26 Best Hummingbird Flowers to Plant

Bee Balm

The full spikes and spherical shape of perennial bee balm (Monarda didyma) make it an interesting and attractive plant in the garden—and a magnet for hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. This flower typically grows two to four feet tall and requires dividing every three to four years. It will self-seed freely in the garden unless you deadhead the flowers after they bloom.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
• Color Varieties: Red, but purple and orange cultivars are also available
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Rich, medium-moisture to wet soil
  

Cardinal Flower

Perennial cardinal flowers (Lobelia cardinalis) produce long stalks of flowers growing up to 4 feet tall. Its rich red blooms are delicate, making it attractive as a garden plant and food source for hummingbirds. Position it at the rear of mixed-perennial garden beds. Add mulch to moisten the soil and prevent frost heaving in colder climates (north of zone 6). Cardinal flowers are relatively short-lived, however they self-seed (no division required) and often colonize permanently.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
• Color Varieties: Scarlet red; white and rose cultivars are also available
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Rich, medium-moisture to wet soil
  

Zinnia

Among the easiest annuals to grow, zinnias bloom in bright hues hummingbirds love. Cultivars are categorized by growth habit and flower shape, and heights range from 6 inches to 4 feet. Once hummingbirds have drank the nectar, seeds develop, making them ideal plants to feed birds like finches. Zinnias like moist soil, but are susceptible to fungal diseases in humidity or when the foliage gets wet. Give ample space for air circulation and avoid overhead watering.

• USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11; normally grown as an annual
• Color Varieties: All colors except blue and brown
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Humusy, moist, well-drained soil
  

Salvia

The large Salvia genus has several annual and perennial species. Cultivars of Salvia nemarosa or Salvia greggii, also known as autumn sage, are usually grown in the garden. Tall stems with small flowers make salvia great for the backs or centers of flowerbeds. Perennial salvia flowers emerge in mid-summer and bloom through late summer—and flower repeatedly if kept moist. This easy, clump-forming plant grows 18 to 36 inches tall, requires no division, and steadily increases in size.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 11
• Color Varieties: Mauve, pink, purple, blue
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil
  

Bleeding Heart

A stunning perennial plant with attractive foliage and dangling, heart-shaped blooms in white or pink, bleeding hearts (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) perform best in cooler climates and lightly shaded locations. They grow 24 to 36 inches tall, and you can divide them for transplanting as they lengthen. Foliage may turn yellow and die in the heat of summer, but the plants reliably return each spring. It likes moist soil that is well-drained to prevent root rot.

• USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 9
• Color Varieties: Pink, white
• Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
• Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained soil
  

Butterfly Bush

True to its name, this deciduous, perennial flowering shrub is as good for attracting butterfies attracting butterflies as it is for attracting hummingbirds. The thick, elongated clusters of flowers on a butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) bloom repeatedly from mid-summer through fall. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in full sun and develops into a thick, luxurious shrub over time, attracting more hummingbirds and providing great shelter for different types of birds.

• USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 10
• Color Varieties: Pink, purple, blue
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Medium-moisture, well-drained soil; tolerates drought conditions
  

Trumpet Creeper

Also called trumpet vine or hummingbird vine, the perennial trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) can quickly overpower a small area and will climb on many surfaces, including wooden arbors, fences, and trees. Its dense foliage and long, tubular flowers are perfect for hummingbirds. It thrives best in full sun to partial shade. Beware of its invasive properties and aggressive growth. Frequent pruning is necessary to keep it from overwhelming a garden or escaping into surrounding areas.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 10
• Color Varieties: Orange, red, yellow
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Needs: Average, well-drained soil
  

Lupine

Wild lupines do not perform well in gardens, but many hybrids make excellent garden perennials. This early-bloomer is ideal for attracting spring hummingbirds before other flowers have emerged, while insect food sources are scarce. Lupines’ (Lupinus x hybridus) densely flowered spikes grow 3 to 4 feet tall, though dwarf varieties stay under 2 feet. No division is necessary, but they should be replanted every three years or so. In hotter climates, lupines are often grown as annuals.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
• Color Varieties: Purple, blue; white, pink, and yellow cultivars are also available
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Evenly moist, well-drained soil; prefers slightly acidic soil
  

Eastern Red Columbine

There are several species within the Aquilegia genus that are used as garden perennials (for example, Aquilegia canadensis, the common columbine), but even more important are the many cultivars and hybrids developed from these species. Columbine is most often used as an edging plant around fences and flower beds. It grows from 1 to 3 feet high, depending on the variety. Removing the flower stems after blooming will prompt additional flowers.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
• Color Varieties: Blue, purple, pink
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Average, well-drained soil
  

Petunia

Petunias are one of the most popular annual flowers since they are very easy to grow and inexpensive. They work well in just about any sunny garden location and are also favorites for containers, borders, and baskets in small spaces. The flower thrives best in full sun and will bloom repeatedly, providing abundant nectar for hungry hummingbirds.

• USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11; normally grown as an annual
• Color Varieties: Pink, white, red, purple, blue, mixed colors
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Medium-moisture, well-drained soil
  

Penstemon

Beardtongue (Penstemon spp.) flowers are an ideal addition to your bird-friendly landscape. The bell-shaped blooms are filled with sweet nectar that hummingbirds can easily access, and each tall plant has many flowers. Perennial penstemons are easy to grow from seed, drought tolerant, and provide nectar throughout the summer. They need a full sun position to thrive and don't compete well with other plants, so select somewhere they have plenty of space to grow independently.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
• Color Varieties: Purple, blue, orange, red, yellow, pink, white
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Well-drained
  

Trumpet Honeysuckle

The spring-blooming tubular flowers of the perennial trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) are an early source of nectar for hummingbirds. You can train this easy-to-care-for vining plant to grow up a trellis to get sun. While trumpet honeysuckles are drought tolerant, regular watering helps promote abundant blooms. Coral honeysuckle, as it is also known, is a great alternative to the invasive non-native common honeysuckle. Selecting native plants that thrive inyour area is preferential for supporting local wildlife.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 11
• Color Varieties: Red, pink, orange, yellow
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Loamy, sandy, clay, well-drained
  

Coral Bell

The nectar in the bell-shaped blooms of native North American coral bells (Heuchera spp.) draws pollinators. Regularly dividing these short-lived perennials means you can keep a continual supply in your yard. Plant them in a partial-shade location with rich, well-draining soil. To keep the hummingbirds happy, don't cut back the stems too soon in an effort to direct energy to the foliage. By deadheading spent blooms, birds can enjoy flowers from summer to fall.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
• Color Varieties: Red, white, pink, orange
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Rich, moist but well-drained
  

Flowering Tobacco

The tobacco flower (Nicotiana alata) is often overlooked, but hummers love the trumpet-shaded blooms, and, as an added bonus, they are deer-resistant flowers. These flowers are easy to grow, providing you can provide the warm weather and rich, well-draining soils they love. They are generally grown as annuals and provide an abundant food source for hummingbirds through the summer and early fall. Be aware the tobacco flower is toxic to humans and pets.

• USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11; normally grown as an annual
• Color Varieties: Yellow, green, white, pink, red
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
  

Delphinium

Delphinium are ideal early-summer, long-bloomers. Their abundant flower spikes make a statement in cottage garden designs and beyond. Plant in the sun in loamy, well-draining soil, and keep them evenly moist. The perennials do best in regions with cool summers with average temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Watch out for early signs of pest infestations or fungal diseases, like powdery mildew, and note they are toxic to people, pets, and horses.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
• Color Varieties: Pastel, blue, pink, purple, white
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Moist loam, well-draining
  

Fuschia

With bright, pinky-red outer petals and a purple inner blossom, teardrop-shaped fuschia (Fuchsia) catches the eye. These perennials (which can be grown as annuals in chillier climates) prefer partial shade or full shade and moist, well-drained soil. While they dislike heavy heat (they thrive between 55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit), they enjoy humidity.

There are cultivars suited for upright container growing and trailing over hanging baskets, so you can easily find a suitable plant for your needs. 

• USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11
• Color Varieties: Purple, pink, red, white, violet
• Sun Exposure: Partial to full shade
• Soil Needs: Moist, but well-drained

Lantana

Often used in hanging baskets or ground covers, Lantana (Lantana camara) loves full sun, and requires at least six hours of exposure per day. The vining plant is a perennial typically (and it requires pruning if you’re growing it as such), but an annual in areas with cold winters. It loves neutral, well-drained soil and the bright blooms should get about an inch of water per week.

