30 Gorgeous Plants That Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about 30 Gorgeous Plants That Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden and hope the blog can help you.

Do your garden plans include planting flowers for hummingbirds? Discover which species the birds are drawn to—and the bloom colors and shapes that will keep hummingbirds coming back.

Although more than 300 known species of hummingbird grace gardens around the world, only about a dozen species routinely migrate through North America, and even fewer remain year-round in the warmest areas of the West. These amazingly tiny birds—the smallest bird in the world is the bee hummingbird, which weighs less than an ounce—mostly prefer the warmth of the tropics in Central and South America.

These voracious flying gems have the highest metabolic rate of any animal on earth and spend most of their waking hours in search of the sugary nectar that provides most of their energy. A single hummingbird might visit as many as 2,000 flowers in one day, lapping up nectar with its extremely long tongue.

How to Choose Hummingbird-Friendly Flowers

If your region is visited by hummingbirds during the spring and summer months—visiting hummers are typically the ruby-throated hummingbird in the East, and Costa’s, Anna’s, Allen’s, black-chinned, and rufous hummingbirds in the West—you can encourage them to stop by your garden on their travels by growing some of the many plants that attract hummingbirds.

What kind of flowers do hummingbirds like? If you want hummingbirds to linger on your property, take note: They are particularly attracted to brightly colored flowers—especially red—with a tubular shape, and find yellow and white flowers less enticing. These preferences mean that when you enliven your garden with plants that produce flowers for hummingbirds, you’ll also be adding vibrant, cheerful color to your landscape.

The 30 Best Flowers for Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds must ingest significant quantities of sugary plant nectar in order to generate the energy needed to keep their wings beating at 70 flaps per second. The birds have learned that very colorful flowers, like those listed here, tend to have a good nectar supply.

As you peruse this list, keep in mind that the USDA released a new, improved Plant Hardiness Zone Map in 2023. You might want to check the map to make sure your region hasn’t shifted zones before you go on a plant-buying spree.

1. Lantana (Lantana camara)

Exuberant flowers—the individual blooms are tiny, but they burst forth in tight clusters—place lantana high among the plants that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Some lantana varieties display just one color of flower per cluster, but most feature clusters of several colors, such as hot pink and yellow or orange and red.

Grow lantana in a sunny spot, and let the soil dry slightly between waterings. In areas with winter temperatures below freezing, lantana is usually considered an annual, although it can sometimes come back in spring, but it thrives year-round in the warmest climates.

Blooms: Late spring through frost where grown as an annual; nearly year-round in warmer regions
Colors/Varieties: Pink/yellow/orange, red, purple, and white
USDA Growing Zones: Annual in Zones 1 to 8; perennial in Zones 9 to 11
Mature Size: Some varieties grow to 4 or 5 feet tall and a couple of feet wide; others have a spreading habit, growing to 4 feet wide but only 2 feet tall.
Special Concerns: Lantana is drought-tolerant but will produce more blooms if watered regularly.

2. Penstemon (Penstemon species)

A large family of North American natives, penstemon comes in many colors and heights, but all produce tubular blooms that hummingbirds love, especially if you choose purple, red, or pink varieties. Two particularly good varieties are firecracker (Penstemon eatonii) and Parry’s penstemon (Penstemon parryi).

Penstemon is a fairly easy perennial to grow in a sunny location with excellent soil drainage. Don’t fertilize often; penstemon prefers slightly poor soil.

Blooms: Early to mid-summer
Colors/Varieties: Blue, purple, pink, white, and red
USDA Growing Zones: Varies, depending on the species, of which there are 250
Mature Size: Depending on variety, 1 to 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide
Special Concerns: With so many varieties to choose from, be sure to select types that are known to do well in your area.

3. Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)

Also called trumpet creeper, this glorious vine explodes in summer through fall with bright orange flowers that hummers simply cannot resist. A native to eastern North America, trumpet vine grows quickly and vigorously, and needs a strong arbor, trellis, or fence for support.

Cut back as needed to keep it under control, and don’t water or fertilize too frequently; this hardy vine prefers slightly poor, dry soil.

Blooms: Throughout summer and fall
Colors/Varieties: Yellow, orange, and red
USDA Growing Zones: Zones 4 to 11
Mature Size: Runners can reach 30 feet long
Special Concerns: Aggressive trumpet vine can become invasive. The plant’s sap can cause skin irritation.

