1
Host Plant
The host plant will attract the butterflies in hopes they will lay their eggs. Once the eggs hatch, the caterpillars start feeding on the host plants.
Host plants to consider planting in your butterfly container garden include milkweed, coneflowers, dill, fennel, asters, or hollyhock.
2
Butterfly Friendly Plants
Nectar plants will attract butterflies. Consider choosing plants with a long blooming season.
Nectar plants to consider planting in your butterfly container garden include mums, lavender, zinnia, butterfly weed, lantana, and verbena.
3
Arrange plants so they are at different heights
Use low-growing flowers, trailing plants, and even taller shrubs.
4
Color matters
Did you know butterflies can see color? They tend to gravitate towards colors such as yellow, pink, red, purple, blue-green, orange, and even lavender.
5
Create a Puddling Place
Place a saucer or shallow pan filled with coarse moist sand (1/2 to 3/4 table salt to 1 gallon of sand) and keep it wet.
01
Pick Your Host Plants
02
Pick Your Nectar Plants
03
Arrange Plants at Various Heights
04
05
Color Matters
Create a Puddling Place