Creating a butterfly garden: understanding host and nectar plants

When I moved to Florida from New York, I had this idea to create a butterfly garden so my daughter (who was a toddler at the time) can see nature in action.  So, I bought a pack of pollinator flower seeds and literally just sprinkled them in the small patch I set up.  Once the plants and flowers bloomed – wow!  I started to notice so much activity from bees, wasps and then came butterflies.  I was hooked after seeing the different species of butterflies and beautiful moths that visited our small patch.  Since then, the patch has expanded, and I became more intentional in creating more of a native, pollinator friendly habitat.  Along the way, I learned specific plants serve different roles in the life cycle of butterflies - namely as nectar plants and host plants.

What is the Difference Between Host and Nectar Plants?

So, what exactly are nectar and host plants?  Nectar plants tend to be flowering plants and are a butterfly’s food source.  They feed across various butterfly species and can bring some beautiful butterflies into your garden.  Examples of some common nectar plants include:

·      Lantanas

·      Sunflowers

·      Zinnias

·      Swamp milkweed

·      Purple coneflower

On the other hand, host plants have two purposes – to provide a safe place for butterflies to lay their eggs and to feed caterpillars.  Specific butterfly species rely on specific host plants to act as a food source for their offspring to eat (think “the hungry caterpillar”).  These are essential for supporting the full life cycle of butterflies.

Examples of host plants include:

·       Milkweeds (Swamp Milkweed, and Common Milkweed) and Butterflyweed– essential for Monarchs and Queen butterflies

·       Herbs like Dill, Fennel, Parsley, and Rue – favorite host plants for various Swallowtail butterfly species

There are Plants That Do Both! 

Certain plants can act as both nectar sources and host plants, making them extra valuable in your garden.  Take Purple Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) for example.  This beautiful vining nectar plant feeds a variety of butterflies and other pollinators but also acts as a host plant for the Zebra Longwing and various fritillary species including the Gulf Fritillary.  Plus, it produces passion fruit - an added bonus. 

Another multitasker is the Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) or even Sassafras, which attracts butterflies and serves as a host plant for the Spicebush Swallowtail.

Start Small and Let It Grow

If you can, choose native plants that suit your region and mix in pollinator-friendly varieties to support local biodiversity. But don’t feel overwhelmed—just get started, keep learning, and let the magic unfold.

References:

1.     Why Host and Nectar Plants Matter for Butterfly Gardening by UF|IFAS Extension

2.     Native Plant Gardening for Birds, Bees and Butterflies by Jaret C. Daniels