23 Best Plants to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard

There are so many beautiful plants that attract hummingbirds. Although these little birds often gravitate toward red flowers and blooms with narrow, tubular throats, they love nectar-rich blossoms of all bright hues, from orange and pink to purple and yellow flowers. In addition to these plants, it's essential to create a habitat to entice hummingbirds to visit by including a bird bath, hummingbird feeder, hanging plants, and shelter with vines, trees, and bushes. Learn more about lovely annuals, perennials, and flowering vines and why these are the plants that attract hummingbirds.

01 of 23
Bee Balm

Credit:
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

The long-blooming perennial bee balm (Monarda didyma) is a fine choice for plants in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9. This member of the mint family with red or light purple blooms likes soil that is slightly acidic and on the moist side. It reaches a maximum of 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide (many cultivars are smaller). Full sun in the North is best; in the South, give it partial shade.
- Name: Bee balm (Monarda didyma)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
- Flower Color Varieties: Red, purple, pink, white, lavender
- Light: Full, partial
- Soil Needs: Rich, moist
- Mature Size: 10–48 in. tall, 10–36 in. wide
- Deer Resistant: Yes
02 of 23
Phlox

Credit:
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) bears fragrant flowers that draw hummingbirds to yards in zones 4 to 8. These perennials can give you several different looks, including the variegated leaves of 'Nora Leigh' (24 to 36 inches tall with a width about half that) and the white flowers of the mildew-resistant 'David' cultivar (3 to 4 feet tall, spreading about 2 to 3 feet) that make it a good moon garden plant. Give garden phlox full sun in the North and partial sun in the South.
- Name: Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
- Flower Color Varieties: Lavender, lilac, pink, purple, salmon, white
- Light: Full, partial
- Soil Needs: Moist but well-drained
- Mature Size: 2 to 4 ft. tall, 2 to 3 ft. wide
- Deer Resistant: Yes
03 of 23
Red Columbine

Credit:
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Red columbine (Aquilegia canadense) is a 2-foot-tall perennial for zones 3 to 8. Its blooms are showy and timely and are perfect for attracting hummingbirds just beginning to return north from their winter homes. Columbine performs well in partial shade.
- Name: Red columbine (Aquilegia canadense)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
- Flower Color Varieties: Red, orange, yellow, blue, purple, violet, pink, white
- Light: Full, partial
- Soil Needs: Sandy, loamy, moist but well-drained; slightly acidic
- Mature Size: 1-3 ft. tall, 1-2 ft. wide
- Deer Resistant: Yes
04 of 23
Blue Lupine

Credit:
The Spruce / K. Dave

Blue lupine (Lupinus perennis) is native to North America; grow it in zones 3 to 8. Two feet tall when in bloom, this plant isn't as showy as the non-native lupines, but native plant enthusiasts will gladly give up a little pizzazz to see hummingbirds sipping nectar from a made-in-America perennial. Give it full sun in the North and partial shade in the South.
- Name: Blue lupine (Lupinus perennis)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
- Flower Color Varieties: Blue; sometimes white or pinkish
- Light: Full
- Soil Needs: Dry to average moisture, well-drained soil
- Mature Size: 2–24 inches tall, 12–18 inches wide
- Deer Resistant: Yes
Continue to 5 of 23 below
05 of 23
Larkspur

Credit:
The Spruce / Autumn Wood

Larkspur (Delphinium) is a traditional favorite that supplies hummingbirds with food. Their value also comes from the heights they reach. Some delphiniums can be grown in zones 3 to 9, often up to 7 feet tall.
- Name: Larkspur (Delphinium)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
- Flower Color Varieties: Blue, pink, purple, white
- Light: Full, partial
- Soil Needs: Moist loam, well-draining
- Mature Size: 6 in. to 7 ft. tall
- Deer Resistant: Yes
06 of 23
Hollyhocks

Credit:
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Sun-loving hollyhocks (Alcea) often outgrow even the delphiniums and are hardy to zone 3. Despite technically being biennials, hollyhocks self-seed so well that they are usually treated as perennials. Both delphiniums and hollyhocks come in a variety of colors and, due to their stately stature, are an excellent choice to form a back row in a tiered perennial bed.
- Name: Hollyhocks (Alcea)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-10
- Flower Color Varieties: White, pink, red, yellow, lavender
- Light: Full, partial
- Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
- Mature Size: Typically up to 8 ft. tall, 1-2 ft. wide
- Deer Resistant: Somewhat
07 of 23
Crocosmia

