23 Best Flowers to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden

It’s a treat for the eyes and ears to hear the gentle hum of hummingbirds in the garden.

Though they prefer red, trumpet-shaped flowers, hummingbirds also visit plants with orange, yellow, and purple blooms.

Not just to pollinate tubular flowers, you must welcome hummingbirds as they add aesthetic appeal to your garden.

As these birds feed, they unknowingly pollinate plants, making them significant contributors to healthy ecosystems.

Hummingbirds love nectar-rich, exceptionally bright red, orange, or pink flowers.

They prefer tube-shaped blooms, which make it easy for their long beaks to reach the nectar.

Even those without yard space can attract hummingbirds by growing the flowering plants listed below in hanging baskets.

Get ready to bring hummingbirds buzzing your way with the flowers listed below.

Note: Choose different plants from the list and plant them well apart to avoid fighting between hummingbirds.

23 Best Flowers to Attract Hummingbirds

1. Lantana (Lantana camara) – The Colorful Cluster Bloomer

Lantana is a sun-loving, drought-tolerant shrub that produces clusters of tiny, nectar-rich flowers in bright red, orange, yellow, pink, and purple shades.

These constantly blooming flowers act like a neon sign for hummingbirds, drawing them in from a distance. Lantana thrives in hot, dry conditions, making it perfect for low-maintenance gardens.

• USDA Growing Zones: 8 to 11 (grown as an annual in colder zones)
• Color Varieties: Red, orange, yellow, pink, purple, and multicolored
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Well-draining, slightly sandy soil

2. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) – A Pollinator Paradise

The perennial bee balm’s full spikes and spherical shape make it an enjoyable and attractive plant in the garden—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 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

3. Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans) – The Hummingbird Magnet

With cascading, trumpet-shaped flowers, this fast-growing vine turns any trellis, fence, or arbor into a hummingbird hotspot.

It can climb up to 40 feet, creating a natural canopy where hummingbirds love to rest between feedings. However, be prepared—a vigorous grower needs regular pruning to stay in check!

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
• Color Varieties: Orange, red, yellow
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, medium-moisture soil

4. Hummingbird Mint (Agastache) – The Fragrant Favorite

Hummingbird mint earns its name for a reason—these tall, spiky blooms are overflowing with nectar, and their minty fragrance makes them a favorite in any garden.

The flowers bloom for months, ensuring a steady food supply for hummingbirds from summer into fall. Bonus? The deer and rabbits leave it alone, making it a hardy, low-maintenance choice!

• USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 10
• Color Varieties: Purple, pink, orange, and red
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, dry to medium moisture soil

5. Beardtongue (Penstemon) – A Tough, Tubular Beauty

Picture rows of delicate, trumpet-shaped blooms swaying in the breeze, each packed with sweet nectar that hummingbirds can’t resist.

That’s beardtongue, a tough, drought-tolerant perennial that thrives even in poor soil. These flowers come in various colors, and their tubular shape is tailor-made for hummingbirds.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
• Color Varieties: Red, pink, purple, white, and blue
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, sandy or rocky soil

6. Petunia (Petunia spp.) – The Easy-Care Bloomer

Petunias are your answer if you want a hummingbird-friendly plant that blooms non-stop! These annual flowers spill beautifully from hanging baskets, containers, and garden beds, offering a nectar buffet all season long.

Plus, they’re low-maintenance—give them sun, water, and occasional deadheading to keep the blooms coming!

• USDA Growing Zones: Grown as an annual (perennial in zones 10-11)
• Color Varieties: Red, pink, purple, white, yellow, and multicolored
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, moist soil

7. Zinnia (Zinnia elegans) – The Bright and Bold Choice

Zinnias are bursting with color, making them a standout in any hummingbird garden. These fast-growing annuals bloom from summer until frost, ensuring a steady nectar supply. Hummingbirds love their bright hues, while gardeners love their low-maintenance nature.

• USDA Growing Zones: Grown as an annual (perennial in zones 9-11)
• Color Varieties: Red, pink, orange, yellow, white, and purple
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, fertile soil

8. Phlox (Phlox paniculata) – The Fragrant Feast

Fragrance meets beauty in phlox, a clump-forming perennial that produces masses of tiny, nectar-rich blooms in mid-to-late summer.

Its sweet scent draws hummingbirds and attracts butterflies and bees, making it a pollinator paradise.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
• Color Varieties: Pink, red, purple, white, and bicolor
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained soil

9. Lupine (Lupinus) – The Vertical Showstopper

Lupine’s towering spikes of pea-like flowers add drama and height to any garden while serving as a nectar-rich food source for hummingbirds.

These perennials prefer cooler climates and can improve soil health by fixing nitrogen.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
• Color Varieties: Blue, purple, pink, red, yellow, and white
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil

10. Cardinal Climber (Ipomoea quamoclit)

This fast-growing vine is a hummingbird favorite. It produces delicate, star-shaped red flowers that bloom continuously throughout summer.

Its feathery foliage and climbing habit make it perfect for fences, trellises, and arbors. Though it looks exotic, growing from seed is surprisingly easy and thrives with minimal care.

• USDA Growing Zones: Annual in most zones, perennial in zones 10-11
• Color Varieties: Red
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, average soil

11. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)

Few plants are as charming as the bleeding heart, with unique heart-shaped flowers dangling from arching stems.

While most hummingbird-friendly plants prefer full sun, bleeding heart thrives in shade, making it an excellent choice for woodland gardens.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
• Color Varieties: Pink, white, red
• Sun Exposure: Partial shade to full shade
• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained, rich soil

12. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii) – A Magnet for Winged Visitors

True to its name, butterfly bush is a pollinator powerhouse, attracting butterflies, bees, and of course, hummingbirds. Its long, cone-shaped flower clusters bloom continuously from summer to fall, providing a steady nectar source.

• USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
• Color Varieties: Purple, pink, white, blue, yellow
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil

13. Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) – A Summer Blooming Shrub

Rose of Sharon is a late bloomer, offering nectar-filled hibiscus-like flowers when many other plants have faded. Its tall, bushy growth habit makes it ideal for hedges, privacy screens, or as a focal point in the garden.

• USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
• Color Varieties: Pink, purple, blue, white
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil

14. Salvia (Salvia spp.)

With its spiky, nectar-rich blooms, salvia is a must-have in any hummingbird garden. Available in annual and perennial varieties, this drought-tolerant plant blooms from spring through fall, ensuring a steady food source for hummingbirds.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 10 (varies by species)
• Color Varieties: Red, pink, purple, blue, white
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, dry to medium-moisture soil

15. Columbine (Aquilegia) – A Delicate Springtime Treat

Columbine’s graceful, nodding flowers are among the first to bloom in spring, offering a much-needed nectar source for returning hummingbirds.

With its long, spurred petals, this plant is perfectly adapted for hummingbirds’ long beaks and tongues.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
• Color Varieties: Red, pink, yellow, purple, blue, white
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, fertile soil

16. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) – A Tall and Cheerful Nectar Source

Sunflowers aren’t just for bees and birds that love seeds—hummingbirds also flock to their nectar-filled centers.

While traditional sunflowers provide some nectar, certain varieties, like ‘Lemon Queen,’ are beautiful to hummingbirds.

• USDA Growing Zones: Annual in all zones (perennial in zones 6 to 9 for some species)
• Color Varieties: Yellow, orange, red, bicolor
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil

17. Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.) – A Hanging Basket Favorite

Fuchsia’s pendulous, two-toned flowers are practically designed for hummingbirds. These shade-loving plants produce long, tubular blooms that dangle gracefully, making them perfect for hanging baskets, window boxes, or shaded patios.

• USDA Growing Zones: 8 to 10 (grown as an annual in colder regions)
• Color Varieties: Pink, red, purple, white, orange
• Sun Exposure: Partial shade to full shade
• Soil Needs: Rich, well-drained, moist soil

18. Cuphea (Cuphea spp.) – The Cigar or Firecracker Plant

Cuphea is a low-growing shrub with small, tubular flowers that hummingbirds adore. Often called cigar plant or firecracker plant, its blooms resemble tiny cigars or fireworks, standing out with their bright red and orange hues.

• USDA Growing Zones: 8 to 11 (grown as an annual elsewhere)
• Color Varieties: Red, orange, purple, pink
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, moist soil

19. Delphinium (Delphinium spp.) – The Majestic Spire

Delphiniums add a touch of elegance to any garden with their tall, spiky blooms, often towering up to six feet high. Their deep blue and purple shades attract hummingbirds, offering nectar-rich flowers in early summer.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 7
• Color Varieties: Blue, purple, pink, white
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, fertile soil

20. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) – A True Hummingbird Magnet

Few plants rival the cardinal flower when it comes to hummingbird attraction. Its brilliant red spikes stand tall, providing a rich nectar source from midsummer to early fall.

Unlike many drought-tolerant hummingbird plants, the cardinal flower thrives in moist conditions, making it ideal for boggy areas, pond edges, or rain gardens.

It’s a short-lived perennial, but it reseeds easily, ensuring new plants year after year.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
• Color Varieties: Red
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Moist, rich soil

21. Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)

Unlike its invasive cousin, Japanese honeysuckle, trumpet honeysuckle is a non-invasive, well-behaved vine that produces clusters of tubular red and orange flowers. This plant blooms from spring through summer, offering a steady nectar supply for hummingbirds.

Trumpet honeysuckle grows best on trellises, fences, or arbors, providing shelter and resting spots for hummingbirds between feedings.

• USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
• Color Varieties: Red, orange, yellow
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, average soil

22. Coral Bells (Heuchera) – A Foliage and Flower Powerhouse

Coral bells are best known for their colorful foliage, but their delicate, bell-shaped flowers are an excellent nectar source for hummingbirds. These low-growing perennials work well in shady gardens, borders, or containers.

Coral bells have a wide range of leaf colors, from lime green to deep purple, and they add interest to the garden even when not in bloom. The flowers appear in late spring and early summer, giving hummingbirds an early-season treat.

• USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
• Color Varieties: Pink, red, coral, white
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, organic-rich soil

23. Canna Lily (Canna indica) – Tropical Blooms for a Bold Look

Canna lilies bring a tropical touch to any garden with their large, showy flowers and lush foliage. Their bright red, orange, and yellow blooms are irresistible to hummingbirds, making them a standout choice for nectar seekers.

These plants thrive in warm, sunny conditions and need regular watering to keep their foliage lush. They can be grown in garden beds or containers, making them versatile for different spaces.

• USDA Growing Zones: 8 to 11 (grown as annuals in cooler regions)
• Color Varieties: Red, orange, yellow, pink
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained soil

Conclusion

A hummingbird-friendly garden offers beauty and constant activity—plant nectar-rich flowers like Bee Balm, Salvia, and Trumpet Vine to attract them throughout the season. Mixing perennials, annuals, and vines ensures variety and long-lasting blooms.

Group flowers in clusters, choose red or orange tubular blooms and stagger bloom times for continuous nectar. Avoid pesticides and add water sources to create a haven. With thoughtful planting, your garden will become a vibrant retreat for hummingbirds year after year.