolerant despite its delicate looks. In zones 10 and 11, it’s evergreen, but in zones 8 and 9, it’s root hardy and returns in the spring. 

Coreopsis

	botanical name Coreopsis spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12”-36”
	hardiness zones 3-9

Finally, coreopsis is Florida’s state wildflower, and an absolute must for the butterfly garden. It’s dependable, drought-tolerant, and provides a steady nectar supply for a long portion of the year.