Credit:
The Spruce / Autumn Wood

Look for the 'Lucifer' cultivar of Crocosmia (30 to 36 inches tall and about half as wide) for flowers in the orange-to-red color range. This South African native is "for the birds," while rabbit pests avoid it. Crocosmia plants spring out of corms and should be grown in full sun to partial shade in zones 5 to 9.
- Name: Crocosmia (Crocosmia 'Lucifer')
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9
- Flower Color Varieties: Red, yellow, orange
- Light: Full, partial
- Soil Needs: Well-drained
- Mature Size: 2-3 feet high
- Deer Resistant: Yes
08 of 23
Salvia

Credit:
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle

Cold-hardy to zone 4, Salvia nemorosa is usually known for its spikes of bluish or purplish flowers. But this perennial salvia also attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Many cultivars are available. Size is commonly 18 to 24 inches in height, with a similar spread. The leaves are lance-shaped and give off a pungent aroma. Give Salvia nemorosa full sun and adequate water, and deadhead it, and it will provide color all summer long.
- Name: Salvia (Salvia nemorosa)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
- Flower Color Varieties: Lavender to violet blue
- Light: Full
- Soil Needs: Moist, well-draining
- Mature Size: 18 to 24 inches in height, with a similar spread
- Deer Resistant: Yes
Continue to 9 of 23 below
09 of 23
Coral Bells

Credit:
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

The plants are small, and the flowers are even smaller, but coral bells (Heuchera spp.) do attract hummingbirds. 'Blondie' is a cultivar of coral bells with yellow flowers for zones 4 to 9. This perennial can take full sun. It's a small (5 inches when not in bloom) plant, useful at the front of a perennial border.
- Name: Coral bells (Heuchera spp.)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
- Flower Color Varieties: Red, white, pink, orange
- Light: Full, partial
- Soil Needs: Rich, moist but well-drained
- Mature Size: 8–18 in. tall, 12–24 in. wide
- Deer Resistant: Yes
10 of 23
Impatiens

Credit:
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) is a bedding plant that draws hummingbirds. This annual will grow in the shade, allowing you to attract hummingbirds to your yard even if you have a small property and don't get much sun on your land. One type of smaller impatiens, commonly called patient Lucy, doesn't get much bigger than a foot tall and commonly flowers in white, red, pink, violet, coral, or purple.
- Name: Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 10 to 11
- Flower Color Varieties: White, red, pink, orange, purple, yellow
- Light: Partial sun, full shade
- Soil Needs: Well-draining; acidic
- Mature Size: 6–36 in. tall; 1–3 ft. wide
- Deer Resistant: No
11 of 23
Butterfly Bush

Credit:
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

A shrub that has a prime place in sunny hummingbird gardens is the butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii), although it should be treated as a herbaceous perennial rather than a shrub. For some gardens, it can become too large, so pruning the butterfly bush will be necessary in late winter or early spring. It can be invasive in some areas, including the Pacific Northwest. A new cultivar, 'Blue Chip,' is touted as a non-invasive alternative.
- Name: Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
- Flower Color Varieties: Purple, pink, blue, white, yellow
- Light: Full
- Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained soil
- Mature Size: 3–12 ft. tall, 3-8 ft. wide
- Deer Resistant: Yes
12 of 23
Catawba Rhododendron

Credit:
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Catawba rhododendron shrubs (Rhododendron catawbiense) are broadleaf evergreen bushes with dark-green, leathery foliage. They bear spectacular flowers in the spring that are effective for attracting hummingbirds. This rhododendron shrub is easy to transplant, but, like other rhododendrons, it does require acidic soil.
- Name: Catawba rhododendron (Rhododendron catawbiense)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
- Flower Color Varieties: White, lavender, rose, or red
- Light: Partial sun to full shade
- Soil Needs: Fertile, well-drained, acidic
- Mature Size: 6-8 ft. tall, 4-6 ft. wide
- Deer Resistant: No
Warning

Rhododendron is toxic to people, dogs, cats, and other pets.
Continue to 13 of 23 below
13 of 23
Rose of Sharon