4. Petunia (Petunia species)

Do hummingbirds like petunias? Absolutely, and they like native varieties best because those tend to have more nectar than some of the nonnative types. One of the most popular spring-through-summer annuals, petunias are available in just about every color of the rainbow, as well as bicolor varieties.

Petunias are easy to grow in hanging baskets or other containers, so they’re high on the list of the best potted plants that attract hummingbirds. They also make a beautiful garden border or a nice addition to a raised bed. Just give petunias plenty of sun, keep the soil moist but not soggy, and feed once or twice during their growing season. Hummers are especially fond of red, purple, and pink varieties.

Blooms: Spring through fall
Colors/Varieties: White, yellow, pink, purple, red, and blue
USDA Growing Zones: Annual in Zones 1 to 8; perennial in Zones 9 to 11
Mature Size: 6 to 18 inches tall; 18 inches to 4 feet wide
Special Concerns: Spreading types require more irrigation than clumping types. Remove faded flowers from plants (known as deadheading) to promote vigorous blooming.

5. Salvia (Salvia species)

Salvia is a large genus of plants in the mint family. The plants produce tall spikes of clustered flowers and have lance-shaped leaves that give off a distinctive fragrance when cut or crushed. While butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds flock to just about every variety of salvia, you can count on hummers visiting Salvia microphylla ‘Hot Lips,’ which has two-toned red and white blooms, and Salvia greggii, often called autumn sage.

This North American native produces red, purple, pink, or white flowers, summer through fall. All salvias prefer sunny locations and are moderately drought resistant, but they need regular watering in times of extreme heat or drought.

Blooms: Summer through fall
Colors/Varieties: Blue, red, purple, orange, pink, yellow, white, green, and brown, with some multicolor varieties
USDA Growing Zones: Varies by variety, but some are hardy as far north as Zone 5.
Mature Size: 1 to 4 feet tall and wide, depending on type
Special Concerns: Prune in late winter and cut off dying flowers during the bloom season.

6. Lupine (Lupinus x hybrid)

Most lupines sold in garden centers are hybrids of various wild lupines. These North American natives feature a wide range of colors and sizes, but all produce spikes of tubular flowers that attract all types of pollinators, including hummingbirds.

Plant lupine in a sunny location with good drainage and slightly acidic soil, and don’t fertilize it often. While lupine is a tender perennial, in many areas, especially in hot climates, it is treated as an annual.

Blooms: Spring and summer
Colors/Varieties: White, pink, red, yellow, blue, purple, and bicolor
USDA Growing Zones: Zones 4 to 10b
Mature Size: 10 to 24 inches tall and wide
Special Concerns: All parts of the plant are toxic.

7. Columbine (Aquilegia species)

Although columbine appears delicate, this perennial beauty is actually fairly easy to grow in areas that aren’t too hot during its summer bloom time. While there are many cultivars and hybrids of columbine, all of which attract hummingbirds, one that is especially appealing is red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis).

Plant columbine in a partly shady spot and keep it moist but not soggy. Cutting spent flowers encourages repeat blooms. Columbine struggles in extremely hot weather.

Blooms: Spring to summer
Colors/Varieties: Red, orange, yellow, blue, purple, pink, and white
USDA Growing Zones: Zones 3 to 9
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet tall; 1 to 2 feet wide
Special Concerns: Short-lived perennial that reseeds

8. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

Hummingbirds find the bright red tubular blooms of cardinal flower irresistible, and these tiny fliers are the primary pollinator of this North American native. While technically a perennial, cardinal flower does not live long, but it does reseed prolifically.

This woodland flower likes some shade and does best in moist soil; covering the soil with mulch helps the plant thrive. As a bonus, deer rarely bother this garden showstopper.

Blooms: Summer to early fall
Colors/Varieties: Red, pink, white, blue, and purple
USDA Growing Zones: Zones 3 to 9
Mature size: 4 to 5 feet tall; 1 to 2 feet wide
Special Concerns: Must be divided every 3 years to survive

9. Hosta (Hosta species)

A mainstay of the shade garden, hosta varieties appear in an excellent assortment at most nurseries. And while most people plant hostas for their foliage, thanks to the many leaf colors and patterns available, it does bloom during the summer, mostly in small white or purple flowers.

