plant library
Hummingbird plants — 15 nectar-rich picks (US zones 4-9)
Fifteen hummingbird plants — trumpet vine, salvia, cardinal flower, bee balm, agastache — with bloom timing, ASPCA pet flags and feeder guidance.
Hummingbird plants — 15 nectar-rich picks (US zones 4-9)
Hummingbirds in North America — predominantly the ruby-throated in the East and Anna's, rufous and black-chinned in the West — feed almost every 10–15 minutes during daylight to fuel their extraordinary metabolisms. A garden that holds a hummingbird population (rather than just receiving occasional drive-by visits) needs a sequence of high-nectar tubular flowers from May through October, ideally backed up by a sugar-water feeder that is kept scrupulously clean. This guide covers 15 well-tested hummingbird plants for US zones 4–9, the flower color and shape logic that makes them work, and the feeder rules that are not optional.
Try Growli: Snap a photo of any hummingbird visitor and Growli will identify the species — then tell you which three flowers in your bloom calendar to add next.
Why red, why tubular
Hummingbirds are not picky about color in the way folk wisdom suggests — they will visit purple, blue and white flowers if the nectar reward is high. But there are real reasons red, orange and pink dominate the hummingbird flower list:
- Red has no UV signature. Bees see UV but not red well; flowers that evolved to be hummingbird-pollinated reduced bee competition by going red. Hummingbirds see red just fine.
- Tubular shape matches bill length. Hummingbird bills are 1.5–2 cm long with extensible tongues — flowers with deep nectar tubes hide the reward from short-tongued insects.
- High sugar concentration (~25%). Hummingbird-pollinated flowers produce concentrated nectar; bee flowers tend to be more dilute (~15–20%).
Bees physically cannot extract nectar from a 3 cm tubular red flower. That keeps the energy exclusive to the pollinator the plant wants.
Pet safety boilerplate: Three plants on this list are flagged toxic — monkshood (severe), cardinal flower (large doses) and lantana (significant). Each is noted below. Emergency: ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435.
15 hummingbird plants for US zones 4–9
1. Trumpet vine — Campsis radicans
Vigorous native US woody vine producing 3-inch orange-red trumpet flowers from June to September. The single most reliable hummingbird plant in the US East. Caveat: aggressively spreading — confine to fences, sturdy trellises or stand-alone arbors away from foundations. Zones 4–9. Pet safety: mildly toxic if ingested per North Carolina Extension — causes mild GI upset and skin irritation ("cow itch" is one common name). Not flagged on the ASPCA toxic list at fatal-toxicity level.
2. Bee balm — Monarda didyma
Native US mint-family perennial with shaggy red, pink or lavender flowers in July–August. 'Jacob Cline' is the most-recommended hummingbird red cultivar. Bumblebees also visit. Zones 4–9. Pet safety: not on ASPCA toxic list; mild GI upset possible in large ingestion.
3. Cardinal flower — Lobelia cardinalis
Spires of vivid scarlet tubular flowers in late summer. Cardinal flower depends on hummingbirds for pollination — most insects cannot navigate the long tubes. Prefers moist soil; native to US wetland edges. Zones 3–9. Pet safety: all parts are toxic in large quantities — contains alkaloids lobelamine and lobeline. Symptoms include vomiting, salivation, weakness, dilated pupils. Keep pets that chew foliage away.
4. Salvia 'Lady in Red' — Salvia coccinea
Bright red tubular flowers from June to frost. Self-seeds; treated as an annual in zones below 8, perennial in 8+. Pollinator-conservation studies rank S. coccinea among the top US hummingbird annuals. Pet safety: common salvias are generally regarded as non-toxic per ASPCA-derived references.
5. Salvia 'Black and Blue' — Salvia guaranitica
Cobalt-blue tubular flowers on tall 4 ft stems from July to frost. One of the few non-red salvias that hummingbirds visit reliably. Tender perennial (zone 8+); annual elsewhere. Pet safety: non-toxic per ASPCA-derived references.
6. Penstemon — Penstemon spp.
Native US tubular perennials in red, pink, purple or white. Penstemon barbatus and P. eatonii are the most-visited western US species; P. digitalis (white-flowered, eastern US) is also worked by ruby-throats. Zones 3–9 depending on species. Pet safety: generally regarded as non-toxic.
7. Columbine — Aquilegia canadensis (US native)
Spurred red-and-yellow flowers in May–June. The native US columbine is far more hummingbird-attractive than the European A. vulgaris. Zones 3–8. Pet safety: mildly toxic in large amounts per ASPCA-derived references — usually only mild GI upset.
8. Fuchsia — Fuchsia, Fuchsia magellanica hybrids
Pendulous pink-red-purple bicolor flowers all summer. Hummingbird hover-feeder par excellence. Tender perennial (hardy fuchsias survive zone 6+ with mulch); often grown as hanging-basket annual. Pet safety: non-toxic per ASPCA.