Credit:
The Spruce / Autumn Wood

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a late-blooming shrub with an upright growing habit that can reach a height of 8 to 10 feet with a spread of 4 to 6 feet. These bushes benefit from pruning and do their best in full sun. The blooms can be red, pink, purple, blue, or white. They work well in shrub borders in zones 5 to 9.
- Name: Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
- Flower Color Varieties: Pink, purple, lavender, red, blue, white, and often with dark throats
- Light: Full, partial
- Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained; acidic
- Mature Size: 8–12 ft. tall, 6–10 ft. wide
- Deer Resistant: Somewhat
14 of 23
Trumpet Vine

Credit:
The Spruce / David Beaulieu

Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) produces orange or reddish-orange to salmon flowers throughout most summer months in zones 4 to 9. It does best in full sun to partial shade. Provide this 40-foot-tall vine with an arbor, trellis, or fence, and let it climb. This vigorous vine must be pruned back to keep it "within bounds." Indeed, even in the southeastern U.S. (to which it is native), this vine is sometimes considered a weed. It may be too aggressive or invasive for many gardeners, so do not grow it if you do not want it popping up all over your yard.
- Name: Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
- Flower Color Varieties: Orange, red, yellow
- Light: Full, partial
- Soil Needs: Average, moist but well-drained
- Mature Size: 25–40 ft. long, 5–10 ft. wide
- Deer Resistant: No
15 of 23
Honeysuckle

Credit:
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Honeysuckle vines (Lonicera spp.) can be grown in full sun to partial shade. Magnifica honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens 'Magnifica'), with its large, scarlet flowers that attract hummingbirds, can be grown in zones 3 to 9. Unlike the trumpet vine, this 10-to-20-foot plant is a true creeper, meaning more maintenance is required to climb a trellis, achieving the best display. Some species of honeysuckle are invasive, so be mindful when choosing one for your garden.
- Name: Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9 (varies by species)
- Flower Color Varieties: Yellow, pink, peach, red, and creamy white
- Light: Full, partial
- Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained
- Mature Size: Up to 25 feet (some species)
- Deer Resistant: Depends on the species
16 of 23
Cardinal Climber

Credit:
The Spruce / Marie Ianotti

As its name suggests, the cardinal climber (Ipomoea x multifida) has a striking red bloom. This 6-to-15-foot vine must be treated as an annual north of zone 6. Grow it in full sun. A more commonly grown plant in the same genus that attracts hummingbirds is Ipomoea tricolor 'Heavenly Blue'. The latter is the annual vines famous for bearing those wonderfully sky-blue flowers on vines 10 feet tall.
- Name: Cardinal climber (Ipomoea x multifida)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 10 to 12
- Flower Color Varieties: Red
- Light: Full, partial
- Soil Needs: Well-drained
- Mature Size: 6-15 ft. long, 9-2 in. wide
- Deer Resistant: Yes
Continue to 17 of 23 below
17 of 23
Lantana

Credit:
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Lantana plants (Lantana camara) are perennials in zones 8 to 10, where they become 6 feet tall, with a spread of 8 feet. But, in colder climates, Lantana plants are often used as annuals for hanging baskets and stay much smaller. The 'Spreading Sunset' cultivar has a flower head with gold centers surrounded by an orange that later fades to pink. Like most of the entries on the list, these plants are sun lovers.
- Name: Lantana (Lantana camara)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 11
- Flower Color Varieties: Red, orange, yellow, blue, white, pink
- Light: Full
- Soil Needs: Well-drained
- Mature Size: 6 ft. tall and wide
- Deer Resistant: Yes
18 of 23
Fuchsia

Credit:
The Spruce / Kara Riley

Another hummingbird magnet commonly found in hanging baskets in the North is fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.). Unlike lantana, this one should be grown in the shade. It is even more tender than lantana (zone 10 or 11). Flower color is commonly pink, purple, red, white, or violet and the most popular types have bi-colored flowers. It is shrubby and becomes 1 to 2 feet tall and wide.
- Name: Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 10 to 11
- Flower Color Varieties: Red, pink, white, violet, purple
- Light: Partial sun, shade
- Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
- Mature Size: 1 to 2 ft. tall, with a similar spread
- Deer Resistant: Yes
19 of 23
Silk Tree

