9 Butterfly Garden Flowers to Grow From Seeds

Tagetes spp.

This old-fashioned garden standby deserves more attention in butterfly garden. Choose the full double-bloomed varieties for their capability to hold water between the petals, giving thirsty butterflies a great place to stop for a sip as well as some nectar. Start marigolds indoors about eight weeks before you’ll be ready to transplant.

Try: Park’s Whopper Mix or Marigold ‘Tiger Eyes’

Courtesy Vickie Griner

Mexican Sunflower

Tithonia rotundifolia

Also called Mexican sunflower (though it’s not a true sunflower), this butterfly magnet is perfect for that hot sunny spot in your garden. It actually likes drier soil once it’s established, and the bright orange petals seem to draw every butterfly in the neighborhood.

Try: ‘Fiesta del Sol’ Mexican Sunflower

Courtesy Dan Davidson

Zinnia

Zinnia spp.

Oh, the wide variety of zinnias! Singles, doubles, solid and broken colors, tall and short—the list goes on. Growing zinnias from seeds is very satisfying. They sprout within a couple of days, and flower in just a few weeks. You can start them indoors about six weeks before you’ll be ready to transplant outdoors, or direct-sow in your garden after the last frost or in spring.

Try: Zahara Mix or Zin Master Mix

Courtesy Kari Thomson

Coneflower

Echinacea spp.

Coneflowers are a favorite of butterflies and gardeners alike. These tall sturdy flowers thrive all season long, and since they’re perennials, they’ll return year after year. Start coneflowers early so they’ll have time to bloom the first season, or sow them the fall before.

Try: Coneflower ‘PowWow Wild Berry’ or Coneflower ‘Magnus’

Courtesy Kimberly Gross

Sunflower

Helianthus spp.

Many folks grow sunflowers for birds, and are surprised to find butterflies visiting the giant blooms! Sunflowers come in so many heights and sizes now that it’s easy to find one (or more) to suit your garden space, even containers. Start them indoors two weeks to give them a chance to sprout, or direct sow fairly deeply so they won’t be eaten by birds or other critters.

Try: Sunny Babe or Sunny Smile

Courtesy Diane Theodor

Cosmos

Cosmos spp.

These flowers are one of the first that many gardeners grow from seed. They’re easy and don’t require any special prep—just sow cosmos seeds in the spring where you want them to grow! Don’t be surprised when they self-seed and return year after year. There are two types (C. bipinnatus and C. sulphureus) each available in a variety of colors, so choose the one(s) best suited to your garden.

Try: Peppermint Candy or Cupcake Mix

Courtesy Lisa Thompson

Goldenrod

Solidago spp.

It’s important to include nectar-producing butterfly flowers that bloom all the way through fall. These especially help support migrating monarchs on their long journey to Mexico. Goldenrod is a great late-season nectar flower, and very easy to grow. Give it lots of sun, and room to reach for the sky. There are many species of goldenrod, so seek out those native to your area.

Try: Grass-leaved Goldenrod or Showy Goldenrod

Discover the host plants that butterflies need.

Courtesy Roslynn Long

Salvia

Salvia spp.

There are hundreds of species of salvia (also called sage), and most of them are great for attracting butterflies. Choose those native to your area for direct-sowing in spring, or start indoors about four to six weeks before transplanting time.

Try: Summer Jewel Pink or Fairy Queen

Courtesy Terry Brunholtz

Ironweed

Vernonia spp.

The tall spikes of ironweed act as a calling card for butterflies. This late-summer-to-fall bloomer provides nectar for butterflies that linger after the prime of summer has ended. Ironweed is best sown directly in the garden in late fall or early winter. Choose species native to your area.

Try: Giant Ironweed or Common Ironweed