Nectar Plants

If you enjoy a bustling and buzzing garden, full of hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, you might consider growing nectar plants that attract these creatures. No matter which pollinator you're hoping to attract, knowing the nutritional needs of each creature will help you choose the right nectar plant for your garden.

Bees

Many plants produce pollen for bees, but honeybees still need nectar for honey production. Major nectar plants contribute to honey crops that beekeepers produce, but even minor nectar plants are needed as forage to support honeybee populations.

An important note for home gardeners is that yellow jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) has been reported as toxic to honeybees and has weakened colonies in some areas.

Table 1. Select nectar plants for honeybees.

Common Name	Scientific Name	Region (N- North, C- Central, S- South)	Bloom Time
American Holly	Ilex opeca	N, C, S	Early spring
Black Mangrove	Avicennia germinans, A. nitida	C, S	Jun – Jul
Cabbage Palm	Sabal palmetto	N, C, S	Jun – Jul
Citrus	Various	Depends on variety	Feb – Apr, sometimes Jun
Flat-Topped Goldenrod	Euthamia minor, Solidago microcephala	N, C, S	Sept – Nov
Glossy Abelia	Abelia grandiflora	N
Saw Palmetto	Serenoa repens.	N, C, S
Seagrape	Coccoloba uvifera	C, S	Apr – Jul
Southern Magnolia	Magnolia grandiflora	N, C
Sweetbay Magnolia	Magnolia virginiana	N, C, S

Hummingbirds

Humingbirds need high-energy food to support their high-energy activity and flying. They will use the nectar they feed on quickly, so one hummingbird may visit hundreds of flowers in one day for feeding.

The best nectar plants for attracting hummingbirds have red, orange, or pink flowers. Through trial and error, hummingbirds develop a preference for these colors since most nectar plants often have blossoms that color.

Nesting hummingbirds need nectar from March through September, so choose plants that blossom during that time.

Table 2. Select nectar plants for hummingbirds in Florida.

Common Name	Scientific Name	Region (N- North, C- Central, S- South)	Bloom Time
Butterfly Milkweed	Asclepius tuberosa	N, C	Spring – Fall
Coral Bean	Erythrina herbacea	N, C, S	Spring
Coral Honeysuckle	Lonicera sempervirens	N, C	Spring – Summer
Firebush	Hamelia patens	N, C, S	Spring – Winter
Red Basil	Calamintha coccinea		Spring
Red Star Hibiscus	Hibiscus coccineus	N, C, S	Summer – Fall
Scarlet Morning Glory	Ipomea coccinea		Summer – Fall
Shrimp Plant	Justicia brandegeana	N, C, S	Spring – Summer
Trumpet Vine	Campsis radicans	N, C	Spring – Summer
Wild Azalea	Rhododendron spp.	N, C	Spring

Butterflies

One difference in attracting butterflies compared to bees and hummingbirds is that they also need larval host plants. While you can attract adults with nectar plants, they tend to hang around spots that are also suitable for their larvae.

This article only addresses nectar plants, but if you are interested in including host plants in your yard, you can find them listed by butterfly species in "Butterfly Gardening of Florida."

Different butterfly species have different preferences in flower color and size and have different feeding behaviors. Providing a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors of flowers will attract a diverse mix of butterfly species.

Table 2. Select nectar plants for butterflies in Florida.

Common Name	Scientific Name	Region (N- North, C- Central, S- South)	Bloom Time
Beach Sunflower	Helianthus debilis	N, C, S	Summer – Fall (all year in S. Florida)
Black-Eyed Susan	Rudbeckia hirta	N, C	Summer – Fall
Butterfly Milkweed	Asclepius tuberosa	N, C	Spring – Fall
Buttonbush	Cephalanthus occidentalis	N, C, S	Spring – Summer
Eastern Redbud	Cercis canadensis	N, C	Spring
Firebush	Hamelia patens	N, C, S	Spring – Winter
Purple Coneflower	Echinacea purpurea	N, C	Summer
Red Star Hibiscus	Hibiscus coccineus	N, C, S	Summer – Fall
Salvia (Sage)	Salvia spp.	N, C	Summer – Fall
Wild Azalea	Rhododendron spp.	N, C	Spring

Extrafloral Nectaries (EFN)

Some plants grow nectar-producing glands outside of their flowers. These extrafloral nectaries (EFN) provide an additional food source for hummingbirds, ladybugs and other insects, especially during extreme weather conditions.

For more plant suggestions and questions about landscape plant selections for your area, contact your local Extension agent.