Attract Florida native butterflies with the right nectar plants and host plants. See which natives to grow, then shop butterfly-friendly plants at Flowing Well Tree Farm.

Florida has some of the most colorful butterflies in the country, from the black-and-yellow zebra longwing (our state butterfly) to the monarch and the giant swallowtail. If you want to see them in your yard, you need two kinds of Florida native butterfly plants: nectar plants to feed adults, and host plants to feed caterpillars.

This guide explains the difference, matches popular Florida butterflies with the host plants they depend on, and lists native nectar plants that bloom through the seasons. You can find butterfly-friendly plants for your garden at Flowing Well Tree Farm at www.flowingwelltreefarm.com.

Nectar Plants vs. Host Plants: What’s the Difference?

• Nectar plants are flowers that adult butterflies drink from for energy.
• Host plants (also called larval host plants) are the specific plants where females lay eggs and where caterpillars feed. Most caterpillars can only eat one plant or a small group of related plants.

A garden with only nectar plants gives butterflies a place to visit. A garden with both gives them a place to live and reproduce, which is how you build a real butterfly population.

Expect some chewed leaves. Caterpillar damage means your garden is working. Most host plants recover quickly.

Host Plants for Florida Native Butterflies

Quick tips on key host plants:

• Milkweed: Choose native milkweeds. Many experts advise against planting non-native tropical milkweed, because in mild climates it can keep growing year-round and may help spread a parasite that harms monarchs.
• Passionflower: A trellis or fence gives the vine room to climb. Zebra longwings and gulf fritillaries will find it quickly.
• Coontie: This tough, shade-tolerant native is a great landscape plant, and it is the only host for the atala, once thought extinct in Florida.
• Frogfruit and partridge pea: These are easy, low-maintenance natives that support several species at once.

Native Nectar Plants Butterflies Love

Pick plants that bloom at different times so something is always flowering:

• Firebush (Hamelia patens): Tubular orange-red flowers that butterflies and hummingbirds visit for much of the year in warm areas.
• Blue porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis): Long-blooming spikes of small blue-purple flowers, a favorite of skippers and small butterflies.
• Tropical sage (Salvia coccinea): Bright red blooms, easy to grow, and it reseeds.
• Spanish needle (Bidens alba): Small white flowers that attract many small butterflies, often growing wild.
• Blanket flower (Gaillardia pulchella): Red-and-gold blooms for sunny, sandy spots.
• Leavenworth’s tickseed (Coreopsis leavenworthii): Florida’s state wildflower, with cheerful yellow blooms.
• Liatris (blazing star) and goldenrod: Late-season nectar that helps butterflies fuel up in fall.
• Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana): Small flowers for butterflies, then bright purple berries for birds.
• Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis): Ball-shaped flowers for wetter sites.
• Milkweeds: They do double duty as host plants and nectar sources.

A note on lantana: Common lantana (Lantana camara) is a popular butterfly plant, but it is considered invasive in Florida. Choose native lantana species instead, and check with your local extension office or the Florida Native Plant Society before you buy.

How to Design a Florida Butterfly Garden

1. Combine host and nectar plants. Group them so caterpillars and adults are close together.
2. Choose sun. Most butterfly plants need at least 6 hours of direct sun.
3. Plant in drifts. Clusters of one plant are easier for butterflies to spot than single plants.
4. Skip pesticides. This includes “natural” products like Bt, which can kill caterpillars.
5. Add shelter and water. Shrubs, trees, and a shallow puddle area help butterflies rest and drink.
6. Match plants to your region. North, central, and South Florida have different native ranges and growing conditions, so check that each plant suits your area.

Shop Butterfly-Friendly Plants at Flowing Well Tree Farm

Ready to start? Flowing Well Tree Farm grows healthy plants and trees, and you can order them online at www.flowingwelltreefarm.com.

Browse our collection:

• [Native host plants] for caterpillars
• [Nectar-rich shrubs and wildflowers] for adult butterflies
• [Native trees and shrubs] for shelter and long-term habitat

Shop butterfly-friendly plants online today →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best plant to attract butterflies in Florida?
No single plant does it all. A mix of native nectar plants like firebush, tropical sage, and blue porterweed, plus host plants like milkweed and passionflower, works best.

What plants do monarch caterpillars eat?
Only milkweed. Native species such as butterfly weed and swamp milkweed are the best choices for Florida gardens.

What is the host plant for the zebra longwing?
Passionflower vines, including maypop and corkystem passionflower.

How long does it take to attract butterflies?
Adults may visit nectar plants within weeks. Host plants can bring egg-laying females, and caterpillars may appear within one season.

Should I buy native plants?
Yes. Native plants evolved with local butterflies, so they typically support more species and need less water and care once established.

Final Thoughts

A Florida butterfly garden is simple to start: plant nectar for the adults, host plants for the caterpillars, and skip the pesticides. Start your garden today at Flowing Well Tree Farm.

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