The Best Plants for Hummingbirds

Here is a good reference list for the plants that hummingbirds prefer the most.

Abutilon

Annual with 150 species
Bell-shaped flowers that bloom all summer into fall
High sucrose content

Agastache

Herbaceous perennial with 10 species
Prefers well-drained organic soils and part to full sun
Colors range from pastel apricot to blues and purples
Blooms summer to fall

Aquilegia - Columbine

Perennial with 60-70 species
First flower frequented by hummers on return in spring
Prefers part shade

Fuchsia

Annual with over 100 species
Prefers part shade
Profuse blooms in containers
Perennial in zone 10-11
Prefers well-drained, rich soil and regular watering
After flowering produces an edible fruit

Justica - Shrimp Plant

Tropical loved by hummers that adds interest to any pot
Native to Mexico, it is an evergreen shrub that should be brought indoors during the cold season
Justica is a profuse bloomer

Kniphofia - Red Hot Poker

50 or more species
Herbaceous perennial native to Africa
Basal evergreen leaves
Tall spiked flowers open over summer
Colors from yellows to vivid red

Lobelia

Over 300 species from native cardinalis and siphlicata to annual varieties
Native varieties prefer moist organic soils and full sun or part shade Cardinalis is a favorite and sought after in wild

Lonicera - Honeysuckle

Lonicera sempervirens - coral honeysuckle

Over 150 species but plant the native Lonicera sempervirens varieties
Blooms late April thru fall and is loved by hummers due to very high fructose in nectar.
Major Wheeler is a red-orange and John Clayton is bright yellow

Monarda - Bee Balm

Over 12 varieties available
Red varieties like Jacob Kline and Fireball are favorites
Native plant that prefers full to part sun and good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew

Penstemons - Beard’s Tongue

Many species are native and have non-tubular flowers
with lip providing high sucrose
Native varieties include Husker’s Red or any Penstemon digitalis

Salvia

One of the largest genus of plants that offer tubular flowers ranging from white to deep red to deep blue
Perennial plants as well as annual varieties provide nectar to hummingbirds
Annual types include Hot Lips, Black and Blue, Amistad etc
Perennial types include Marcus, Blue Hill, Caradonna and Rose

Tecoma

Over 10 species of tropical vining bushes that offer very high sucrose
Flowers are usually yellow or orange with red throats

Sage

Pineapple sage which blooms prolifically in late August through October is a great source of sucrose as hummingbirds migrate
This plant is a tender perennial

Others

Trumpet Vine

Large trumpet-shaped flowers full of sucrose
Flowers area a little large but they work
Hummers pollinate as well as feed on Trumpet Vine flowers

Brugmansia

Another tropical that provides large trumpet-shaped
flowers for feeding
Also fragrant and best used in planters.

Hummingbirds like tubular flowers as they hold more nectar that is rich in sucrose. Red is their favorite color as they can see it further away but any color will do. The shape of the flower and the amount of nectar dictates how many hummingbirds you attract. When plants are ready to be pollinated, the secretions of nectar increase. Nectar includes sucrose, glucose, and fructose. This process is repeated throughout the summer into fall as flowers are produced.

If you provide enough planted food sources then your hummingbirds will stop using your feeders. They also do not use feeders during nesting and hatching time as proteins are required for rearing young - they prefer spiders, gnats, and small insects.

Keep in mind that Hummingbirds feed insects to their young. For them to nest and remain in your garden, plant some of the following plants that harbor insects needed to raise young.