How to Attract Specific Butterflies to Your Butterfly Garden

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By Amanda C. Strosahl
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A monarch in the garden

There are over 17,500 species of butterflies in the world. Approximately 750 of those live in the United States. Those numbers are further broken down by region, state and even county.

You can attract your favorite type of butterfly to your butterfly garden by choosing plants that are appealing to that particular variety. Some butterflies like several types of plants. Other butterflies have a more refined palate and look for one or two specific flowers.

Below is a list of common butterflies, most of which are found throughout the entire United States. Attract them to your butterfly garden by planting their preferred host and nectar plants.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Butterfly guide for your area
Appropriate host plants
Appropriate nectar plants

Step 1

Monarch

Plant the correct plants for the Monarch:

The Monarch is one of the most commonly known butterflies in North America. It has large orange and black wings.

The Monarch prefers Milkweed as a host plant. For nectar, it feeds on such plants as Milkweed, Aster, Cosmos, Daisy, Red Clover, and Zinnia.
Step 2

Viceroy

Plant the correct plants for the Viceroy:

Though smaller, this butterfly is often mistaken for a Monarch.

The Viceroy prefers trees as its host plants, including Aspen, Apple, Cherry, Plum and Poplar. It has a similar nectar diet to the Monarch, searching out Milkweed, Aster, Cosmos, Daisy, Red Clover, Golden Rod and Zinnia.
Step 3

Painted Lady

Plant the correct plants for the Painted Lady:

This is one of the most common butterflies in North America. Its orange wings have brown spots and are tipped in black with white spots.

The Painted Lady prefers Thistle, Daisy, Hollyhock, Mallow and Burdock as host plants and Aster, Zinnia, Thistle, Cosmos, and Blazing Star for nectar plants.
Step 4

Pipevine Swallowtail

Plant the correct plants for the Pipevine Swallowtail:

The black and blue Pipevine Swallowtail looks for Dutchman's pipe, Knotweed, Pipevines, and Wild Ginger as host plants. It likes Azalea, Honeysuckle, and Butterfly Bushes as nectar plants.
Step 5

Eastern Black Swallowtail

Plant the correct plants for the Eastern Black Swallowtail:

This butterfly has black and blue wings with orange and white spots. It is primarily found in the Midwest and Eastern North America.

The Eastern Black Swallowtail looks for vegetables and herbs as host plants, including Carrots, Celery, Parsley, Rue and Dill. Adults feed on Phlox and Milkweed.
Step 6

Mourning Cloak

Plant the correct plants for the Mourning Cloak:

The Mourning Cloak has brownish-maroon wings that are edged with blue dots and a cream stripe. This butterfly is communal and lays their eggs in large groups.

The Mourning Cloak seeks out trees, such as Elm, Poplar, Birch and Willow, as their host plants. The adults feed on the nectar of Milkweed, Shasta Daisy, Butterfly Bush and other meadow flowers. They are also very fond of rotting fruit.
Step 7

Red Admiral

Plant the correct plants for the Red Admiral:

The Red Admiral has black wings with red patches and white spots.

They prefer Nettle as a host plant and use Clover, Aster, Dandelion, Goldenrod, Mallow and Cosmos as nectar plants.
Step 8

Buckeye Butterfly

Plant the correct plants for the Buckeye:

The Buckeye has brownish wings with bars of orange, white blotches and ocelli (spots that look like eyes).

They are fond of Snapdragons, Stonecrop, and Verbena as host plants, though they will also use other common garden flowers. They like Lantana, Cosmos and Clover for nectar plants.
Step 9

Tailed Blue

Plant the correct plants for the Tailed Blue:

The Tailed Blue is a small, but beautiful, butterfly. It has purple wings with black and orange spots.

Its host plants are Clover, Peas, and Beans. Its preferred nectar plants are Daisy, Dandelion, Clover and Milkweed.
Step 10

Spring Azure

Plant the correct plants for the Spring Azure:

The Spring Azure, also called the Common Blue, is one of the first butterflies to appear in the spring.

Its host plants include Blueberry, Dogwood, Spirea and Apple. For nectar, it enjoys meadow flowers such as Daisy, Clover, Dandelion, Forget-Me-Not and Milkweed.
Step 11

Clouded Sulphur

Plant the correct plants for the Clouded Sulphur:

The Clouded Sulphur has lemon-yellow wings that are edged in black and have a single black spot on each forewing.

Their host plant is Clover and they enjoy Goldenrod, Grape Hyacinth, Marigold, Dandelion, Daisy and Milkweed for nectar plants.