A garden without butterflies is like a party without music—something’s missing. These delicate, winged visitors don’t just add beauty; they bring life, movement, and a little bit of magic to any outdoor space. And the best part? You can invite them in.
Butterflies aren’t picky, but they do have favorites. The right flowers, colors, and nectar-rich plants will have them fluttering to your garden in no time. It’s not just about pretty petals—it’s about creating a place where they feel at home.
From the striking monarch to the electric blue morpho, these 27 butterflies are a sight to behold. And if you want them gracing your garden, we’ve got the perfect plants to make it happen. Let’s turn your outdoor space into a butterfly paradise!
Monarch Butterfly
The Monarch Butterfly is famous for its striking orange and black wings, making it a captivating presence in any garden. To attract Monarchs, consider planting milkweed.
This plant serves as both a host and nectar source, essential for their lifecycle. Monarchs typically lay their eggs on milkweed, and the emerging caterpillars feed exclusively on its leaves.
In addition to milkweed, these butterflies are drawn to brightly colored flowers like zinnias and coneflowers. By incorporating these plants into your garden, you not only support Monarchs but also create a vibrant backdrop for other pollinators.
Swallowtail Butterfly
Swallowtails are known for their elegant tail-like extensions on their hind wings. To entice these butterflies, plant dill, fennel, or parsley in your garden.
These herbs provide nourishment for swallowtail caterpillars, ensuring the next generation of butterflies.
Anise hyssop and butterfly bush are also excellent choices, offering ample nectar for adult butterflies. Their fluttering presence adds a touch of grace and beauty.
Planting these varieties not only enriches your garden’s appearance but also supports the swallowtail’s lifecycle.
Painted Lady
The Painted Lady is a cosmopolitan butterfly, recognized by its intricate patterns and colors. Sunflowers and thistles are magnets for these butterflies, providing both nourishment and a resting place.
They thrive in open spaces with plenty of sunlight, making them ideal for larger gardens. Painted Ladies are migratory, traveling great distances, so providing the right plants can offer a restful stopover.
Their presence brings a lively and dynamic element to gardens.
Red Admiral
Red Admirals are robust butterflies, identifiable by their dark wings accented with bright red bands. To welcome Red Admirals, plant nettles.
These plants serve as host plants for their caterpillars.
For nectar, consider adding asters and buddleia to your garden. These plants attract adult Red Admirals, providing essential nourishment.
Their bold appearance adds a splash of color and an energetic vibe to your outdoor space.
Cabbage White
Cabbage Whites are common yet charming butterflies, often seen fluttering around vegetable gardens. To attract them, plant members of the cabbage family, such as kale or collard greens.
These plants serve as hosts for their caterpillars, which can be both a boon for butterfly enthusiasts and a challenge for gardeners. For nectar sources, add flowers like lavender and dandelion to balance the ecosystem and keep these butterflies returning.
Common Blue
The Common Blue butterfly is a small yet spectacular species, with males sporting vibrant blue wings. To invite them into your garden, plant bird’s-foot trefoil or clover.
These plants are vital for their caterpillars.
To support adult butterflies, consider adding thyme and marjoram blooms, which offer nectar-rich feeding spots. The Common Blue’s presence adds a delightful touch of color and activity, enriching your garden with life.
Peacock Butterfly
Peacock Butterflies are known for the eye-like markings on their wings, designed to ward off predators. To bring them to your garden, grow buddleia and nettles.
Nettles serve as host plants, while buddleia blooms provide ample nectar.
Incorporating these plants creates a supportive environment for Peacocks, contributing to their propagation. Their striking appearance makes them a showstopper in any garden.
Meadow Brown
The Meadow Brown is a subtle yet lovely butterfly, blending effortlessly into grasslands. To attract these butterflies, create a meadow-like environment by planting grasses and wildflowers.
They favor open, sunny areas and are often seen resting on grasses. Their understated beauty and gentle presence make them a calming addition to any garden, promoting biodiversity and natural aesthetics.
Clouded Yellow
Clouded Yellow butterflies bring a burst of sunshine with their vivid yellow wings. To attract them, plant clover and vetch.
These plants are crucial for their caterpillar development.
Clouded Yellows are strong fliers and are often seen in open fields. By including these plants, you offer both a habitat and a food source, inviting their cheerful presence into your garden.
Small Tortoiseshell
Small Tortoiseshells are easily recognized by their vibrant orange and black pattern. To attract them, plant nettles, which serve as host plants for their caterpillars.
For nectar, marigolds and buddleia are excellent choices, providing sustenance for adults. Their lively patterns and active behavior make them a delightful sight, enhancing the garden’s visual appeal.
Speckled Wood
Speckled Wood butterflies thrive in woodland gardens, favoring dappled sunlight. To attract them, plant grasses and trees that create shady areas.
They are often seen basking in sunlit spots within wooded environments. The presence of Speckled Woods contributes to a serene, natural atmosphere, bringing a sense of tranquility to your outdoor space.