9. Butterfly bush — Buddleja davidii
Long honey-scented panicles from July to first frost — visited by both butterflies and hummingbirds. Caveat: invasive in parts of US Pacific Northwest and mid-Atlantic. Pet safety: not on ASPCA toxic list.
10. Lantana — Lantana camara
Cluster of small bright yellow-orange-pink flowers from spring to frost in warm zones. Heavy hummingbird traffic in southern US. Pet safety: TOXIC to dogs, cats and horses per ASPCA — liver-damaging triterpenoids; symptoms include depression, vomiting, weakness. Green berries are the most dangerous part. Avoid where pets graze.
11. Agastache (hyssop) — Agastache rupestris, Agastache cana
Spikes of small purple, orange or pink tubular flowers from July to September. Agastache rupestris ('Apache sunset') is one of the heaviest western hummingbird draws. Drought-tolerant; zones 4–9. Pet safety: generally non-toxic; not flagged by ASPCA.
12. Monkshood — Aconitum napellus
Tall blue-purple hooded flowers in late summer. Long-billed hummingbirds (and some long-tongued bumblebees) work the deep flowers. Pet safety: HIGHLY TOXIC to all mammals — contains aconitine, one of the most dangerous plant toxins known. Absorbs through skin and mucous membranes; ingestion can be fatal in under an hour with no specific antidote. Wear gloves to handle; do not plant where pets, children, or visitors who graze in gardens can reach. For most home gardeners, monkshood is not worth the risk.
13. Anise hyssop — Agastache foeniculum
Native US prairie perennial with lavender flower spikes from June to October. Long bloom; deer-resistant. Pet safety: non-toxic; safe in pollinator beds where pets roam.
14. Cigar plant — Cuphea ignea
Tubular orange flowers with black-and-white tips ("cigar with an ash" appearance) all summer. Tender perennial (zone 9+); annual or container-grown elsewhere. Heavy hummingbird draw. Pet safety: generally non-toxic; not on common toxic-plant lists.
15. Coral honeysuckle — Lonicera sempervirens
Native US vine with clusters of coral-red tubular flowers from May to October. The native alternative to invasive Japanese honeysuckle (L. japonica) — choose this. Zones 4–9. Pet safety: generally regarded as non-toxic; the introduced Japanese honeysuckle has different toxicity reports — confirm species before purchase.
Feeders are a supplement, not a substitute
A clean sugar-water feeder backs up a planted garden for off-bloom days, peak migration spikes and weather extremes — but ornithology research consistently shows that natural nectar plants are nutritionally superior because they also provide protein from the tiny insects hummingbirds eat alongside nectar. Feeder rules:
- 4:1 water to white sugar. Boil to dissolve, cool to room temperature. No red dye, no honey, no organic sugars, no artificial sweeteners. Plain white granulated sugar only.
- Refresh every 2–3 days in heat (above 70°F). Sugar water ferments into alcohol and grows black mold that can be fatal to hummingbirds. Every 5–7 days in cooler weather.
- Scrub clean with hot water at every refresh. No soap residue.
- Hang in shade if possible to slow fermentation.
- Multiple feeders spread 6+ feet apart reduce territorial fighting; one feeder concentrates aggression.
The combination of 15 nectar plants + 2 well-maintained feeders is what creates a real hummingbird population in a garden.
How to plant for hummingbirds
1. Pick the longest-blooming red salvias first
If you can only plant three things: Salvia coccinea, Salvia guaranitica, and one cardinal flower or bee balm. That trio gives June–to–frost coverage for ruby-throat range.
2. Plant in drifts; mix heights
Hummingbirds prefer flowering at 3–5 ft eye level (bee balm, salvia, penstemon) backed by something taller (trumpet vine on a trellis, fuchsia hanging basket). Layering increases the volume of flowers visible from each perch.
3. Include perches
Hummingbirds spend ~80% of daylight hours perched, watching for insects and rivals. Provide thin bare twigs in shrubs near the nectar plants — they will use them constantly.
4. Hummingbirds eat insects, too
Adult hummingbirds get ~50% of their daily calories from tiny insects (gnats, aphids, fruit flies). A garden sprayed with broad-spectrum insecticide starves hummingbirds even when flowers are blooming. See our pests hub for no-spray pest management.
5. Cover the late-summer migration window
For US ruby-throats, August–September is migration south to Central America. Late-blooming agastache, salvias, and cigar plant fuel that journey. Skip this window and your garden becomes irrelevant to migrating birds.
Try Growli: Photograph a hummingbird visitor and Growli will identify the species — and recommend the three flowers most likely to keep it returning all season.
