5. Verbena

The exquisite purple flowers of verbena not only captivate the attention of monarch butterflies but also serve as a magnet for hummingbirds and other beneficial birds, adding a vibrant touch to your landscape. These flowers emit a delightful fragrance and offer an abundant supply of nectar, attracting monarchs in significant numbers.

Moreover, verbena possesses the remarkable qualities of being both drought-resistant and deer-resistant. This makes it an outstanding option for individuals seeking to conserve water and avoid the hassle of deer feasting on their plants.

6. Sunflowers

Sunflowers have a universal appeal to all butterfly species, including monarchs. Their open flower heads provide easy access for butterflies to feed on nectar. Furthermore, the vibrant colors of these large flower heads make them highly visible and easily identifiable for butterflies.

The greatest advantage of sunflowers is their simplicity and affordability when it comes to planting them from seeds. By incorporating sunflowers into your garden, you not only attract a diverse range of pollinators but also enhance the productivity of your vegetable and flower gardens, resulting in better yields than ever before. Product Affiliate Link: Sunflower Seed Assortment Pack

7. Asters

While many flowers entice monarch butterflies during the early summer, asters offer a distinctive food source for those monarchs that are still present in the fall. Late-blooming asters serve as a crucial nourishment provider, ensuring that monarchs have ample sustenance before embarking on their journey to South America. By planting asters, you create a vital fueling station to support these majestic butterflies during their migration.

8. Coreopsis

Coreopsis is renowned for its ability to attract monarch butterflies, along with a wide array of seed-eating insects and birds. As an added bonus, this plant is resistant to both deer and drought, making it a fantastic choice for creating a low-maintenance and easily manageable landscape.

When incorporating coreopsis into your garden, it is essential to select a location that receives a minimum of 8 hours of sunlight each day. These perennial plants thrive best in well-drained soil, although they can adapt to various soil types and don’t demand excessive fertilizer to maintain their health.

9. Cosmos

Cosmos, belonging to the daisy family, possess the remarkable ability to bring abundant blooms and vibrant colors to your yard. With multiple tubular flowers per plant and ample nectar within each blossom, the cosmos provide a plentiful supply of nectar for monarch butterflies.

These annual flowers are incredibly simple to grow from seeds, making them a convenient choice. Furthermore, the cosmos require minimal maintenance during the growing season and can tolerate less-than-ideal watering conditions. They are ideal for planting along fence lines or as borders in areas that receive a minimum of six to eight hours of sunlight daily.

10. Butterfly bush

If you’re aiming to attract butterflies, bees, and even hummingbirds, the butterfly bush emerges as a top contender. This plant offers an abundance of nectar, making it irresistible to monarch butterflies, who will flock to it in large numbers.

Before incorporating butterfly bushes into your garden, it’s crucial to consult with your local extension office to determine whether the plant is deemed invasive in your area. In certain locations, the butterfly bush can quickly dominate the landscape, making it advisable to opt for alternative plants that attract monarch butterflies without the risk of invasiveness.

Helping Monarchs – 10 Plants The Attract Monarch Butterflies

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