Plants That Attract Butterflies & Bees in California

Native plants help attract butterflies and bees to California gardens.

Butterflies and bees provide an important function in California gardens. As natural pollinators, bees and butterflies sip nectar from the flowers and carry pollen to other flowers. A number of drought-resistant native plants suitable for California gardens help attract butterflies and bees.

Butterfly Milkweed

Also known as chigger weed or orange milkweed, milkweed attracts monarch butterflies and bees. Monarchs rely on the plant's chemical defense to keep predators from eating their eggs. Monarchs will only lay their eggs on the milkweed plant for this reason.

Catclaw Acacia

A native shrub ideal for southern California, catclaw acacia grows up to 5 feet in height. The plant appeals to butterflies and bees who sip nectar from the plant's flowers. The showy blooms attract the insects while the claw-like thorns provide some protection to the nectar loving visitors.

Bushy Bluestem

The flowers at the top of the 2- to 5-foot bushy bluestem attract several species of butterflies as well as bees. Grown as an ornamental grass in California, the native bushy bluestem grows in clumps with flowers resembling silvery cotton candy. The plant acts as a larval host for two butterflies, the skippers and satyrs.

References

• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Guide: Butterfly Milkweed
• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Acacia Greggii
• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: California-Southern Recommended
• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Andropogon Glomeratus

Resources

• Sunset: Planting for Butterflies and Bees