Plants that Attract Butterflies
🌿 Butterfly Gardens on the Space Coast: Best Plants to Attract Butterflies
By Byrd's Lawwn and Landscape
Here on Florida’s beautiful Space Coast, we’re lucky to enjoy a climate that welcomes an incredible variety of butterflies year-round. Monarchs, Swallowtails, Zebra Longwings, Gulf Fritillaries—you name it, they’re fluttering through our backyards. Want to make your landscape a hot spot for these colorful pollinators? At Byrd's Lawwn and Landscape, we know exactly how to transform your yard into a butterfly magnet 🌸🦋
Here’s a guide to the top butterfly-attracting plants that thrive in Brevard County and beyond.
🌼 1. Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
Milkweed is the MVP of butterfly plants. Monarch butterflies only lay their eggs on milkweed, and the caterpillars feed on it exclusively. It’s a must-have for any Space Coast butterfly garden.
👉 Best varieties for Florida: Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica), Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
💡 Tip: Cut back tropical milkweed in the winter to prevent disease in monarch populations.
🌸 2. Pentas (Pentas lanceolata)
Known for their star-shaped flowers and bright colors, pentas are butterfly buffets. Their nectar-rich blooms attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds alike.
📍 Perfect for full sun and heat-tolerant—ideal for Space Coast summers.
🌻 3. Lantana (Lantana camara)
This low-maintenance, hardy plant offers constant color and plenty of nectar. Butterflies love it, especially Gulf Fritillaries and Zebra Longwings.
🌈 Available in a variety of colors that bloom almost year-round in Florida.
🌿 4. Passion Vine (Passiflora incarnata)
This vining beauty not only boasts stunning flowers but also serves as the host plant for Gulf Fritillary and Zebra Longwing caterpillars. Let it climb a trellis, fence, or arbor and watch butterflies flock to it.
⚠️ Be prepared to share—it gets eaten by caterpillars (and that’s a good thing!).
🌺 5. Firebush (Hamelia patens)
A Florida native and butterfly favorite, firebush produces bright orange-red blooms that are nectar powerhouses. It's especially attractive to hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies like the Sulphur and Long-tailed Skipper.
🌞 Drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun.
🌼 6. Coneflowers (Echinacea spp.)
Not just pretty—coneflowers are pollinator champions. Their large daisy-like heads are a landing pad for butterflies.
✅ Grows well in Central and South Florida and adds a wildflower feel to your landscape.
🦋 Pro Tips from Byrd's:
Sun is key – Butterflies are cold-blooded and need warmth to fly, so plant in sunny areas.
Avoid pesticides – Even organic ones can harm butterfly eggs and caterpillars.
Mix nectar and host plants – Butterflies need food for both adult and larval stages.
Add water sources – A shallow dish with sand and water creates a butterfly “puddling” spot.
🌿 Ready to create a butterfly paradise?
Whether you’re dreaming of a vibrant pollinator garden or just want to add a few butterfly-friendly touches to your lawn, Byrd's Lawwn and Landscape can help design, plant, and maintain a landscape that supports local wildlife—and looks amazing doing it.
📍 Locally owned and serving the Space Coast, we know the native plants, the weather patterns, and the best ways to bring your vision to life.
👉 Give us a call or send a message to schedule your free butterfly garden consult.
Let’s bring the butterflies home. 🦋