• USDA Growing Zones: 7 to 11
• Color Varieties: Red, orange, yellow, blue, white, pink
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Well-drained

Foxglove

This perennial has a slender stock that is stacked with bright, bell-shaped blossoms—perfect for hummingbirds to retrieve nectar from. If grown from seeds, foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) will not flower until their second year, so many gardeners choose to buy them as second-year nursery plants.

Though, the plants do self-seed and will produce a bevy of flowers year after year. With heights up to 5 feet tall, these flowers bloom in early summer and love slightly acidic soil.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 10
• Color Varieties: Pink, purple, red, white, yellow
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Needs: Well-draining, loamy soil

Daylily

Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) are perennials that are exceptionally easy to care for since the flowers stand up to extreme heat and many soil types. Blooming from spring to late summer, daylilies adore full sun, but you should place darker-hued varieties in areas that get some shade so they keep their color. Plant these flowers in early spring or early fall at least one month before a hard frost.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 10
• Color Varieties: Red, orange, yellow, purple, pink
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Needs: Deep, fertile, medium-loamy soil

Cuphea

Not only do tubular cuphea (Cuphea spp.) blooms attract hummingbirds and other pollinators, but they also resist pests and require little maintenance. Also known as cigar or firecracker plants, cuphea are resistant to drought and love full sun.

However, they do produce even more blooms when their soil is kept moist as they grow. Between the 250 species and numerous cultivars, choose one that is amenable to your area’s climate.

• USDA Growing Zones: 8 to 11
• Color Varieties: Orange, red, yellow, purple
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Needs: Well-drained

Catmint

Catmint’s (Nepeta) lacy-looking, slightly aromatic foliage adds a delicate touch to your garden as it attracts hummingbirds. Its flowers come in shades of purple, pink, and white and will repeatedly bloom after the first flowers show up in early summer. Most have a sprawling growth habit and should be planted in spring or early fall. These perennials love well-drained soil as amenable to a variety of acidity levels.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
• Color Varieties: Purple, white, pink
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Needs: Well-drained

Phlox

With nearly 70 species that span both perennial and annual varieties, phlox (Phlox) come in no shortage of stunning colors and patterns. Some even have variegated blooms. These plants like partial sunlight but will tolerate full sun, and need regular watering during their blooming season. Be sure to water phlox at their base and not from above to avoid mildew formation on your plant’s leaves.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
• Color Varieties: White, pink, purple, blue
• Sun Exposure: Partial to full
• Soil Needs: Loamy, rich, well-drained 

Red Hot Poker

Red hot pokers (Kniphofia) are sure to draw in hummingbirds with their tall, textural flowers that fade from yellow to orangey-red. These herbaceous perennials like well-draining soil and full sun, though some afternoon shade is beneficial in hot climates. They are quite hardy, but the one thing that might compromise their health is wet soil that doesn’t drain, as it can cause root rot come winter.

• USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
• Color Varieties: Red, yellow, orange
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Needs: Well-drained 

Hummingbird Mint

Known for attracting hummingbirds, hummingbird mint (Agastache cana) is the most popular variety of agastache. These pretty pink or purple blossoms flower abundantly during its bloom period, which spans from early summer to late fall. Indigenous to Mexico and the southwestern U.S., hummingbird mint has a high heat and drought tolerance. It is particularly well planted in containers or xeriscape gardens.

• USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 10
• Color Varieties: Pink, purple
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Needs: Fertile, loamy, well-drained

Morning Glory

Morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea) is a fast-growing, annual flowering vine that grows by wrapping its tendrils around nearby supports, like a trellis. Lightly fragrant, the plant’s flowers, which come in striking shades of purple, blue and other hues, attract both hummingbirds and butterflies.

They are often slow to set flowers, but they can bloom by mid summer with regular watering. Morning glory love full sun and well-drained soil.

• USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11
• Color Varieties: Purple, pink, blue, white
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained

Canna Lily

Canna lily (Canna spp.) shows off with petals in vibrant shades of red, yellow, orange, pink, and more. These sub-tropical perennials (which are grown as annuals in chillier climates) bloom between June and October and prefer full sun and well-draining, acidic soil. These pants need ample fertilizer to thrive; feed them once per month and even twice during the growing season.

• USDA Growing Zones: 8 to 10
• Color Varieties: Red, orange, yellow, pink, cream, white; solid color or with contrasting spots
• Sun Exposure: Full
• Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-draining