The Best Butterfly-Attracting Herbs To Plant In Your Garden
There's something wonderful about seeing a butterfly land in your garden. It feels like a small reward for all your hard work, and you don't need a massive flower field to make it happen. Surprisingly, herbs are actually some of the best plants for attracting pollinators, not just flowers. They're hardy, they smell great, and you can use them in your kitchen! It's a win-win situation. Here are ten herbs that'll bring more butterflies to your yard this season.
Dill
You might love dill for pickles, but butterflies love it for a different reason. It's a favorite host plant for Black Swallowtail caterpillars. If you plant this, don't be surprised if you see colorful caterpillars munching on the leaves. That's actually a good sign, because it means you're supporting the butterfly's entire life cycle. It's easy to grow from seed, and it'll self-sow if you let it go to seed at the end of the season. Just be sure to harvest some for yourself too!
Parsley
Like dill, parsley acts as a nursery for butterflies. You'll want to plant extra so there's enough for both your cooking and the insects. Curly or flat-leaf varieties both work well. It's a biennial plant, which means it flowers in its second year, but the leaves are great food for larvae right away. Keep the soil moist and give it some sun, but otherwise it's an easy grower.
Fennel
Fennel is another magnet for Swallowtails. Bronze fennel is particularly nice because it adds a lovely color contrast to green foliage. It grows quite tall, better placed at the back of your garden bed. Also, know that it can spread very easily, so you might want to cut off the seed heads before they scatter. It's a striking plant that provides essential food for growing caterpillars while looking structured and architectural in the garden.
Lavender
Lavender offers a rich source of nectar that butterflies can't resist. It loves the sun and needs well-draining soil to thrive. Once it's established, though, it's very drought-tolerant, which makes it low maintenance. The purple spikes attract all sorts of pollinators, including butterflies and bees. It's important to prune lavender back a bit in the spring to keep it from getting too woody, but otherwise, you'll love getting that scent emanating through your garden. English varieties are often hardiest for cooler regions.
Chives
Chives are often one of the first herbs to pop up in the spring. When they bloom, they produce round, purple flowers that are full of nectar. This is crucial for butterflies emerging early in the season when other food sources are scarce. They're incredibly hardy and come back year after year. You can eat the flowers in salads, but try to leave plenty for the insects. It's a small plant that makes a big difference early in the spring season.
Mint
Mint produces spikes of tiny flowers that are highly attractive to smaller butterflies. However, you've got to be careful with this one. It spreads aggressively and can take over a garden bed if you aren't watching. It's best to grow mint in a container or a raised bed where it's contained. This way, you get the benefits of the pollinator-friendly blooms without the headache of it invading your other plants. It's tough, resilient, and smells very refreshing.
Oregano
We usually harvest oregano leaves before the plant flowers for the best flavor, but if you want to help butterflies, you should let a few plants bolt and bloom. The tiny pink or purple flowers are filled with tons of nectar. It's a ground-hugging plant that fills empty spaces nicely, it prefers a sunny spot, and it doesn't need much water. It's a rugged herb that asks for very little but gives a lot back to the ecosystem.
Sage
Culinary sage has beautiful blue or purple flowers that attract many butterfly species. The textured, grey-green leaves also look good even when the plant isn't blooming. It's a woody perennial that loves heat and hates wet feet. Make sure your soil drains well to keep it happy. It creates a nice shrubby mound that adds some structure to your herb garden, and it's a reliable plant that provides a steady supply of nectar during its blooming window.
Thyme
Thyme is fantastic because it can fit almost anywhere. You can plant creeping varieties between paving stones or standard varieties in pots. When it blooms, it gets covered in tiny flowers that butterflies flock to, creating a dense mat of color and fragrance. Like many Mediterranean herbs, it thrives in dry, sunny conditions. It's perfect for rock gardens or borders. You won't have to fuss over it much, and pollinators will thank you.
Rosemary
In warmer climates, rosemary can bloom for a long time, still providing food even when other plants have finished for the year. It grows into a substantial bush, offering shelter for insects as well as nectar. It needs full sun, gritty soil, and to not be overwatered. It's an attractive evergreen that anchors your garden design while serving a practical purpose for wildlife. If you live in a cold area, grow it in a pot and bring it inside.
Creating a butterfly garden doesn't mean you have to learn complex horticulture, it's really just about choosing plants that both serve a purpose and suit your existing space. By adding even just a few of these herbs to your beds or pots, you're building a little wildlife sanctuary. You'll get fresh herbs for your dinner and a lively view out your window. Start with one or two and see what happens!