Hummingbirds love hosta’s tubular blooms, which add beautiful contrast to the plant’s greenery. Keep hostas mulched and water them regularly. Watch out for snails, which love to nibble the leaves.

Blooms: Summer
Colors/Varieties: White, lavender, and pink
USDA Growing Zones: Zones 3 to 9
Mature Size: 12 to 15 inches tall; 10 to 24 inches wide
Special Concerns: Deer enjoy snacking on hosta.

10. Cigar Plant (Cuphea ignea)

Also called firecracker plant, the cigar plant has long, thin bright orange flowers that hummingbirds love. A native to Mexico, the cigar plant blooms exuberantly through the spring and summer.

In cold climates, cigar plant generally grows as an annual, but it will thrive year-round in warmer areas. Water the plant regularly, pinch it back occasionally so it doesn’t get leggy, and grow it in full sun to part shade.

Blooms: Spring through fall
Colors/Varieties: Red
USDA Growing Zones: Zones 9b to 12
Mature Size: 2 to 3 feet tall; 3 to 5 feet wide
Special Concerns: Cigar plant can get leggy; pinch back stem tips to encourage bushiness.

11. Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana alata)

Most varieties of flowering tobacco grown in the garden are annuals, although some can survive year-round in climates with mild winters. These delicate beauties bloom summer through fall, with the flowers opening during the evening to release a wonderful fragrance.

Hummingbirds and other pollinators love the white, red, pink, or even green blossoms. Flowering tobacco does best in rich soil that drains well and prefers not to be too hot or too cold. Deadhead flowers to encourage a longer bloom time.

Blooms: Summer to fall
Colors/Varieties: Yellow-green, white, pink, red, and yellow
USDA Growing Zones: Zones 10 to 11b
Mature Size: 3 to 5 feet tall; 1 to 2 feet wide
Special Concerns: Toxic to dogs, cats, and horses

12. Bee Balm (Monarda species)

Another native to North America, bee balm, a member of the mint family, features red, pink, purple, or white flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds like a magnet. A perennial, bee balm does best when grown in full sun, although it will tolerate some shade.

Bee balm likes fairly moist soil and requires good air circulation to ward off its archnemesis, downy mildew. Deadhead spent blooms to keep flowers coming all summer long.

Blooms: Summer to fall
Colors/Varieties: Red, pink, purple, and white
USDA Growing Zones: Zones 4a to 9b
Mature Size: 2 to 4 feet tall; 1½ to 3 feet wide
Special Concerns: Mildew is common after flowering.

13. Zinnia (Zinnia violacea)

An easy flower to grow, this heavy bloomer is a cutting garden staple because of its bright single flower head on erect stems. The many varieties of zinnia to choose from include single, semi-double, and double-flowered; different shapes, such as beehive, button, and cactus; and even different heights.

These deer-resistant plants grow quickly from seed in full sun and make excellent borders. Ensure plants have good air circulation.

Blooms: Late spring through first frost
Colors/Varieties: Pink, purple, yellow, orange, lavender, white, red, and green
USDA Growing Zones: Annual in Zones 2 to 8; perennial in Zones 9 to 11
Mature Size: 8 inches to 4 feet tall
Special Concerns: Susceptible to powdery mildew.

14. Annual Geranium (Pelargonium species)

If you’re looking for hanging plants that attract hummingbirds, consider geranium—colorful, hardy plants that enjoy full sun and plenty of water, although not wet foliage. Deer-resistant geraniums do well as full-sun container plants or in flower beds.

Geraniums are available in several shades, and they also come in various forms, such as ivy, scented, fancy-leaf with variegated leaves, and the large Martha Washington ruffled varieties. Be sure to deadhead spent flowers for more blooms.

Blooms: Spring through fall
Colors/Varieties: Red, burgundy, lavender, pink, salmon, orange, white, and bicolor
USDA Growing Zones: Annual in Zones 1 to 9; perennial in Zones 10 to 11
Mature Size: 1 to 3 feet tall and wide
Special Concerns: Can be bothered by caterpillars, whiteflies, and aphids.

15. Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis)

Brighten up a shady or semi-shady spot with this delicate spring bloomer whose arching branches of heart-shaped flowers seem to drip out their insides in sorrow. This herbaceous perennial requires little care, dying back to the ground in late fall and returning in the spring.

Featuring attractive, serrated leaves, bleeding heart p