Bloom calendar for ruby-throat range (US East)
| Window | Plants in bloom |
|---|---|
| May | Native columbine, coral honeysuckle, early penstemon |
| June–July | Bee balm, salvia 'Lady in Red', trumpet vine, fuchsia |
| August | Cardinal flower, salvia 'Black and Blue', agastache, cigar plant |
| September–October | Late agastache, monkshood, butterfly bush, late salvias |
For Western hummingbirds (Anna's, Rufous, Black-chinned, Calliope), add Penstemon eatonii, Salvia greggii (autumn sage), and Zauschneria californica (California fuchsia).
Related articles
- Bee friendly plants — 20 picks pollinators actually visit — the bee-specific guide
- Butterfly garden plants — host vs nectar plants — for butterflies
- Native plants Northeast — 18 picks — native plants for ruby-throats
- Types of flowers — 20+ annuals and perennials — the broader flower overview
- Pet-safe houseplants — indoor pet-safe alternatives
- Pests hub — no-spray approach — pest management that does not starve hummingbirds
Reviewed and updated by the Growli editorial team. For questions about anything here, open Growli and ask — or email hello@getgrowli.app.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best plant to attract hummingbirds?
Three reliable winners: cardinal flower (*Lobelia cardinalis*) for moist soils and late summer, salvia 'Lady in Red' (*Salvia coccinea*) for June-to-frost annual color, and bee balm (*Monarda didyma*) for naturalized native plantings. Trumpet vine (*Campsis radicans*) is the heaviest hummingbird draw but spreads aggressively. For the best results, combine one of these with a feeder, leave bare twigs as perches, and never spray insecticides — adult hummingbirds get ~50% of daily calories from tiny insects.
Why are hummingbirds attracted to red flowers?
Red flowers evolved alongside hummingbirds because bees see UV but not red well, so red coloration reduced bee competition for nectar. Hummingbirds see red and orange perfectly. The shape matters as much as the color — long tubular flowers match the hummingbird's 1.5–2 cm bill and extensible tongue, and most short-tongued insects can't reach the nectar reward. Red plus tubular plus high sugar concentration (~25%) is the signature.
Are hummingbird plants safe for pets?
Most are. Bee balm, salvia, penstemon, agastache, fuchsia, coral honeysuckle, anise hyssop and cigar plant are non-toxic or only mildly toxic per ASPCA-derived references. Three plants on this list need pet caution: cardinal flower (toxic in large doses — lobelamine and lobeline alkaloids), lantana (TOXIC per ASPCA — liver damage; green berries dangerous), and monkshood (HIGHLY TOXIC — aconitine; potentially fatal). Monkshood is the only one we'd discourage entirely if pets or children have garden access. See our [pet-safe houseplants guide](/blog/pet-safe-houseplants) for indoor alternatives.
Do hummingbirds use feeders or flowers more?
Both, but flowers are nutritionally superior. Natural nectar plants provide nectar plus the tiny insects hummingbirds eat alongside (gnats, aphids, fruit flies) — these provide essential protein. Feeders provide sugar calories only. Use a clean 4:1 water-to-white-sugar feeder as a supplement to planted nectar, not a replacement. Refresh sugar water every 2–3 days in heat; never use red dye, honey or alternative sweeteners.
How do I keep hummingbird feeders clean?
Take the feeder apart at every refresh. Scrub all surfaces — including the inside of feeding ports — with hot water and a bottle brush. No soap (residue is harmful). Refresh every 2–3 days when temperatures top 70°F and every 5–7 days in cooler weather. Black mold and cloudy fermented sugar water can be fatal to hummingbirds. Hang feeders in shade if possible to slow fermentation, and replace any feeder with permanent mold staining.
When do hummingbirds arrive and leave my garden?
In the US East, ruby-throats typically arrive in March–April (Gulf Coast) through May (Northeast and Great Lakes) and migrate south August–October. In the US West, Anna's hummingbirds are year-round residents in coastal California and Pacific Northwest; rufous and black-chinned migrate. Track hummingbird arrival in your area at journeynorth.org and hang feeders 1–2 weeks before expected arrival to greet the earliest migrants.
Will leaving hummingbird feeders up delay migration?
No — the long-standing myth that feeders delay migration is wrong per ornithology research. Migration is triggered by day length, not food availability. Keeping a feeder up into late October actually supports the latest, weakest migrants and provides fuel for the journey south. In fact, late-season feeders may catch occasional rare western species like rufous hummingbird passing through the US East. See our [companion planting guide](/blog/companion-planting-guide) for combining hummingbird plants with vegetables.
How can I attract hummingbirds without flowers?
Plant native trees and shrubs that host the insects hummingbirds eat — oaks alone support 500+ caterpillar species per Doug Tallamy's research. Add a clean feeder, a shallow dripping water source (hummingbirds bathe in moving water) and bare twig perches. But for a real population, plant flowers — feeders alone attract drive-by visits; nectar plants plus insects equal an established territory. See our [native plants Northeast guide](/blog/native-plants-northeast) for native trees and shrubs that double as hummingbird habitat.