7 Easiest Native Plants to Grow to Attract Birds, Bees and Butterflies

Having a bountiful garden with vibrant blooms and gorgeous foliage is one thing. Turning your yard into a welcoming reprieve that delights local birds and butterflies is quite another. Some plants naturally attract these pollinators better than others, acting like an equivalent to neon flashing lights that say, "Come on in." We spoke with gardeners about the easiest native plants you can grow that birds, bees and butterflies simply cannot resist.

1. Milkweed

Nevermind the "weed" part of this plant's name. Milkweed is one of the best plants you can add to your yard to support pollinators, and it's a notable favorite of the Monarch butterfly. "It's one of the most recognizable host plants with striking inflorescences ranging from light pink-orange-green," says Erin Kelley, gardening expert and director for Comvita USA.

Along with being a host plant for monarchs, it provides an abundant source of nectar to a range of insects like bees, beetles and other butterfly species. Milkweed is native to north and south America.

2. Purple Coneflower

Also known as Echinacea, the purple coneflower is native to North America, but can also be planted throughout the southern states in cooler months. "Its bright spiky purple dome-like center becomes the feeding ground for pollinators and a beautiful staple in your garden," says Anna Noriega, owner of The Pineland Cottage Farm. "The scent of the purple coneflower and color attracts a variety of pollinators like bees, butterflies, moths and even hummingbirds."

3. Salvia

Salvia is a hardy, perennial that is native to almost every continent (Antarctica being the exception, of course). "This bush plant comes in multiple colors-reds, purples, pinks, oranges-and it's low water and low maintenance," says Sal Barcale, gardening expert and president of Moon Valley Nurseries. He says that hummingbirds are attracted to the long tubular shaped bloom," as are a number of insects and pollinators including butterflies and honey bees.

4. Native Asters

These lovely, flowering plants are known for their daisy-like appearance and come in a range of colors from light pink to crisp white. Depending on the genus, members of the aster family are herbaceous, but can be annual, perennial or biennial. "Asters are an accessible source of late-season forage for pollinators, blooming from August through October," Kelley says. "Their flowers are rich in nectar and provide a soft landing pad for adult butterflies, moths, native bees, and flies."

They're also the host plant for several species of butterflies and moths, and their ripened seeds are a nice snack for birds such as cardinals and chickadees.

5. Black-Eyed Susan

Black-Eyed Susans look like an inverted daisy with their dark centers and rich, golden petals. They're a native North American wildflower, but also thrive during the cooler months in southern states. "Their nectar-rich center attracts a variety of bees, butterflies and beetles, and they also serve as a larva host for many species of months and butterflies," Noriega tells us.

Long-tongue critters, like Monarchs and moths, sip nectar directly from their center, and the primary visitors are bees foraging for pollen.

6. Vitex

This large shrub-which practically doubles as a small tree-is native to most of the sunbelt states and is prized for its long spikes of ultra-fragrant purple, pink and white blooms. Barcale tells us it's a summer-blooming plant that produces cone-shaped flowers, and a single tree can have hundreds of blooms. No wonder it's such a beacon to butterflies, bees and other local pollinators. Pro tip from Barcale: "If you trim the spent blooms, they will bloom almost immediately again."

7. Columbine

Columbine shows off with delicate petals that almost look like a firework in the sky thanks to the spurs attached to the base of each petal. "These symbols of spring are often bicolored and come in nearly every color of the rainbow," Kelley says. "The long, tubular flowers are a stunning example of pollinator-syndromes: a suite of shared traits between plants and their pollinators." Hummingbirds, bumble bees, sweat bees and mason bees love this nectar and pollen.

Related: How to Plant and Grow Butterfly Weed

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This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 9:45 AM.