Comma Butterfly
Comma Butterflies are distinctive with their ragged wing edges, resembling autumn leaves. To attract them, plant blackberry brambles and nettles, which cater to their lifecycle needs.
For additional nectar, consider planting asters and ivies. The unique appearance of Commas adds intrigue and a touch of wild beauty, making them a fascinating addition to diverse gardens.
Holly Blue
Holly Blue butterflies are captivating with their delicate blue wings. To invite them to your garden, plant holly and ivy, which serve as host plants for their caterpillars.
For nectar, include flowers like forget-me-nots and brambles. These butterflies bring a dainty charm, fluttering gracefully through gardens, enhancing both visual appeal and ecological diversity.
Gatekeeper
Gatekeeper butterflies are known for their orange and brown wings, ideal for sunny meadows. To attract them, plant native grasses and wildflowers.
They are often seen along hedgerows, benefiting from the mixed flora. Their presence signifies a healthy ecosystem, adding a warm and welcoming feel to your garden.
Brimstone
Brimstone butterflies are often considered harbingers of spring. Plant buckthorn or alder buckthorn to attract them, providing essential food for their caterpillars.
For nectar, consider adding primroses and cowslips. Their presence heralds seasonal changes, introducing a gentle, sunny hue to gardens, synonymous with new beginnings.
Small Heath
Small Heath butterflies prefer open grasslands and are often found resting on low grasses. To attract them, maintain grassy patches with minimal disturbance.
These butterflies blend seamlessly into their environment, offering a subtle yet important presence. Their understated elegance and ecological benefit make them a valuable addition to any garden.
Orange Tip
Orange Tip butterflies are a delightful sight in spring, their orange-tipped wings easily recognizable. To attract them, plant cuckooflower and garlic mustard, favored by their caterpillars.
These plants thrive in damp areas, making them ideal for wetter parts of your garden. The vibrant Orange Tips bring an energetic and cheerful atmosphere, signaling the arrival of warmer days.
Large White
Large Whites, also known as cabbage butterflies, are common in vegetable gardens. To attract them, plant cabbages, kale, and other brassicas.
While some gardeners see them as pests, their role in the ecosystem is essential. To balance their presence, introduce nectar flowers like nasturtiums, which also serve as companion plants.
Their striking appearance adds a classic charm.
Marbled White
Marbled White butterflies are elegant with their black and white wings. To attract them, cultivate wildflowers and grasses in sunny areas.
They prefer open meadows and are frequently seen in wildflower-rich environments. Their presence adds a monochrome beauty, enhancing gardens with a touch of sophistication.
Adonis Blue
Adonis Blue butterflies are a mesmerizing sight with their vibrant blue wings. To invite them to your garden, plant horseshoe vetch, crucial for their caterpillars.
These butterflies thrive in sunny, open areas, making them perfect for gardens with plenty of sunlight. Their vivid color brings a splash of brightness and joy, elevating the garden’s appeal.
Dingy Skipper
The Dingy Skipper may not be colorful, but its subtle presence is fascinating. To attract them, plant bird’s-foot trefoil and other legumes.
These butterflies prefer rocky or sandy areas with sparse vegetation. Their muted tones offer a contrast to brighter species, enriching the garden’s biodiversity with their quiet elegance.
Silver-washed Fritillary
Silver-washed Fritillaries are larger butterflies with a striking orange and silver pattern. To attract them, plant violets, which are vital for their caterpillars.
They love sun-dappled woodland edges, making them ideal for gardens with tree cover. Their shimmering wings add a touch of glamour and vitality, enhancing the natural beauty of your space.
Dark Green Fritillary
Dark Green Fritillaries are known for their lively flight and patterned wings. To attract them, plant violets and wildflowers.
They thrive in open grasslands and meadows. Their presence is a testament to a healthy ecosystem, bringing dynamic movement and beauty to gardens with their active flitting.
Ringlet
Ringlet butterflies are easily identified by their dark wings with ring markings. To attract them, create a shady garden area with grasses and ferns.
They prefer damp, cool conditions, often found in wooded or overgrown areas. Their understated charm and the calm presence add a mysterious allure, enriching garden diversity.
Small Copper
Small Coppers are vibrant with their coppery wings and active nature. To attract them, plant sorrel and dock, which are crucial for their caterpillars.
These butterflies thrive in sunny, open spots, perfect for rockeries or sunny borders. Their fiery color and lively energy bring excitement and warmth, enhancing the garden’s vibrancy.
Green Hairstreak
Green Hairstreaks are unique with their striking green wings, a rare color among butterflies. To attract them, plant gorse and buckthorn.
These butterflies enjoy sunny, scrubby areas, and their vivid color adds a lush, exotic touch. Their presence speaks to the garden’s health and diversity, offering a unique visual delight.
Silver-studded Blue
Silver-studded Blues are delicate and captivating, with their speckled wings adding an ethereal touch. To attract them, plant heather and gorse.
They thrive in heathland and moorland gardens. Their soft colors and gentle fluttering offer a serene beauty, enhancing your garden’s atmosphere with a peaceful elegance.