Credit:
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

A tree that attracts hummingbirds is the silk tree, or "mimosa" (Albizia julibrissin). It's a member of the pea family. This vigorous Chinese exotic quickly naturalizes at the southern end of its range in areas. It is considered an invasive plant in the southeastern U.S. Its puffy, pink flowers are aromatic, and its nectar attracts hummingbirds in zones 6 to 9. It stands 20 to 40 feet tall with a canopy as wide as 50 feet. Plant this tree in full sun to partial shade.
- Name: Silk Tree (Albizia julibrissin)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9
- Flower Color Varieties: Pink
- Light: Full, partial
- Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
- Mature Size: 20-40 ft. tall, 20-50 ft. wide
- Deer Resistant: Yes
20 of 23
Beardtongue

Credit:
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Beardtongue is a member of the Penstemon genus, which contains more than 250 beardtongue species. Beardtongue offers a variety of hues including purple, blue, orange, red, yellow, pink, and white. Herbaceous perennials, beardtongues have lance-shaped foliage and tubular flowers. Beardtongue gets its name from the pollen-free stamen that sticks out from its flower.
- Name: Beardtongue (Penstemon)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
- Flower Color Varieties: Purple, blue, orange, red, yellow, pink, white
- Light: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Well-drained
- Mature Size: 6 in. to 8 ft. tall and 8 to 20 in. wide
- Deer Resistant: Yes
Continue to 21 of 23 below
21 of 23
Mandevilla

Credit:
The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong

Fragrant mandevilla (Mandevilla spp.), also known as rocktrumpet, sprouts five-petal trumpet-shaped flowers that come in shades of pink, red, and white. If grown in their designated USDA zones, mandevilla plants can be grown as perennials. If being grown outside of zones 10 to 11, these do great as container plants. Mandevilla are fairly low-maintenance, so long as their growing conditions are met: plenty of light, warmth, and moisture.
- Name: Mandevilla (Mandevilla spp.)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 10 to 11
- Flower Color Varieties: Pink, red, white
- Light: Full, partial
- Soil Needs: Moist but well-drained
- Mature Size: 3–10 ft. tall, 3–4 ft. wide
- Deer Resistant: Yes
22 of 23
Passionflower

Credit:
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

There are many varieties of passionflowers (Passiflora spp.), with most being classified as vines. However, some passionflowers are considered to be shrubs, annuals, perennials, and trees. Passionflowers can be toxic, depending on the type, so be careful if you have a home with children or pets.
- Name: Passionflower (Passiflora spp.)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 10
- Flower Color Varieties: Purple, blue, pink, red, white
- Light: Full to partial
- Soil Needs: Moist but well-drained
- Mature Size: 10–30 ft. tall, 3–6 ft. wide
- Deer Resistant: Yes, depending on the variety
23 of 23
Hummingbird Bush

Credit:
Marianne Pfeil / Getty Images

The hummingbird bush (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii), also called flame acanthus, blooms vibrant red to orange tubular flowers. It's a low-maintenance shrub that needs lots of sunlight. It's also great to grow in pots or containers. It's best planted during the fall after the summer heat has passed.
- Name: Hummingbird bush (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 10
- Flower Color Varieties: Red, orange
- Light: Full sun, partial shade
- Soil Needs: Well-drained
- Mature Size: Up to 5 ft. tall
- Deer Resistant: Yes

FAQ

What are the best hanging plants to attract hummingbirds?

The best hanging plants to attract hummingbirds include latanas, fuchsia, petunias, and shrimp plants.
Which flowers attract both hummingbirds and butterflies?

Flowers that attract both hummingbirds and butterflies include bee balm, salvia, cardinal flower, butterfly bush, columbine, fuchsia, and phlox.
Do hummingbirds prefer feeders to be high or low?

You should hang a hummingbird feeder so it's far enough off the ground that predators, such as cats, can't jump at the birds. Also, make sure the feeder is visible; place it where it can catch light.
Is hummingbird mint the same as regular mint?

No, hummingbird mint (Agastache cana) is a popular variety of agastache with pink or purple flowers that is very drought tolerant and not at all like the classic mint herb. Hummingbirds are drawn to agastache.

23 Best Plants to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard

Warning

More from The Spruce